Epidural? Worth it or not

RaquellC · August 2014

Hi moms! I am newly pregnant and have an important question. My threshold for pain is pretty low and I want to hear(in your opinion) how well the epidural worked for you. Thanks!

Hummingbirdbaby3 · August 2014

I was on the fence. But I too have a pretty low pain tolerance. I went in for an induction because of Hypertension and I ultimately decided to get it. The actual process of getting it sucked for me. It took an hour and the anesthesiologist had to poke me 6 times. It was very uncomfortable. But, after it was over, it was fine. They gave me the little button to push to administer the med. I didn't push the button until I was 9cm and feeling pretty uncomfortable. I will be getting it again.

Ndm410 · August 2014

I had to labor in my left side due to BP issues. I couldn't have done it without the epidural. Had I been able to move and do active labor stragies I might have attempted to go natural. That was my original plan. In the situation I was in however, no way no how.

greneyedmom19 · August 2014

I have a high tolerance for pain and tried to go without but the pain made my BP shoot up (which it was low the entire pregnancy) and just made me feel uncomfortable to where I couldn't stop moving so I just went ahead and got the epidural so I could enjoy my labor. It was great! Didn't feel anything except a weird sensation when it went in and felt NOTHING during labor! I think worth it if you have a low pain tolerance.

redneckmomma25 · August 2014

They wouldn't give me one! I had an intrathecal (sp). A lousy shot that only lasted a lousy 2 hours on an unfavorable induction. I will demand drugs before entering the hospital doors next time.

If they offer nubane...say no.

be888 · August 2014

I had a great experience with my epidural. My son had a posterior presentation (sunny side up) and I was having back labor from the start. I got the epidural at 7 cm, and was able to sleep for 2 hours. The pump they gave me was defective, so after 2 hours the pain came back full force. Once they changed the pump and gave me stronger medication I was pain free. I was able to feel the contractions when it came time to push, but I felt absolutely nothing when my son came out apart from pressure.

My plan was to go med-free, but I'm really happy with my decision to get the epidural last time. I intend to attemp a med-free birth this time again. We'll see how it goes.

BabyShanteau · August 2014

It was pure bliss. Bliss.

amdecker1016 · August 2014

Worth it. I ended up having and emegency cs 30 min after it was placed so it was my numbing for it, didn't have to have a spinal.

I will tell you though, it was crazy numb like they picked up my legs to check me and it was like dead weight. I was amused

shelbell1028 · August 2014

Worth it.

I felt nothing but a brief pinch in my back. With DD it didn't take full effect on my left side. We tried lots of things and it just never took. It was still a relief though. It wore off completely just as I started pushing so I ended up feeling the entire delivery. It was still worth it for the pain free 2-3 hours it gave me.

With DS my labor went super fast and I started pushing shortly after I got the epidural. It took the edge off and helped me to relax a little as my contractions were horrible and coming one after another.

MaMa~MoOrE · August 2014

I had an epideral with my first and naturally in the bath with my second. Both were great experiences, although I'll be going natural again

My epideral was done well so I was able to feel myself pushing but no pain. Unfortunately, I think this is mostly dependent on how experienced of an anesthesiologist you happen to get.

SuzyGreenie · August 2014

Definitely worth it, wish I didn't wait so long to get mine. Contractions can be super painful.

Duffgurl · August 2014

Very much worth well worthy. I was in labor for 36 hrs and had a broken foot that put me in labor. So the epidural helped a lot.

RaquellC · August 2014

Thank you everyone this is my first baby and I have always been a wimp witht pain but your comments helped ease my mind a lot

MeganPobega · August 2014

No! Never again!

Mom2bois85 · August 2014

I did without and with, I have a very high pain threshold. The difference is quite simple, screaming and crying vs. Smiling and laughing because you can't feel a damn thing!

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jlb902 · August 2014

Amazing. Couldn't even feel pain while pushing. Best intention ever.

