Anyone else kinda scared of an epidural?

pechal1 · March 2011

I was sooooooooo scared of it with DS, but it wasn't that bad! It was a life saver as I don't have a great tolerance for pain.

idonthavethis · March 2011

That was the main thing I worried about throughout my last pregnancy and for me, the pain was nothing at all. Even though is still makes me nervous getting a needle in my back, I'm definitely having one this time around as well.

mrs.k 07 · March 2011

megd06:
the thought of that needle going into my back was enough to make me go natural with DS. I'll be doing the same--hopefully--with this one.

This but, I don't think having an epidural makes it unnatural so I went med-free!

BlueEyedWitch09 · March 2011

Kati11290:
I. my mother was also not told to lay down flat on her back for 12 hours so she got horrible headache and they had to give her a shot of caffeine to get rid of it.

Thats an Spinal Tap, not an epi.

llcoolay · March 2011

desmerelda317:

Rilly1212:
Once you are having intense labor pains you will do anything to take the pain away. The epidural was my best friend with my first!!! Don't be scared.

This wasn't true for me. Pain is very relative and people all experience it differently. Labor was definitely painful and the hardest work I've ever had to do in my life. But I never got to a point where I felt the need for anesthesia. But I'd also planned on a natural labor/delivery from the start and I think that helped. And as for the ring of fire, that is the term for the point at which the baby's head is just about to pass over the perineum and it is stretched to its thinnest. It doesn't last long and while it definitely was a burning sensation for me, it wasn't the "hot poker" sort of burning the previous person described. But like I said, pain is so relative and no two women experience labor and delivery the same. So don't go in with too many expectations on either extreme - don't expect a pain free labor, but you don't have to be terrified that it is going to be excruciating either. Do expect it to be difficult work though! And if you feel you need the epidural, go for it.

Your right but the Epi pain is all relative and differnt for everyone too!

MommyHeid · March 2011

I think I am more scared of having the epidural than anything!! My sister had one done with her first and it did not take!

llcoolay · March 2011

Kati11290:
I am terrified of an epidural. Not of the needle but the after effects of me and the baby. My mom went natural the first two babies but the 3rd baby she had an epi and he didnt even cry and was slow getting started. My mom said he seemed very grogged out. my mother was also not told to lay down flat on her back for 12 hours so she got horrible headache and they had to give her a shot of caffeine to get rid of it. Also im scared that since you wont feel anything will you even be able to push the baby out. My sister inlaw had to have the baby vacuumed out since she couldnt feel anything. Im just a little nervous also! First baby not sure what to expect.

What after effects??? I had none and have never heard of after effects. Also doesnt effect the baby??

kacelle · March 2011

I'm absolutely terrified of having an epidural, which is a big part of my motivation for an unmedicated birth!

ParisBenders · March 2011

I'm terrified of the epidural for the same reasons as you. While I am scared of needles, I know it would be quick and fairly painless. However, the number of things that can go wrong or even the normal side effects of a perfect epidural really freak me out. I know that it is a very small percentage of women who have problems, but is it worth possible death? To me, no.

This website has a list of some of the problems that could occur with epidurals, for those of you who don't know: https://www.childbirth.org/articles/sideeppi.html

TnT428 · March 2011

flutiefrostie:
I had bad side effects and will go natural this time. The thought of another epidural is FAR more terrifying than natural childbirth.

Totally agree! I had no issues getting the epidural, it was actually less painful than I thought it would be.. but I ended up with side effects too. had back pain for like 2 weeks after and that HORRIBLE headache that happens when your spinal fluid leaks out.. it took an extra week in the hospital for the doc to catch on to what was happening, and they treated it. but this time around i WILL NOT get the epi, bring on the crazy contractions & ring of fire.. its worth it to hold my baby boy & not miss his first week alive!

helenejr · March 2011

the sheer fear i have of an epidural alone will get me through my natural birth i'm sure of it!

helenejr · March 2011

chillyupnorth:

megd06:
the thought of that needle going into my back was enough to make me go natural with DS. I'll be doing the same--hopefully--with this one.

This exactly. I am freaked the eff out about needles, but having my hoohah ripped apart by LO doesn't worry me that much. Weird.

this as well!!!!

megd06 · March 2011

samfish2bcrab:
I had an epidural with DD, but it is my understanding that the RING OF FIRE is th last area for the baby to break through before the head comes out. veryone I know who's experienced the RING OF FIRE has expressed how horrifically and surprisingly painful it is.

