Epidural - yes or no?

Question

Hi everyone, has anyone had an epidural? Does it significantly help with pain? Does it slow down labour? Any long term issues? Has anyone had experiences with and without so can compare? I’m so afraid of the pain I will endure in 3-6 weeks 😱

Answer

I had an epidural and it worked perfectly. I took a good nap after I got it. I got it at 5-6cm. I do think it slowed my labor down a bit. I could only barely feel a bit of pain when I got to 10cm. Other than that, it was completely painless after the epidural. We grow up so terrified to one day have to give birth based on what they portray on tv shows and horror stories we hear from friends and family, but I had a pretty “easy” labor and delivery with the epidural!

Answer

I had an epidural with my first and with my second I did not. While the pain was obviously worse without the epidural, I would 110% do it again. The delivery was quicker and smoother, the process of pushing was insanely easy compared to trying to push when you’re totally numb (and they say your chances of tearing when you don’t have an epidural is less), and the recovery was much easier, especially because I didn’t have to deal with back pain and blood pressure issues because of the epidural. Plus there’s the added benefit of being able to move around when you go without, which speeds up labor usually. I also personally preferred the experience without because it was so instinctive. When they say you and your body just know what to do when you don’t have the epidural... they really mean it. 
I also have to note that I didn’t put any pressure on myself to create a birth plan and expect myself not to have an epidural. I just went in both times with no expectations and taking everything as it came, making my decisions as the need arose.

Answer

I chose one and would do it again. It feels like a bee sting and then intense pressure. Worked great for me and no issues after. And compared to actual labor - an epidural is nothing (my opinion of course).

Answer

Had one with my first. Slowed things down ended up need a vacuum and episiotomy. Had back pain afterwards for over 15yrs.

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I experienced bath first and asked for a catheter when I was 8cm already. I had problems of getting it with my first child and ended up having natural birth that I really wasn’t prepare for. This time around at 9cm they did a spinal that made putting a catheter easier in the right place. But I had no epidural and managed only with spinal which was awesome. I felt my legs and could move, just no pain. I had my second child an hour after the spinal, so they never needed to start epidural. 
I’ll try to do it this time around as well, to wait until it’s uncomfortable, and then ask for spinal (or catheter), so if needed, it can be fast. But I absolutely loved spinal.

Answer

Long story short I thought I could manage the contractions I was wrong I had total body shakes soon as I got the epidural I was completely calm only felt like I had to poo little did I realize those were contractions. I had a very calm delivery and I didn’t even feel my son come out. Going to get an epidural again!

Answer

I received an epidural. I felt nothing afterwards I took a nap woke up was scared to push it was my first. So I didn’t want to but when it was time to push I didn’t feel anything besides lots of pressure. To my knowledge it does take longer to push. My first took an hour If I remember correctly. My second child came relatively quicker so I don’t remember the push time but I still got an epidural even painted my nails during that labor. I do plan on having an epidural with my third just because my personal experience has been fine and I haven’t had any issues it’s been 8 years since my last labor and I never had back pains or anything. Oh and when the needle goes in it just feels more like the butterfly needle they use to draw your blood

Answer

I’ve had 5 children due in July with #6. The first two I had epidurals and honestly for me the worst part about the epidural was having the tape ripped off when it was over and the catheter. After years I do still have issues with back pain though. My last three I did natural and plan on going natural again. The pain for me wasn’t so bad. Labor was way quicker and I actually went from about 6cm-10cm within 5-8 mins without and the doctors weren’t even in the room because they just didn’t listen to me or I had just gotten to the hospital. To me I prefer without just because the pain isn’t too bad(could be different for you though), you can get up sooner afterwards, faster labor and delivery, no catheter or tape. Hope this helps.

Answer

You feel almost nothing with the epidural.
With my first, I only knew I was contracting from the monitor but I felt nothing. I started feeling the catheter during contractions and when I told the anesthetist, he checked my legs and said I was numb but he told them to check me as he thinks I’m feeling pressure. When they checked, I was fully dilated and ready to go. I don’t know if it slowed my labor or not. They did pop my water after it to speed things up. I’m not sure what time I got it but it was morning and I had my son at noon after 30 mins pushing.
2 days after, I started having awful headaches whenever I was upright. It would totally disappear when I was laying down. Went to the ER, turns out I had a spinal headache caused by leaking of spinal fluid which can happen after an epidural (before they gave it to me, I was having awful shakes with my contractions and as they were 2-3 mins apart, I couldn’t keep still while they were giving it so I think the needle might’ve pricked the wrong place). The treatment was caffeine and thankfully it healed within 2 days and I didn’t need a spinal patch. No other lasting issues.
With my second, she was sunny side up and I was having back labor and although I knew I wanted to get another epidural, I didn’t want to get it early because I wanted to be able to move around to help her get in a better position. I labored without it from late afternoon when I was admitted to the hospital till early evening. I then got too tired and wanted to lay down so I asked for it. They knew about my previous complication so they used an ultrasound to guide them to the right place. After they gave it to me, they checked my cervix and as the midwife took out her hand, my water was broken. I was at 6 cm at that point. I was able to rest a bit but I had a one inch area in my back where I could feel the contractions. It wasn’t bad and I liked knowing that they were happening. I was at 10 around 10 pm and had her after 45 minutes of pushing (she flipped during pushing and popped right out once she did). I had no complications after. Actually once we finished skin to skin, I was able to get out of bed by myself and wanted to get in the shower alone but they won’t let me because it was a liability.
I will be getting one this time as well.

Answer

With epidural when ur in labor u won't feel no pain as in no contractions. In some women the epidural don't work i guess everyone body is different. But i did get it year's back and the only thing im experiencing is back pains especially during winter. Before getting it they will make u sign a paper it tells u the after effect that u might get.. But like i said everyone is different..

Epidural - yes or no?

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