Lets talk about Epidurals

crollin · June 2010

I do plan on having an epidural. If you had one, tell me how long it takes for the anesthesiologist to complete the process. TIA.

soon2Bmrs.AGEE · June 2010

If I can remember, I think it was about 10-15 minutes from start to finish.

I have to say though (not to scare you) the epi was the worst part for me. I was very anxious about it although I knew for sure I wanted it. Once he was done I was fine. I just had a hard time holding still, I think I was holding my breath. I plan to do it again for the next baby though. Most don't have any trouble at all. I'm just a baby.

Soon2BMrsWiley · June 2010

It did not take long to get mine, and it didn't hurt. But I was induced on a weekend, and the anesthesiologist had to leave the hospital and they told me I could get one before he left or perhaps not get one at all. I should have waited. My contractions were not bad at all when I got the epi and I could have gone longer. As it was, the epi wore off 2x before they decided to do a c-section. I don't know if getting it stalled my labor, but I know that it can. So my advice would be to go for as long as possible before getting it, and if you can still feel your feet, don't be shy about telling them!

crollin · June 2010

soon2Bmrs.AGEE:

I have to say though (not to scare you) the epi was the worst part for me.

All my friends said it was not that bad but my sister said it was so painful. I know I will have problems being still also.

MissLMS · June 2010

I wanted originally to go natural so I waited as long as I could before getting an epidural. (I was in the transition phase and was 8 cm dialated when the anesthesiologist told me it was basically do-or-die. At this point, my water had not broken yet and I was terrified of how it might feel once it did break, and was convinced that Kennedy was going to be a lot bigger baby than what she was.)

The epidural itself was no more painful to me than getting your mouth numbed for a filling at the dentist. It took maybe 5 mintues and wasn't bad at all.

I could still move my left leg (not my right for some reason) and I could feel pressure and could feel when I needed to push.... which is what I wanted.

Honestly though, now that I know I can make it to 8 cm and that it wasn't too bad, I wish I had just gone 100% natural. (that's the plan with the next, anyways.) Once I got the epidural, my labor slowed down a bit and it took about 3 more hours to get to the point where I could push.

crollin · June 2010

Soon2BMrsWiley:
So my advice would be to go for as long as possible before getting it, and if you can still feel your feet, don't be shy about telling them!

That's what I have been told. I have a low tolerance for pain so that scares me.

FutureMrsWagner · June 2010

The longest part is waiting for the anesthesiologist to GET started after you tell your nurse that you ready! Both times, it felt like forever to me b/c I was in pretty strong labor before requesting it. I was 6 cm before I got it with Caleb, and let me tell ya, I was hurting bad w/the contractions. To the point of tears and fear! I was very ready for the epidural! I think they have to give you an IV, fluids and you have to fill out some paperwork before they give it to you, then you wait for the Dr to come. The actual process itself doesn't take long though. I'd say less than 10 min for sure. I was very nervous both times b/c my fear was that I would have a contraction while he was trying to administer it, but I think it kinda becomes a mind over matter thing and you just push through it b/c you don't want to risk getting paralyzed! LOL! Neither time really hurt me at all...a little pinch...a little sting... it was more so just the nerves.

MissLMS · June 2010

crollin:

Soon2BMrsWiley:
So my advice would be to go for as long as possible before getting it, and if you can still feel your feet, don't be shy about telling them!

That's what I have been told. I have a low tolerance for pain so that scares me.

Are you being induced? Honestly, if you go into labor naturally, it's not that bad. I've heard that if you are induced, the pitocin makes the labor a lot more painful.

For me, the contractions felt like a bad period cramp that would last a few seconds and would go away. I was uncomfortable, but it was NOTHING like what I imagined or what I saw on TV. For most of my labor, I happily bounced on a labor ball with my laptop, posting on the bump and visiting with friends... and that was before my epidural.

