Epidural

I was also terrified of the epidural... I didn't plan on getting it, but I left the option open for myself. WELL when I got to 8 cm I was in so much pain that I didn't care anymore, I HAD TO HAVE that epidural! I plan on doing that with every child I have, that way I just don't give myself time to think about it. I would love to do a natural birth, but there was no way I could deal with that pain for 2 hours. After they gave me the epidural I fell back asleep until it was time to push, which was wonderful because I was rested when it was time to push.

I was the same as Meghan. I wasn't planning on getting it. However, I wasn't closed to the idea either.

Well... I refused it for the longest time (with the first one)... then I was begging for it. OMG!! When baby #2 came around... the minute I got to the hospital I told them I wanted it.

I had NO bad experiences at all. NONE.
I can't IMAGINE going through labor without getting one.

I know that it sounds scary... but all of labor sounds scary.

I wasnt afraid of the epidural at all. Honestly, i did not find that it hurt all that much. You have to expect it to hurt somewhat. But it wasnt half as bad as I thought.
Just try to relax your mind because sometimes that can make it feel worse

I had 3 C-sections so an epidural (actually had a spinal block) was a must. It really wasn't that bad.

I planned on having an epidural for the moment I thought about pregnancy. Anethesiologists do them multiple times each day. Mine wasn't bad at all. Just have someone help you hold your position.... it's hard to maintain with contractions!

Let me see what resources I can find for you!

Here's a couple.... one's pretty basic. One's from the University of Michigan.

http://www.mjbovo.com/Epidural.htm

http://www.nda.ox.ac.uk/wfsa/html/u13/u1311_01.htm

An epidural is not nearly as bad as labor pains. It helped me focus more on delivery than on the pain.

I asked for an epidural, and was told it was too late - he was born about 15 minutes later.

When she said no, I very calmly asked her to kill me instead.

Judy--Hahaha...:rotfl2:

I've had one with #1 and #2. With #1 it didn't work at all. I even had it redone and still nothing. With #2 it was great. I was induced and fianlly asked for one then was told we were going with a c-section. The anesthisiologist just cranked it up and I was all set. With #3 (I'm 26 weeks) I will have a repeat c-section and of course, an epidural. I haven't worried about the epidural at all. They usually have you lean over the side of the bed or lay on your side and bend forward. The nurse or dh will help keep you in position. I had the nurse help each time since dh didn't want to be anywhere near the epi needle--he's a wimp.

As the needle catheter is going in along with the meds it feels like something cold is running down your legs and you feel little electric shocks--not painful, just strange. And not everyone feels this way. The anesthesiologist tells you everything that's going to happen b/f he does anything.

I don't have any yet but I'm pretty sure I'll sign up for it as soon as I'm pregnant. Unless that baby comes out my nose it's a natural birth God gave those doctors the good drugs for a reason. Good luck deciding what's best for you.

I chose not to have one.

I personally am TERRIFIED of the idea of someone stabbing my back with a long shapr needle so close to my spine.

With my first I had an IV drip - was ok and took the edge off but could still feel them.

My second I honestly have no idea what I had they stabbed my hand stuck a thingie in and within 45 minutes #2 was born. It all happened so quick.

I dont ever want a needle in my spine unless I HAVE to have it - as long as it's optional I wont do it.

I think it's great that you are doing your research on epidurals. It's important to really know all you can before going into something. I would recommend taking some classes on how to deal with the pain, because most Dr.'s may not let you get one till you are 4 cent. and you may or may not be 4 cent when you start labor. I was 4 cent with my sec. a week before going into labor so I could have gotten one, but I wanted to do natural.

With my first I thought it was just normal to have an epidural, I was not looking forward to it. Then I realized it is normal but not manditory. So I decided I didn't really want one. I took classes on labor and delivery with my dh and with him I was able to handle the contractions. I had both waterbirths and they were great!!! Talk about relaxing and I was able to walk and move around afterwards.