It's the most hellish feeling ever. It felt like my vag was being torn wide open (but it wasn't--I had no tears). Pushing didn't hurt nearly as bad as the the contractions prior to pushing--with the exception of the ROF.

AprilElder · March 2011

You will not care at all because you'll be in so much pain. I thought I was dying with my first daughter lol so when I finally got my epidural I didn't care what they had to do. I just wanted the pain to go away!!! The Epidural is my best friend!!!

sheln · March 2011

I am terrified! A good friend of mine had complications. BUT I have to say I think I am even more scared of the pain of labor. I am so glad so many posted how great the epidural is. Thank you!

edanl · March 2011

An epidural doesn't let you move around, which is risky, since mobility and being vertical help move a labor forward. This is why a lot of women who get epidurals end up getting c-sections, because they're just lying there, waiting for something to change. They can't work with their bodies...

The 'ring of fire', as someone also pointed out, is a sign to stop pushing, which lets the baby's head move back into the birth canal for a moment, allowing your perineum to stretch. Women with epidurals can't feel what they're doing so they don't work with their bodies, and often experience more tears and ripping. Just FYI.

Women can choose the kind of birth they want--which is wonderful. I do wonder, though, why most women go right for the epidural without considering the alternatives, and without reading up on the stages of labor and how to work with contractions. I recommend Dr. Sears' Birth Book, and Linda McCutcheon's book on the Bradley method.

mozilla84 · March 2011

It's not that I'm scared of an epidural, I just know that I am strong enough and am preparing (and will be prepared) enough to labor naturally. There's a reason that you're scared of an epidural- there ARE TONS of RISKS! Women have been giving birth for eons without it, it's a very new invention that is totally unnecessary. If you skip the Pitocin, you are less likely to need an epidural because Pitocin makes contractions extremely strong and therefore painful. Then you need an epidural because you're in so much pain (this is not labor pain, it is Pitocin pain) and you're stuck in bed, unable to move much to make yourself more comfortable. Then the Pitocin causes such intense contractions that decelerations occur in the fetal heart rate as picked up from the monitors (monitors, by the way, have done nothing but increase C-section rates) and then a C-section is indicated. Now backtrack- if labor was allowed to start on its own, then this cascade of interventions requiring an unnecessary C-section would not have occurred.

Moral of the story: Trust that your body knows how to labor, move as you are in active labor to ease pain (instead of an epidural!) and remember that babies know how to come out (maybe not on the doctor's schedule, but they know).

Prepare and learn as much as you can to do these. Good resources:

https://www.theunnecesarean.com/

https://givingbirthwithconfidence.org/2010/07/practices-that-promote-healthy-birth-series-moving-during-labor/

lamaze.org

cmh799702 · March 2011

We are having our 4th child in August; with the middle and youngest one I had an epidural and was very glad that I could relax and enjoy the precious moment of our children being born. Having an epidural is extremely nerve-racking and is scary since the procedure is so intense but it is completely worth it. Talk to your doctor/midwife if you are unsure about the side effects.

loveintherain59 · March 2011

I am going natural due to the side effects of the epidural not only on the mom but the baby as well.

Millions of women have gone with out the epidural as well.

After all natural is the way god intended =]

KylaSchmeegs · March 2011

An extreme burning "down there" during delivery (that's what I have heard) and the epidural can't help that! I heard people saying it on that show "One Born Every Minute"

calliegirlie · March 2011

I had my darling girl completely natural. I am going to do the same this time. The trick is to have a lot of support and to go into it without even thinking epidural. As part of my birth plan, I have that I don't even want the anesthesiologist to enter my room. It is easier to deny temptation if it is not in front of you. The result is you being present for your baby's birth. You will have an easier time bonding with your baby afterward and you don't risk the side effects of an epidural. For instance, it could not work at all, you could lose feeling in only one side, you could have back pain for up to 6 months after your baby is born. Any questions on why I made my decision, read "The Best Birth" or watch "The Business of Being Born". Truly inspirational.

jack321 · March 2011

I would not get an epidural. Too risky. Natural with pain reliever that they can put in your iv is so much better. The pain is only temporary and it is worth everthing for a baby. There are breathing exercises that you can do that women tend to forget. The breathing exercises helps a lot. All my friends had epidurals and had complications with them. IT's not worth the risk in my opinion.

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