Epidurals and the pain?

Question

i am 36wks and i know that i am going to need a epiduarl when i give birth but im a big chicken when it comes to needles....can u feel it and how bad does it hurt to get it?

Answer 1

hi, i have had two kids and have had both epidurals and never felt a thing. you don't see it going in and your in so much pain before you get it, i don't think it makes much of a difference. some people maybe different but i wish they would've given it to me earlier1

Answer 2

by the time its time to get an epidural you'll be in so much pain that the needle won't even matter, they numb it with a shot first, and the shot stings but you won't even feel the actual thing going in, not to scare you or anything i had an epidural just 4 weeks ago and it didn't work, i felt everything..and it messed my back up for a while afterwards

Answer 3

I dont' remember the needle at all actually.  Epidurals are heavenly!

Answer 4

Im petrified of needles. But rather that than feel the whole birth. Im having an epidural too.

Apparently it doesnt hurt much.

Answer 5

i promise, you're so nervous, excited,scared and everything all rolled into one and so ready to meet your baby you really dont even think about the needle, and it doesnt hurt feels like a small prick and its over

GOOD LUCK!! :)

Answer 6

not bad at all i was a big chicken at first but they numb your skin so u don't feel the needle go in and they take the needle out and they leave like a super little tube in to give you the medicine...

Answer 7

it doesn't hurt compared to contractions, and you can't see them doing it anyway, i hate needles to but i had an epidural with both of mine. good luck.

Answer 8

i'm so glad you asked this because i was wondering the same thing, i'm only 5 weeks and already worried about stuff like that!! and i'm definitely the same exact way, hate needles, in fact when i got my positive hpt results, the FIRST thing that came to mind was omg, needles, pain. oh sh*t. LOL. i wasn't even worried about the rest! but as everyone says, i'm sure we'll be in so much pain by that time that it will s****. worth it in the long run. i'm all for the epidural GUUURL! i can't imagine giving birth without one to be honest.

well good luck to us both right! ♥

Answer 9

not that bad sometime you do not even feel it

Answer 10

its nothing compared to actual birth and labor

Answer 11

no a lot don't be a chicken, you can handle that

Answer 12

You know when your in as much pain as you are when the real contractions come you wont even realize that they are giving you the epidural. Just seriously don't look at the need NO JOKE!!  I am on my second pregnancy and am going totally natural i know what to expect and my husband knows now what to do. For my first pregnancy i was scared and had my husband there but he was more scared than me and that didn't help me out. So this time he knows to help me out through it with breathing and talking to me but saying the right things. I am going to birth in the tub and am really excited but nervous so good luck to you and best wished to your labor :)  

Answer 13

Wait until you have a particulary ouchy contraction and have them put it in then.  Have your partner there though to help you keep steady.  You will barely feel it, and at least it will be behind you so you won't see the person putting it in, which I think helps with the pschological aspect.

Answer 14

I had one with my daughter and im getting another with this one, i had to have 2 becuase the first one only worked on half of me so i was still feeling to pain on the other side, i didnt feel them put anything in other then the little tube that goes in before they pull the needle out and it felt like cold water running up my spine, was weird but def. worth it i was in labor for 17 hours.

Answer 15

it doesnt hurt and you will love the results i would have 10 kids if i could get the epi its wonderful

Answer 16

How do you know you will need an epidural if you have never experienced labor before? Why not try without and only get one if you need it? I would recommend you look at the risks, pros and cons before you make a decision.  

Answer 17

I think the pain from my contractions were worse then the epidural.

I felt more pressure then then pain, I don't actually remember any pain though. Just a lot of pressure on your spine.......it felt kinda weird actually.

Answer 18

Trust me the labor pain is WAY worse!  When you're laying in the bed with the pain all the time, the lesser pain of about 5 minutes is NOTHING compared to after when you can sleep and be a little more relaxed so when the baby shows up you're a little more ready to meet them.

Answer 19

honestly i was in so much pain i never even felt the needle and i am a baby when it comes to needles to but i was glad to have that one. and how bad does the pain get it can get baddddd!!!!!!!!!

Answer 20

I felt the needle, but it wasn't that bad.  Believe me when I say the needle hurts way less than those contractions!  Good luck 2 you!

Answer 21

yeah, you can feel it. But it's kinda like....a big pinch in your lower back that lasts maybe 10 seconds and then your completely numb from the waist down and feel nothing OR feel everything without an epidural. It's worth it to me. And you won't see the needle because the doctor is behind you, just listen to their directions and take deep breaths.  

Answer 22

why do you know you will need an epidural? be strong! all you need are some good birthing positions, a big canister of gas&air and a really warm birthing pool. Giving birth naturally actually gives you a sense of empowerment and self respect. Things go a lot smoother too.

Did you know if you have an epidural you are much more likely to need a forceps or ventouse delivery or even a c-section, you can have permanent damage to your back and more likey to cause trauma to your baby. read up about it, you shouldnt take this decision lighlty. To me, the pain of natural labour far outweighs the risks an epidural causes.

http://www.healing-arts.org/mehl-madrona...

http://www.childbirthsolutions.com/artic...

http://www.kimjames.net/epidural_risks_a...

please read these, and maybe some others that you have found yourself, before making your mind up.

good luck =) x*x

Answer 23

If you have a great anesthesiologist you won't feel much. Especially because you are going to be having contractions in between and you will be focusing on that.

At your next office visit ask your OB to explain the entire procedure to you so you can understand what will happen.

What SHOULD happen is you will get some local anesthetic near the epidural site.  You will feel a few little pokes in your back while they do this. You need to concentrate on your contractions and keeping the position the doctor wants you in (usually at the end of the bed and hunched over). It is very important not to move, and stay exactly still. The last poke will be the epidural needle going in. The doctor will need to put pressure on your back while he finds the correct location, stay still. You might feel extra pressure when the needle goes in, stay still.

Once the doctor has placed the epidural catheter in place they will tape it to your back and you will start receiving medication. This will lessen the cramping and contractions to almost non existent but possible you could still feel it a little, just a little.

Basically at that point you could say your pain is gone.

I recommend making a decision about the epidural now. Once you are dilated beyond a certain amount the doctor will not do an epidural.

Answer 24

i barely felt it.  and honestly...after you feel that first contraction the tiny pinch of a needle is going to be heaven...especially knowing that you won't feel another contraction!