Help!? Epidural, yay? Or nay?

Cameronbray0898

I have been thinking a lot of my birth plan. My mother told me an epidural (my main plan because I'm very horrible with pain) can cause you to be paralyzed if you flinch. Which worries me because a lot like others I do a little jerk when the needle goes into my skin. I was looking foward to a Birth without having my stomach opened, and where I won't feel to much pain. The only way I know of that sounds easiest for me and less scary, is an epidural. Does anyone have any help they could give? Now my fiancé is even scared about me doing it and I'm not quite sure what to think or do..

katieharpiceland

I'm a FTM, but, you would probably flinch when they put the numbing medicine in and then I hear you can just feel pressure when the actual epidural is placed. But, don't let your mom scare you. Talk to your OB or midwife!! Get the real facts about the risks and explain your concerns. 

baylorlinda

The risk of paralysis from an epidural is rare. Usually they give you some numbing medication (like lidocaine) on your skin so you may feel a needle. Afterwards, you should feel pressure in that area as they find the space to place the epidural catheter. They do want you to hold still while they place it but not everyone who is in labor or scared of needles can do that.

You could also explore other methods of dealing with labor, such as the Bradley method, hypnobirthing...

If you are definitely set on getting an epidural and are still having questions, maybe your OB or MW can help ease your anxiety. Your mother's comment would scare anyone!

misskristina21

I didn't feel the needle at all. Talk to your OB or MW. Mine also offered me IV narcotics, which I also took, but they made me sleepy.

ashcole28

Talk to you doctor/midwife about your concerns. I had an epidural with DS. My plan was to hold off until I couldn't stand the pain. I was scared of the epidural more than labor. The paper you sign if you want one goes over all the worse case scenarios. The nurse helped me stay still while I was getting mine

ksulli

I read 'Easy Labor' which I thought had a lot of good and pretty unbiased information about pain management- both natural and medicated. That might be a good at home resource to start with, but defiantly talk to your care provider.

I think what your mom said was the equivalent of saying "OMG you're going to give birth- you could DIE!!!" It's true, but very unlikely.

pete0121

I've had two epidurals and they are totally worth the second of pain from the needle.  Like PP said, it is extremely rare to become paralyzed during the process.  You do need to stay still, but a small flinch isn't going to make or break you.  Go through these thoughts with your dr and again with the dr giving the epidural on the day.

mrscrcalli

Lots of things of done incorrectly can paralyze you.. Driving, walking, running.. If you fuck up it could lead to random events that paralyze you.. So I mean if your mom wants you to live in a bubble..

Id say the odds are in your favor, go nuts get an epidural!

NYJodway

I read somewhere that the risk of becoming paralyzed from an epidural is lower than the risk of dying in an automobile accident on your way to the hospital.  I can't remember the source for that comparison, however. 

Cameronbray0898

Thank you to everyone so far with the helpful words of advice. My mother just has it set in her mind that an epidural is a bad idea since she had natural births with no medication with me and my brother. But unlike her I'm a big whimp lol. Hopefully a lot of this can help my fiancé cope with the decision me and my ob make at my next appointment, if we choose to do an epidural. Since my mother scared him into thinking the worse about it.

LittleLady77

Take your fiancé to a labor and delivery class and get the facts for yourselves. Your mother's (totally bias) opinions are not helpful at all.

Teresa1896

Your choices aren't just epidural or c section. Educate and empower yourself about your options, as others have said. And ignore your mother's fear-mongering. It's not helpful nor is it accurate.
My epidural only worked on one side of my body and I would still far prefer it to no epidural at all, for what it's worth.

aml+japan

Your medical team are pros and I'm sure they're used to all types if patients. Your mom is just fear mongering and needs to get the facts. I had a natural birth and would choose a needle prick over 10+ hours of pain any day. In the end I more or less gave up pushing and needed oxygen, plus my baby's heartbeat started slowing down because she was also worn out. So there are cons to natural birth as well.

jennypenny1014

I personally had a natural birth with my son, and was fine...birthing classes (and help remembering what I learned from my stern yet caring L&D nurse) and a super fast no-time-for-anything-cause-he-was-here-in-a-flash labor helped a ton. Women have been giving birth without pain meds for thousands of years, so I'm of the view that nature doesnt give you anything you can't handle...our bodies were made for this. While it definitely hurt (think REEEEALLLY intense menstrual cramps) it wasnt nearly as bad as some people can make it out to be. And I'm a HUGE ninny when it comes to pain. Then again, the flood of oxytocin after the birth could have simply made me forget all about it....that's nature's way of making sure you're willing to do it all again, ya know. lol

