Epidural - Did you have one?

holley79 wrote: I was just wondering:

Have any of you ever had an epidural?

Did it hurt when they did it?

Did you have any lasting side effects afterwards?

If you have had one, would you ever have another?

I'm just curious is all. I have appointment about mine in two weeks. My mom never had one because we were delivered quickly and no one else I know has had one. Curious about everyone's experiences here.

(Should this be on a different board?)

Hillbilly Housewife replied: no way...i'm too much of a chicken!!!

lol

kayla's mama replied: I did. Actually it didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would. But I have noticed that my back is not as strong as it has been. Since I've had Kayla I've hurt my back twice now. Not sure if its coincidence or not. I'm to much of a chicken to go natural

PrairieMom replied: I didn't either. Labor really wasn't taht bad. I used the whirlpool tub and that really helped. I think the trick is to stay relaxed, and go fast! I can handle anything for 5 hours! none of that 32 hour crap!

The thing about epidurals that really bothers me is that people don't realize the complications you can have from having one. like paralysis, and migranes. Make sure you get all the facts so you can make an informed decision!

kimberley replied:
i have had 3 with 3 different experiences.

i got the epi with Jacob at about 4-5cm. it completely hindered labor.. slowing it down to a halt and after i had him i couldn't walk for hours. it didn't hurt going in. i was more scared than in pain. but he got it in on the first try. the dosage was pretty high also.

with James, i didn't get the epi until i was fully dialated. normally they wouldn't give it at that point but i was scared and demanding because of the intense back labor . they gave me a low dosage and birthing was not so bad. i had jelly legs for an hour but could walk with assistance. i had backaches for months afterwards but not sure if that is from the epi or the back labor. he got it in the first try but had to adjust it a few times cuz one side was number than the other.

with Jade, i got the epi around 6cm. again, low dosage and slowed down labor. took him about 3 tries to get it in right and it needed to be adjusted a couple of times. it hurt... felt like someone was hammering the bones in my spine. i felt when she crowned. jelly legs for a couple of hours afterwards. no other side effects.

i am having this baby natural. hopefully it will go fast.

Kaitlin'smom replied: yes I had one, did not want it really but the back labor was to much for me to handle. Did not hurt, he got it the first try. No side effect at all. I am glad I had one maily cause I eneded up with an emergency c-section and since I had it I was able to be awake and not have to be nocked out.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I had one since I was induced. Didn't bother me at all. I actually LOVED the experience! I was at least at a five or further when they put it in and then they put the pitocin drip in afterward...if you get induced, I say this is the way to do it. Pit drip after epi! I felt alert and aware of what was going on, although I couldn't feel anything...mentally I knew. And I enjoyed being able to be in the moment and smile at DH. Some may argue that an epi is not being "in the moment" since it's not natural, but this is MY experience...it's obviously not for everyone. I had a great anesthesiologist who was very gentle and talked me through what he was doing. And he had it going for a good 12-15 hours. Some people don't like that because they can't walk afterward, but I liked it. And I've heard too many horror stories where my friend's epis wore off too soon! Once my epi wore off, I felt that my body had already reached a level of healing, so I wasn't in that much pain. I just couldn't pee for a long time, that was the only negative...so I had to use a catheter. I filled a whole liter they said (which is like a large Coke jug)!!

I plan to have another one with this baby for sure!!

luvbug00 replied: Had one w/no side effects and I wouln't have another because i want to TRY to do my next one natural but I'm all for the epi if you want one!

MommyToAshley replied: I wanted to go natural, but ended up getting the epi. I think it is the best thing I could have done. I was only dialated at 6, got the epi (didn't feel it at all) and then I fully dialated and had Ashley twenty minutes later. The docs say that they see that a lot, the epi helps the Mom to relax so your body can do what it needs to. I didn't have any side effects. Although I went into labor planning to go all natural, in the end all that matters is that I had a healthy, beautiful baby girl.

