From the article: Choosing an Epidural for Labor and Delivery including Cesarean Section
Epidural anesthesia is a very popular form of pain relief for labor. Just over half the women in the US choose an epidural to numb the pain from contractions. When did you decide to get an epidural? Did your doctor recommend one? Was the anesthesiologist helpful when it came to informed consent? Did your family get to stay with you? How much could you move after the epidural and how did you feel postpartum? Did you have any complications from your epidural? WHat position did you have to be in to get an epidural? Share Your Epidural Story
Too risky for me
- I've delivered all four of my children at home (most recently 6months ago) so pain medication has never been an option. I used meditation and hypnosis. The risks associated with an epidural have always been more than I was willing to take on. Labor is painful for sure, but never anything I couldn't work through.
- —Guest Kitty
Worked great!
- Only pain I felt from it was when it was first being put in. It did make me feel very cold and gave me the shakes. Took an hour for actual pushing and delivery. Didn't have to have any assistance (forceps, vacuum, etc.)
- —Guest NinjaKitty
Epidural Time!
- I was shocked to find out that I would have to get an epidural. I was supposed to give birth in a birthing tub but my baby was breech. I was scared for her and me at the same time. When I heard the news, I was in shock. The epidural felt like a stinging sensation. I had a great c-section delivery. Baby Emma May Collins was born a week ago at 10:00 in the morning on Saturday March 30, 2013. She weighs 8 pounds 2 ounces and her and I are still in the hospital. She was in distress. She is all better and her and I are staying in the hospital until my recovery is done.
- —angelmybaby
Epidural Success
- I had prostaglandin gel inserted the evening prior to my delivery with the intention of softening my cervix in order to have a successful induction with oxytocin. I was 11 days overdue with a 9lb infant at this point and have small bone structure so we induced to avoid a potential c-section. I went into labor on my own and began contracting around 3AM, with my water breaking on its own at 5PM that evening. Required no pain management up until this point as I was able to breathe through the contractions. They suddenly became very intense and I opted for an epidural shortly after. They got the needle in on the first try and within ten minutes was numb from the bottom of my ribcage down but was still able to freely move my legs. Dilated to 10cm by 8PM and after 2 hours of entirely painless labor and being able to nap briefly between contractions delivered a 9lb 4oz baby boy at 10:30PM. I recovered quickly and was up and walking two hours later. Would do it again 100 times over.
- —Guest amberdsweet
Didnt like it at all
- I had one c section with my first and and an epi for my second they said it wouldn't hurt but the incision was incredibly painful . I had stinging and it hurt to get it really bad . I was in such pain from contractions I decided tio get it at 8 cm dialated . Took twenty min to kick in but when it did I was totally numb and felt great . But now I have really bad sciatic nerve pain alot .
- —Guest Jenny o
Epidural- bad at first but great results
- I was struggling to get my secong baby out (first one was a doddle!) and after being in intense labour for 24 hours I opted for an epidural. At first I went into shock, I couldnt stop shaking violently, and I couldnt feel the effects right away. Slowly I was numb down one side, but gradually (after about 30mins-1hr) I could feel the effects. I also did get very cold after having the epidural, but this was sorted by the nurse and the mother-in-law wrapping me up in warm blankets! After that it was a doddle. I then had to be taken to theatre for the forcepts- they topped my epidural up some more, baby was 'pulled' out and I didnt feel a thing! Would deffinitely reccommend.
- —Guest beki126
Nerve damage after 13 failed attempts!!!
- I was pregnant in 2001, had an epidural, and no issues! Delivered a healthy baby girl. In 2003, I was given an epidural after being poked 13 times!!! He couldn't find it at first, finally did after 10 times, it came out soon after, so he re-did it another 3 times! I had a bruise the size of a basketball on my back after I got home from the hospital and have had nerve damage ever since. I can't touch or have anyone else (inluding pony rides for the kids) the middle of my lower back due to the epidural. It's the worst pain I have ever felt in my life, if the slightest bit of pressure is place on my back!!! Not worth it....hopefully I don't have any issues in the future because of it all! :(
- —Guest Staci L
Happy I got it
- My son was discovered breech at my 38 week appointment. My ob said I could have a c section or they could manually move him into the right position to be delivered. I chose the 2nt choice. They had me in the delivery room for the procedure all hooked up with ivs and moniters to make sure we handled this painful experience. The next morning my doc said they would have to induce me so that meant more time stuck in the bed with the moniters and such. I wanted a natural birth with no drugs to start but not being able to move around or bath during labor I changed my mind. My epidural was fast to install and almost completely painless. I could move my whole bottom around and felt the pressure of pushing my son out. It was great how effectively it took away the back labor pains which were the worst. I loved my experience.
- —Guest Rayechael
Loved it and will def do it again!
- I had the epideral and i felt incredible. I had a pump so i.could constantly push it to get pain relief. I could relax watch tv,text,laugh,visit with family. I even took a nap. After a few hours i was ready to push which lasted only 30 minutes then i had my babyboy. Born.100%healthy! Im definately doing it again i want to be able to relax and gain energy before im ready to push
- —Guest Monica
A blessing
- I had an epidural for both deliveries. It was a blessing! Both times were fine and no problems after. I would do it again!
- —Guest Cosmicgal
Big mistake
- While in labor Doc. told me he didn't want to deliver baby as he was a surgeon. He sat me up and jamed my spine with something, I don;t remember anything, until I woke up, unable to lift my head up, walk, or eat, without the most severe headache one could have. Baby went home with family, as I was in surgical ward getting huge shots of water laying on my stomach to get the fluid back in where the spinal fluid leaked from my spine. My ears started ringing 49 years ago at that point, and I have had much trouble since then. It was a military hosp. Nothing was ever said or done for me.
- —Guest movingon
Back pain
- Ever since I got a epidural my back been hurting. I'm not sure what I should do.
- —Guest Tiffany
Numb Toes from epidural
- I have had 3 children and 3 epidurals. With the third all was fine except that my back directly after childbirth hurt worse than normal. That pain subsided but now I have 2 toes on my right side that keep going numb!
- —Guest Misty
Worked for me
- I had my daughter in 2010. I went the first 11 hours of labor without any pain medication in hopes of delivering natural. Was only 5 cm, and lost my will to calm during the contractions. Had a wonderful nurse and doc handle the procedure. My contractions were 2-5 minutes apart from the start so I was very scared about getting the needle. I even had a contraction start to hit right about the time the doctor was putting the needle in, but I prayed to God and miracolously the contraction went away for the first time since my water had broken. The only down side to the epidural was that I had blown out my neck stressing too much during the first 11 hours, and once I couldn't feel the contractions I did feel my neck strain. Saw my chiropractor after delivery to fix that issue. Otherwise, the remaining 11 hours went by quickly, daughter was alert and very active from moment one. Numbness went away after about an hour after delivery. Been fine ever since.
- —Guest Megan
Anesthesiologists
- I love the discussions about epidurals. Anesthesiologists are your advocates during labor and delivery, REGARDLESS of whether or not you want an epidural. Don't believe the hype! We want you and your newborn to be happy, safe, and comfortable during labor.
- —Guest Dr. Joe
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