That being said, I'm not against anyone getting an epi if that's what you want, but I personally won't be doing so. Most ladies I've spoken to that have had one, loved it and swear by it. To each their own. Your mom (or anyone for that matter!) shouldn't be trying to push her(their) natural birth agenda on you by using scare tactics like that. I'm sorry you have to deal with that. 

kmonroe2

I not huge advocate for birth plans but......why not just wait to see how you feel at the time? How can you decide whether or not you want an epidural if you don't know what labor is like? 

stphanie

I've had one delivery with an epidural and one without. For the one with, I was having horrible tremors by the time they came in to give it to me. My body just wouldn't stop shaking, maybe from the pain of the contractions or the fear that my water had broke 4 weeks early. Not sure but my body was trembling horribly. They just had a nurse hold my shoulders still and did it. My delivery without the epidural was a much easier recovery afterwards. I loved being able to get up and walk instead of having to lay in bed with a catheter for hours. But my epidural-free delivery was super fast and so I had no choice anyway. For my 3rd, it will most likely be too fast again to have an epidural, which is fine with me. But if it somehow ends up being hours and hours of labor, I would probably get one again. Good luck with your decision!

rockstarlaw

I'm not looking to be a hero. Give me the epi!

dreamalways

With my first, I had planned not to have an epidural but ended up having one done. They had to do it twice something happened the first time and they had to redo it. It never completely worked for me but it did enough to ease up on the pain some. With my second son, I planned for an epidural. It worked for a few hours and then wore off but it did give me a break from the pain. This time around I think I will go for another epidural even though they don't seem to work for me as they are suppose to but they work enough to give me a small break. The pain of the needle is nothing compared to the contractions you have at the time it is given, and being perfectly still isn't really something that is going to happen.

myschlove

You are going to get LOTS of different opinions and experiences with this. You will have women who had a horrible time with their epidural and some who would have died (not literally) without it. I had a csection that was medically necessary so i had a spinal block (done in the same way, it just numbs more). The numbing felt like a bee sting and was worst than the actual epidural IMO, but it was very fast and once the medicine was in it went to work fast! Epidurals are very safe and are performed by very highly trained anesthesiologists who do this literally on a daily basis! So don't make your decision based on fear or what worked for others! If you want to birth without it, great! you can do it... but if you want an epidural, thats totally fine! IMO the end result is your beautiful healthy baby, it doesn't matter how you get them out, just get them out in a safe way! there is no one handing out gold stars for suffering unnecessarily! Don't let anyone guilt you (either way) to doing something you don't want to do... especially by using fear! Talk to your dr and you SO, and maybe take a class to educate yourself on your options! and Choose thats right for you! but also keep an open mind... babies don't always like to do what they are supposed to (i.e., coming on time, turning etc)

KendraL86

I don't know how many women are really paralyzed as the result of an epidural. I've never known anyone or heard of anyone who knew someone. So, I'm guessing its very very very rare! Spinal headaches and long term back pain are more common (though still a low %) side effects. With that being said, talk to your doctor/midwife about the pros and cons. They will have the best info for you.

On a personal note, I had an epidural placed to pain control after a major abdominal surgery. It felt like I was being electrocuted. It was (and still is) the most painful thing I have ever experienced. I was screaming and shouting profanities I have never said before. I'm sure I moved a lot! I'm not paralyzed.

pineconey

Please don't think that epi's are the only way to manage pain. You're stronger than you think. There are LOTS of options. Educate yourself.

MalyJ

The tiny pinch of a needle after (I'm assuming) hours if contractions is un noticeable.

Sarahjess06

I never felt the needle. I was concentrating on breathing through my contractions.

ckred27

I have had 2 epidurals...yea there is a chance of something bad happening but its like miniscule, very very unlikely. The first shot is to numb the area and kinda feels like a bee sting. Didnt feel the epi go in at all and it gave pain relief very quickly. There are other forms a pain relief, there are classes and research, not to mention your doc or midwife that can give you more info.

 I will def be having an epidural for this birth if I dont go C-sec, then I hear its a spinal.

WhiMiMa

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seafyr

The only thing I hated about epidural was that I Could not get out of bed (the doctor all but insisted because they'd been inducing me for almost 72 hours at that point). I HATED that. Once they numbed it, I only felt pressure. Yes, there's a small, minute chance of problems - the most common the anesthesiologist told me was a "hot spot" -- a place where the epidural didn't work (which I had but it was where my placenta abruption wound up being) and them "nicking" the sac that contains the fluid in your spine and it causing headaches (which another friend had). Neither happened and he gave me the "chances" but I forget what they were again -- very remote. If you feel it's best for you - talk at length with the anesthesiologist, I'm sure that they will be happy to answer your questions much better with more accuracy about the odds than we can give you.