It was a good thing I didn't have an epidural with both deliveries because I hemmorraged (sp?) and an epidural would have made it worse. I guess I don't really have any advice on epidurals because I never had one but just to let you know they are not manditory and good job for you to find out about them before

But here are some reasons I choose not to have one: (I am not saying it's wrong to have one, these were just my reasons)
Hypotension (Drop in blood pressure)
Urinary Retention and Postpartum Bladder Dysfunction
Uncontrollable Shivering
Itching of the face, neck and throat
Nausea and Vomiting
Postpartum Backache
Maternal Fever
Spinal Headache
Feelings of Emotional detachment
Postpartum feelings of regret or loss of autonomy
Inability to move about freely on your own
Loss of perineal sensation and sexual function
Prolonged First Stage of Labor
Increase of malpresentation of baby's head
Increased need for Pitocin augmentation
Prolonged Second Stage of Labor
Decrease in the ability to push effectively
Increased liklihood of forceps or vacuum extraction delivery
Increased likelihood of needing an episiotomy
Increase in cesarean section


Baby Side Effects
Fetal distress; abnormal fetal heart rate
Drowsiness at birth; poor sucking reflex
Poor muscle strength and tone in the first hours.

Doesn't mean all these or any of these will happen but I thought why take a chance for a few hours of uncomfortableness

JMO...I didn't have one i DON'T LIKE NEEDLES !!!!!!!!! I love laboring The whole thing is just amazing...

I have an epidural and a spinal block, too. I've also had a spinal for a different surgery. It wasn't bad at all. there is some pressure in your lower back, but they deaden the skin with some kind of topical stuff before they insert it, so there really isn't much pain at all. And you feel really good afterwards.

With my first I chose not to have an epidural or pain medicine and spent the majority of my labor at home. I think being at home made the decision easier and made me less likely to cave in to the pain.... which I won't lie, labor was very painful but because you get into a rythym and start knowing what to expect it is manageable pain.

With my second, my water was leaking from early in labor and they made me stay at the hospital and in bed. You have a lot more time to think about the pain when you aren't able to get in and out of the bath, walk around, or just try different things to manage your pain. I ended up requesting an epidural about 7 hours into my 15 hour labor. The pain from it was minor compared to the pain I was in from contractions and it worked almost instantly. I was COMPLETELY numb from stomach down and it did make the actual delivery a little complicated as I couldn't even feel that I was pushing or hold my own legs up.

With my third I was induced to deliver a stillborn baby and they gave me an epidural very early on in labor. I saw very little reason to go through any pain for that situation.

With this one I'm not really sure what I'll do. It will all depend on the situation and how fast my labor progresses.

I didn't have an epidural... I am terrified of needles and the pain wasn't so bad that I couldn't handle it...

For me, it was never a question. I knew I would definitely get an epidural, and I did.
When I went through my prepared childbirth class, our teacher gave us the opportunity to look at the needle used for the epidural. I was the ONLY person who looked at it. And honestly, it's not big like everyone says.
Getting the epidural did not hurt, especially compared to labor, and once you get it, you feel so much better. It's worth it, and I highly reccommend it!

No Epidurals for me. All of my girlfriends loved it though. Said they'd all do it again in a heartbeat..

Like someone else said.. I liked it. I would do it natural again in a minute! It is something that is so amazing..

I had an epidural for my first and thought that it was great. Not to scare you but for me it didn't totally take on my left side, I could still feel pain in my hip so I would know when I was having a contraction.

I had that problem, too, Melanie. Mine actually took completely for a couple of hours, and then I developed a hot spot in my lower back. The anesthesiologist came back and gave me a booster, which helped a lot.

Congratulations on your coming baby! I have a 3 year old and 1 year old. I new that I wanted an epidural the day I found out I was pregnant. When we went to our pregnancy classes with our first child it seemed like the lady tried to make epidurals seems worse then they really are. From the video we saw of the process and passing around an actual epidural I began to wonder if I wanted one. But, as soon as I was in labor I knew I wanted one!!! It really wasn't painful and after getting it you can relax and begin to enjoy the whole labor again. I would highly recomend getting one!!! Good luck!

