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cappy421
LIF Infant
Member since 4/09 371 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Epidurals
What information do you ladies know about epidurals? How early will they give them to you? Do they always have to put a catheter in? How long do your legs stay numb?
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Posted 9/13/11 3:41 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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MissingLI
Such a Big Boy!
Member since 1/06 1602 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: Epidurals
The info they gave me at baby class was the following:
For my hospital the earliest I would receive it is 4cm dialated the latest is 7cm.
Yes, they always put a catheter in
The can start to wean the epi towards the end so you can feel when to push, it all depends though. You should start to feel your legs not too long after. Some of the BTDT girls may have better info on that though.
HTH!!! 
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| Posted 9/13/11 3:46 PM |
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neener1211
:-)
Member since 4/07 22952 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Epidurals
Earliest to receive was 4cm, latest..I think 7 or 8cm.
Yes, you get a catheter but you can't feel them put it in or take it out because you can't feel anything below the waist anyway! You need it bc you cannot get up to go to the bathroom.
They did not lower my epi when I was going to push, they only did so after I had the baby. (I think). I couldn't feel my legs for about an hour after giving birth. And then, I still couldn't walk or stand, my legs were like rubber.
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| Posted 9/13/11 4:00 PM |
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cappy421
LIF Infant
Member since 4/09 371 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Epidurals
Posted by neener1211
Earliest to receive was 4cm, latest..I think 7 or 8cm.
Yes, you get a catheter but you can't feel them put it in or take it out because you can't feel anything below the waist anyway! You need it bc you cannot get up to go to the bathroom.
They did not lower my epi when I was going to push, they only did so after I had the baby. (I think). I couldn't feel my legs for about an hour after giving birth. And then, I still couldn't walk or stand, my legs were like rubber.
you just made me feel so much better....I dont know why I didnt realize I would be numb when the catheter was put in When do they take the catheter out?
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| Posted 9/13/11 4:10 PM |
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memi7206
LIF Adult
Member since 3/11 2355 total posts
Name:
Due Dec 29th!!!!!
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Re: Epidurals
I got mine at 10cm bc I was 10 when I got to the hospital. I pushed immediately after for about an hour completely numb and made NO progress, so then they turned it off, waiting til I regained feeling and then I was able to push DS out. My legs were completely numb for around an hour after they turned it off if I had to guess.
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| Posted 9/13/11 5:26 PM |
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jamiemarie12
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 1651 total posts
Name:
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Re: Epidurals
I got to the hospital at 8 cm and I was so scared I wasn't going to be able to get one and I was one who wanted a completely natural birth. They wound up giving me half spinal half epidural. My legs weren't all that bad and after I delivered and they wanted to move me to another bed I was able to help out. By the time I had to use the bathroom I was able to walk. From what I understand you can get one at 3 cm. I am so happy I got one. I felt a million times better and once it was time to push I just felt pressure and that's when they would tell me to push.
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| Posted 9/13/11 5:31 PM |
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DreamComeTrue
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/11 541 total posts
Name:
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Re: Epidurals
They only gave me a little bit and that was after 2 hours of pushing (it took 4 hours to push out DS). I did not want a C-section and DS was head down but face up and they were trying to turn him face down. My Dr. said if I had the epidural she could get her hand up there. Well, that didn't work and DS came out face up anyway.
My back was a little sore the next 2 days from where the catheter was inserted. Oh and the reason why I never got the epidural sooner to help contractions was because I was afraid of the pain in my back putting it in (which there was no pain at all). I've also heard stories where it didn't do the job it was supposed to. Thankfully for me it numbed the right places.
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| Posted 9/13/11 5:44 PM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
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Re: Epidurals
Posted by cappy421
What information do you ladies know about epidurals? How early will they give them to you? Do they always have to put a catheter in? How long do your legs stay numb?
How early will they give them to you?
It depends. You can hypothetically get the low-dose kind at any time. Some OBs want you to wait a little longer to get the higher dose kind. If you are high risk, you may need to get it very early. Whether you get low or high dose depends on the way your hospital's Anesthesiologists practice. You should be in some pain when it's placed so that you know if it works correctly for you (it's a procedure done by "feel" and can be harder to place in some than others).
Do they always have to put a catheter in?
There are 2 catheters: and epidural catheter and a foley catheter. The epidural catheter gives you continuous medication... so it has to stay in. You will not be able to feel your full bladder & that can interfere with the baby exiting you... so the foley needs to stay in. Both come out soon after you deliver & do not feel uncomfortable coming out.
How long do your legs stay numb?
For as long as you are getting the medication & a short while after that (around 1 hour). The amount of numbness you have depends on the amount/strength of the medication your Anesthesiologist chooses for your height, weight & pain level. If you need an episiotomy/tear repair, you may get extra medication such that you will not feel the stitching. I got repaired, they pulled the catheter, I fed my baby, & was set to go.
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| Posted 9/14/11 8:47 AM |
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neener1211
:-)
Member since 4/07 22952 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Epidurals
Posted by cappy421
Posted by neener1211
Earliest to receive was 4cm, latest..I think 7 or 8cm.
Yes, you get a catheter but you can't feel them put it in or take it out because you can't feel anything below the waist anyway! You need it bc you cannot get up to go to the bathroom.
They did not lower my epi when I was going to push, they only did so after I had the baby. (I think). I couldn't feel my legs for about an hour after giving birth. And then, I still couldn't walk or stand, my legs were like rubber.
you just made me feel so much better....I dont know why I didnt realize I would be numb when the catheter was put in When do they take the catheter out?
I don't remember them taking it out either time. I think they do it after the birth and while they are stitching you up and getting you all cleaned up.
It does not hurt one bit, nor can you feel it.
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| Posted 9/14/11 9:21 AM |
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cappy421
LIF Infant
Member since 4/09 371 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Epidurals
Thank you ladies for all the information, I definitely feel better now knowing what I am in for
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| Posted 9/14/11 10:33 AM |
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Bearcat
Love my little girls!!! <3
Member since 6/10 10818 total posts
Name:
E
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Re: Epidurals
i just had appointment and asked about when I could get it and what would be "too late" to get it and dr. said basically whenever (as long as the baby isn't like halfway out already)
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| Posted 9/14/11 10:59 AM |
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