Epidural?

brittanispears · April 2015

I was talking to one of my co-workers, today, and they told me that epidurals have long-term side effects. Has anyone had one before? Is there any truth to that?

smlowe9311 · April 2015

I did not personally have one but heard it can work for one side of the body and not the other. I also had a friend who had an epidural with her first then not with her second tell me recovering was better for her because after the epidural wore off the pain came fast and furious (and this was after her baby was born) whereas with her second yes it hurt hut the pain gradually got worse and once the baby was born it started getting better. I'm not one to never say never and was and will be open again to getting one if it becomes too intense but that's just what I've heard from other moms

smlowe9311 · April 2015

Oh also I'm not a fan of having a cath. I liked being able to get up out of the bed to go to the bathroom prior to dd being born or use the exercise ball if j wanted it to walk around etc

tate62610 · April 2015

I had the epidural only work on my right side which contributed to a horrific emergency c-section mid labor. There are risks with an epidural just like with anything else, really. I hear many many great stories using an epidural.

jenn2132 · April 2015

I had an epidural and I never had any adverse side effects from it. There is an element of risk associated with it like most medical procedures and if you opt for one they will have your sign several consent forms that outline those risks.

ajhellmuth · April 2015

I've had an epidural with all 3 of my births and never had any complications. Just like anything else there can be risks or side effects but the chances are slim. 3 of my closest friends have also had epidurals with 9 births total & they also have no complications. So do your research, talk to your doctor and do what's best for you! And most importantly be ready for things to change when the time comes!

amberrmariee20 · April 2015

brittanispears said:
I was talking to one of my co-workers, today, and they told me that epidurals have long-term side effects. Has anyone had one before? Is there any truth to that?

I had an epidural, I didn't find it hurt at all, they turned mine off when I was pushing so I could feel my contractions, I was up walking around 2-3 hours after having it out, had the cathater and ended up with a UTI because of it ! But other then that I had no other problems with it !
I also had a shot of dilata in my butt cheek, I didn't find that helped me at all, everyone's body is different and will react differently with medications and stuff ! It's all a risk one takes !

ChristyD6 · April 2015

I didn't have an epi with my DD but I have many friends that didn't have any issues. On the flip side, I have a patient that says that she has had back pain since getting an epi with her daughter 19yrs ago. Idk if it's true but if so, no thank you!

MadBloom · April 2015

I had an epi and it wore off when it was go time. I kept telling them I could feel everything and they didn't believe me. I could even feel when I was being stitched up!
I'm going to try without this time I think.

deanna1313 · April 2015

Loved my epidural!!! Worked great. I thought I'd have that fear of loss of control, but I didn't have that at all! I was able to push a button if I wanted more and they gave me less if I wanted it and when pushing. I had no side effects or anything, but there are always minor risks with anything medication.

amberrmariee20 · April 2015

MadBloom said:
I had an epi and it wore off when it was go time. I kept telling them I could feel everything and they didn't believe me. I could even feel when I was being stitched up!
I'm going to try without this time I think.

Maybe they turned yours off like they did with mine !! I felt the Dr cut me, and stitch me as well and everything in between !!

mishala12 · April 2015

My friend has a permanent numb spot on her leg from hers

JaqiDec04 · April 2015

I did have, and continue to have, complications from my epidural.

After 12 hours of pitocin induced labor, contractions 90 seconds long and 45 minutes apart, I begged for the epidural when they told me they were going to turn it up again.

Within 15 minutes, I was pain free, and it was the most glorious thing ever. Until my blood pressure crashed, and so did my daughters heart rate. I was rushed in to an emergency c-section. Between the drugs for the c-section, and the epidural, I was numb from the neck down and barely conscious. I threw up on the operating table and was barely able to stay away to hear her first cries. I couldn't hold my daughter for hours because I was numb, and couldn't feel her against my chest when they laid her there.

I still have long term pain (it's been nearly 4 years). It was horrifically painful the first year after my daughters birth, but its gotten better with time. But bending over to change a diaper, was impossible. And bending over the tub to giver her a bath is also nearly impossible and extremely painful.

Looking back now, I am sure I would have done things differently, although I don't know if it would have mattered. My daughter was never going to drop, she was stuck, I would have ended up in the c-section regardless (and will have a repeat c-section with this one). But there are risks. Small ones, and big ones.

satori15 · April 2015

My epidural was fine. I had one leg that I couldn't feel at all (as in, couldn't move, if I touched it felt like I was touching someone else) and I had no pain. Unfortunately I do know someone who has serious back problems that she believes were caused by her epidural.

arwestover3 · April 2015

I had mine after 20 hours of labor, and it was wonderful relief, but I had to keep asking for help to flip over because my leg would go numb and uncomfortable on whichever side I was lying on. My only real complaint is that it made me start uncontrollably shaking when they gave me a very strong dose of the epidural medication when I had to have my c-section. But I think it was also in connection to the adrenaline rush from being terrified of my emergency c-section. Once the umbilical cord was cut, my absolutely fantastic anesthesiologist gave me a dose of Demerol and the shaking stopped. I'm going to try and do it without the epidural this time, but if my labor goes that long again I will probably have one again.

jenn2132 · April 2015

Actually the only side effect I had from the epidural was crazy itching!

twogirlsandagreen · April 2015

Didn't have one with my first, and had one with my second because labor stalled (intense pain from induction) and I went in to transition the second I got some relief. No complications from it (dd is 3 now)

hdnetmro · April 2015

It might be unwarranted but I know for me the thought of an epidural thoroughly terrifies me - I would much rather go through the pain of childbirth than get one. Like I said though no real reason just a phobia I guess.

tate62610 · April 2015

I did not fully understand what an epidural entailed until it was happening. I will not be having another one.

Amstreagle · April 2015

I think Kristen Bell said it best "I want a glass of whiskey, I want an epidural in my back".
Seriously though my epi was heaven.

Dreamingmommy4 · April 2015

There are side effects to any medicine, especially an anesthetic that is going directly into your spine. That being said, the chances of something going wrong aren't super high or else they wouldn't do them. I had an epidural with my first, only for the last 3 or 4 hours of labor. The anesthesiologist did a perfect placement and it did exactly what it was supposed to do and I had no side effects from it. I was able to get up and walk after about an hour or so, with help of course as I didn't have full control yet.

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