Epidural ... - is this normal

Mommy2Isabella wrote: So I got an epi when I was in labor.

Well, I have periodic numbness on my left side. It comes and goes. I was FREAKED out when it first happend. It just started happening about 4 - 5 days ago. But I was almost in tears telling sal, i thought it was the beginning of paralysis or something ... lol!!!

Anyways, I was just wondering if that has happend to anyone else and how long it took to go away, and if it hasn't happend to anyone ... umm ... Im calling the doctor ... lol!!!

luvmykids replied: I did feel that after the twins but only the next day or two. I think I remember hearing that as a possible side affect but I'm not sure. I don't think there's any harm in calling the doc.

boyohboyohboy replied: I had some weird sensations for weeks afterwards,but my anethesiologist had a terrible time getting it in, and tried three times before he succeeded, so we just thought it was that..
but I had and sometimes still do have, some weird numbness in my foot on the side, and my hand near my thumb, its more like when you lay on it and it falls asleep kinda feelings, but not prickly.
I also have a spot on my back, where if I bend just right I can still feel tenderness at insertion site, I actually made the nurse at discharge and then the dr at my 6 week f/u check to make sure the needle cathiter wasnt still in there.
I couldnt find anything on line to cooberate what I was feeling though.
I hope it goes away for you to.

coasterqueen replied: Not sure if it is or not, but 17 months later after having Megan I still have numbness in one of my knees. It feels freaky when I try to shave it, numb-like. Forgot to mention that to my doc

I'd talk to your doc about it at your next visit.

ashtonsmama replied: I would call your doc just to make yourself feel more secure...but I'm sure you're fine. I have heard about that happening before, so it's not just you!

How is Miss Bella? And I forget, are you BF? If so, how is that going?

PrairieMom replied: just out of curiousity, thise of you that have complications, would you do an epidural again?

boyohboyohboy replied: I was just thinking this same question last night after reading this post, and I think I will try really hard to not have one again.
I guess it is scary to think that something could go wrong. I guess most people go in though hoping they wont need the drugs, but I like to keep my options open.

PrairieMom replied: The thing that U have noticed is that some people just plan on an epidural from conception, like it is a standard non-optional thing, with out wieghing the pros and cons. or without even being told they have the option to not have one. Personally I was more scared TO have one!
they didn't even cover epis or drugs in my child birth class because " by this point you have already decided what you are going to do"

boyohboyohboy replied: I cant imagine just "knowing" you are getting an epidural, I have heard people say that early in preg. that they are getting one, but I thought it was a joke.
I guess they are serious.
I just cant imagine, you go thru 9 months being so careful what you put in your body for the babies sake, and some of the drugs they use for delivery are pretty scary.
I know that when I agreed to have mine, I was sad, and started to cry, because I felt like a failure. I was also sad to see that it didnt really help me much. (The guy had trouble getting it in, and I dont know that it was ever in right). and it slowed down an already long and painful process.
I know you are not a failure for using drugs, I just hope I dont have to again.

I just think about what could happen poking around in a spine!

7thHeaven replied: I've heard of that happening before also, but I would check it out with my doc to be on the safe side.

Hope everything is going well with baby Bella!

Mommy2Isabella replied: I have my 6 week on Sept. 21, I think Sal is planning a party for himself ... lol!!! Anyways, I guess I will ask then. It is really weird, it happens off and on throughout the day.

As for would I do it again (get and epi). Umm, I would try to go AS LONG AS possible. I was TERRIFIED to get it. Then when I got it I felt so WEIRD. I had to get someone to help me move my legs. BLAH! Anyhow, as far as KNOWING about getting one from the beginning, I said I would go as long as possible but at the same time, I knew that if I needed the relief that it was there.

PrairieMom replied: Personally, I never ruled one out, when they asked I always said lets see how this goes. Thankfully my labors were really fast. A person can put up with anything for a few hours KWIM? I have talked with many people, ( I work with MANY women of child bearing age) and most say they will be asking for the epi as they walk in the door.

PrairieMom replied:
Poor Sal. sept 21 is a long ways away.

For me, the six weeks couldn't pass slowly enough.

Cece00 replied: I've never had a single side effect from an epidural. I've had 3. So I have no idea if the numbness is a side effect, I'd call the Dr & check.

I'm one of those people who KNEW I'd have an epidural. I had no reason not to have one (no medical reason that I couldnt have one), and I wanted the pain control, the idea of suffering through labor was not at all appealing to me. But that's just me.

Furthermore, I ended up having to have a csection with my oldest, and repeat csections with my other children, so an epidural wasnt a choice, as you certainly can not have surgery unmedicated.

Even if I had done vaginal for all of mine, I wouldve gone with the epidural.

ZandersMama replied: I never had any pain relief, but this reminded me of a friend when she found out she was pregnant. We were talking about diffrent things she was wondering about and the first thing was " when can I get the epi".........ummmm, 7 months time lol

Boo&BugsMom replied: I got one with Tanner. I tried to go without anything, but I am a wimp, to say the least. I would like to try and go all natural with the next one, but I hate saying "never" or overplan because you never know what to expect, so we'll see what happens.

With my epi, I never had any problems. It was perfect actually. No pain labor, and when it wore off I felt pretty good even after tearing to high heaven. No after or side affects or anything. My body usually takes really good to medicine though.