If it makes you feel any better, this is what I looked like IN THE MIDDLE of a contraction at 6 cm dialated... you can tell my face is all red but other than that, it really wasn't that bad. (I was grining through the pain!) And I have a low tolerance of pain:

lilcrablegs · June 2010

It was not bad - maybe 5-10 minutes? I agree that you shouldn't rush to get it, but don't wait too long in case your anesthesiologist is busy (they should tell you). Because it's a "voluntary" thing - surgeries, etc come first. I know that kind of sucks, but it's just the way it is at most places I've heard about.

star21gazer · June 2010

Mine wasn't bad at all...took a few minutes. The hardest part to me was staying perfectly still...the nurse and Wes held onto me. Really the only thing I felt was the actual medicine going in...tiny bit of burning but nothing unbearable. And it pretty much worked immediately.

starsmaycollide · June 2010

MissLMS:
crollin:

Soon2BMrsWiley:
So my advice would be to go for as long as possible before getting it, and if you can still feel your feet, don't be shy about telling them!
That's what I have been told. I have a low tolerance for pain so that scares me.
Are you being induced? Honestly, if you go into labor naturally, it's not that bad. I've heard that if you are induced, the pitocin makes the labor a lot more painful.
For me, the contractions felt like a bad period cramp that would last a few seconds and would go away. I was uncomfortable, but it was NOTHING like what I imagined or what I saw on TV. For most of my labor, I happily bounced on a labor ball with my laptop, posting on the bump and visiting with friends... and that was before my epidural.
If it makes you feel any better, this is what I looked like IN THE MIDDLE of a contraction at 6 cm dialated... you can tell my face is all red but other than that, it really wasn't that bad. (I was grining through the pain!) And I have a low tolerance of pain:

I want your birth experience Lydia!! Your story really helps me think positive about the unknown.

MannaKay · June 2010

soon2Bmrs.AGEE:

If I can remember, I think it was about 10-15 minutes from start to finish.

I have to say though (not to scare you) the epi was the worst part for me. I was very anxious about it although I knew for sure I wanted it. Once he was done I was fine. I just had a hard time holding still, I think I was holding my breath. I plan to do it again for the next baby though. Most don't have any trouble at all. I'm just a baby.

It didn't hurt at all, but I scared him because I slipped while holding on to DH, because I wasn't breathing. But it worked fine. It did begin towear off on my left leg as I began to feel the presure to push. But that actually worked out well. Didn't really feel pain, but presure.

mrssamuels2b · June 2010

star21gazer:
Mine wasn't bad at all...took a few minutes. The hardest part to me was staying perfectly still...the nurse held onto me. Really the only thing I felt was the actual medicine going in...tiny bit of burning but nothing unbearable. And it pretty much worked immediately.

This. After a couple hours the right side wore off and had to get it topped off.

RachelJohnson · June 2010

I was induced with Abby (a decision I regret!!). The pitocin makes the contractions so much worse. I made it to 8cm and thought I would be ok, but after my water was broken...the contractions were bad. I have a high tolerance for pain, but it was getting to me. So...I think the worst part about the epidural was having to wait on the doctor to get there. ;o)

crollin · June 2010

MissLMS:
crollin:

Soon2BMrsWiley:
So my advice would be to go for as long as possible before getting it, and if you can still feel your feet, don't be shy about telling them!

That's what I have been told. I have a low tolerance for pain so that scares me.

Are you being induced? Honestly, if you go into labor naturally, it's not that bad. I've heard that if you are induced, the pitocin makes the labor a lot more painful.
For me, the contractions felt like a bad period cramp that would last a few seconds and would go away. I was uncomfortable, but it was NOTHING like what I imagined or what I saw on TV. For most of my labor, I happily bounced on a labor ball with my laptop, posting on the bump and visiting with friends... and that was before my epidural.

If it makes you feel any better, this is what I looked like IN THE MIDDLE of a contraction at 6 cm dialated... you can tell my face is all red but other than that, it really wasn't that bad. (I was grining through the pain!) And I have a low tolerance of pain:

No, I hope I will not be induced. I hope LO will come on his own.

sdkrlm · June 2010

I never went into labor - and had a spinal for my c-section...but ... I can tell you that the #1 reason I was planning a natural birth was because I was deathly afraid of a needle in my back (funny how things change, huh?).

But... it wasn't that bad. The worst part for me was having to lean against the crappy pre-op nurse I had...the last thing I wanted to do was hug a woman that I really wanted to kick in the shins...

I don't have the experience of being in labor but for me, it was really easy.

The Anasthesiologist came in and made me lean forward. he pressed around on my spine. Pushed hard w/ his thumb. Then I felt a prick (Lidocaine) and then did the spinal. It was over in less than 5 minutes. I'm sure the spinal is a little deeper/fast acting/more powerful(?) than the Epi but immediately I had to lay down because I couldn't feel my legs any more.

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