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mitabtrfly
Member since 12/06 2770 total posts
Name:
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Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
When I had my son almost 16 years ago...I did it naturally. I was terrified of having an Epidural done out of fear that I'd move and be paralyzed..so I opted to have Demerol which at the age of 19 I SWORE was an alternative. Well..low and behold...it wasn't. It was only to relieve me for a while and I had to wait for it to completely wear off before I could push. So..I basically had my son w/no drugs.
This time..the pregnancy is ALOT different. I'm experiencing back pain, now have Sciatica..and god knows what else will happen. I have 4 months left..and wanted to know if anyone can tell me anything about an Epidural? I keep hearing these wonderful stories about how you don't feel pain..but then hear other stories about how you suffer from back pain and have a hole in your spine for a while.
Any advice ladies???
Message edited 4/10/2007 12:05:07 PM.
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Posted 4/10/07 12:03 PM  |
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johnsae
Sip.
Member since 3/06 18677 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
no advice, but I've never been the least bit afraid of an epidural...i'm actually looking forward to mine.
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| Posted 4/10/07 12:06 PM |
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chelle
It's a Good Life
Member since 8/06 15404 total posts
Name:
Isn't it obvious?
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
Me.. that's why I'm not planning on having any medication. If need be... well, then I have no other choice, but until then - keep that needle away from my spine!!!
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| Posted 4/10/07 12:09 PM |
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WhatNow
Say Cheese!
Member since 1/06 8033 total posts
Name:
A (formerly WhatNow?)
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
I loved my epidural and the anesthesiologist who administered it! Had no problems with it before or after and it made me get through labor successfully!
Just make sure not to get it too soon. You need to be at least 3.5 cm dilated
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| Posted 4/10/07 12:16 PM |
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jennyg
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/05 633 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
I can totally relate. I was NOT a fan of of a big ol' needle being stuck into my spine. So with #1, I took a "wait and see" approach and things progressed nicely, I breathed through the pain, and wound up having a drug free delivery. It was an incredible feeling, I had such a rush from it and was amazed that I was actually able to it without any drugs. My DH was so proud of me and the nurses were bragging about me!!
Fast forward to #2 (you know where this is going, right?  )...I had all intentions of going au natural again and did not want the epi. I walked for hour and hours and my labor just did not progress. They broke my water and still nothing. I couldn't take the pain anymore, so I reluctantly opted for the epidural. let me tell you, it was AMAZING. Its like being on a beach, you feel so warm and relaxed. In fact, i remember saying to the Dr, WHY didn't I get this the first time around?
Moral of the story is don't be afraid if you need an epidural. kudos to you if you can get through it without drugs but at a certain point you don't need to be the hero. If I h ad to do it again, I think I would opt for the epi!!!
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| Posted 4/10/07 12:16 PM |
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mitabtrfly
Member since 12/06 2770 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
Posted by jennyg
I can totally relate. I was NOT a fan of of a big ol' needle being stuck into my spine. So with #1, I took a "wait and see" approach and things progressed nicely, I breathed through the pain, and wound up having a drug free delivery. It was an incredible feeling, I had such a rush from it and was amazed that I was actually able to it without any drugs. My DH was so proud of me and the nurses were bragging about me!!
Fast forward to #2 (you know where this is going, right? )...I had all intentions of going au natural again and did not want the epi. I walked for hour and hours and my labor just did not progress. They broke my water and still nothing. I couldn't take the pain anymore, so I reluctantly opted for the epidural. let me tell you, it was AMAZING. Its like being on a beach, you feel so warm and relaxed. In fact, i remember saying to the Dr, WHY didn't I get this the first time around?
Moral of the story is don't be afraid if you need an epidural. kudos to you if you can get through it without drugs but at a certain point you don't need to be the hero. If I h ad to do it again, I think I would opt for the epi!!!
I love this!! Being on a beach huh?? What can be better than that? I honestly think I will end up getting it..because I remember that pain like it was yesterday..and I still can't believe that lil' ole me..pushed an 8lb kid out w/no drugs. No wonder I had blood vessels broken in my face and hemmorrhoids (sp?). I don't want to go through that again. I guess I will see if I can handle it..but if not..epi..here I come!!!
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| Posted 4/10/07 12:30 PM |
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
I was very anxious about the epidural- to the point where I did think about doing it drug free (briefly!). But it wasn't bad at all- I think it helped that the doctor who put it in was very nice, explained everything and tried to put me at ease. I just felt a couple of small pinches.
While it didn't really help me at the end, I am glad I got it because I was able to nap for a few hours.
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| Posted 4/10/07 12:37 PM |
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snuggleupagus
I'm a rolling machine.
Member since 9/06 2064 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
If you start to flinch at all, they remove the needle and if they determine you can't sit still long enough, they will refuse to continue. It happened to me with DD. I was terrified of NOT getting it, I ended up not getting it! Now I'm kind of glad I didn't and won't really consider it unless I have a loooong labor [first was only 4 hours] and just can't take it.
but to answer your real question, no, i'm not afraid of the epi...i was afraid ofthe pain!
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| Posted 4/10/07 12:43 PM |
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jerseypanda
Life is good.
Member since 1/07 9164 total posts
Name:
Amanda
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
I have ALWAYS had a fear of being paralyzed... have always hated people cracking my back or neck... and anything else related to my spine.
Right now, I don't know what I am going to do. I guess I will wait and see how much it hurts when I go into labor and make a decision from there!
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| Posted 4/10/07 12:54 PM |
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mitabtrfly
Member since 12/06 2770 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
Posted by MrsProfessor
I was very anxious about the epidural- to the point where I did think about doing it drug free (briefly!). But it wasn't bad at all- I think it helped that the doctor who put it in was very nice, explained everything and tried to put me at ease. I just felt a couple of small pinches.
