Questions about epidurals

[bbee]

Has any of you ladies had one?
What does it feel like?
Does it hurt when they do it?
Are you completely numb waste down?
How long does it last?
How long does it take to kick in?
Has anyone had any bad/good experiences with it?

Sorry so many questions lol, don't know if I want one or not?
I'm scared I won't be able to handle the pain of labour

xxx

 

[dollface79]

I had one as the induction was VERY painful. Yes it hurts but as the contractions hurt much more its not that bad.

Once it was in it was roughly every 2 - 3 hours when they had to add more of the stuff as the pains were starting to come back. Yes you are totally numb from waist down, it feels kinda weird lol

I cant remember how long it took to kick in but it wasn't long x

 

[Mrs N]

I had one and they are the best thing since sliced bread! I am having one without doubt this time! They sit you on the bed and inject a local anisthetic into your back to numb the area, they then put the needle in, I felt absolutely nothing despite it taking 4 times to place it. The hardest bit is staying still during contractions but your other half can help you!
Within 10 mins I was completely pain free and a different person! I still felt the pressure but no pain.
Afterwards I had no side effects other than for a day after I still felt like I had the needle in despite it being taken out.
The doctors told me that epidurals can help you remain calm if intervention is needed and means they can make a neater job o stitches afterwards if you need them!
Xxx

 

[bbee]

Thank you ladies!
I suppose I will just have to wait and see how bad the pain is!!xxx

 

[Mrs N]

Yeah if you can bear the pain then there is no need but there is no awards for bravery so just see how you go!
Xxx

 

[ABC237]

I'd been having regular contractions for 4 days when I went into hospital. I went into hospital at around 9 on the monday morning and had the epidural around lunchtime as I was exhausted. I don't regret having one at all. To me, having it put in was nothing compared to the pain i'd been in with contractions. The hard bit was staying still whilst contracting. I did have to have it put in twice though because the first time it didn't work. The second one was perfect though and I didn't feel a thing and managed to get some rest after 4 nights of no sleep! It was handy too because I ended up with an emergency section. I had no problems afterwards either.

My advice is to have one if you feel that you need one. You don't get any prizes for being brave! That's just my opinion though. I didn't put any pressure on myself to have no pain relief and I don't think any women should.

Good luck for your labour

 

[bbee]

Why do you have to stay still whilst contracting? xxx

 

[dollface79]

You only have to stay still while they put the epidural in lol

 

[ABC237]

Lol sorry I didn't make it clear! Just whilst they put it in! X

 

[bbee]

Oh lol! Okay haha!
Hmm still thinking about it.. I think I will probably end up having one (if its an option)! xxx

 

[Linzie2012]

I think a Epi is going on my list of pain relief, if there's one in in life I'm petrified of then it's the pain of labour, I want as little pain as possible.

I was going to be brave & just do gas & air - but what am I trying to prove, no one else is feeling it ! Just me!

Pain relief & lots of it please

 

[tinytoes]

I have to be honest . mine didn't work I was numb for a few minutes at most and now in have back problems

 

[twinkle90]

Ive got to have an epidural. Due to weight and high BMI. Im such a wimp when it comes to pain. And needles lol xxx

 

[tinytoes]

Ive got to have an epidural. Due to weight and high BMI. Im such a wimp when it comes to pain. And needles lol xxx

Honestly having the epi is fine . you can have gas and air while they put it in if you are nervous I was one of the very rare cases where it all goes a bit wrong but anyone else I know who has had one swears by it

 

[Sarah3]

I wasnt planning on an epidural, but gas and air was doing diddly for me, just made feel dizzy. It didnt hurt when they put the needle in (think they numbed the area first) and they told me it would take 10 minutes to kick in, but i dont think it even took that long.

It did start to wear off at one point, but i told them and they topped it up - i was feeling the contractions quite strongly again, if i'd only felt them a little they wouldve left it so it would help with feeling when to push (turns out i could feel when to push anyway).

I could still move my legs a little, well, one leg, the other i had to get help with, lol - just enough to get comfy if i needed. But i couldnt feel anything. And after the birth it only took a couple of hours to wear off - and you are so busy adoring your baby and getting cleaned up etc the time flies by.

So glad i had it because it gave me the chance to rest and relax before the pushing started

 

[CARNAT22]

I didn't have one. Despite being in labour for 50 hours and ending up on the drip.

The Dr that put my drip in came in with all the EPI stuff and all but forced me to have it and when I refused he said "I'll leave the stuff here as you'll be begging for it soon enough"

A-hole!

The pain was awful but to be honest I found it worse when I was contracting every 6-10 minutes at home (this went on for 36 hours!!)

Once I went on the drip, the contractions cranked up and they were painful but I knew things were finally progressing so I felt better iykwim. I was using G&A and I did have a hit of diamorphine to try and rest.

No regrets here.

Everyone I know in RL (which is about 6 people) who have had an EPI ended up with assisted deliveries. I actually posted a thread here and it seems quite common that an EPI increases your chances of needing a forcep / ventouse delivery or even an emergency c-section.... I don't know why though??

I jsut had a quick Google http://www.birthchoiceuk.com/BirthC...://www.birthchoiceuk.com/ResearchSummary7.htm

xxxxxx

 

[bbee]

Thanks hun!
Ouch!! 50 hours!!!!! xxx

 

[cosmicgirl]

I've had 4 epiduralls with no problem, all worked well and no assisted deliveries.
Quick to put in, virtually painless and allowed me to have a much needed sleep during labour and actually enjoy the whole process

 

[Mrs N]

I didn't have an assisted delivery either so it doesn't mean you will need one!
Xxx

 

[Iwant3]

Has any of you ladies had one? yes
What does it feel like? great
Does it hurt when they do it? no as I was using gas and air for contractions while they were doing it!
Are you completely numb waste down? no, I had a mobile epidural and was still able to sit on a birthing ball and walk to the toilet and back
How long does it last? as long as needed as they can top it up once it's in place
How long does it take to kick in? few minutes
Has anyone had any bad/good experiences with it? nope