DosChicas1417 · August 2014

I've done both with and without. The epidural worked well with DD1 after being induced. DD2 was a very fast labor and was born within an hour of arriving at the hospital. I did find that my recovery without the epidural seemed quicker than when I had the epidural.

Amandysergio · August 2014

Worth it for me completely. I was induced so I had pitocin as well. I lasted 3hrs with no epidural and looking back, I'm not sure why I waited so long lol the only thing is when DD was descending and ready to come out, I could feel all that pressure and (for me) the "ring of fire" was no joke. So it didn't help that but I couldn't feel the contractions and was actually able to rest. From 8-11am, I was at 3cm, then got the epi and went from 3-5cm in 4 hrs. Then I dilated to 10cm and ready to push in an hour! I think because I was finally relaxed.

I have hypertension and I wasn't warned that the epidural would make my blood pressure bottom out and I swore I thought I was dying. It got down to 70's over 40's. Other than that... Completely worth it IMO & Totally getting it again.

bowman958 · August 2014

Mine was worth it. I had a fast labor but was not allowed to push because DD needed monitoring, so I got the epi at 10cm. It helped me get through the 2 hours we had to wait. In a different situation where LO was not in distress, I might not get it since I labor quickly.

megsb8 · August 2014

For me it was worth it. I went as long as I could before getting it (5 hrs), but having both front and back labor was just too much! I was even able to sleep for a few hours after getting it. This time around my plan is the same, last as long as I can and hopefully try to have a natural delivery. If not epi it is!

kread8 · August 2014

Worth it! I ended up with a cs but prior to that the epi was heaven! I even took a nap after I got it!

aeith11 · August 2014

WORTH IT!!!!

Ncountrygal · August 2014

I didn't have one and I really didn't think labor was painful, just exhausting and intense. I think my pain tolerance is low. Like someone said, it can definitly be helpful if you have a slow labor and need rest, but if things are progressing like mine did (about 6 hours of real labor before pushing), you might be surprised.

Also, know you pros and cons, because there are cons. If you get an epidural before labor is well established, it could slow things down to the point that they give you pitocin to speed things up again. Pitocin contractions hurt and it can end up being a complicated spiral of medication and a marathon labor.

jk3610 · August 2014

I'm a ftm so no experience with it, but my sister was pleased with that aspect of her labor/delivery. I definitely plan to get one! I told my husband, if i cry when i stub my toe there is no way i can do that shit naturally lol

Natashahunt · August 2014

Mine was worth it!! I'm very glad I got it because I pushed for 3.5 hours, his shoulders got stuck and he was 9lbs 3oz!!!!!

picklesx · August 2014

If you are able to, and think that you won't be able to stand the pain, get it. I have a pretty high threshold but I ended up getting one (although it didn't take on my left side so I still ended up feeling pain on one side of my body, better than no relief whatsoever I suppose). There is nothing wrong with deciding to get one.

picklesx · August 2014

shelbell1028 said:
Worth it.

I felt nothing but a brief pinch in my back. With DD it didn't take full effect on my left side. We tried lots of things and it just never took. It was still a relief though. It wore off completely just as I started pushing so I ended up feeling the entire delivery. It was still worth it for the pain free 2-3 hours it gave me.
.

Sounds like we had almost the same exact experience! Mine never took on my left side and wore off right before I started pushing so I felt all that horrendous pressure and pain and felt my kid come out. It was gross and glorious at the same time.

ejeh4 · August 2014

During labor, totally worth it. It allowed me some sleep in the middle of my 30 hour labor with DS. After, however, I hate them. It takes forever for it to wear off for me, I need a double dose for it to work effectively so that is probably why. And it makes me feel miserable. I'd love to go without it, but it's sooo good during labor lol

amt725 · August 2014

Absolutely worth it. Took a few mins to put in and worked great, I was calling people and cracking jokes up until I was 9cm and it wore off ( I had an unusually long labor).

tbearsangel · August 2014

With DS I was induced due to GD and after my water broke things got real. I labored with back to back contractions for a few hours, but was fighting so hard I wasn't progressing past a 3. The epidural was great for me (though holding still through contractions to place it sucked). Numb legs for a couple hours was weird, but it allowed me to relax and progress. Pushing phase was mostly pressure. I hope with this one I can avoid induction, and therefore go med-free, but we'll see.

littlewest1 · August 2014

Totally worth it.

