Considering an Epidural

Alright well the closer my induction date gets... the more nervous I get about pain.  Funny that I had 2 kids before (and yes I could use the demoral again) and several surgeries... Anyhow, wanting to get as much information as possible on Epidurals, and the experiences of others if possible.  

[lovefamily]

I think I am to be induced the sameday as you, Tuesday, Aug. 21.   I go in to see my Dr at 10  am.  Anyway, I am considering an epidural too.  I have had two kids before without being numb.  Even though it has been a long time since I have given birth....I remember it all.  I am thinking and epidural this time.  Same results with a beautiful baby at the end.  Unless things go real fast and easy.....I don't know.  I'm like you.  Thanks for asking this question, I will be reading on.

[girlyredhead]

With my 3rd DD the epidural was perfect.  I was alert and comfortable, and the labor was a piece of cake.  With my 1st DD I had no pain killers and even though I was only in labor for 4 hour, I felt like I had been hit by a truck and I wasn't even stable enough to hold her afterwards, so I speak from experience.  I am a strong advocate for the epidural.  Good luck

[cyndy_07]

i had a c-section the 1st time, all natural 2nd time, and with the 3rd i said "give me drugs" i wanted to enjoy it, now with my 4th im having another c-section... so what ever makes you feel better. as for pain with my 3rd i didn't have any and i was fully awake and aware of what was going on, but i had an awful experience because my baby got stuck, but epidural was great for me.

[anxiousmomtobe?]

I had an epidural with both my kids.  I will probably have one this time.

[ImmortalOne]

See my understanding is that they place the Epidurals in the same place they would do a spinal tap, or close.  (Peek am I wrong?!).  My issue with that is I have had spinal taps, and each time I have nerve issues in my back since my back injury in 2001.  I have two deteriorating disks in that vicinity which is why they said they nicked my nerves by accident (I was in pain and unable to properly walk for weeks after each).

With my first 2 I had bad back labor.... I don't know what front labor feels like!

[Nicole092907]

I tried to get the epidural I dont know if it was the guy who was putting it in or me .. but he asked my mom who was in the room with me if I had been in a serious car accident because I barely had any cartilage between my bones... he tried 7 times to adminster it and I finally told him I had enough and it worked....I went to register the other day and she asked me if i was going to want any drugs and I told her about the situation i had with my daughter and she said if I want to try for another one there is something they can do to see if i qualify to have one.....but I'm just thinking the hell with it unless it gets to intense for me

[surprisebaby]

i had an epidural with all my babies.  first one provided some relief, 2nd one was awesome during labour and delivery, but i had spinal headaches after, so with 3rd, i was scared to death to get an epidural...spinal headaches are the worse pain i have ever experienced (and my babies were 10lbers!)....so i went in with an open mind, ending up not being able to take the pain, opted for the epidural, had minimal relief, but at least it was some (they said i waited too long) i had absolutely no side effects after my 3rd baby.  just try and keep an open mind about it.  your date is getting soooooo close now, i remember when you were 1st on here and all the problems you have overcome.  i wish you all the best and hope for a quick  and painless labour and delivery!

[*heartagram*]

I love the epidural. I am in so much pain right now I wish they would give it to me early. LOL

[rubyolivia]

You're getting right down to the wire sister!! The race is on now........maybe Max will beat Lilith here! hehe!

[anxiousmomtobe?]

If you get a "walking epidural" it is lower on the back than where they do a spinal.

[cutiemama]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE the epidural! I can't imagine having to have labored without it. I didn't have the best experience the 1st time around as my BP dropped really low and then the epi wore off and I needed to be topped up but beside that, it was amazing. 2nd time around, I had no side affects whatsoever. Good luck!

[ImmortalOne]

My doctor and hospital don't do "walking epidural"'s anymore because of the risk of cord prolapse.  So, if I get one, I guess I will be tethered to the bed?  *sigh*  maybe I'm just being a baby.  The spinal headaches concerns me as well.  Hmmm..

And Jessica, ha!  Is started drinking my red raspberry tea today!  Maybe I'll beat the induction date and Max!  With any luck.

[tatorbug40]

I didn't have the epidural, I had a c-section with my dd 2 years ago (my first) so I had a spinal,  I can not begin to tell you how scared I was to have that done!  Nothing else really scared me too much, except for that---  so when I got there (I had hypertension) they put a cuff on my arm that checked my BP every 2 mins, which hurt, I was having contractions and the guy was trying to put the needle in my back and kept telling me to RELAX-  RIGHT!!! like that was going to happen---  so---  there was this really sweet, southern older nurse who had this HUGE chest--- I have a very small chest :(... anyway,  she came over, gave me a pillow to hug and put her arms around me and smooched my face right into her chest...  okay, so I know this sound strange, but there was nothing more comforting then that!!!  I was fine then, I didn't feel anything and it was over before I knew it!  I was so worked up over nothing!!! :)  SO,  my suggestion is to find a large chested nurse to hug the entire time!! :)  You will be fine and we will keep you in our prayers!  Good luck!!

