BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

So tell me does it hurt?

What does it feel like?

Any side effects?

Did you feel any pain durning pushing?

Anything you can share with me would be a huge help!

Im so scared of the pain of the needle going in and not being able to feel my legs. Im more scared of that then the labor.

Re: BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

I am so deathly afraid of needles that I often pass out when I have to get blood taken, and start shaking.

As the biggest wimp on the planet when it comes to this stuff, I can assure you that, when you are in active labor, the last thing you will care about is the needle, where it is going, and whether it will hurt, because it will literaly be a drop in the hat compared to what you are feeling during a contraction.

As for my experience - it wasn't painful at all. I had to sit up on the table, lean on the shoulders of the nurse as the doctor put the needle in. He put it in between my contractions - I felt absolutely NO pain, only a very cold sensation that traveled down my spine.

No after effects, no problems at all - I didn't push, I had an emergency c-section and I didn't feel a thing.

Re: BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

The epidural was probably the best thing i did for my labor process!!!


So tell me does it hurt?

NO! i don't remember it hurting at all. honestly, all i can remember about that moment was the pain of labor, which was so far beyond any pain i would have experienced getting the epi.

What does it feel like?

again, i don't remember any pain associated with the epi at all. i was too busy breathing through the pain of contractions.

Any side effects?

i did get a little nauseous at some point during labor and had a few dry heaves. i was also a little itchy. but all those symptoms subsided as soon as the epi was stopped. compared to labor, any side effects from the epi were absolutely minimal.

Did you feel any pain durning pushing?

i was able to push just fine but didn't feel ANY pain whatsoever. pushing was actually a cool experience because the nurse brought a mirror so i was able to (calmly, without pain!) watch myself push the baby out!


Im so scared of the pain of the needle going in and not being able to feel my legs. Im more scared of that then the labor.

not being able to feel your legs feels strange the same way your gums/lips feel strange when you get numbed at the dentist's office. it's more weird and annoying than scary, imo. when they had me pushing in different positions (e.g. on all fours) DH had to help maneuver me because i couldn't move myself. but it still worked out just fine.

i went into labor open to all possibilities, and ended up getting the epi at 8cm dilated. it allowed me to enjoy the rest of the labor process. i REALLY hope i have enough time (my labor moved quickly first time) to get the epi again!!

Re: BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

I don't remember it being painful at all. I can say however that it was like being high. I remember the nurses and doctor yelling at me at several points saying "I was laughing and not taking things seriously".

Towards the end the doctor turns it off so you can feel to push. Honestly, for me, pushing really didn't hurt that much at all.

I was so out of it on the "drugs" that I really didn't know what the heck I was doing.

Afterwards though, it makes you really, really itchy and you are uncomfy feeling propped up in one position until it wears off and you can start to move around again.

Re: BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

Epidural is pure GENIOUS!!!!!

I'm DEATHLY afraid of needles (well, prior to IVF that is!), and what scared me the most about labor was getting the epi. Honestly, it did not hurt at all and I was happy as a clam within a couple of minutes of getting it.

I did not feel pain when pushing, obviously, it's uncomfortable to push a kid out, but it wasn't painful.

I had no side effects or after effects from it and was up walking around pretty quickly after DD was born.
I did not feel "high" as a PP mentioned, I just didn't feel the contractions at all, and I was at least able to doze off every now and then until I began pushing. I was also able to feel my legs, I wasn't numb in the legs or feet (I could wiggle my toes, etc), it just blocked the pain of the contractions.

Message edited 6/1/2009 4:27:46 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

I thought it hurt, but I have a weird thing about needles especially near my spine from having a spinal tap at 6. I was also being a baby about it because I really, really didn't want the epi (I went like 19 hours without it, but my labor had slowed & they wanted me to be relaxing) so I think emotions played into it to.

They turned mine off a little while before I started pushing so I felt everything while pushing. It honestly wasn't that bad at all. I was so focused on getting him out that I was ignoring the pain. The stitching up hurt a lot though

I had no after effects except swelling & a little soreness in my back. Since the epi was turned off earlier I had no problems walking or moving on my own once he was out.

