Those who have already had their baby...epidural question..

mommytobe87 · November 2010

I'm getting really nervous about the epidural...just the whole sensation being paralyzed from the waist down kind of freaks me out. How long after birth does it generally take for it to wear off??

Chick7806 · November 2010

Mine wore off almost immediately. I was able to get up and go to the bathroom about a half an hour after she was born. I had a really good one. I was able to move my legs (slightly), and when it came time to push, I was able to feel my contractions enough to help me get her out!

JulietL129 · November 2010

Even when mine was actually 'working' I could still move my legs, they were just numb. My bff had one that worked correctly the whole time and she was able to get out of bedto use the bathroom 1 hour after she had her son.

janneann1127 · November 2010

Agree with pp's. the most annoying part after the epidural was that it was hard to pee afterwards.. you lose the ability to go for a bit. but honestly.. over feeling the pain of the birth, this is a small price to pay..

mommytobe87 · November 2010

It's not that I am so concerned, I am just freaking out about the unknown of the entire process of labor and delivery. I just know that once the pain hits and it is REALLY bad I am going to want an epidural or something to help the pain as I am not one to really have a high tolerance to pain...

abovewedding · November 2010

mommytobe87:
It's not that I am so concerned, I am just freaking out about the unknown of the entire process of labor and delivery. I just know that once the pain hits and it is REALLY bad I am going to want an epidural or something to help the pain as I am not one to really have a high tolerance to pain...

Personally I don't want one for other reasons, but like pp said if it bothers you then maybe you could do some more research on not getting one..and see about positions and techniques that could help in labour. Because generally once you get to that point where the pain hits REALLY bad, its almost over.

Ivee4 · November 2010

I had my epidural when I was 7cm dialated so it was only in for maybe 2 hours tops. I could still tell I was having a contraction but didn't feel any of the pain. Mine had worn off within an hour. It was never painful just an uncomfortable sensation while they numbed the area.

jillybean800 · November 2010

laura101:
I didnt have an epidural...if you are so concerned, than why are you having one???

I get what she's saying. That was a concern of mine too...not enough to NOT get the epidural, but the prospect of having hours of numbness made me nervous. I was happy to find out it's only an hour or so.

NicoleWI · November 2010

Mine was perfect. I could move my legs the whole time and could get up right after DD was born, but had no pain.

Angel5218 · November 2010

No personal experience here but my SIL and friend had one and they said it was no big deal. My SIL had a C-Section so she had to be in recovery a while but my friend said she was up and walking pretty quick. Both said they still had the ability to move their legs, just couldn't really feel it.

I am pretty sure I will get an epidural myself, and while the idea kind of weirds me out (mostly the idea of a needle being stuck in my back) I know that the pain of labor will probably be the only thing on my mind and any fears of the epidural will go right out the window.

I made sure I talked with my doc and the anesthesiologist so I am not so worried about it anymore. He has a great track record and is a very sweet, friendly person and just talking to him made me relax a lot.

Still going to try to go natural, but unfortunately I am a very anxious person and I really don't hold out much hope that I will be able to relax and focus through the contractions when it actually happens.

amber*n*scott · November 2010

I didn't feel paralyzed with either of my previous epi's. You can still feel pressure, but not pain so much. It is hard to explain. Also from my experience, when they turn it down or off, it is pretty quick to wear off.

KatieM1106 · November 2010

I was able to get out of bed and into a wheelchair in about 2 hours. I could walk to the bathroom within 3. I could not pee, though for almost 12 hours! The reason, though, is because the doctor had me get a little "extra" shot at the end when she was sewing up my tear.

I was terrified, by the way. And it was NOTHING to be afraid of in my case. Bloodwork was worse for me than the epi.

Good luck!!!

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