Experience with epidural?

Question

I have had 3 natural Un medicated births and I really am scared to do it again! (3 weeks away from due date) like I'm actually terrified. Part of me really wants to go to the hospital and get the epidural to make the experience not so scary. The things that put me off this though are I would have to give birth in hospital  (other 3 babies were at birthing centre) and I wouldn't be able to have a waterbirth. (All 3 babies have been waterbirths.
Who here has had an epidural and what was your experience.

My labors also tend to be quite quick (last one being around 5 hours) would I have time to get an epidural?  What are the side affects? How soon after can you walk or be transferred to the birthing center?

Answer

I had one and it was great. My labor was only 7.5 hours and I didn't get my epidural until a couple hours into it so you should be okay. I didn't have any side effects from it either. I'll definitely be getting one with this pregnancy too.

Answer

I had 2 epidurals when I was in labor with my one and only little girl. The first didn't take and the second lasted an hour (only on one side).

Everyone is different. But...i personally know 4 people who have had one to take wrong, take on one side or not take at all.

Good luck with your decision. Next time (if no complications) I won't be trying the epidural. Because once I had it, even though it didn't take and wore off they still wouldn't let me up/walk around. It was awful just laying in the bed feeling like your belly is ripping open.

Answer

Mine didn't work properly and they had trouble getting it in. I don't really think it was worth it for me.

Answer

I haven't had my baby yet, but did you have gas with your other three? If not try that and a water birth first and if you feel you need an epidural you can always get out of the water☺️

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I had epidural with both deliveries and will have another one this time. No problems no issues no side effects.

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I planned for all natural, read the books and I was ready. Got to the hospital after my water broke and I had back labor. I got the epidural and it was amazing. I felt great. The only problem was they had to turn it down bc I lost the urge to push, but after a mix of issues I ended up with a csection. I don't regret the epidural one bit. I was in so much pain I even let a resident do it.

Answer

I had planned for a natural birth but when i was 7cm dailated My contractions were so close pain was so bad I was holding my breath during contractions so I decided to get the epidural after that I felt great I was relaxed 2 hours later I started feeling my contractions again I kept telling my nurse I feel pain she said it was pressure Im like no its pain! By the time I was 10cm dialated I could start pushing because the baby was to high up still. My contractions were horrible I was in so much pain. They finally brought the anastesialogist in took off the epidural and put in a new one in once again I felt great after but then 2 hours later when I started pushing I felt everything again. 2 failed epidurals.

Answer

For the injection, I felt it but it was not very painful ( I had bad contractions and was already 8-9cm dilated). I heard that it is supposed to get you numb, while I could feel everything after it. I honestly think I could have walked if it wasn't for the bad contractions. It did give me shorter contractions though, I am sure they weren't actually shorter but I guess the epidural kind of gave me a little bit of relief.
As for the delivery part, I did feel a lot of pain, lotsss of burning so I am not sure what to think... if that is how the epidural is or if it just didnt work as well on my body.

Answer

I was going to try natural but my contractions were too close together and strong because I was dehydrated. I was also in labor for 19 hours. So I decided to get the epidural. It was so relieving. I didn't like being stuck in bed and not being able to move, but I loved not being in pain. Unsure if I'll try natural next time or get another epidural

Answer

I was able to walk a few hours after delivery. Problem I had was only my right side was numb, the left wasn't. I got induced with pitocin though so it was way more painful!! An epidural might actually slow your labor down a smudge, you just have to let them know that they usually go quick so they can be prepared. I personally hate the hospital setting, too many people in the room. Some hospitals allow water labor in birthing pools but have you get out to push/get medication. It just sucks not being able to move around during pushing. You'd have to do it flat on your back. That was probably the hardest part for me, because I felt like I couldn't breathe (I have a short torso). The only reason I was thankful for my epidural was because it helped me dilate with the pitocin.

Experience with epidural?

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