Hi SBF to me it didn't hurt .... just you feel a little bee sting in your back and after that once the tube is placed in your back you don't feel anything. I have had 2 of them with the first 2 children that i have and with my youngest one i didn't have time for anything. she came out in 26 minutes after arriving at the hospital. but they didn't hurt me at all. i looked at it as pain relief.
Epidural during labor
August 22, 2008
As most of you know Im 37 weeks and Im scared crapless of the epidural which I fully intend on having b/c I cant deal with pain...Im nervous b/c Im an RN and Ive seen that procedure done and I know what that needle looks like. So my question is what have been your experiences during the procedure and does it hurt...
Don't worry!! If you have no tolerance for pain (I don't either) you'll cooperate (meaning don't move when they tell you not to) and let them do their thing! It is not painful and once it is in you will be much better off. One thing I didn't know is that in order to push they will let the epideral wear off. So, just be prepared for that. While contractions are happening you won't feel a thing until its time to push. You'll need to feel the contractions to push. You'll be fine!
The actual process of inserting the epidural catheter did not hurt at all. I was about 9 cm dialated already and they chose to do the epidural b/w contractions to minimize the pain. So, they will first inject an anaesthetic on the area which is like a needle prick. Then they put the catheter. Honestly, inserting the epidural dindt hurt at all, if any, it was the IV needle inserted in the hand that pained so much. U wont feel a thing in ur epidural area and u can freely lie down and stuff. No issues with administering the epidural
This is what I told Oliver too! :)
Ok........here is my experience. So take it however...I know everyone is different.
I had mine put in at 6-7cm dilated and contractions 3-5 min apart! So I was in pretty intense pain. The doc who put it in talked to me the whole time telling what was going on and so on. They had me sign a release form and started. I believe it was just like a light pinch. You just have to be very very still. My dh sat in front of me and kept me calm. So in between contractions they put in the needle. I really don't remember it hurting and if it did it wasn't much. I was just super happy to be taking away the pain! Then they placed me on my side b/c the needle has to stay in. They have you switch every 15-20 min from side to side. Within 15 min I could feel nothing at all. My left leg was tingling like it was asleep but the right didn't feel any different. But I couldn't feel the contraction pain anywhere! It was great. I had no problems and it went really well. It did slow down my contractions just b/c I was relaxed all of the sudden and therefore had to up my pitocin. BUt I never felt anything after it kicked in. Once I reached 10cm I started to feel pressure at my bottom like I had to go poo. That is when they knew I was ready to push. It really was a good experience and I wouldn't do it any other way.
Any other questions about this or l & d let me know!! hugs!
Ok........here is my experience. So take it however...I know everyone is different.
I had mine put in at 6-7cm dilated and contractions 3-5 min apart! So I was in pretty intense pain. The doc who put it in talked to me the whole time telling what was going on and so on. They had me sign a release form and started. I believe it was just like a light pinch. You just have to be very very still. My dh sat in front of me and kept me calm. So in between contractions they put in the needle. I really don't remember it hurting and if it did it wasn't much. I was just super happy to be taking away the pain! Then they placed me on my side b/c the needle has to stay in. They have you switch every 15-20 min from side to side. Within 15 min I could feel nothing at all. My left leg was tingling like it was asleep but the right didn't feel any different. But I couldn't feel the contraction pain anywhere! It was great. I had no problems and it went really well. It did slow down my contractions just b/c I was relaxed all of the sudden and therefore had to up my pitocin. BUt I never felt anything after it kicked in. Once I reached 10cm I started to feel pressure at my bottom like I had to go poo. That is when they knew I was ready to push. It really was a good experience and I wouldn't do it any other way.
Any other questions about this or l & d let me know!! hugs!
SBF- i thought this was the post i made about an epi too!! i too am scared of the process. the ladies have been great in sharing their stories and it seems like we have nothing to worry about. i also have watched those birthing shows and it doesn't seem like it hurts.
you are so close!! i am jealous! pretty soon you'll have your little miracle baby in your arms. :-)
you are so close!! i am jealous! pretty soon you'll have your little miracle baby in your arms. :-)
My epidural was easy...and I loved it. Here's the key: If you're opting to take narcotics before time actually arrives to get the epideral, you'll be allowed two doses. Time it so the epideral is inserted while you're still feeling the effects of the second dose. You'll be a lot calmer, and you'll barely feel anything.
Once the epideral is in place, you should be relatively good to go. I was a little tingly, which wasn't my favorite sensation, but it beat contraction pain. I have to admit, though, my birth wasn't pain free, even with the epideral in place. They knew I was about to go...or nearly 10 cm, when I started complaining of rectum pain. It was just Bea's position that put so much pressure on my rectum (and you'll feel pressure with an epideral).
Once the epideral is in place, you should be relatively good to go. I was a little tingly, which wasn't my favorite sensation, but it beat contraction pain. I have to admit, though, my birth wasn't pain free, even with the epideral in place. They knew I was about to go...or nearly 10 cm, when I started complaining of rectum pain. It was just Bea's position that put so much pressure on my rectum (and you'll feel pressure with an epideral).
Im so scared of an epidural too! I dont think I can handle not feeling my legs! I'm also contemplating doing this all natural! Has anyone experienced having no sensation in their legs at all? I'm scared it might make me freak out! What if I need to get out of bed to walk to go in the tub and I cant?!
I had an epi and wouldn't do it any other way. By the time you are ready for it, the pain you have been feeling from contractions will help you to lose your fear of getting one. Personally, I was begging for the Dr. to come in and give me one. After the epi, I was so relieved and glad I did it. Yes, you do lose feeling in your legs but its not like you can't move them. For me it felt like when your leg falls asleep but without the tingling.
You will know when you are ready to push because it will feel like you have to poop. The only other pain you will feel will be when the head comes out and it's quick and only for a min. or so.
I will tell you that I was totally scared of giving birth and slightly obsessed with my fear of it. (I must of asked every single person I know about their experience) but once you do it, you will have such an OVERWHELMING feeling of happiness and accomplishment. I want to and will do it again. It was the best day of my life!
You will know when you are ready to push because it will feel like you have to poop. The only other pain you will feel will be when the head comes out and it's quick and only for a min. or so.
I will tell you that I was totally scared of giving birth and slightly obsessed with my fear of it. (I must of asked every single person I know about their experience) but once you do it, you will have such an OVERWHELMING feeling of happiness and accomplishment. I want to and will do it again. It was the best day of my life!
keller, i too was freaked about losing sensation in my legs... thought it would creep me out. LOL. so i guess we all have the same types of fear. i definitely have heard a lot of women mirror what the ladies are saying... that the pain gets so bad that the fear of the needle and the epi totally go by the wayside.
i'm definitely going to see just how long i can withstand not having the epi, but i bet anything i will get it eventually. and if i have to get a c-section... i have no choice. :-)
i'm definitely going to see just how long i can withstand not having the epi, but i bet anything i will get it eventually. and if i have to get a c-section... i have no choice. :-)
August 22, 2008
Mine didnt work, froze my left leg and my butt! But i have heard great things about it! :)