what does an epidural feel like?

Question

I'm terrified but i will surely get one. This is my first pregnancy. I just want some 1 to tell me how it feels from experience...

Answer

I literally never felt it. Not even a pinch. All I could think about was how horrible the contractions were. I didn't want an epidural and hadn't planned to get one, but unmedicated labor was way more than I could handle. Personally, I would have taken a needle to the eyeball if it would make the pain stop. I'm a wimp, though. 😉

Answer

They wait until you have a contraction to put the needle. It's such a tiny sting that you hardly feel it. The IV for me was worse. I'm scared of needles and I cried  and they put it wrong, and slapped a lot of tape on it too. When I was put  into recovery, they wait a few hours to remove the IV and the nurse said omg you poor thing. I had bruising on my arm. I was about 5.5 cm when I asked for the epidural and the contractions were pretty bad and long. The relief was instant. You have to lean forward so you have that pressure/ pain too and I squeezed the living crap out of my husbands hands when I thought they were putting in the needle. I hardly felt it, it was a very mild bee sting. A real bee would beat that sting. The epidural made my birth experience very positive. Keep an open mind during your birth and just go with the flow. You may want something but your baby might have other plans! Relax and I wish you a happy, speedy delivery and recovery.

Answer

It's really doable especially ince you've experienced contractions lol. For me the worst part was the numbing shot before they start. Then it's tons of pressure on your back as they are putting it in, if you have a contraction while they are doing it you forget what they are doing. It really only takes a couple of minutes, then they have you sit up and your legs will feel warm. By the time you have your next contraction the pain has deminished A LOT! By about 3 contractions the pain is gone. I've had 4 epidurals, one with each baby, and I plan on another one with this baby.

Answer

I guess i'm the only one so far who had a different experience, but it definitely was more than a "pinch" for me. It was quite painful and with a lot of pressure. Then again they punctured my spine and I was leaking spinal fluid and ended up with a blood patch. Im just including all this so you know it's not always just a simple procedure for everyone, hopefully my 2nd time is better.

Answer

With my first two epis, I didn't feel a thing. The contractions were so bad and I was so focused on staying still that the epi went by so fast, it was over and done with before I realized. Then it was SWEET relief within 2-3 contractions. 
With my third, I wasn't having any contractions yet, so the epi was way more uncomfortable. Still didn't hurt, but TONS of pressure, it was very uncomfortable. But it was still not a bad experience. I would definitely recommend waiting until your contractions are coming pretty Steady, it was just less scary getting it when you are focused on breathing through the contractions.

Answer

Hardly felt them doing it (I had it done twice) it is well worth the pain relief

Answer

Never felt it to be honest my contractions were that strong it was just hard to stay still for them to do it , you will be fine i was so scared all of them years ago and am a little nervous again this time x

Answer

Why don't we talk about this more? I was terrified of getting the epidural with my first and it was a piece of cake. I would've loved reading these before I had my daughter haha. Mine didn't hurt at all, no more than having blood drawn or whatnot. Plus you're already in other pain, so you really don't care much. If you choose to get an epidural, you'll be fine!

Answer

You shouldn't feel the needle because i think it's done during a contraction

Answer

My 1st time i was super nervous about it. Like crying lol but dont worry, it's really not bad. For me is wasn't much different than getting blood drawn or a shot. It's definitely an odd feeling but i wouldnt really say it was painful.

what does an epidural feel like?

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