Re: BTDT Ladies - Tell me about your epidural experience

it is the greatest thing ever! esp. the second time, i was progressing so quickly after 4 cm (I was dilating about 2-3 cm per hour) that the epi took away the pain of my cluster contractions and all I felt was the pressure. The epi. isn't a big deal and you don't feel the catheter going in either. for me, the anticipatin of the liticain (sp?) shot was the worst. L&D nurses are amazing.

Re: BTDT Ladies - Tell me about your epidural experience

Re: BTDT Ladies - Tell me about your epidural experience

It didn't hurt at all when they put it in. My epi only worked on the right half of my body so I had to lay on my side for a while to try to get it to work on the left. Also, I had a spinal headache after my epidural and it was MISERABLE. One of the most painful experiences of my life. With that said, I will still have an epi with this labor / birth.

Re: BTDT Ladies - Tell me about your epidural experience

I had 2 natural and 1 with an epidural and I would never get the epidural again. It hurt getting it put in and I hated not being able to get up and walk for a few hours after. Plus it made me feel really dizzy afterward.

Re: BTDT Ladies - Tell me about your epidural experience

I was totally paranoid about having a needle in my back, and didn't think I wanted to get an epi. But by 7 cm, I was dying, so I gave in a got it. I didn't even look at anything the anesthesiologist was doing, he explained what I was going to feel...it wasn't bad at all. I felt the next 1 or 2 contractions, but then, nothing. It was bliss. I could have fallen asleep, I barely felt a thing. It was awesome. If I had it to do over again, I would have gotten in much earlier, lol. Plus, it helped me save my energy to push. They turned it down when I was pushing, so when all was said and done, I was done I was able to get up and walk around fine. I was just a little shaky afterwards, but not a huge deal. Would definitely do it again!!

Re: BTDT Ladies - Tell me about your epidural experience

I didn't think I was nervous at all about getting an epidural until it was actually time to get it. I tensed up and made it difficult for the anesthesiologist to get it in. It took awhile and it wasn't until he started joking around with DH and I started laughing that I relaxed and he was able to get it in 123. And truly I felt nothing! It brought such relief that I couldn't imagine not having gotten it. I really made it so much worse than it was. The only thing that I hated about it was the after effects. I had the shakes for about 3 hours after delivery. I did however end up having an emergency c section and a spinal block so perhaps my recovery was different from someone just coming off an epidural.

Re: BTDT Ladies - Tell me about your epidural experience

Hi...
Don't be nervous at all. Epidurals are the way to go!
Didn't hurt at all going in...like some said you just feel a tiny bee sting. What I didn't know is they have to stick you a few times to get it in right....had no idea about that. But honestly it didn't hurt at all and the relief you feel afterwards is amazing. Those awful crampy contractions are just gone...you don't feel a thing.
Side effects I had were chills/shaking...nothing a few blankets can't help...and VOMITTING. I got really sick from it - was in labor for 15 hours and probably threw up a good 20 times throughout that time I had the epi. That was the worst part for me especially since you have no food in you - I had nothing to throw up. That really wore me out.
Only problem is...mine wore off. So I asked for more which they gladly gave to me. Only problem is it was so close to when I had to start pushing...I couldn't even feel if I was pushing. I stupidly admitted this - they SHUT OFF the epidural. Completely shut it off so I pushed for 1.5 hours and towards the end eventually felt EVERYTHING. So take it from me...get the epi so you don't feel what I felt and don't you dare admit if you can't feel to push...just push and push and don't say a thing...don't let them turn that epidural off....BIG mistake on my part.
Good luck!