STM's who previously had epidural...what was your experience?

Melissa72777 · February 2014

Hi there, I'm a FTM and planning on getting an epidural. I'm just wondering how much pain/uncomfortableness did you still feel after having the epidural? Were you able to carry on conversation or distract yourself with anything after the epidural? Did you still feel any pain at all or were you completely numb? I'm just trying to go into this with realistic expectations of how much the epidural will actually help with the pain. Thanks!

cMichelle0423 · February 2014

I was completely numb and couldn't feel much. I could still tell when I was having a contraction, but pain wise, nothing. I felt so much more relaxed after I got the epi. Before the epi though, I was in such a horrible panic because of how much pain I was in. I definitely don't have a good pain tolerance, so it was hard for me to focus on my breathing and was on the verge of passing out.

*sparky* · February 2014

My pain was not horrible to begin with, but started getting a little intense and that was when I got the epi. Well, it stalled my labor, and I could not feel much of anything once I had it, so then we had to wait for it to wear off. Once it wore off, my contractions picked up again and I had the baby with just the residual effects of the previous epi.

iverske9 · February 2014

My epidural was fantastic, the pain was gone but I could slighlty wiggle my toes. I had no bad side effects and will be getting another one. The contractions weere painful, which I vomit as a reaction to pain so it was not pretty lol. I think the hardest was staying still while a contraction was going on and they were trying to insert it. Every person is different but my expereince was great.

LolaX2 · February 2014

Not to scare you too much but - mine was terrible! It only worked on one side of my body and even that only worked for about an hour. They came back in to re adjust and turn it up a few times but it never worked correctly

I had horrible back labor and was in hard labor for over 30 hours before I ended up with an emergency c-section. Even worse was I had planed that once the pain got to a certain point I would just get an epidural and then it would be smooth sailing and no pain...I was not prepared for it to not work!

LyndseylovesHugh · February 2014

My epi was amazing! I was in so much pain prior to getting it that I did not need to distract myself or anything. I felt a pinch when they numbed me and that was it. I had almost instant relief and the rest of my labor was great, I could even feel when I needed to push.

Ladiebug710 · February 2014

I was aware of my contractions but they were not painful.

lkharkins · February 2014

I was completely numb. I was able to watch tv, carry on a conversation and take a nap. The actual birth was very calm. On the flip side though, what I was not prepared for was the fact that I was so numb that I could not feel my legs or even hold them up to be able to bare down. I couldn't roll over and after the baby was out, I struggled to sit up to hold her. No one told me it would feel that way.

food_chick · February 2014

I got an epidural around 5 cm with my first and it was a huge relief. I hadn't slept much at all in 3 days (my water broke early and they stopped my labor then sent me to a bigger hospital) and induced me 2 days later. So between no sleep and pitocin I was a miserable, crying wreck! I remember being able to tell I was having a contraction, but I could not lift my legs at all. About an hour later I was wheeled down to the nursery so I could hold him for awhile then went to my room and I think I was able to make it from the wheel chair to the bed after that. With my second, no epidural, but no pitocin either, and I was rested. Definitely made a world of difference.

MapleLeafMama · February 2014

Mine sucked and didn't work properly. I was numb from my pubic bones down, but felt everything above. Every single contraction. I had put off getting it as long as possible, got it at noon and had my son at 2:30pm. I probably could have gone without looking Back at how much pain I was in. The only good thing was that because iw as numb fom the pelvis down I couldn't feel a thing when I was getting stitched up.

PrimRoseMama · February 2014

All I felt was pressure. I really didn't want to converse but your experience might be different. The only issue I had was itching. It's a minor reaction that can happen. I itched but couldn't scratch because it was, like, in my veins!

PrimRoseMama · February 2014

Oh & the shaking. Just be prepared to shake like I was possessed.

Tassie06 · February 2014

I didn't have any problems after having the epidural. I had a c-section and although I didn't feel the "pain," I could feel the pressure, which can be painful in itself.

Helenahhandbasket · February 2014

It's hard to make a decision based on other people's experiences, but if you just want anecdotes-- here goes mine:

I don't think my epi worked the way it was supposed to, because pushing was very painful for me, but it did stop the pain form the contractions.

I did get an epidural headache afterwards which was awful-- it lasted for 6 days.

All that aside, I probably would opt for an epi again should I ever have another baby.

C12H22O11 · February 2014

I was completely and utterly numb. It made pushing very difficult. You would think muscle memory would kick in, but nope. I actually asked them to turn it down. It was still better than laboring through pitocin contrax though.

Ashleypixie · February 2014

I felt nothing from my lower rib cage on down. I could move my legs, I could feel the pressure of the contractions, I knew when he/she was crowning and I knew when to push. I could feel every sensation but pain and was still very in the moment. I had a headache later but it was totally worth it, I am absolutely going to have another!

DTNZ4Ever · February 2014

I felt no pain. I was able to rest, talk in the phone watch TV and contract away. I felt no pain when pushing I actually wish I felt a little more when pushing. It was amazing I'll get one again.

bel194 · February 2014

I was in so much pain already that the epi didn't hurt at all. The worst part was the needle that applied the local anesthetic. No one else was allowed in the room while it was being done but I don't remember why. It was amazing for me. I could carry on a conversation and even took a nap. I didn't feel anything while I was pushing and she came out in 3 pushes.

braintree · February 2014

Completely numb, which was great, because I was in a lot of pain. Took a long time for it to wear off after labor. I'm planning on getting it again.

chloephoebecali · February 2014

Ttm- with DD I felt pain and pressure when it was time to push, but my contractions were a breeze and life was good (definitely better than pre-epi). With DS, I felt no pain at all even when pushing and had no problem pushing him out. I had the pressure but not the pain. Both times it was a good experience. I relaxed before they came, chatted with Dh and family. I probably could have read a book if I wasn't so excited/adrenaline. I vote no pain, again, next time.

Meery82 · February 2014

I was not completely numb. I could still feel my legs if I touched hard. The epi hurt like a bitch going in (dude hit bone!) but then it was immediate relief. Pre-epi, my contractions were an intense ache in my lower belly, crotch, and upper inner thighs. Post-epi, I only felt a slight tingling when I had a contraction. I had to look at the monitor a few times to be sure I was having one. They put a catheter in and removed it while I had the epi; I didn't feel it at all. Pushing was more exhausting than painful. I mostly felt pressure. The only time I actually felt pain was when the Dr stuck her fingers in and pulled down to help baby's head come out. Damn. Overall, the epi was amazing and I will most definitely get one again.

seells · February 2014

My epi numbed everything. It was grea while it worked, hell when it started wearing off.

KariB509 · February 2014

I had a great epidural experience. My contractions were very strong and it definitely helped!! I was very numb. It doesn't effect your consciousness though. You can still talk, think clearly, etc. I didn't feel any contractions after my epidural was placed. When it came time to push though, it was perfect because I felt pressure, knew when to push and wanted to but I wasn't in pain. I also had no issues when it was placed. I was so distracted by the pain of the contractions that I didn't even notice the doctor touching me! All I felt was contractions then sweet relief

cerafina205 · February 2014

They numbed the area first so I felt nothing as they were performing the epidural. It was awesome and at that moment the BEST THING EVER. I loved watching my contractions on the monitor and feeling no pain. There was no way I could have labored any longer without it.

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STM's who previously had epidural...what was your experience?

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