While it didn't really help me at the end, I am glad I got it because I was able to nap for a few hours.
I can't even imagine napping ....WOW. This is really convincing me...with my son I was in labor for over 31 hours..and it was just unbearable! The Demerol helped me sleep in between contractions..but at that point they were about 2 minutes apart...so what I thought was an hour was only a few minutes....
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| Posted 4/10/07 1:05 PM |
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LuvMy2Girls
@>---------
Member since 5/05 11165 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
I was set on going natural in the beginning, then as time progressed i kept an open mind.
The epi was the best thing ever, it didn't hurt going in, i was completely numb, and had my legs back within a 1/2 hour of it being turned off.
I have no side effects from it, no hole in my back. Every once in awhile though i get a tingling sensation up my spine, but nothing bad at all.
It was the best thing i ever did, it allowed me to rest, enjoy my company and labor.
With #2 i am def getting it again.
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| Posted 4/10/07 1:37 PM |
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leighla
Support Cancer Research
Member since 5/05 16353 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
I'm scared, but I think when it comes down to it, I'll get it.
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| Posted 4/10/07 2:10 PM |
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karennew
LIF Infant
Member since 3/06 234 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
my friend told me that they leave the needle in for the entire labor...I didn't know that! Is it true? If so, how do you sit back?
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| Posted 4/10/07 2:15 PM |
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leighla
Support Cancer Research
Member since 5/05 16353 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
Posted by karennew
my friend told me that they leave the needle in for the entire labor...I didn't know that! Is it true? If so, how do you sit back?
There's a small tube that's inserted and then they tape it down all the way up your back so you don't pull it out.
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| Posted 4/10/07 2:16 PM |
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ABCiverson
<3 my family
Member since 1/06 7465 total posts
Name:
Amanda
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
I am scared of not getting the epidural! I got one with my first and it only worked for 3 or 4 hours and it slipped out and they couldn't get it back in so I felt EVERYTHING. With my second I was so set on getting one but I had a 3 hour labor so by the time I got to the hospital I was already 9 almost 10 cm so I couldn't get anything! Now I am so scared of another fast labor. I am praying I get a chance for the epi!
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| Posted 4/10/07 2:17 PM |
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Selden78
I lvoe the fall :)
Member since 6/06 3543 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
I had an epiduarl with my daughter 8 years ago and it only lasted MAX 2hrs they could not give me anymore becasue they said I need to fell when to push It just relaxed me for 2hrs thats all
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| Posted 4/10/07 2:26 PM |
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NS1976
My princess!
Member since 5/05 6548 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
I am the biggest scaredy cat when it comes to needles. I was afraid of the entire process. Buit to be honest, my iv hurt more than the epi. I swear, I felt nothing. I dont know if that was compared to the contractions I was having but it was awesome.
Only thing for me though, was that they turned it off when I had to push. Wound up I was pushing for almost 4 hours to no avail. It was awful. I should have asked before hand if they were goin to turn it off but I had never thought about that happening.
Good luck..in the end, its absolutely nothing! At least imo.
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| Posted 4/10/07 2:27 PM |
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steph4777
**************
Member since 5/05 11726 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
When I was in labor with both of my kids, I was fine until they broke my water. Once that happened there was no breathing that could help me through the pain. Both times, I could have kissed my anesthesiologist. Was I a little aprehensive - yes, but it was so worth not feeling the pain.
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| Posted 4/10/07 2:32 PM |
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KateDevine
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Member since 6/06 24950 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
I've said it before, I'll say it again: I am WAY less afraid of a needle then pushing a baby out of my va jay jay without any pain medication.
But I've had two prior surgeries, so needles, etc, don't really freak me out the way they bother other people.
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| Posted 4/10/07 2:35 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
While there is no way I can "look" at that needle, there is no other option for me if I have a choice.
I have ABSOLUTELLY not tolerance for pain.
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| Posted 4/10/07 3:23 PM |
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Eleanor
LIF Adult
Member since 2/06 2223 total posts
Name:
Ellie
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
I was petrified before DS. I ended up getting a spinal for the c/s and if there was any pain - it was completely masked by the contractions. After the spinal was in, I was able to joke around, etc.
Don't them numb your back beforehand? Like the dentist and novacaine?
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| Posted 4/10/07 3:29 PM |
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NJmom
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Member since 8/05 4987 total posts
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
i was more afraid of the epidural than any other part of the childbirth experience. it turned out to be not bad at all and once i got it the rest of my labor was great!
Posted by Eleanor
Don't them numb your back beforehand? Like the dentist and novacaine?
yes they do numb the area. that's the only part you really feel--it's just a little pinch. when they actually insert the epidural it doesn't hurt. you'll just feel a little pressure.
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| Posted 4/10/07 8:31 PM |
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pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
I was not that nervous, I knew that the epidural would be my savior...when it came time to get it, it did hurt a bit, to be honest....but I was in HEAVEN afterwards....the pain of the shot is nothing like contractions 
You will be fine, try to not think about it...focus on DH or a pic of the baby while it is being administered
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| Posted 4/10/07 8:43 PM |
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Faithx2
All good things in 2016!!
Member since 8/05 20181 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
I hardly felt mine  and once the doctor injects into it, it feels like a cool sensation rushing down your body.....I thought it was fabulous
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| Posted 4/10/07 8:45 PM |
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pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: Anyone else afraid of having an Epidural?
Posted by WhatNow
Just make sure not to get it too soon. You need to be at least 3.5 cm dilated
I was only a fingertip dialated when I got my epi, but that is because I was being induced...if you are induced, you can get the epi earlier.....I did wind up with a c-section though
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| Posted 4/10/07 8:45 PM |
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