~KARA~ replied:

ME TOO!!

shelbysmom replied: I had a epi, and I would definitley do it again! I thought giving birth was the most wonderful day of my life. I had such a great experience! I got the epi when I was 3 cm, and suddenly went to 6 cm! They put a little potocin in the drip and bam I was 9 cm. I started pushing at 11am, and at 11:17 she was out. I did not feel as if I had no control. I could feel the pressure but, was able to enjoy the whole experience. The shot is't self was not painful, not compared to the contractions I was having. I was able to talk to my family and not be in pain while I waiting to start to push. I can remember the whole thing, and smile and talk. I know everybody is differnent. Do not let other stories scare you, and you will know that day as to what it is you want. Follow your instincts, and enjoy giving birth, it will be your most rememberable day, and one other happiest!
Stacey

MomToJade&Jordan replied: I had an epi with both of my children. I was in labor for 14 hours with my first and the epi actually helped me relax enough to dilate. I decided to get one with my second because I had been laboring for a while and I was only 6 cent. I wanted some rest. It didn't really hurt going in. I think the contractions hurt more. I did get a spinal headache with the second one though. I was a hard stick apprently which caused a small spinal fluid leak.

moped replied: I had one and thought it was great........eased my pain and I relaxed as well......no side effects and all went well.....I did end up with a csec at the last minute but up until then I was ready and waiting!

olivenaturals replied: I didn't, and knowing now what my body is capable of I am not planning on having one for my second (of course I'll be at home so I don't have much choice!!
My main problem with the is that you can't walk around once you have had an epi administered. Walking was what got me through my labor, I would hate to lose that! But I was lucky and did not have to endure a 43 hour labor. I say, keep it in mind as an option for your own peace of mind but remember how strong your body is and rely on it to get you through.

Good Luck and enjoy it!

Olivia

jem0622 replied: I've had one experience where it was required. Another where it slowed everything down. Another where I had nothing. And another where it had no affect (indifferent).

The most memorable part is having to sit up and keep your lower back straight, and the pressure you feel as they inject the meds. After that you feel great! I don't like the numbness when it is time to push!

~Roo'sMama~ replied: I didn't want to have an epi, but I was not handling the contractions well at all and ended up getting one - everything went a lot faster for me after I got it because I was able to relax. Which was nice because I'd been in labor all night and all morning and I was beat. It definitely didn't help with pushing for me though. I could kind of feel the contractions, but not enough to know when to push and that was really frustrating. Of course if the nurse had been more helpful with that it wouldn't have been so bad. I pushed for 2 and a half hours and I wonder if that is partly why it took so long.

It did hurt a little for me going in, but not bad. It was more weird feeling than painful. They had to do it twice because it didn't work on both sides the first time, and the second time it didn't hurt at all because I knew what was coming.

MyLuvBugs replied: Oh you're so NOT going to like my answers. lol

Have any of you ever had an epidural? YES But only b/c labor sent me into and asthma attack and I didn't have any medicine to relax my lungs and the STUPID HMO hospital we were at didn't want to give me anything for it. UGH.

Did it hurt when they did it? Just a pinching and burning sensation, so kinda.

Did you have any lasting side effects afterwards? why YES I did!! UGH! They screwed it up, and I got an epidural headache b/c the spinal fluid was leaking. OMG! It was HORRIBLE. If you've ever had a hangover, take that times 10!!

If you have had one, would you ever have another? NO!! I would rather not have anything, but if I have to have any type of medication again I'd get IV drugs through 7 cm dialated, and then natural after that. The epidural was SOOOO not a good experience for me.

six_kids_at_28 replied: I had one with the first 3 (triplets were via c-section). I LOVED IT! I am too much of a chicken to go with the natural birth, all those bumper stickers that say "you haven't felt pain till labor"
LOL...felt like a flu shot to me

My3LilMonkeys replied: I had an epi with Brooke. I had been on the pitocin drop for almost 4 hours , they broke my water and the pain got really intense. I was really nervous which is mainly why I asked for it. It lowered the levels of pain but I still felt it.

It did hurt going in - the tech was not very good.

After effects? Yes. I had a HUGE bruise covering 1/2 of my back for 3 weeks. I have back problems now at time that I never had before. I have always had migraines, but they are more frequent and more intense now.

