epidural???

Question

My mom was trying to talk me out of getting an epidural, she has had it before and says that it hurts more then going "natural". does anyone else have any opinions? I am a complete wimp and I have a very low pain tolerance...and as scared as I am of labor, the thought of sticking a 6' long needle in my back isn't much better...

she means her back hurts afterwards more the going natural, said her last one hurt for more then a year...

Answer 1

i thought that i had a low pain tolerance too and i hated needles but labor changes everything. when that pain hits you will want drugs believe me. going natural is commendable if you have that kind of pain tolerance but i don't. when your in pain and a human life is trying to come out of you, you be happy to take an epidural and the needle is not that big. it truly feels like a pinch. i've had two babies and the first time i felt nothing the second time the lady hit a bone in my spine and had to do it twice more before she got it right. but in the end everything worked out. the epidural will also help out with the pain that you will be in after birth.

Answer 2

I would suggest trying labor with out medication and leaving your options open. I hate pain and I had two natural deliveries. There is a difference between your pain threshold and your pain tolerance. I couldn't stand having gall bladder attacks, I would have rather died than gone through that pain, however I delivered a ten pound baby completely natural (and it wasn't that painful)! I knew that labor and delivery had a purpose and an end and that all the contractions were working toward that end. With the gall bladder pain I had no idea what it was or when it would end. As long as you know what you are in for and keep your options open in case you do feel like you need the relief you should be fine. I had an epidural with my third because I had to have an emergency c-section. The recovery from the c-section wasn't fun but I didn't have any side effects from the epidural.
Good luck and congrats!!

Answer 3

I had a totally natural birth and another one with an epideural. The natural birth hurt more than anything else in my life. I actually wanted an epideural, but the anesthesiologist never showed up. It was quite painful. Anyway, with my third child I had an epideural after laboring at home for many hours. It was like Heaven. I couldn't feel the pain anymore, and just kept giggling, saying "I can't believe I'm about to have a baby ... this epideural is great!" And honestly, you barely feel the needle going in. I would highly recommend it, especially since you have a very low pain tolerance. I never had any after effects from the procedure. Good Luck!

Answer 4

I have had two epidurals, one for each of my children. I am very glad I got them. Granted, i waited until I thought I really needed them before I got them. They made the pains of contractions lessen and they helped to calm my nerves. In make second labor, I was so tense and in so much pain I was actually not going as quickly as I should have been. Once I got the epidural the labor quickly progressed because I was able to calm down and concentrate.
When the epidural was placed in my body I did not feel it. That is my own experience though. You may or may not feel anything but if you do, they say it feels like a pinch.
Your back may or may not be sore after the epidural. Mine was a little sore for a few days but that was all.
You need to do what you feel is right at the time when in labor.

Answer 5

EPIDURAL YES.... especially if you have no pain tolerance. You won't feel anything but pressure. As far as the back hurting thing, she got hers a long time ago when they werent exactly sure how to do it right, the needle goes right into your spine, she may have flinched or something too. I had 2 epidural and one natural, and if I had a choice with that one I would have gotten it then too. It hurts at first, then tingles, then numbness. I suggest getting it if you are having a painful labor.

Answer 6

I have had three babies and am pregnant with my fourth. I had epidurals with all three of my deliveries thus far and have had NO problems with the epidurals. It is not painful in the least. They numb the area before using the big needle, don't worry. And the small prick is nothing compared to labor pains. For me, epidurals have been wonderful and have allowed me to enjoy the experience of giving birth. I am able to think clearly and not be distracted by the pain. With this fourth delivery, I will, once again, be getting an epidural.

Answer 7

I have had 3 births without epidurals but it is all about you! You don't have to decide now, you can try it without and if the pain becomes to much then you can ask for one. In my experience as soon as I think I can't take the pain anymore thats when they pop out! There is a drug called nubain that they can give you to take the edge off, I did use that, however only the first shot works so maybe try that first, but make sure they give it to you in your iv because that and fenergan which helps with nausea are really thick and if they give it to you in the butt it really hurts! But it is fine through they iv. Just go at your own pace and do what you need to do. But if you don't use one personally I feel great after the birth, I don't have to wait for my body to wake up again! Good Luck and you will be fine!
Kathe

Answer 8

I had two children with no pain meds at all. It does hurt but it was worth it for me. There are side effects for all of the pain meds they can give you. I could not bring myself to get the epidural ouch! If you really don't want the epidural there are other IV meds they can give you but I hear none of them are as effective. If you want to have your children naturally then go to Lamaze class and have a really great birth coach you will do just fine. The best part about natural birth is that when its over you are tired but you know you are done. After the birth of my children (16hrs, 36hrs of labor) I was up and walking within an hour. With drugs you have to wait for them to wear off. Good Luck!

Answer 9

Your mom's pains after a good amount of time DO happen, but are very rare. That reaction is the result of either an allergy to the epidural or to an improperly given epidural. Most women have NO problems and those who have done both ways much prefer the epidural births to the natural.


Also, your mom is forgetting that her back pain could also partially be caused by having to carry around a bunch of new weights--babies, baby supplies, etc.--as well as having to do a bunch of bending up and down to take care of those things!

Answer 10

Childbirth is painful. If you are wanting less pain during your labor and Delivery go with the epidural.
If the tech giving you the epidural is good at it, it's really not that bad. I never had any back pain afterwards from the procedure. The key (and I know it's hard) is try to relax. It makes it easier for them to administer the epidural.