ETA: I should also mention I didn't have the best experience with it. They had to put it in twice because DS's head was making my back all uneven. It never really took properly & within a couple of hours I could feel all of the contractions again on one side.

Message edited 6/1/2009 4:33:37 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

For me, it was one of those things that I knew it may be painful to get the epi, but I also knew then the pain would go away. My whole problem with the epi was, I got it when I was about 3 cm, which took me about 7 hours to get to, but then as soon as they gave me the epi, I went from 4-9 in about an hour. Then it came time to push and I had no feeling "down there" whatsoever, so it was very hard to push correctly. Otherwise, it was great to not feel the pain of the contractions.

Re: BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

just had it a month ago...

i dont recall it being painful.. they make you turn sideways have your legs dangle off the bed- the nurse helps you keep forward when they do it... the lady doing it asked if i knew what it was and im like "yep, I just dont want to see the needle or it have to be done multiple times"

Re: BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

i am SOO Glad i got an epidural, i wouldnt have made it through the rest of my labor with out it!

It didnt hurt while they were putting it in, they numbed the area- plus i was having contractions while they were putting it in so i was more concerned with them- you have to keep still while they put it in you!

It wore off just in time for me to push- i felt every push which was great, i knew when to push. It didnt hurt to push either, it felt good!

Side effects? None that i know of..

Would DEFINITELY do it again!

Re: BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

The Epi dr was heaven sent!!! When they broke my water and started me on pitocin I wanted to cry from the contractions! I didnt feel any needle pain over the contraction pain. I ended up having a c section which the epi helped me get in to surgery faster. My ob showed up at 11:55am and she was born at 12:12.

Re: BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

I had a spinal, not an epidural, for my c-section. A spinal lasts about 2 hours and it immediately and completely blocked all pain. I felt warmth and pressure in the lower part of my body but no pain. The needle used was tiny and the injection spot was numbed first. HTH!

Message edited 6/2/2009 8:50:01 AM.

Re: BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

So tell me does it hurt?

NO!!! THe most painful part was the novicane shot!! They numb you first, then put it in.... and when they put it in, I felt a little electric shock type thing... but that was it..

What does it feel like?

Like I said.. an electric shock.... that was all I felt when they put it in...

Any side effects?

Other than complete euphoria.... none.. haha.. actually.. my blood pressure dropped tremendously and they had to inject something to get it back up.... seriously, nothing I noticed and something I might have been worried about but looking back... and speaking to others, its totally normal..

Did you feel any pain durning pushing?

I felt a lot of pressure, they turned my epidural down because of the blood pressure drop... and it started to wear off on my left side of my body (because I was laying on my right side the entire time) It does drip in, and if you lay on one side, it will drip towards that side... so my advice is CHANGE SIDES!! Because I felt contractions and some pain only on my left side, while my whole leg on my right side was numb!!!! (it was weird to say the least)

Honestly... Not being able to feel my legs also freaked me out before hand... but it really wasnt too bad when it happened. I was so happy and relieved to not be in pain anymore!! I had back labor and it was so bad I was in tears and thought I was going to become paralyzed because of the pain... I got the epidural at 2 cms!!!!

good luck with whatever you do..

Re: BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

So tell me does it hurt? No. I did not feel it going in, maybe a pinch? I was kind of focused on something else-the intense pain of the labor contractions...

What does it feel like? Heaven (or what I imagine heaven would feel like)

Any side effects? for about 2 months after, I would sometimes get a tingling feeling in my back. not sure if it was b/c of the epi.

Did you feel any pain during pushing? ended up with a c-section

Message edited 6/2/2009 10:14:31 AM.

Re: BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

Re: BTDT Moms, Talk to me about an epidural

I'm so glad I made this post!! I feel a little better going into this knowing what I know now from you girls. Thanks so much for the replys!