Hospital Tour Surprise

knolliepollie · August 2015

We went on our hospital tour yesterday. Listening to all of the useful information, the one thing that stood out to me was "if you want anesthesia then Daddy has to leave the room, and he can come back when the procedure is done." Uhhh what? I almost cried in that dang room! (Crazy hormones) I don't plan on doing a birth plan and I'm not too particular about many things in my delivery but I REALLY want my DH there holding my hands for support. I asked about it and they gave the "some guy passed out" story. I'm sorry, but if all my DH has to do is be supportive of me while I'm giving birth... He doesn't have it that bad. And frankly, I don't feel bad for him lol. All of my friends that have given birth recently had their SO with them. They simply stood or sat in front of their woman and held their hands during the epidural. Many hospitals don't let him look at the needle or anything so you don't see his reaction. I just can't believe so many couples are ok with this. She said I could talk to my doctor and anesthesiologist which I plan to. I guess, I honestly never thought that they would separate us for something like that, and I'm not too happy about it either. Is anyone else's hospital like this? Or was yours and you were able to have DH in there anyways?

sarahsnowball · August 2015

My DH stayed in while I had my epi put in (he was in front of me) and nobody mentioned him leaving. There was also a nurse with us. She was actually my main support, talking me through the procedure and checking if I was having contractions (they paused for each contraction).
I just wanted to say that if the time comes, you want the epi and they ask your SO to leave, then try not to panic. I'm sure there will be a nurse there to support you. It's a relatively short procedure and he will be back in the room in no time.

lraubaugh · August 2015

Epidurals are a sterile procedure and we don't like having extra people in the room due to that-
Sometimes we will let them stay if they stay on the other side of the bed

knolliepollie · August 2015

lraubaugh said:
Epidurals are a sterile procedure and we don't like having extra people in the room due to that-
Sometimes we will let them stay if they stay on the other side of the bed

From what all my friends say, their husbands have been on the other side of the bed, so that makes sense. I'm glad to hear you guys let some stay, that's helpful.

MargaretC5 · August 2015

DH stayed in the room, but they closed the curtain around the bed and he was outside the curtain.

Barker2+1 · August 2015

My husband was with me for one and for the other he was in the bathroom when they came to do it. I have a huge fear of needles so I had a mild sedative with both and I think that helped me be ok with DH in the bathroom. However they were totally cool with him being in front of me but he wasn't aloud to touch me just be a focal point so I wasn't thinking about the big poke coming.

VexedMommy · August 2015

They sent my child's father out of the room when I got the procedure done. They explained that it was a sterile procedure and so only hospital staff was allowed with me during that time. I think I cried, but I don't remember.

knolliepollie · August 2015

And another question, does it hurt? All of my friends said no. But I don't believe them haha! I really hate any kind of pain. I got a picc line in my arm a couple years ago and it was awful. I'm so nervous about the epidural. I have also never broken a bone, gotten stitches or surgery so that might be attributing to my fear as well.

VexedMommy · August 2015

knolliepollie said:

And another question, does it hurt? All of my friends said no. But I don't believe them haha! I really hate any kind of pain. I got a picc line in my arm a couple years ago and it was awful. I'm so nervous about the epidural. I have also never broken a bone, gotten stitches or surgery so that might be attributing to my fear as well.

It did not hurt that I recall. They may have done an injection of a local pain killer before hand though. My dd is 9 so the details are a bit hazy at this point.

mattymom · August 2015

knolliepollie said:
And another question, does it hurt? All of my friends said no. But I don't believe them haha! I really hate any kind of pain. I got a picc line in my arm a couple years ago and it was awful. I'm so nervous about the epidural. I have also never broken a bone, gotten stitches or surgery so that might be attributing to my fear as well.

I'm the same way, never had any kind of stitches or broken anything, and was super worried for an epidural with my first.

You only feel the numbing needle, and it feels like a bad pince or a bad immunization. It doesn't last long at all. The actual epidural you don't feel, just a lot of pressure. With my first she had to numb me 3 times because my back was so tight she couldn't get the epidural in. It sucked but was worth it. My 3rd baby was all unmedicated, she came to too fast for an epidural. ( I went from a 4 to 10 in 2 contractions) and I will say an epidural is worth that little pinch.

magnolia0212 · August 2015

My hospital doesn't allow anyone but a nurse and the anesthesiologist in the room while placing an epidural. It was scary, but over very quickly with not too much pain. Pain from the contractions was definitely worse than the needle! It will be ok, mama!

mrsgabus · August 2015

I've had my children at different hospitals in different countries . I had my first in ont Canada and my mom was in the room with me .

