Epidural Poll!

[ZachnElli]

I had 2 epidurals that were perfect. I'd have done it again, if I had given birth again.

 

[Bluestars]

Epidurals are wonderful! I had my first natural and was in labor for about 18 hours, nine of those induced. It was horrible. I didn't take anything for the pain because I didn't want any medicine to get to the baby. I had never heard of an epidural, although they were being given at other places.

Second one I had an epidural and it was heaven! I felt no pain, only pressure. It was the most wonderful experience.

Third was a C-section.

 

[chobie]

I have no intentions of having one, not because I don't think its not going to hurt, or because I think I will be more of a woman going through labor naturally, but because I can't stand the thought of a needle in my spine, the costant worry of one slip up and I could end up brain dead, I know they are safe and women get them every day, but I want to try to last as long as I can without one, because I am too fearful of the needle, I mean come on my great grandma had 16 kids and there were no epidurals back then, my other great grandma had 12... I think they might have stopped if it were that bad...

I know every woman is different, and that I might end up being in the worst pain ever and getting one in the end, but my plans (and I know they change!) are to not have one... I think I'm pretty tough though... I survived a car running over my legs and stomach, I've passed kidney stones, and I get mind numbing can't walk cramps once a month...

So to anyone who feels like answering, did you get one? Anything you care to share about the experience, without or without one?

Had c-sections so yes I had the epidurals -- the needle in my back was nothing - it was the iv stuck in my hand that hurt.

As for your great -grandma's -- they didn't have birth control back then so they probably couldn't have stopped if they wanted to.And I'm willing to bet if they were offered an epidural they would have taken them.

The bottom line is - you have no idea what labor will feel like until your in it - so don't rule out any choices just yet.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

I was the opposite of Bluestars. My first went very smoothly, 9 hours of labor, no drugs. But, my second one was AWFUL! I had to be induced, and I literally thought I was going to die, the pain was so intense. I finally gave in and had the epidural and was able to sleep for a couple of hours. Even with the epidural, the pain was 100 times worse than my first...but I don't think I would have made it naturally without the epidural. The nurse and the doctor were fighting about whether or not to do a c-section. Thankfully, my doctor won and they let me progress naturally.

I, too, was freaked out about the idea of the needle in my back. But, once that pain hit, I didn't even have a worry. I just wanted it to stop.

 

[HelenePA]

The bottom line is - you have no idea what labor will feel like until your in it - so don't rule out any choices just yet.

I was very prepared after given birth twice plus my short labors I knew I could do it with out pain meds.. contractions are NOTHING like monthly cramps btw..

 

[Laura]

I haven't given birth yet, but I plan to ask for an epidural. At what point? I'm not sure. I've never done this before. I have a high tolerance for pain, but I'm not sure how much I will be able to handle. And if I'm induced, I understand that the contractions are worse. Not that I want to be induced--but this is a first baby and they're often late. If the pregnancy goes on too long, an induction may be in order.

I'm really just worried that I'll be in labor for days.

 

[Buckalew11]

No . I can take pain, I can't take anyone entering my central nervous system for an elective procedure!

I wonder how many of the "yes" epidurlals were the "no" on the chiropractor(justifying it that "No one is going to touch my back")

I've seen a chiropracter since I was 15 years old! No inconsistencies for me!!

 

[SDFgirl]

I think I came onto the Disboards and asked the exact same question before the birth of DD. I was TERRIFIED of the needle...moreso than labor.

Well, let me tell you - after a few contractions, I didn't even FEEL that needle except for a teensy pin prick. The epidural was wonderful! I would (and will) do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[eliza61]

I have no intentions of having one, not because I don't think its not going to hurt, or because I think I will be more of a woman going through labor naturally, but because I can't stand the thought of a needle in my spine, the costant worry of one slip up and I could end up brain dead, I know they are safe and women get them every day, but I want to try to last as long as I can without one, because I am too fearful of the needle, I mean come on my great grandma had 16 kids and there were no epidurals back then, my other great grandma had 12... I think they might have stopped if it were that bad...

I know every woman is different, and that I might end up being in the worst pain ever and getting one in the end, but my plans (and I know they change!) are to not have one... I think I'm pretty tough though... I survived a car running over my legs and stomach, I've passed kidney stones, and I get mind numbing can't walk cramps once a month...

So to anyone who feels like answering, did you get one? Anything you care to share about the experience, without or without one?

Yes I got one. The nano second I got to the hospital. Informed my doctor I wanted the maximum allowable drugs available.

 

[disney4us2002]

It's good to have a plan. It's great to be able to say "screw the plan, I need the drugs!" Just keep that in mind. You are not failing by having an epidural.

Also, not sure if the stats are the same, but I always used to hear 1 in 4 deliveries are by c-section. I don't think they deliver c-sections w/o an epidural. My friend knew she was having a c-section and asked if she could be put completely under and the doc wouldn't do it.

All 3 of my boys were delivered via c-section as they were all over 9 1/2 lbs. I was stubborn just on the first and asked my doc what if we didn't proceed with the c and used your example of all the previous generations delivering naturally. The doc said there were also women that died during childbirth. Hmmm, no brainer.

