Epidural question???????

Question

For women who have had epidurals before what was your experience and did you have any negitive side effects?

Answer 1

I had one with my second pregnancy, and it did not work after the first 20 minutes. I might as well have done it naturally. :) Actually, it was the fact that I ended up having this failed epidural that I was inspired to go ahead and do the third birth without meds, I figured if I could do it once I could do it again.

**Thanks for the thumbs down when I answered the question by sharing my experience! LOL

Answer 2

I had an epidural with my first child, and I vowed I would never have one again.  The anesthesiologist numbed me completely from the waste down.  I couldn't feel a thing, which I know a lot of people think they want, but the fact is, it made it impossible to know when or how to push.  It took 3 hours of pushing to get the baby out.  Any longer and they would have done a c-section.  Also, it was so strong that it caused me to have back problems for about a year after my first was born.  My ob told me that it's because it over-relaxed the back muscles, and it took that long for them to recover.  Which is a long way of saying, if they do it right, it is absolutely worth it; if they do it wrong, it is miserable.  If you choose to have one, I hope you will have a great experience with it; it makes a world of difference!

Now, even after swearing I would never have another one, I just gave birth on the 16th to my fourth child, and after being in labor for a long time with not much happening other than being in pain, my doctor started throwing around the idea of Pitocin, something else I vowed I would never have again.  Well, that was it.  I told him if he was doing Pitocin, he might as well give me an epidural first because I didn't want to feel those contractions.  The anesthesiologist who administered the epidural asked me before she did it how strong I wanted it.  I told her I just wanted it enough to take the edge off the pain.  She did a great job explaining step by step what she was doing and what I would feel, and she gave me just the right amount of medication that the contractions stopped hurting but where I could still feel the pressure and could also still move my legs on my own (which I couldn't do with that first epidural).  It helped me relax enough where the labor finally progressed (almost immediately after the epidural started working), and when it came time to push, I could feel enough to know when and how long to push. It literally only took one push which did not hurt in the least to get the baby out.  I was up and walking around less than an hour after the baby was born, and I have not had any side effects whatsoever from it since then.  

Answer 3

I had it and it was wonderful I was having contractions at 1 minute apart as soon as my water broke(at home) rushed to hospital they gave me everything before that but nothing worked. I insisted I get the epidural and once that thing was in everything was happiness after wards lol what a difference. I had to have help getting to the bathroom and into my wheelchair but that's cause it was still in my system but after that I was fine!

Answer 4

I had epidural for my first pregnancy... it didn't hurt and I felt nothing, just ticklish and when the medications were administered, I felt numb and cold. I fell asleep for like 3-4 hours and woke up to have my baby.

Answer 5

They told me it feels like a bee sting and it did.  My only problem with it is that it worked too well.  I couldn't feel anything from my shoulders down.  I was impressed because pain killers don't work on my.  Mine also wore off about 3 times too.  So I got 3 bottles of it. lol.... this time I am going to try natural.  I guess we will see.

Answer 6

I had an epidural with my first and plan on having one with my second.  The only "negative" side effect I remember having was the shakes, which is completely normal.  Unfortunately I tried to hold back and my muscles were soooooo sore the next couple days lol. The procedure itself hurt a little I guess (I honestly can't remember it very well) but I clearly remember the instant relief I felt after it was in.

Many people (especially my MIL) keep saying "Oh its not that bad, do it natural/without drugs like I did..." but my opinion is if I don't have to feel the pain then why would I want to?? lol

I watch a lot of Birth Day episodes of Discovery Health so I see a lot of epidurals that don't take well or only numb half the body, etc...but I am confident that everything will go ok this time as it did last.