In West Virginia USA I had my second son and my husband was in the room holding my hand .

I'm now back in Ontario Canada and will have this one at a different hospital and from what I have been told they kick the dads out .

When you are in pain with contractions a little poke is nothing . I wouldn't say it hurts

grapesoda1111 · August 2015

OP I've never heard of that. But I guess the sterile environment thing makes sense! I was in the room when my godson was born, and I actually held my friends hand while she was sitting on the side of the bed getting her epi

Barker2+1 · August 2015

I don't recall it actually hurting, but again mild sedative so I thought everything was funny and so maybe I was focused on other things.

Pontot31 · August 2015

knolliepollie said:
And another question, does it hurt? All of my friends said no. But I don't believe them haha! I really hate any kind of pain. I got a picc line in my arm a couple years ago and it was awful. I'm so nervous about the epidural. I have also never broken a bone, gotten stitches or surgery so that might be attributing to my fear as well.

Honestly I would take the day of drug free labor on pitocin I had over an epidural again. I hated it!! I didn't want it to begin with but it was a last resort before a CS.
My husband did get to stay and hold my hand.
The numbing shot made me jump so bad and then I still felt the catheter go in. He kept wiggling it around and asking me where I felt it. I was the weirdest thing ever and I was having back to back contractions the whole time and had to hold still. Kind of felt like a wire coat hanger being slid down my spine.
He had to take out and put in the catheter a few times. And after all that I never fully took.
I'm not sure if he is a bad anesthesiologist or if my back made it hard. But I will not do that again.

RaisingJulian · August 2015

My fiance was in front of me. I actually waited until I was 9cm dilated to get the epi so by then my back labor was full force so my fiancé had me bite into his shoulder since they did it in the middle of a contraction so he did see the whole thing. I think the nurses were more worried about my fiancé needing stitches from me biting him then him seeing the epidural needle lol

MargaretC5 · August 2015

knolliepollie said:
And another question, does it hurt? All of my friends said no. But I don't believe them haha! I really hate any kind of pain. I got a picc line in my arm a couple years ago and it was awful. I'm so nervous about the epidural. I have also never broken a bone, gotten stitches or surgery so that might be attributing to my fear as well.

I was in labor for 20 hours before I got it.... so I might not be remembering clearly but I just remember it being uncomfortable not hurting.

elbou · August 2015

knolliepollie said:

And another question, does it hurt? All of my friends said no. But I don't believe them haha! I really hate any kind of pain. I got a picc line in my arm a couple years ago and it was awful. I'm so nervous about the epidural. I have also never broken a bone, gotten stitches or surgery so that might be attributing to my fear as well.

I don't remember the epidural hurting either. With my first, I had back labour and the epi was welcome relief from that. (I was actually able to sleep for a bit after it.) With my second, I wanted to wait as long as I could before getting the epi, and when I finally decided I wanted it again, the anesthesiologist got delayed. She was crowing by the time he got there, so that big needle felt like nothing compared to the intensity of the contractions and the discomfort of imminent pushing that was also going on. I don't remember if DH was there during the procedures or not. (They were 6 and almost 8 years ago now, so some details are fuzzy for me too.)

wedding crazed · August 2015

My husband has been there for it every time, but I know many hospitals who won't let them in the room while it's being done. Talk to your Dr. about it as others have stated. As for does it hurt, I have a low pain tolerance and didn't think it hurt that bad being placed. However, I had lots of problems with mine. It fell out and then had to be replaced. And then while pushing it wasn't working at all so when I ended up needing an emergency C-section I had to get a spinal anyway as with the epidural I already had I felt everything.

Gapeach83 · August 2015

I don't remember it hurting too bad. With DD1 he stood in front of me. With DD2 I guess they weren't busy so withing 5 min of me being in room I got one (I was at 5 cm before I got there) he was still with the lady getting me checked in. But I think he got there in the middle and he had to stay back. I am not afraid of needles or anything so it didn't bother me not to have him. I plan on getting one again hope it works like it did with DD2 and not like DD1.

brianna91chavez · August 2015

I don't recall the epidural hurting like I was expecting it to. It really actually did not hurt. My ex had to stand in front of me and was told not to look. I would not be comfortable not having my husband in the room this time if I get it. I want to say that I have heard of this happening before though. Definitely talk to your OB and the anesthesiologist!

scw89 · August 2015

I see some of you say you were 8-9 cm or crowning before you got the epidural----is it true then that there's a point where they tell you you're too far dilated and won't give an epi???

CarrieOct15 · August 2015

scw89 said:

I see some of you say you were 8-9 cm or crowning before you got the epidural----is it true then that there's a point where they tell you you're too far dilated and won't give an epi???