LEIGHLOVE09

I had one and am planning on getting another! No way would I attempt to do it without it if I had a choice. I'm terrified we won't have enough time. My first labor was pretty quick and my 2 friends who had their second children both didn't have time for it. That is scary!

snmetz7

I think this is a really personal decision and you really can't rely on anyone else (you mother or internet strangers) to tell you one way or the other. Talk to your dr about your concerns (both about pain and side effects of epi) and then make a decision that you are comfortable with.

Since you asked, however, I will tell you that I HATED the epi last time. In my situation I am glad that I had it because I didn't want to feel anything.. however I hated everything about it. I have a very low pain tolerance but I will be opting for a natural birth. I am a huge control freak, So I couldn't stand not being able to feel my body or move at all. I had to use the restroom..for number 2 afterward and being wiped up with just humiliating to me (yes I realize I will probably still poop but this was just horrendous ) Afterwards it took FOREVER for the numbness to wear off where I could stand up again, and there was still some numbness the next day.  I will say though, even thought I flinched when they put the needle in me, there were no lasting side effects.  

RedDawnsRevenge

Had an epidural for c/s, I will say at home when I labored I had no pain. After the block was placed I had a horrible burning sensation with pins and needles that ran down from my and to my toes until the epidural wore off. I didn't have a HA afterwards but mine was easy to place since I was thin. A chunky GF of mine needed several blood patches after her epideral for recurrent HAs, she does also have the permanent back pain mentioned by a pp. I'm planing a HBAC and would not choose to have another epidural.

Linnea503

With my epi, they wanted to give me narcotics first to take the edge off and help me stay still. Despite being in the worst pain of my life (one long never ceasing pitocin induced contraction) I was able to refuse the narcotic and sit perfectly still for the epi. It was NOTHING compared to the labor pain and after that I was super happy and labor and pushing were really fun! And I had no groggy narcotic feeling.

Bees Everywhere

My numbing needle didn't work and I felt the large needle go in as well as the catheter (this isn't normal apparently most people don't feel this) and I couldn't keep still it hurt so bad but the epidural worked and no paralysis so.

mrscrcalli

Bees Everywhere said:

My numbing needle didn't work and I felt the large needle go in as well as the catheter (this isn't normal apparently most people don't feel this) and I couldn't keep still it hurt so bad but the epidural worked and no paralysis so.

I love that you confirmed that you are not paralyzed. :x

Linnea503

Bees Everywhere said:

My numbing needle didn't work and I felt the large needle go in as well as the catheter (this isn't normal apparently most people don't feel this) and I couldn't keep still it hurt so bad but the epidural worked and no paralysis so.

Yikes, that sounds scary. I don't even know if I was numbed but they didn't place the catheter until the epi was fully working so I definitely didn't feel it.

DemoDoll

I agree with the others that they numb you first and then insert the needle. You don't feel pain for the epidural, just pressure. I did actually flinch during that pressure feeling but it didn't cause any negative effects.

katiedidthat

I had a similar fear and went into labor planning to go all natural, but ended up with 72 hours of back labor before my water broke and after that- I didn't care how big the needle was or what the risks were- I just wanted the pain to stop.  I definitely survived though and I wasn't holding still by any means. 

I agree with PP though- you don't have to make this an either/or decision right now.  You can opt for the epidural at almost any point during labor, just because you said ahead of time that you didn't want it doesn't mean you can't change your mind in labor, or that you said you want one but contractions aren't as bad as you expect and you opt not to get it once you get to the hospital. You'll make lots of decisions you didn't plan on during labor. 

Rogue237

rockstarlaw said:

I'm not looking to be a hero. Give me the epi!

Yeah - those of us doing natural are just in it for the medals.

Rogue237

That said, OP, whichever way you decide to give birth that's right for you is the right way. And if it's an epi - take your fiance to the OB with you so he can hear from them about what a safe process it is and that those kind of complications are rare. Try to get comfortable with your choice before going into the delivery room

katieharpiceland

Rogue237 said:

rockstarlaw said:

I'm not looking to be a hero. Give me the epi!

Yeah - those of us doing natural are just in it for the medals.

So excited for my medal!

Rogue237

katieharpiceland said:

Rogue237 said:

rockstarlaw said:

I'm not looking to be a hero. Give me the epi!

Yeah - those of us doing natural are just in it for the medals.

So excited for my medal!

I'm just excited for an excuse to post RDJ's beautiful face!

abbeylanecb

You do have to be as still as possible. I did flinch a few times and the dr who was pl

Rogue237 said:

rockstarlaw said:

I'm not looking to be a hero. Give me the epi!

Yeah - those of us doing natural are just in it for the medals.

I am!!

snmetz7

wait we get a medal!? totes going to get a shadow box for mine and put it in the nursery