Epidural and pushing?

chapstix7

Just a little curious for those moms who've been there; I am planning on getting an epidural, but have heard it's pretty impossible to push with one. My SIL just gave birth to a 9lb6oz boy and had one, but had to dial it way back so she could push, because she couldn't feel anything. I am hoping to keep the meds going?

Novem06

My epi only worked for about 3 hours so I pushed without one. I've heard they normally scale it back though so you aren't completely numb when pushing 

austenfan919

I had an epi with DD and could push (though apparently not ultra-effectively, they had to use forceps when her heart rate dropped). I don't remember that they had to scale it back for pushing, but some of the details are probably blurry.

aimee1899

I had my epidural put in at about noon the day I delivered. The meds were still working when I started pushing, which was for 19 minutes, DS was out at 6:49pm. I agree with pp, I still felt contractions but, it was in the form of pressure not pain.

Crossingfingers

I've had an epi three times now, and all I felt was pressure. They gave me some sort of control over it, so that I could adjust it when/if I needed to. I felt absolutely no pain, just pressure. I pushed for ten minutes with each of my 3 kids. I know every delivery is different, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be that easy this time too!

Mrs_Bennett

I had an epidural and pushed for exactly 2 hours with DS.  I could feel myself pushing and feel pressure, but no pain.  I felt him come out (felt the placenta too), but didn't feel my episiotomy or the stitches afterwards (I think she numbed it more with a shot, but I didn't feel that either!).  I don't know if it makes any difference, but I was induced, so I had the pitocin going on at the same time.  I know all deliveries are different, but I have no qualms about getting another epi--it worked well for me, and I had no issues with it at all.  DS was only 6.5 lbs, so that might have made a difference.

Bemyselfandi

I didn't feel shiz when I had my epi. That said, I can't honestly say I felt like pushing was that hard. I was in labor for 37 hours, I had been awake for well over 2 1/2 days. I was falling asleep in the middle of pushing. I pushed with the help of my sister and SO... I didn't feel anything, but I pushed, and DS came out. Soooooo I wouldn't say you have anything to worry about, but I'm sure no one is the same.

ematthews920

With DS, my epidural wore off just enough for me to know that I was having a contraction, but it wasn't horribly painful. It was perfect. I think I got lucky, though.

lily225

It will completely depend on the strength of your epidural. This was one of the reasons why I went med-free with my first two. If your dr. gives you too much meds then you will be completely numb and it can make it pretty hard to know how/where to push, especially for a first time mom.

I had an epi with my third and it was the perfect amount of meds. I could move my legs slightly still so I wasn't completely numb and could tell where to push. I had my 9lb2oz son out in about 3 or 4 pushes. 

It's really just a gamble with your epidural. 

ToxityRue

I was only allowed to try to push like 3 times, then DD's heart-rate dropped and my doctor attacked me with forceps. Ended up with a 3rd degree laceration too... fun stuff. So I don't really know how it would have affected my pushing, but I know I couldn't feel ANYTHING or move anything past my waist. I couldn't even lift my own legs into the stirrups. 

nikkivonnekro

I had an Epi with my frist and no problems pushing out my LO at all. I plan on getting one for this baby as well.

rainyday31

I started freaking out because I thought mine was wearing off and I was feeling a lot of pressure. Turns out I was ready to push and had no problem telling when to push. I hope this next time goes as smoothly, but if not I am confident in the nursing staff that they will get me through it.

irer

My epidural was starting to wear off when it was time to start pushing, and I did not get it topped up so I could feel what was going on.  I had no problems at all and also the medical team coach you re: pushing (whether you get an epidural or not)...ie push/don't push, big push, etc...

BethPSU

I got my epidural 10 minutes before I was ready to push.  I could still feel pressure and knew it was time. I actually could still feel the contractions on one side.  It was enough relief to  be able to focus on pushing. I  only pushed for 7 minutes.   

adrianLO

I pushed for close to 4 hours.  At the beginning, I couldn't feel anything because of the epi.  Eventually, they scaled it back so I could feel my contractions.  It was painful, but it made my pushing much more effective.  When I was completely numb I really didn't know what I was doing.

CoreysGal

I had my epi for close to 6 hours before I was ready to push.  I never really felt pain from the point of getting the epi but I felt the pressure steadily increase and felt every contraction through the increased pressure.  I could move my legs, even though they felt like lead. So when I was pushing, I think I did a fairly good job because I could feel the contractions and the doctor never seemed worried that I wasn't productively pushing. It still took 2 hours and unless they didn't tell me, they didn't lower the epi at all.  It is definitely doable - just be sure to talk to the nurses if you have no feeling at all!

MrsLuWho

I had an epi from the start. I had no problem "feeling" enough to push. In fact, when they would change the pads on my bed, I could sort of lift myself. 

I think everyone's body reacts differently and I'm sure it depends on how much they give you.