What does an epidural birth feel like?

Question

Hi ladies who have done epidurals before. What was your experience like? What could you feel during labour and birth? How early in labour did you get it? Did you still feel pain? Did you know when to push?
I think it Is injected into your spine - did this hurt? Did it make you worried?
And also, what was the postpartum like?
Thanks team!

Answer

I got mine at 7 cm it. They hit a nerve twice while trying to get it in which was the worst pain I’ve ever experienced in my life! But once it was it it was fine! I was able to sleep for an hour and when I woke up I was convinced my labor had stopped all together. I asked them to check me and when they did I was shocked to hear I was at a 10 and they rushed around getting me ready to push! I pushed for 55 minutes and while I didn’t feel pain I did feel like this sensation when I knew it was time to push, it’s hard to explain. 
Postpartum if you mean recovery, was pretty straight forward for me. I had a tiny tear, so small they wouldn’t even give it a degree. Maybe two stitches worth. 
I did suffer from postpartum anxiety which my doctor prescribed meds for and it was a game changer for me! I was so worried my baby was uncomfortable I was constantly checking on him, I’d change his outfit two and three times a night for fear it was too big, too small, etc. I was driving myself and my husband crazy! He was the one who encouraged me to reach out to my doctor for help. 
I always say to people I would deliver 10x over if I didn’t have to be pregnant for 9 months.  I had a really difficult, high risk pregnancy so labor seemed like a breeze for me!
Hope this helps, sorry I rambled!

Answer

Just a heads up they don’t work 100% for everyone I didn’t realize that wasn’t a thing, but I know 2 people who did epidurals and they only numbed half their body so that’s apparently a thing lol but I’ve heard when it works it’s great!

Answer

I got my epidural when I was 5cm dilated. Having to hold still while having the contractions was the hardest part. I didnt feel anything besides pressure when it was time to push felt like a had a massive poop waiting to come out lol but I've given birth naturally twice and the recovery is so much easier and better without the epidural. Plus my back is messed up where they put the shot at I have constant back pain in that area and I got the epidural 8 years ago.

Answer

I loved my epidural.
It felt like a little bee sting, then slowly everything went numb and felt so much better.
I can’t remember exactly with each labor when I got it, but it was 100% worth it.
No pain just pressure.
You’ll feel the need/pressure to poop and that’s when it’s time to push.

Answer

I got one after I had been stalled at 5cm for 3 hours. I didn't feel anything when they put in the needle or catheter because my back labor already felt like I was being ripped in half so I didn't notice. That first dose it wore off after only about 30 minutes so they gave me a stronger one which didn't help at all. Then they gave me a third one with fentanyl and I was finally able to sleep for about an hour before it was time to push and by then the epidural wasn't working anymore. My back labor was so bad I didn't feel any pain from pushing until I got to the ring of fire but that was manageable. It felt a bit weird having the line taken out but no ill effects afterwards from the epidural. They work for a lot of people just not me unfortunately.

Answer

Oh, it was lovely!
I dont remember how dilated I was, but I got mine around 11am (had to wait almoat 2 hours cause the only anesthesiologist was in a surgery). It felt like a insect sting and a little burn, but everything went numb pretty quickly. I felt my water break on its own around 1 30 and had Baby at 2:05pm. I felt NOTHING (and I even tore cause she had her little hand up by yer face coming out and didnt feel it). They had me hooked up to a moniter to keep an eye on contractions and told me when to push.

Answer

I got mine at 5-6cm. I actually didn’t feel it going in at all because they numb it first. I couldn’t move my legs but could feel the nurses touching me when they moved my legs for me. I couldn’t feel when it was time to push. I had been in pain for a bit at 10cm but didn’t realize that’s what it was. I had a hard time pushing because I was so numb. I couldn’t feel any pain at all though during pushing. I got a 2nd degree tear and could feel it tearing but no pain or anything with it. My back was sore for a few weeks in the area that the epidural was. I had to wear loose fitting pants for weeks because any pressure would give me terrible back pain. I still to this day will sometimes get mild back pain in the area and know every mom friend I have says the same. Overall, I still liked the epidural and will most likely get it again next time. I just wanted to be honest though that I do still experience back pain and so so my friends. Even one of my friend’s mom still experiences random back pain in the area.

Answer

The epidural is really a catheter basically. And the needle they use first is to numb your skin and then they insert the catheter. It’s connected to a pump and you usually can control the button to release additional meds so you can be pain free. 
Your belly and down becomes numb like dead weight. So it’s always easy to get some sleep and rest. You can still feel the pressure when it’s time to push. 
Postpartum I’ve never had an issue. Nothing hurt nothing ached and I just continued on from there. 
I’ve had 3 in a row. Even my husband likes it because it’s less stressful.

What does an epidural birth feel like?

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