I was thinking this, too, when I saw a couple posts. I'm not 100% certain, but I believe my OB mentioned that there's only a certain window of opportunity to get an epidural.

angelinthepit23 · August 2015

Our hospital explained that if the parter bumps the wife the anesthesiologist could do potential damage to the spine. This would eliminate the chance of lawsuits.

Gapeach83 · August 2015

CarrieOct15 said:

scw89 said:

I see some of you say you were 8-9 cm or crowning before you got the epidural----is it true then that there's a point where they tell you you're too far dilated and won't give an epi???

I was thinking this, too, when I saw a couple posts. I'm not 100% certain, but I believe my OB mentioned that there's only a certain window of opportunity to get an epidural.

As far as I know if it's crowning it's too late. I know they wouldn't redo mine because I was at 10 when it stopped working. I guess different hospitals different practice. I know you need to be at least 4-6 to get one started fully effaced and contractions regular.

elbou · August 2015

Gapeach83 said:

scw89 said:

I see some of you say you were 8-9 cm or crowning before you got the epidural----is it true then that there's a point where they tell you you're too far dilated and won't give an epi???

I was thinking this, too, when I saw a couple posts. I'm not 100% certain, but I believe my OB mentioned that there's only a certain window of opportunity to get an epidural.
As far as I know if it's crowning it's too late. I know they wouldn't redo mine because I was at 10 when it stopped working. I guess different hospitals different practice. I know you need to be at least 4-6 to get one started fully effaced and contractions regular.

In my case (DD2 was crowning) I didn't realize that was what was happening as the epi with DD1 had worked so well, I fell asleep until it was time to push, and thus had no memory of what crowning felt like. They also weren't checking dilation much as my water had broken before contractions started, so they were trying to avoid a possible infection.

They definitely put the needle in my spine as I remember feeling like I was sitting on a bowling ball the entire time and it was SO HARD to sit still! However, they may not have actually administered the drugs. I don't honestly know. :-?? I just remember the nurse checking on me after the fact and being like "oh...it's time to push!" and calling the doctor in.

jfrenes23 · August 2015

I was under the impression that there is a window of opportunity too. I was 9 cm dilated when I asked for some meds and my nurses told me it was too late for an epidural and they had to check if I could get the meds through the IV (don't remember what it's called, this was 12 years ago, lol) By the time that wore off it was time to push. This is my plan for this delivery. Go as long as possible without medication and then try the IV first, if not bearable then epidural time!!

Elyse1384 · August 2015

My hospital asked DH to leave for the epidural as well. Honestly it didn’t bother me as I was rather distracted from the discomfort of the contractions and focusing on my breathing. For me the epidural didn’t hurt at all and made a huge difference in my comfort level. It did however slow things down as I could no longer move around.

dmiller1213 · August 2015

Elyse1384 said:
My hospital asked DH to leave for the epidural as well. Honestly it didn’t bother me as I was rather
distracted from the discomfort of the contractions and focusing on my
breathing. For me the epidural didn’t hurt
at all and made a huge difference in my comfort level. It did however slow things down as I could no
longer move around.

At my hospital tour yesterday, the nurse told me that they have a new "tool" called a peanut that is supposed to shorten labor time bc the nurses and doctors can move you around however they need to!

MargaretC5 · August 2015

dmiller1213 said:

Elyse1384 said:
My hospital asked DH to leave for the epidural as well. Honestly it didn’t bother me as I was rather
distracted from the discomfort of the contractions and focusing on my
breathing. For me the epidural didn’t hurt
at all and made a huge difference in my comfort level. It did however slow things down as I could no
longer move around.

At my hospital tour yesterday, the nurse told me that they have a new "tool" called a peanut that is supposed to shorten labor time bc the nurses and doctors can move you around however they need to!

I just had to Google peanut labor.... it looks like a peanut shaped ball you put between your legs while in labor to help aline your pelvis. Looks interresting

mattymom · August 2015

dmiller1213 said:

Elyse1384 said:
My hospital asked DH to leave for the epidural as well. Honestly it didn’t bother me as I was rather
distracted from the discomfort of the contractions and focusing on my
breathing. For me the epidural didn’t hurt
at all and made a huge difference in my comfort level. It did however slow things down as I could no
longer move around.

At my hospital tour yesterday, the nurse told me that they have a new "tool" called a peanut that is supposed to shorten labor time bc the nurses and doctors can move you around however they need to!

I've used the peanut. It's not a new tool. It is really nice though, I'm not sure if it helped me dialate faster but it helped me feel a lot more comfortable with different positions. The way it held my legs was at a perfect position.