 

[Scurvy]

I had one, but I wish I hadn't. I had been in labor for three hours and it really wasn't all that bad. (Well, it was bad, but since the pain never lasted very long at one time it wasn't anything I couldn't handle.) Then the doctor told me that if I was going to have one I couldn't wait any longer, and warned me I could be in labor for hours and hours after that point. So I got one. My son was born an hour later, so I really wish I had just held out and not gotten the epidural.

It didn't hurt, but it was uncomfortable. The worst part about it for me was the "crunch" I heard when the needle went in. It still grosses me out horribly every time I think about it. I am not very squeamish but that crunching noise was just horrible.

 

[Goofyluver]

I was induced...and no. Natural childbirth.

 

[HelenePA]

I had one, but I wish I hadn't. I had been in labor for three hours and it really wasn't all that bad. (Well, it was bad, but since the pain never lasted very long at one time it wasn't anything I couldn't handle.) Then the doctor told me that if I was going to have one I couldn't wait any longer, and warned me I could be in labor for hours and hours after that point. So I got one. My son was born an hour later, so I really wish I had just held out and not gotten the epidural.

It didn't hurt, but it was uncomfortable. The worst part about it for me was the "crunch" I heard when the needle went in. It still grosses me out horribly every time I think about it. I am not very squeamish but that crunching noise was just horrible.

My dr tried to scare me into an epidural this last time around uh I did this 3 times before I had an idea as to what was gonna happen.. he kept pushing it I kept telling him no. The nurse was even getting pissed at him.. heck he delivered my last son who was also a no epi.. OP if your dead serious about no epidural make your thoughts known.. keep telling them no. Dont let them scare you into it.. now that doesn't mean you can't change your mind.. just dont let them be the reason you change it..

I dont remember a crunching sound.. its been a few years since I had one though...

 

[rangermom]

I had planned to not have one, but once I got to 7 cm I couldn't take it anymore. I had one with each of my kids. I could still feel when the contractions were occuring and when my babies were born. I don't see why be in that much pain if you do not haev to. You will still feel the birth.

 

[RNMOM]

I didn't want one either but I had back labor with my first and the pain was uncontrolable. On the fetal monitor, I didn't have rests between contractions...at all. After a couple hours of this I was very happy to cave in.

Let me explain something about epidurals. First, the needle doesn't go "into your spine". It is actually just outside in the epidural space. Think of it like a baloon filled with water that protects the spine and nerve roots. The doctor punctures into this and puts medication in to affect just specific nerves, the ones in the area of the abdomen for babies. They can also use this to block areas on the neck, arms, legs too. It is quite safe actually. Now spinals actually do go further into the spinal area. If you hear about complication..in my 33 years of experience mostly in surgerical areas, spinals are more likely to have these problems. Epidurals are much less so. The number of problems is quite low considering how many are given.

I had to have a scheduled section with my second baby due to his size/vs. my pelvis. I had a second epidural then too.

If you need to have pain control, using an epidural will allow you to get pain relief without affecting the baby at all. This is not true of medicines given in the IV.

As for the 'crunching' sound. With an epidural you can feel a pop or even hear it but crunching sounds more like a spinal. Never heard of this before.

 

[kim929]

As I told my daughter..... Don't be a hero in the delivery room. It hurts. It hurts more then anything you can imagine. I know women have given birth without one. But I'm too much of a whimp. I was afraid of the slip but let me tell you, when your in the moment and this wave of pain rushes over you. Your not thinking about the needle slipping. Your thinking why the hell can't they get someone to move a little quicker and stick the darn needle in to stop this pain so I can breath again. And yes, the pain does fade away after time, and the end result is so worth every second of agony. But why be a hero when you can lay there and in a off the wall way enjoy the labor.

 

[mpls_mm]

After 26 hours of hard labor I was nearly delirious and not enjoying my time in labor. I had an epidural and was much happier. I also had one with the second and at this point if I have a third one, I will have one starting at 8 months.

 

[funnygarcia]

If it helps...
The needle itself does not stay, they thread a flexible catheter into the space. The needle is just an introducer to break the skin and enter the space.

Same goes with most IVs, there is not an actual needle left in the vein. It's a tiny soft, bendable catheter.


I had the opportunity to have interthecal morphine when I had my now 15 yr old, epidurals were not popular at that hospital.
Had a pain killer and a sleep aid to convince me to sleep during the lengthy induction with my first. But that was all.
I was one unhappy exhuasted momma.


My second child was much easier. Natural start of labor, hands off style of care (hospital based midwife). Much easier to cope and work thru the labor without intervention or interruption. Transition was hard work, pushing felt great and a beautiful boy to hold was my reward.

It really depends on how you feel at the moment. Don't be shy, speak up if you're feeling like you can't cope.

 

[KristineN]

First & Second child.... no epidural...

third child...I broke down mid labor and announced I couldn't do it...in came the anesthesiologist

fourth child...emergency c-section, under general anesthesia


the labor with the 3rd kid was definitely the most plesant

 

[Scurvy]

As for the 'crunching' sound. With an epidural you can feel a pop or even hear it but crunching sounds more like a spinal. Never heard of this before.

I don't know that it would have sounded like a crunch to anyone else - but it did to me. Like someone biting crunchy cereal - really grossed me out. But I am weird about pain, anyway - I tend to associate sensations with noises (some pain feels high pitched, some is a low hum, etc). So really it might not have been an audible crunch - I don't know if anyone else in the room heard it - but I did. No one else has ever mentioned to me that they heard theirs so I'm sure I am not the norm in this case!