Did you have an epidural?

[jodifla]

Yes, after about 17 hours after my water broke. My labor wasn't progressing even after 2 bags of pitocin, but the epidural immediately helped get things going.

[mrssmith06]

Yes with both!

[HelenePA]

2 yes, 2 no. I much prefer labor with out it. IF I have any more it will be with out it... and all 4 of mine were inductions.. Its just easier for me with out an epidural. btw you'll hear many horror stories about labor but I LOVED labor.. LOVED it..

[U2_rocks!]

Nope - had 3 babies without an epidural or any meds actually. Never regretted it one bit. It was tough, but it was still the best thing for me (I am very careful with drugs of any kind). And certainly there was no harm in the babies not being exposed to drugs.

[Zandy595]

Originally Posted by HelenePA

2 yes, 2 no. I much prefer labor with out it. IF I have any more it will be with out it... and all 4 of mine were inductions.. Its just easier for me with out an epidural. btw you'll hear many horror stories about labor but I LOVED labor.. LOVED it..

What exactly did you love about it?
I hated every second of it and have an only child because of it.

[shoney]

Originally Posted by rndmr2

Jumping in to ask a quick question.

Those who have had an Epidural, were you itchy and nauseated from it? I don't think they use the same meds but I remember when I worked ortho and we had a lot of people that had epidurals for joint replacements and I tell you 3/4 of the ones that had them were throwing up their guts and itching all the time for the whole time it was in (usually until the 2nd day). And then they were still in pain or the wrong leg was numb.

I guess I just have a fear of them for when I have a baby (hopefully sometime soon) but I really don't want to be in pain (I'm a wimp! LOL) so if I wouldn't have the above effects I'll be first in line!

Yes! I've asked so many other people and no one has experience it!

This was with my first in 1999. My water broke on Friday night and on Sunday morning they decided I needed a c-section. The epidural was put in on Saturday night so it was easy for them to change the medication for surgery.

They put me on surgery table and secured my arms outward...like Jesus on a cross! I hated it!!! The baby was born shortly after and left with my DH.

I started to panic, had anxiety and felt like I was going to throw up. I just wanted to them to untie me. Once I said I was going to throw up, the room went into panic mode. They pulled out a needle and that was last thing I remember!

When I woke up in another room, I was so itchy. The nurse gave me a sponge bath with a scratchy sponge and it felt soooo good.

20 months later, I was scheduled to have c-section. They put the epidural in, didn't tie me down and everything was fine.

[bettymae1121]

Originally Posted by rndmr2

Jumping in to ask a quick question.

Those who have had an Epidural, were you itchy and nauseated from it? I don't think they use the same meds but I remember when I worked ortho and we had a lot of people that had epidurals for joint replacements and I tell you 3/4 of the ones that had them were throwing up their guts and itching all the time for the whole time it was in (usually until the 2nd day). And then they were still in pain or the wrong leg was numb.

I guess I just have a fear of them for when I have a baby (hopefully sometime soon) but I really don't want to be in pain (I'm a wimp! LOL) so if I wouldn't have the above effects I'll be first in line!

I had no side effects at all. None. Now everyone is different of couse, I rarely have side effects with any medication I take. But I wouldn't hessitate to have another epi.

[mickeyboat]

I threw up after both labors - one with an epidural and one without. I also shook for a very long time with both.

[goofyintoronto]

NOPE!!! I didnt want an epidural.

[canadianjovigirl]

No for both, but i really wanted it for my second as i had been there, done that and had nothing to prove to nobody, but when it came down to it i was way to scared to get a needle in my back - thankfully she came quickly (preemie)

[Shmily1]

No x 2. I didn't ever want one. Sure it hurt but it didn't hurt me as bad as thinking I might have a needle in my back. I'm terrified of needles so that just wasn't going to happen!

[indimom]

Yes X2.
The first one didn't work all that well. I don't know why. Maybe less drug? Maybe not in the right spot? It barely took the edge off.

Second one was WONDERFUL! Zero pain. My blood pressure did drop though, so I had to lay on my side the entire time. But, otherwise, very simple.

[Riles_and_Gabe]

No on both of them...not on purpose though.

My first one, when they asked if I wanted one, it didn't hurt that bad. When it finally started to hurt, I was too late.

My second one, I hadn't realized I was in labor all day. By the time I figured it out and got to the hospital (I had to go to a different hospital that was closer and they had to pull a doctor out of her gym class at the YMCA) I had him within 15 minutes of arriving.

At this point I know I can survive and the thought of that needle really scares me, so if I ever have another (not likely), I don't think I would get one.

[ENSOCK]

Yes for both. Both were c-sections. The first one it did not numb everything and I felt the doctor cutting. He made them give me extra so that he could finish. With the second one, it hurt worse than the labor. but after the meds I did not feel anything.

[Mariep26]

Yes x2. I got to 5cm with my son and 8cm with my daughter before I got it so I made an educated decision on how much more I could endure. My OB told me that she believes that I am capable of going without the epidural and who knows, I may give it a go if I have another but I doubt it.