Hey Im a week overdue...and Im a really uncomfortable.....Im always in pain because she is just tearing me up....do you think they would induce me?....Other question....how does an epideral work?....They inject it into your spinal cord....and then do they put a catheter in?....How much does is help? Could you actually go without it, does it make a difference? Thanks......
2007-09-17 13:19:52 · 5 answers · asked by ☆☆T. May ━═☆ 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Generally doctors won't let you go two weeks past your due date, so there is a very good chance that your doc will induce you soon.
As for the epidural, don't let yourself be misinformed by someone who has obviously no idea what they are talking about. What happens is a small tube is inserted into your lower spine (the catheter) so that the numbing medication can be administered. All you feel is a pinch and a burning sensation (not bad though) and then some pressure as they position the catheter into your back. The epidural numbs your entire belly and sometimes your legs too, whereas a spinal block (which is placed higher up in the spine) numbs you from the chest down to your toes. The second answerer is talking about a saddle block... a type of anesthesia that just numbs your perineum and is just used for the pushing stage..... it's not an epidural. I've had a natural birth, two epidurals, and a spinal block.... I prefer an epidural, but I'll find you a link that can give you more details about labor anesthesia so you can decide for yourself. As for a urinary catheter, my first epi I didn't have one, the second one I did so I think it depends on how you do during labor. Good luck :)
http://babies.sutterhealth.org/laboranddelivery/ld_meds.html
http://www.mjbovo.com/Epidural.htm
2007-09-17 14:50:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went 8 days over. I was lucky though I didn't need to be induced. It came naturally. I had an epideral with my labor as it went for 50hrs. A small amount of anesthesia is inserted through a narrow catheter threaded thorough a needle inserted into the dura space near the spinal cord. I don't think I could of survived with out it, it was instant relief. First I tried the gas but it made me feel to weird, like I wasn't really there. It kind of scared me. So thats when I went for the epideral, the anesthesia would last for approx 2 hours, than the midwife would administer some more. I had plans of not using any pain relief during labor... It really did help me. But really it's up to you. It is good to have the option there. When I do have another baby, I will try again to last with out pain relief. But it makes me feel easier to know I can have an epidural.
2007-09-17 20:39:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only your doctor can tell you if he/she will induce you. As for the epidural, it does not go in your spine, that is a spinal block. The epidural is injected into your birth canal (vagina). The epidural is not a catheter, it is an injection of anesthesia using a hypodermic needle. They usually don't put a catheter in, it interferes with delivery.
The epidural will numb the birth canal area and is an option only up to a certain point. After you've dilated so many centimeters, an epidural is not offered. As for going without it, women have done is for thousands of years.
These are decisions you need to discuss with your doctor or midwife or obstetric nurse.
2007-09-17 20:33:09 · answer #3 · answered by artistagent116 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
epideral is a catheter. It works great. Couldn't feel much. I couldn't go without it (I'm not a pain person) but you may be able to.
2007-09-17 20:30:41 · answer #4 · answered by fsuirishprincess 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
WTF Someone said an epidural goes into the birthcanal... nothing goes in- the baby comes out of there the epideral goes in your back and the catheter goes in your peepee hole so that you don't have to get up to pee during a c-section.
2007-09-17 20:43:15 · answer #5 · answered by jose migel 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