WeirdAlice · August 2015

With my c section they made him leave while they did the epi bc they said I needed full concentration listening to the nurses and anesthesiologist and having anyone else in for that matter could cause a distraction not only to me but to them as well (such as talking over them to comfort you or being in the way in general without meaning to or even passing out.)

That said the way they had me do it I completly understand the "they could get in the way" thing. I had to basically hug my knees and lean forward with the nurse standing in front of me to help make sure I was still and comforted me when needed.

It sucked but at the same time with just the nurse and anesthesiologist in there it was so relaxing to not have side distractions since I had to sit as still as possible.

katiedhunter · August 2015

Getting my spinal for my csection my hubby was not there. But I had a really great nurse. For #2 my hubby was there for the epidural. He stood in front of me and held my hands as I was going through contractions. I don't remember it hurting but there was a little pinch that's it. The worst part was trying to get into the right position while having contractions!

violetigerlily · August 2015

elbou said:

Gapeach83 said:

scw89 said:

I see some of you say you were 8-9 cm or crowning before you got the epidural----is it true then that there's a point where they tell you you're too far dilated and won't give an epi???

I was thinking this, too, when I saw a couple posts. I'm not 100% certain, but I believe my OB mentioned that there's only a certain window of opportunity to get an epidural.
As far as I know if it's crowning it's too late. I know they wouldn't redo mine because I was at 10 when it stopped working. I guess different hospitals different practice. I know you need to be at least 4-6 to get one started fully effaced and contractions regular.

In my case (DD2 was crowning) I didn't realize that was what was happening as the epi with DD1 had worked so well, I fell asleep until it was time to push, and thus had no memory of what crowning felt like. They also weren't checking dilation much as my water had broken before contractions started, so they were trying to avoid a possible infection.
They definitely put the needle in my spine as I remember feeling like I was sitting on a bowling ball the entire time and it was SO HARD to sit still! However, they may not have actually administered the drugs. I don't honestly know. :-?? I just remember the nurse checking on me after the fact and being like "oh...it's time to push!" and calling the doctor in.

Yeah I have a bunch of friends who were told they were "too far along" for the epi but when I mentioned that to a coworker who happened to also be an OB (she was taking a research fellowship year at the time) she said that wasn't really true--that they can give it to you any time and to think about the people they have to give epi's and spinals to who need emergency c-sections. From what I've heard though it can take some time for an anesthesiologist to finish whatever they're doing, set up, and get to your room so maybe it depends on how likely it is that they'll be ready and finish before you have to push, particularly if there's list of women ahead of you. Plus I'm guessing if the baby is crowning or close to it, it's harder to stay still.

nursewho · August 2015

Every time I assist with sterile procedures like epidurals (and even chest tubes!) we've allowed a SO to stand on the other side of the bed. They just need to wear a mask.

RaisingJulian · August 2015

violetigerlily said:

elbou said:

Gapeach83 said:

CarrieOct15 said:

scw89 said:

I see some of you say you were 8-9 cm or crowning before you got the epidural----is it true then that there's a point where they tell you you're too far dilated and won't give an epi???

I was thinking this, too, when I saw a couple posts. I'm not 100% certain, but I believe my OB mentioned that there's only a certain window of opportunity to get an epidural.
As far as I know if it's crowning it's too late. I know they wouldn't redo mine because I was at 10 when it stopped working. I guess different hospitals different practice. I know you need to be at least 4-6 to get one started fully effaced and contractions regular.

In my case (DD2 was crowning) I didn't realize that was what was happening as the epi with DD1 had worked so well, I fell asleep until it was time to push, and thus had no memory of what crowning felt like. They also weren't checking dilation much as my water had broken before contractions started, so they were trying to avoid a possible infection.

They definitely put the needle in my spine as I remember feeling like I was sitting on a bowling ball the entire time and it was SO HARD to sit still! However, they may not have actually administered the drugs. I don't honestly know. :-?? I just remember the nurse checking on me after the fact and being like "oh...it's time to push!" and calling the doctor in.

--------------------

I made sure before hand I asked when would it be to late to get the epi. Dr said its never to late cuz I specifically wanted to wait til the absolute last minute because I could handle contractions but i didn't want to feel the actual birth part lol (I was 17) the anesthesiologist showed up rather quickly at my hospital but I'm sure it varies with other hospitals and how busy they are. Also after I got my epi I fell asleep and since I was in so much pain before hand from the contractions my mother pushed the redose button every 10-15min by the time when I had to push I couldn't because I couldn't move my legs. My mom and fiancé had to do it for me lol

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