CC1017 · August 2014

I had an epidural with my first. I'm going to have to think about whether I want to do it again. Contractions are manageable when you get some rest in between - it's when they start coming back to back that it can feel unmanageable. The epidural definitely took away my pain and allowed me to get some rest. The whole epidural process was easy - I didn't have any complications.

However, with my first labor, I pushed for 3 hours and ended up with a 3rd degree tear and hemorrhoids from hell. I wonder if I was able to move into different positions if I would have had a better outcome and easier post-birth recovery. I was in a lot of pain for a couple weeks after birth - I think I'd rather have more pain pre-birth than post-birth. But if I went med free and still had the tear and the roids - I would have rather had the epidural. So I don't know, I have a lot to think about this time.

obelishky · August 2014

My epidural failed three times, was replaced twice and pretty much sucked but my anesthesiologist was an ass. That being said the little bit that it worked was awesome....except back labor. Back labor is a mean biatch.

shineupabove · August 2014

I got an epidural with my first. My plan was to wait until about 7 cm because I just wanted it to take the edge off of pushing. Due to frequency of contractions (The doc talked me into getting induced) I made it to 4.5 cm. I am glad I got it when I did because I was holding my daughter less than two hours after I got the epidural. I had no issues while getting it placed and I mostly just felt pressure while pushing. I am planning on getting one again with this pregnancy.

angelrx4 · August 2014

Worth it! The epidural itself was quick and painless, it didn't slow down my labor at all, recovery was easy too. I was up walking around less than an hour after my daughter was born. I'm on the fence for this delivery. I might try to go natural. We'll see?

Sharon&Paul · August 2014

I have had three epidurals and they have made my labor experience enjoyable. It completely takes away the pain, so I can joke around and relax while my body does it thing. I plan to get another one this time. I have no desire to feel the pains of labor.

MLPT2012 · August 2014

Mine was worth it because I was induced and the pain came on very strong and very fast. My bp was high and they had me laying on my left side to try to keep it down and what happened was all of the medicine shifted to the left side of my body resulting in me being completley numb on one side and feeling everything on the other. At that point I was 8cm and it was pretty painful. Once I laid back on my back everything evened out and it was great. I felt pressure when it was time to push but no intense pains. This time around Im hoping to go as long as possible with out one and hopefully just go natural. That might change as time goes on though lol. We'll see how it goes.

ally3242 · August 2014

Beyond worth it. Props to the ladies who go au naturale but I've got nothing to prove to anyone. Had my epidural pretty early into my labor (granted it was only 8 hours) and was pain free and comfortable.

missamERICA · August 2014

100% worth it... however to each their own.. and it's also not perfect, I would say just educate yourself and make the best decision for you.

taahira · August 2014

My 1st I was induced, and had a 36 hour labour. It was worth it. It helped me through the last 10 hours. My 2nd I had a water birth, no pain relief, my labour was 14 hours. That was also a great experience. I wouldn't rule it out as an option should your labour become long, to tiring, or unmanageable pain.

AggieDaner · August 2014

My epidural was great. I labored for 12 hours prior to going to the hospital, and even though I was 9cm dilated when they checked me, I was exhausted and wanted the epi. It did slow things down a little bit, but that wasn't a big deal since I was so far along already. This time I'll try again to go med free, I've heard the 2nd labor trends to go more quickly than the first. No regrets about the epidural, I'm just interested to know if I can do without it this time.

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