Would I have one again? Maybe. I asked for one with Madison because the nurse told me I was not anywhere near ready yet and the pain was way worse than with Brooke. But either I progressed really quickly or the nurse was wrong because I was pushing 10 min. later and she was born within 1/2 hour of the time that I asked. So I never got the epi and looking back the pain was (just barely) tolerable so I don't know what I will do if we have another.

holley79 replied: Thank you all for your responses. Looks like there were more good then bad. I think when I go in for my appointment about the epi then I will see if I can hold off on getting it done unless I really need it. Since my car accident I have a high tolerance to pain and because of all the surgeries I have had have a tolereance build up to anestetics (sp?).

So guess we will just see. I am looking forward to giving birth though. I hope that she is as nice to me as I was my mama. LOL. Mom was only in labor with me for 3 hours.

USMCwife replied: I didnt have an epi w/ Eden, I didnt have anything w/ Eden, well they gave me Stadol which didnt help me w/ the pain, I just slept in between contractions, which was every minute. I ended up having an emergency c-section so I had to be put under w/ general.

Garrett was a planned c-section so I had part epi and part spinal block. It was WONDERFUL! Getting the epi didnt hurt that much, but I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. I was lying on the c-section table balled up...that was more uncomfortable than the epidural! As soon as they injected the meds they rolled me over on my back really fast w/in a few seconds my legs started getting numb, then a minute later I didnt feel a thing. Even as my doc was pulling him out of me I didnt feel anything!
I didnt have any side effects or complications at all. I have always had migraines since I can remember so that wasnt a concern of mine anyway.

A&A'smommy replied: I had one and afterwards I had the shakes and i threw up one time but OMG I couldn't feel those contractions i was a happy girl. BUT I can still feel the spot where it was at it isn't painful just uncomfortable. I think its a personal decision some people have problems some don't you just have to make the call for yourself personally I wouldn't suggest getting it TOO early on because it can slow labor down (don't let anyone tell you it can because it slowed me down) so I would wait until your like 7 or 8 cm MAYBE 6cm do research and learn everything you can about it!!

ETA: oops I just that this was an old post!!

holley79 replied: Well, I filled out the paper work. I am going to see how labor goes and just play it by ear. I have a fairly high tolerance to pain also but we will just see.

I'll update it all after the fact. LOL

CAMSMOM1 replied: I swore I would have a natural birth, I even placed bets that I wouldn't get an epi. I was induced with pitocin, they gave me the maximum amount of pitocin, had back to back contractions for 8 hours straight...with back labor! The doctor actually was the one who convinced me to get an epi, said it would speed up the labor, that my body was to stressed with the pitocin.
It took 45 min, and 3 tries for him to get the epidural in my back. He must have been blind or on drugs. I wanted to kill him. Staying still during constant contractions waiting for this big needle in my back.
When I was pushing I couldn't feel anything, so they took the epi out and I felt everything...and I mean everything! I had a 9 pound baby, I really wish I had the epi then!
Now I have a lot of back pain from it and migraines. I wish I could've gone natural, but didn't feel I have a choice. THe epidural did help my labor progress. I went from a constant 4 cm to a 8 in one hour after I got the epi. That was the only benefit.
It's a hard decision to make, but next time I'm not waiting to request it. Even with all the complications, I couldn't imagine going past 8 hours without it!
Ann

My2Beauties replied: I had an epi and wouldn't do it any other way! The doc was wonderful, got it on the first try and it did not hurt, I was so scared it was going to hurt, but at that point anything to stop the pressure. ONce they gave me the epi they put me on a pit drip and I had her a couple hours later. I was 5 or so cm when they gave me the epi. Prior to my epi I was in the hospital for a very very long time with very slow progress.

PrairieMom replied: I made it through my labor the natural way. It really wasn't that bad, but I only labored for 5 hours. really, I can put up with anything for 5 hours!
The thing is, noone was waiting outside my door with a blue ribbon to congradulate me for going through it. so, I say, do what you have to do to have a good labor. in the end, the result is the same.
I however, am going to go all natural with this next one, and have no fear about it at all. I am acutally more scared of the epi!

jacobsmama replied: I didn't get one until I was about 4-5 cm and by that time the pain was soo bad from the contractions that the epi didn't hurt at all and infact it did help speed my labor up and let me rest some..Good luck