Epidural?

Question

Is it true that it's harder to push with an epidural? What was your guys' experiences? And is it more likely to have c-section when you have an epidural? And could you be crippled after? I heard there's a chance you could.

Answer

I had an epidural with both of my boys and it wasn't hard to push. both labors went really smoothly!

Answer

Some women find it hard to push with it and some don't. There is a correlation between epidurals and c-section rates because it does in fact alter the progression of labor. The major risks of the procedure include respiratory arrest(they could target the wrong nerve/go too high), meningitis infection(because it is in your spinal cord),sleep disturbances, severe headaches (caused by leaking CSF fluid and you'd need to have another procedure done to stop this), and yes when done incorrectly paralysis can be permanent. Most women don't experience any of these complications but it's important to know them, know your provider and their experience, and choose what you feel most comfortable with.

Answer

I had one with my daughter and I did not even feel the needle. The pain from contractions was much worse and I was just focused on them. I was able to feel my legs and loft them and move them even with the epidural. They turned it down right before oushing so I could feel contractions and push. I pushed for about an hour and was able to get up and walk to bathroom right after. It worked wonders!

Answer

I think you either know how to push or don't. I ended up with a spinal and epidural because my epidural area is hard to find. I pushed my son out in   20 mins being numb from my ribs down. Took 8 hours to get feeling back. Totally weird! I think having one  made labor much more calm. 
I heard a lot about headaches after. I had a few but didn't connect them to it. I just figured I was tired and just pushed out a baby ;) They can do a blood patch if you start getting really bad ones.

Answer

I just had it done and I was afraid of this.  The guy walked me through every step and said the paralysis thing is myth.  Perhaps he was just trying to reassure me but it was already done by that time.  I went through hours worth of labor before I couldn't take it anymore.  Really wish I had gotten it sooner so I could have gotten more rest before the pushing started.  Also, I don't know if I was just relieved or if he had given me a dose but when he was setting it up, I didn't have a contraction and I was really calm.  I felt a small needle and that was it.  I just gave birth Friday and I ended up needing stitches and I am so thankful I had it otherwise I can only imagine the other pain I would have felt.  I didn't feel the contractions the same way but I'd feel pressure, hear my little girl's heartbeat speed up and the machine let the nurses know a contraction was coming on.  I'd push when they told me to.  I hear without it you don't need to be told to push because the intensity of the contraction makes you push instinctually.   Don't know but I was really scared of it and endured a lot more because of that fear.  Try and if you can't handle it, get the epidural.

Answer

With my first i had an epidural. And with my second i had no time to get it ( i really wanted it! ) but it was exactly the same to push them out. Exactly two pushes only and they were out. One without pain and the other in pain. One thing i did notice was with my second all natural birth it went way faster to get to 10 cm. From 6cm to 10cm it took like 10 minutes. With the epidural my first time it took about 4 hrs. Im not sure if its related but thats what i noticed.

Answer

I've had two. The first was horrible, I had a lot of residual pain from it, and didn't know how to push. With my second, I asked for a mirror so I could see when I was effectively pushing (it was amazing!!!)

Answer

I had two doses, but it wore off in the end. Felt everything but once you're able to push then the pushing overrides the pain. I didn't feel pain! It was awesome.

Answer

Im sure being paralyzed is possible, but highly unlikely. I had an epi with both daughters. They turn down the drip a bit before you push so you can still feel enough to push. The only problem I had with mine was back pain. Not horrible pain, but it was just a nagging pain for like 4 years after.

Answer

I had an epidural! I was numb from my boobs down! I loved it, made everything so much more relaxed.  It was a stress free environment and no screaming coming from me lol pushing wasn't even the least bit difficult!! Best decision I made was to get the epidural and I plan to do the same with baby #2 that's due in May.

Epidural?

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