Just had a freak out...

asibilrud · December 2012

So probably shouldn't have, but I just watched a detailed video about epidurals and they seem so scary. It really freaks me out that it numbs your lower back and goes into your spine. (I did know this but seeing the video freaked me out!!!) I think I am more afraid of needles than childbirth.

So that brings me to the fact that....HOW AM I GOING TO GIVE BIRTH TO A HUMAN???? I am beyond freaked out right now :-/ I have a pretty high pain tolerance, but I know that nothing will prepare me and I am all around terrified!

Here is the link in case anyone wants to watch, though I don't recommend it.

https://www.babycenter.com/2_video_10309447.bc

Jenny935 · December 2012

We did all the meds stuff in baby class today. While the needle is scary, it actually didn't make me wince the most. Once it's in, they really really tape that thing up - all the way to your shoulder. The tape has to be good to keep it in place.

And that tape has to get ripped off at the end! Yowee!!

Unknown · December 2012

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horsevaulter · December 2012

I feel the same way about that needle, I am much more afraid of it than childbirth! Lol Just the thought that half of my body would be completely numb freaks me out so much! I think I want to try a water birth for pain management..

MrsHark122 · December 2012

I think I want to try to go natural because I feel like not being able to move or feel my lower body would *seriously* freak me out and give me major anxiety. I don't even like having half my mouth/tongue numb at the dentist!!

DanandVan · December 2012

You (or your DH) can tell the anesthesiologist that you are scared of needles, and they will make sure you don't see or feel a thing. They actually numb the injection site so you don't feel it at all. Believe me, when you are in the middle of hard labor, you will not care one bit about a big needle (speaking from experience....)

I found that while its good to be educated, you don't want to OVER educate yourself, i.e. watch tons of labor videos, etc.

MSW_721 · December 2012

DanandVan:
Believe me, when you are in the middle of hard labor, you will not care one bit about a big needle (speaking from experience....)

This. I'm scared to death of needles. I pass out during shots and blood and all of that. When I got the epidural though, I was in so much pain and desperate for relief that I couldn't have cared less about it being a needle. I also didn't see it and with all the other stuff going on, I don't remember feeling much of it either.

Educate yourself the best that you can, but understand when you're in labor a lot of your normal fears and concerns just don't occupy your mind as much.

markhamgurl · December 2012

MSW_721:
DanandVan:
Believe me, when you are in the middle of hard labor, you will not care one bit about a big needle (speaking from experience....)

This. I'm scared to death of needles. I pass out during shots and blood and all of that. When I got the epidural though, I was in so much pain and desperate for relief that I couldn't have cared less about it being a needle. I also didn't see it and with all the other stuff going on, I don't remember feeling much of it either.
Educate yourself the best that you can, but understand when you're in labor a lot of your normal fears and concerns just don't occupy your mind as much.

You ladies are fantastic. Reading comments like this posted here on TB have really helped me (and certainly countless others) with my anxiety over needles and my fears of childbirth. Yep, y'all rock!

ann_jeremiah · December 2012

Jenny935:
We did all the meds stuff in baby class today. While the needle is scary, it actually didn't make me wince the most. Once it's in, they really really tape that thing up all the way to your shoulder. The tape has to be good to keep it in place.nbsp;And that tape has to get ripped off at the end! Yowee!!nbsp;

I had an epidural last pregnancy and them taking the tape off at the end was the worst part of having an epidural... Other than being confined to the bed.

5dogs · December 2012

After being awake for nearly 3 days, my drug/epi fear was gone - bring that sucker on! You can't see it, they did a fabulous job of keeping me out of the loop as to what was going on, and the doctor was flawless - no issues. My machine was out of meds when I hit 10cm so I actually pushed being able to feel nearly everything (still had no feelings by my lower thighs and lower). My only complaint was I had an air bubble from the cath placement that took about 2 weeks to re-absorb so when I'd move my shoulders I'd feel it roll around.

futuremrsdavidow · December 2012

I had an epidural with dd and was worried about the needle also. They numb you with a small needle first which you do feel but it's just like any other needle you have received. I didn't feel any pain with the big needle, maybe just a little pressure (i can't even remember and it was only 2 years ago)

amber31288 · December 2012

DanandVan:
You (or your DH) can tell the anesthesiologist that you are scared of needles, and they will make sure you don't see or feel a thing. They actually numb the injection site so you don't feel it at all. Believe me, when you are in the middle of hard labor, you will not care one bit about a big needle (speaking from experience....)