[joyfulmom]

I had epidurals with both my kids and I'll have it again.  There is no pain, only pressure when pushing out the baby.  And afterwards, I shook really bad and couldn't feel a thing from my waist down.  That was kinda scary, but well worth it!

[rubyolivia]

The tea didn't do it for me...yet! My mom's friend suggested I go jump on the bed or couch. lol She said that with 2 of her kids she was riding in the elevator and it just kind of jerked and that's what did if for her! Soooo I'll be jumping on the bed tonight! :)

[nikkicole827]

My mom just suggested jumping jacks.  Am I that desperate?  Really?  Possibly!

[ImmortalOne]

LOL I never heard of the jumping jacks.  The tea is something that I did with #2 and it took a few days but worked well enough.  You have to make sure it is steeped long and I always add sugar (it's organic tea from the family health food store, it smells like catnip in the tea bag!).  Anyhow, I am going to do 2 cups today, then 4 tomorrow and 6-8 on Sunday.

All I know is today I'm in so much pelvic pain it hurts to walk.  *sigh*  I'm going to miss being pregnant yes, but this pain I won't miss.

[DollChina]

AH, YES, go for it!  I felt labor pain for about 30 mis....that's it.  

[ksanden]

it was my best friend i was in so much pain i felt just great once it kicked in.. i would do it again
ksanden

[tomel]

I had a spinal with my first. Eazy copezy. I wasnt concerned.
I will have an epidural with this one.

The thing about an epidural (God bless you all who can do a med free birth, I commend you)
is that if it is at least in place and say an emergency c-section was needed for some reason then it could be very easily converted to a spinal. If an emergency c-section is needed and no epidural is in place and there wasnt enough time then they would knock you out.
That happend to someone I know.

[lovefamily]

I do a lot of herbs.  Red Raspberry tea is good for making the uterus stronger but does not have any benefits for bringing on labor.  It will help make your uterus stronger for labor.  I have been using Red Raspberry Tea since trying to conceive and I have used it everyday of pregnancy.

[rubyolivia]

Not doin the jumping jacks, here! lol I jumped on the bed. I drove down some bumpy roads on the way home from work and then volunteered to mow our bumpy yard.....that didn't last long. I thought his head was going to  just pop right out. lol

[SeeingSpots]

I was worried about getting an epidural due to previously fracturing 2 of my lumbar vertebrae from a buck off a horse, but the anesthesiologist said it wouldn't be an issue.  The worst part of the experience was the intense pressure of him inserting the needle.  He had me sit on the edge of the bed while he was inserting it, and he was pushing so hard that I had to wrap my ankles around the bed frame to keep from being pushed off on to the floor.  (He said afterwards that I had "tough cartillage".)  Once the epidural took effect I was in HEAVEN... wow... such relief!   I actually fell asleep for over an hour (I labored from 9pm until 9am the next morning). I couldn't feel the contrations, so I had to watch the monitors peaking to know when to push, but I could feel my legs perfectly fine.   I am DEFINITELY getting another epidural with my current pregnancy.  Only thing I'll do differently is ask for it sooner... I was being "tough girl" and trying to go as long as possible without it the first time around (silly me!).

[ImmortalOne]

Well I've decided to wait and see how the labor goes before making a decision.  The DH says he wouldn't think any less of me if I got it, but also understands why I don't and either way he'll support my choices.  On an up note my oldest DD will be home this afternoon, time to turn up the tea!

[rubyolivia]

MJ...I really hope you go into labor on your own! And I really hope I do it before you. HAHAHAHA! No j/k! It would be awesome if we both could go over the weekend though! Will you have the computer at the hospital with you? (Seems like you have posted from there before) We're definitely taking our laptop...I'll need everyone's support on here to live through the labor! lol Good luck trying to start those contractions!! :)

[ImmortalOne]

Jess,  Yeah I will have the computer, maybe both laptops, in the hospital.  They have WiFi for free so we can post from there.  Won't be any pictures unfortunately unless my mom brings her camera.  

I'm trying!  I got word about the eldest DD and I stepped up drinking that tea!  :)  I'll let you know, been having contractions for the last 2 days.  LOL

[girlyredhead]

My girlfriend did suffer some temporary nerve damage with her epidural.  She could not feel her left leg for about two months after the baby was born, and had to walk with the help of a cane.  She is fine now, and all feeling has returned, so yes, bad things can happen.  In your case, what would be the ultimate risk?

[peekawho]

That can happen after any birth.  It is not necessarily from the epidural.  Women who have had no anesthesia have had the same thing happen.  Not common, but not unheard of.  If you have an epidural, of course that's what you'll think was the cause.