epidural experience?? help

[babywelch88]

Im a ftm mom and completely freaked out about having an epidural after talking to my dr. My bf and I thought it was just the shot in your back. We didn't realize it was a tiny catheter that stays there til after delivery. And that you can't move or get up to go to the bathroom after you have it.What was the pprocedure/experience like for some of you who have had one??

[poohfan80]

The 1st time I had one it worked great. I couldn't feel anything from my waist down. They had to wake me up to tell me to push. With my 2nd, it only numbed my left side and I could still feel the contractions. I hope it works good this time around.

[chellbell1988]

I had to have a c-section and they done epidural right before the surgery. The needle didn't hurt at all it hurt worse when they were trying to get an IV started. To me what hurt the most was when they were trying to put a catheter in my back. I don't know if it was me or the doctor but they had to try twice before they actually got it I almost passed out the second time. But once they got it in I went completely numb for my chest down Jennifer the put the catheter in and I honestly didn't like the way my body felt it's like a numb tingling pain it was just weird

[pregoRita]

I didnt get all those after effects the other ladies described I actually got up and walked around about 30 mins after my 1st baby the 2nd it took some hrs because my uterus was hemmoriging not because of the epidural tho

[pregoRita]

Its lovely I was up all night in labor at home so by the time I got to the hospital I was so tired but in so much pain so after I got the epidural I was able to sleep for a few hrs when I woke up I was already at 7cm

[pregoRita]

It was easy I didnt feel it at all i was in to much pain from the contractions. .and nope u cant get up once u get it they will put in a catheter ...and the only thing that hurt when they took it out was the tape they rip off ur back

[bfeld]

I loved my epidural...it was nothing compared to the pain of my contractions.  I only felt the numbing medication not the epidural.  It wad like a small sting. You do have to sit very still when the dr is putting it in. After they tape the catheter up your back so it doesn't accidentally pull out. I couldn't feel my legs for quite a few hours after and needed the nurses to basically lift me in a wheelchair to move to the next room. Immediately after labor I had severe shaking but it was more annoying than anything.  I have no after effects from it.  
I used to work in a pain clinic and have watched tons of spinal injections.  Everyone's anatomy is different and it may take a couple attempts to get out in the right place.
Also they put a urinary catheter in while you have the epidural in.  If the epidural is working you won't feel it go in.

[garlinmommy]

I had two terrible experiences and this time I'm opting out of even going there. My back has a tiny curve to it. Nothing near scoliosis or anything like that.  But first time I tried to have it done after 4 sticks I was crying and in pain so much I tried to give up. He said he got it in but It only numbed one leg not even my belly or vag. Second time I tired to get it at 6cm think be a diffrent situation but no after repeated sticks and 10 min later it was too late baby was coming. I had to argue with the dr putong it in that the baby was coming now. Finally got him to stop nurse checkrd me after a small argument with her that she had just checked me. So had him all natural while the dr who tired to do epidural sat in a chair in the room never had time to even pick up mess. This time I have a new dr and explained my fear to her and she said there is a PCA pump they can attach to iv that gives you a new medicine to help woth pain. I'm trying that or delivering natural again.  The natural delivery was less painfull than the multiple sticks to get epidural

[rainabevins]

With my epidural it was not bad at all I was it was going to hurt it was just a little pinch and that was it. It is different for everyone if you decide for one just remember to take a deep breath and try to relax.

[mckaylas_momma1018]

Things you should know though- when the epidural wears off you aren't able to get up immediately and you may need a bed pan to go to the bathroom- I did...
You get the shakes-- like really, really bad... my husband freaked out how much my body was shaking

[mckaylas_momma1018]

Honestly for everybody it's different... my 1st epidural numbed my whole body from the lower back down and I was freaked out I couldn't feel my legs... they give you a catheter (to pee) so you don't have to worry about that but my nurse was an idiot and put it in the wrong hole at first... The epidural slowed my contractions down and I was put in pitocin to speed along labor since I wasn't progressing...
My 2nd I was hesitant to get an epidural but I begged for it during labor... it was a MUCH better experience... I wasn't 100% numb but I couldn't feel the contractions so I wasn't freaked out... The urine catheter wasn't horrible the 2nd time... and my contractions didn't slow down... I was in labor with my 1st for 12.5 hours... my 2nd for 5.5 hrs...
Don't worry about the pain of the epidural. .. cause during contractions and when you need it it feels like a pinch...

[Anderson2014]

I waited till the last minute to get mine (9cm dilated) and I didnt get to push the button cause I had my son within 20 minutes of gettin the epidural. They said I only got a "spinal" idk what that is but it made my whole left side from the waist down go numb. I was watching myself pinch/poke my left leg but could feel nothing. It scared me. The nurse said it would eventually go away (4hrs later). My spine has a tiny pin prick scare of rough tissue where they put the needle in and it bothers me from time to time but nothing to serious.