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BIG DAY

how bad is labor?  does a epidural hurt?
18 Responses
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1366197 tn?1394587311
at the point where you decide to get the epi you dont even care anymore, you just want relief! Then it feels AMAZING!
Helpful - 0
1806883 tn?1458321004
I havent had an epidural so I cant comment on them, but I have had 10 drug free births, its really up to what you want if you dont think you will be able to deal with the pain then you can opt for other drugs first, ie gas or pethidine, also if you give your body time to  get used to the contractions your body will release natural endorphins to help you get through the contractions, also moveing around during upour contractions, and breathing thru them, I dont know what your birth suites are like but in australia most of them have a shower, so water is good for painrelief, hot water  where your contractions are does wonders, also labouring ina birth pool is another option if your hospital does these, the thing is to stay active and let your body do what its ment to....but in the end it comes down to personal choice and whats right for you :)
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1847035 tn?1327274923
I had the epidural but if you were like me and leaned over alot to throw up it only works on one side.. but when the time came to start pishing you'll know. I felt like I had to poop. lol they just laughed at me and said no that's the baby telling us she's ready. and my doctor told me not to scream while pushing cause it used up my energy but I didn't listen. lol it felt better to scream a few times and she was out. I hope you have a good labor! :)
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1661682 tn?1313135396
to start off I didn't have any pain but by the time I was feeling the contractions they were every 2 mins. I had gas and air and the pethadine injection. After that injection I was falling asleep. I don't know about epidural never had 1. But this time around I'm a lot more scared than I wad on my was and I was only 17 having her I'm now 19 and terrified
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Avatar universal
I never went into labor. I had a csection a week early but I am terrified of needles. The epi is nothing and I didn't feel a thing. I had 12 staples and was cleaning the hospital room the next morning after delivering at 8:30pm the night before
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Avatar universal
Epidural= amazing!!! I agree. During labor I thought I was going to die from pain but then I had my epidural and it was fine. People say epidural may block your feeling so you can't push but I was able to push just fine and even took a nap during labor. If your in pain and can't stand it get the epidural. I also was induced w pitocin which made my labor too intense. Everyone's different. Good luck!
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Avatar universal
Thank you & december 16th..I'm so ready!!!
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1428239 tn?1333457053
depends on the person..  i wouldnt described my labor as painful..  contractions can be intense... but mine were only llasting 45 seconds so i kept reminding  myself that it would end.... i labored with no drugs to 8cm ..  epidural was done during a contraction.. i didnt notice... and after that it was painless..  but im sure without it pushing would kill..

dont stress, you will make it through
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Avatar universal
thank youuu everyone
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202436 tn?1326474333
Having been through labor 5 times and an emergency c-section with no labor once I can definitely answer your questions.

Labor IS painful, I'm not gonna lie. BUT, with the right relaxation techniques and labor partner it's not that bad.  

When you get the epidural they numb a small area in your back - that just feels like getting any shot - no big deal - just a pinch.  Once it's numb, they will insert the needle with the epidural catheter.  This will feel like a good bit of pressure in your back and you might feel a "crunching" sensation as they put it in.  Once it's in you don't even notice it and BOY is it a RELIEF.  

I had one of my labors with NO DRUGS and although it was painful and I screamed my lungs out - I wouldn't change it for the world.  Afterwards I felt like I was on top of the world!  The pain was a thing of the past.  I felt so good, I was up and walking less than half an hour after birth.  With my epidurals it was more like a couple of hours before I was up and walking.  

It's quite natural to be apprehensive, or even scared, of the big day, but trust me - we are BUILT to birth babies.  

How much longer do you have til the Big Day?
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Avatar universal
Poke....I don't know why it blanked out the other word
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Avatar universal
The pain level depends on each person. I was in labor for 22 hours and never felt one contraction... more like period cramping. They gave me an epidural and I barely felt it....just a little *****. I have a high pain tolerance so it was a piece of cake
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Avatar universal
When that pain hits you, your not worried about if the epi will be painful. Labor can be intense. But it all depends if you have a fast labor and delivery or not. To me it wasn't that bad felt much better after receiving the epi.
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Avatar universal
Epidural = amazing!!!! I had a reaction to the induction drugs so I contracted without breaks, therefore I was in excrutiating pain, but that isn't normal! Just remember, they are there to help you and won't leave you in agony :) x
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1194973 tn?1385503904
It depends on the female in question--all labour is different. I had back labour and mine WAS excruciating. Others will breeze through it. The epidural (in my opinion) was nothing compared to the contractions I was having.
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251790 tn?1317312867
I think labor is not excruciating.  we were built for it. if you go into it scared to death convinced you'll be miserable you will be.  get educated and learn some coping techniques and how your body works throughout each stage and it will be a much smoother ride.  I had an epidural with my first that didn't work and ended up causing back problems.  read up on everything to help you decide!
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689528 tn?1364135841
Labour isn't so bad. You have to learn how to cope with the pain and it helps to know exactly what your body is doing through the process. The best thing to do is completely relax with a contraction. The more you tense up, the worse it feels.
As far as epidural...I have no idea. I didn't get one.
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1395792 tn?1358115792
Well labor is excruiating but women can handle it and when you get an epi your usually having contraction so compared to the contractions to me no the epi does not hurt.. dont worry your instincts will kick in all the medical staff will be there to help plus any fam and friends you have there to support you! Its really an exciting exp...there is pain but it will be one of the best days of your life!
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