I found that while its good to be educated, you don't want to OVER educate yourself, i.e. watch tons of labor videos, etc.

This exactly! During my first pregnancy, my mid-wife tried to get me to watch a video on epidurals. I think she wanted me to consider going natural, but I knew right away I was okay with an epidural and would most likely need one. I declined the video, but I had the same thoughts as you without it. I was not sure I would be able to handle that needle. Well, when the time came, I wasn't even worried about it. And honestly, I didn't feel a thing. I am not sure if that is because they numbed the area beforehand or if it was because my contractions were so awful that nothing could compete with that pain. But either way, I was relieved to see that doctor walk in with the huge needle that had terrified me beforehand.

I also didn't even have to tell the anesthesiologist of my fear (that I remember). Either way, my medical team made sure I didn't see or feel a thing. They asked my husband to leave the room, but that was probably for the best. And I felt great immediately after, so I'll be doing it all over again as long as I have the chance

kateryna72 · December 2012

I'm actually more worried about the IV. I've had them before when I had a tonsillectomy and an appendectomy, and it was not fun. I have really tiny/squiggly veins, and it always takes a lot of poking and prodding to get the IV in place.

Also the urinary catheter has me totally freaked out. My friend had one when she had her daughter, and the thought of shoving something up there does not make me feel great. I think my plan is to try to labor at home as much as I can so that I can put off being hooked up to all that stuff for as long as possible.

lkm2006 · December 2012

I'm the weird one that likes watching the needle while getting a shot.. but even still.. I found the epidural to be no big deal at all. Honestly, besides it taking a little longer to put it, it was no different than a regular shot to me.

I NEVER saw any of the tools/needle and didn't notice one bit when they took the tape off.

The one part I didn't like was that the tape they use leaves that sticky residue that took weeks for it to fully come off! I felt like I rubbed my skin raw trying to get rid of it.

CloudBee · December 2012

Just an FYI to anyone who has never had an IV or epi. They don't leave the needle in you. There is a really thin plastic tube/catheter that encases the needle. Once they poke you and get your access point positioned/inserted they slide the needle out, and this flexible catheter is what stays inside of you. They are flexible and give a bit to allow for movement.

That said, I really don't want an epi because the idea of having something tapped into my spine scares me. I know the risk of infection and complication are low, but I know of 2 people who had spinal headaches after their epis. I hope I can manage going natural.

candreco · December 2012

Like pp said, it's easy to worry about this stuff and dwell on it now. Educate yourself on your options and what could happen (but don't over-educate!) and in the moment, go with what feels right.

I have to actively make myself not think too hard about "OMG there's a tiny person in there and it has to get out!" It still freaks me out, even having done it before, with a really good birth experience to boot.

mae0111 · December 2012

CloudBee:

That said, I really don't want an epi because the idea of having something tapped into my spine scares me. I know the risk of infection and complication are low, but I know of 2 people who had spinal headaches after their epis. I hope I can manage going natural.

OMG. I had a spinal headache. It lasted for weeks until I finally had a blood patch - an extremely unpleasant procedure in and of itself, but it resulted in instant relief. And the mess the anesthesiologist made triggered migranes, but my neurologist said they'll probably resolve themselves when I hit menopause, so that's great.

I really didn't think an epi would be a big deal. I ended up delivering an 8+lb baby naturally because after three sticks with the BIG needle, I threw the anesthesiologist out, so no epi for me. Honestly, it wasn't that bad. The spinal headaches were way worse.

There's no way I'm getting an epi unless I have to have a c-section.

JuliaJAG · December 2012

I had to have an emergency c-section and they gave me a spinal block (even worse than an epidural)... I had a panic attack at the very idea of what was happening, especially since I could feel -- liquidy stuff -- oozing, radiating from my spine, and I screamed bloody murder the whole time! I am TERRIFIED of going through that again!!!!!!!

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