The epidural scared me also, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. I also had the spinal with my second son. It isn't as bad as you think. It is a weird feeling when they do it, but it is a god send!

I planned for an epi with my first .. took the classes and was really looking forward to it. Then after the 6th unsuccessful attempt, they finally made the determination that my vertibrea (splg) are too close together and I can't have one. SOOOO ... I can say I've delivered three babies with nothing and would have it no other way.

They attempted to give me one and it didn't take. Ive got Scoliosis so they had LOTS of trouble getting the needle in. I was scared too and they just made me swear off the Epidural all together. They kept making my nerves in my leg jumped and it hurts. The needle person(i'm not even going to attempt to spell it) tried three times and after the second I wanted him to stop! He wasn't very caring and told me I was to fat for it.

With Kimmy I got an epi at about 5 cm. It didn't really hurt, after a few contractions a lil needle stick is nothing!

With Alyssa I was already 7cm dilated when I got to the hospital. They hurried and gave me and epi (I kinda demanded one) I had her about 15 minutes later so it didn't really have time to take effect. Pushing was way more painful than w/ Kim but I felt MUCH better after it was over. The longer you have the epi, the longer the effects last on your body. 10 min after Alyssa was born, I was ready to walk around!

Bottom line, I would go for the epi. Would you have a tooth pulled without any drugs???

epidural

Hey,
I had my daughter almost 3 yrs ago and I had an epidural. I got it around 5 cm. I also have scoliosis but its not that bad, so they were able to get it. It didn't hurt me at all, I just felt a little tingle in my spine and down my legs. I had a great experience with it and I think that most women do. I hope this helps you, I know it is scary to think about. I was so scared when I was induced that I wanted to cry!!! But it turned out to be a great experience and really can't wait to do it again!!!


Nicole

Married to John 05/04/02

DSD Elizabeth 07/27/97
DD Emma 05/19/03
TTC#3 Feb 06

You really dont want to hear my story with my last one but I will tell you the good points. I had one with all 3 of mine. They are a heaven scent. I did have hot spots with all 3..they just have you lay on one side or the other and usually it helps. You do feel a twing in your leg sometimes. Make sure you go to the bathroom before they give you the epidural cause after that you cant walk. Mine always lasted a really long time and I couldnt walk for hours after all of mine. I did have to have a cath because my bladder was full and I wasnt able to feel to use the bed pan. Everyone is different just remember that. With my 2nd..my epidural was wearing off and I could feel a lot more. It does help you relax more and but go in with an open mind. Go to Lamaze classes and try and make it through as far as you can. If you get one too early your labor will be longer...I know this from experience. Do the IV first and see if it helps then do the epidural if you have to. Just remember this will be the most amazing experience you have ever been through. Dont worry about being modest or what other people are thinking..it is all about you and that baby on labor day. GL..I hope you have a fast and great delivery!!

I must say I was not going to have an epidural either...Boy I was I crazzzzy!! When I got pregnant with child 2 and 3 I told them to put in my charts E-P-I-D-U-R-A-L...

I told my dh that if insurance didn't cover the epidural(which it did) I would beg borrow and steal to pay for it...LOL

I chose not to have one with either of my deliveries but I do hear that they are really good for numbing the pain.

I have had two totally different experiences with the epidural - however - I went in KNOWING I was getting it - both times.

My 1st experience - they had to give it to me 3 times, the 1st time they hit a nerve, the 2nd time they left open a window and the 3rd time it worked. It was painful for me so I was petirified to have it the next time I was pregnant. It also took me a good year or so before I could really lay on my back

My 2nd experience was the complete opposite. It wasnt 'pleasant' but it was nothing like the pain I felt before. I could feel the needle in, they do a test with saline to see if it works- that burns a little -and then they do the real thing - and its all good.... trust me - the pain of labor is much worse!! (JMO!)