do you want the epidural or go natural?

i really dont want to not have control of my legs with the epidural but iwill have to see how the pain is.

does the epidural have to wear off b4 you can push?

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

I am planning on going natural. (HOWEVER, I am reserving the right to change my mind if I want to!)

I recently posted about how I was tired of the comments I was getting when I would tell people I didn't want an epi.

Anyway, from what I understand, the epidural doesn't make your legs numb. (a spinal does). The epidural is supposed to numb your stomach area, not your legs (or at least what the video I saw on Saturday said!)

I guess how long it will last all depends on when you get in and how long they will keep you on it. I was just talking to a girl today who said that hers stopped working just in time for her to feel the full effects of labor. The earlier they start you on it, the less likely they are to keep the drugs going the whole time and it could wear off. The epidural is a constant stream of drugs into your back as opposed to the spinal which is a one time thing.

Good luck with your decision! I am personally more freaked out about the epi than I am about labor!!!

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

i thought the epi does numb hmm i will have to read up on it again.

i really dont want drugs but it is my decision and I do know if the pain is horrible and i cant deal i will ask.. but i dont like how people try and dictate to me

its OUR decsion ladies and people need to stop trying to push you one way or the other,

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

The epi numbs you from your waist to your toes. It is a spinal - they're not two different things.

I personally will take the epidural as SOON as they will give it to me.


ETA: the epidural does not have to ware off before you push - they'll tell you when the contractions are coming and when to push.

Message edited 8/13/2007 1:52:37 PM.

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

There are epidurals that will leave you numb from the waste down and there is another that doesn't... It depends on the hospital what they offer
I would like to try natural all the way
when I had an epidural (the one that you are numb from the waste down) I only had it for 45min then They couldn't give me any more because I had to push

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

I want to go natural but i'm no hero - drug me if needed.

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

I have no tolerance for pain so I would like an epidural as soon as they will give it to me.

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

Actually, the spinal and the epidural are two different things. The epidural is administed via catheter into your spine. The spinal is a series of shots into your spine. In my experience, the epidural numbed my legs, but I could feel them--until I got a c/s at which point they "pumped it up" with a total block. For my 2nd c/s I got the spinal because, evidently, they numb completely very quickly and wear off sooner.

Having said all that...I got the DRUGS!!!!

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

Epi all the way!!

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

I want drugs - bring them on!

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

Bring on the drugs!!!!

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

thanks for the claification it sure helps knowing the details

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

I plan on trying natural but if I need the epi, I wont hesitate to get it.

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

i want epi!!!! Lots and Lots of Epi!

It seems drs. are different. Some wait for it to wear off, so you can feel the pressure and push. Others, as long as you can push (even w/out feeling) will let you do it.. they usually give you something to hold (like a towel) and tell you when to push.

I am hoping for the latter! The less pain the possible!

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

To quote a friend of mine "there's nothing natural about labor without drugs!"

I don't know what I want to do. I have 2 girlfriends who have 3 children each, all without drugs, which makes me think I can do it, but I don't need to be a hero.

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

Posted by eroxgirl

To quote a friend of mine "there's nothing natural about labor without drugs!"

I don't know what I want to do. I have 2 girlfriends who have 3 children each, all without drugs, which makes me think I can do it, but I don't need to be a hero.

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

In my experience the epidural numbs your whole stomach and your legs as well. Sometimes doctors turn it off for the pushing and you end up feeling everything while others don't.

I'll be going natural again.

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?

Message edited 11/24/2007 10:22:00 PM.

Re: do you want the epidural or go natural?