hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

ok so im DEATHLY afraid of the epidural....sooooooooo i need to hear from the women that didnt have the epidural and their experiences in detail please, did u regret it or did u know it was the right thing for u?

Message edited 1/28/2008 3:16:39 PM.

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

i was afraid of the epi too but it really doesn't feel like anything at all

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

There is no single person on the planet more afraid of needles than me. I am so bad that up until recently I used to pass out EACH AND EVERY time I went to the doctor to have blood drawn. SO bad that my doctor when I was younger refused to take my blood and would send me to the hospital! SOOO bad that I would work myself up into such a fine frenzy of panic that when I would pass out, I would start shaking, and people would think I was having a seizure.

I tell you this, to let you know that yes, indeed, I had an epidural. I *wanted* to have a natural childbirth, more so because I was more afraid of the needle and surgery of a c-section than anything else. But, after 9 hours of the most gruesome, life-altering back labor, my decision to have an epidural was an easy one.

It wasn't a cake-walk - it's not like it was the most pleasurable experience in the world - I hated it - BUT, with that said, it was nothing, and I mean NOTHING compared to labor.

You may be scared now, but when you're in the thick of it, your perspective changes on a lot of things, so even if you DO have to get an epidural, never fear...

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

I had a spinal block, which is a bigger needle than the epi, & it was fine. Honestly in the moment, that is the last thing you are thinking about.

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

Hehe....I answered you on there, but realize I didn't really answer your question. So I will on here.

I didn't have one with either of my pregnancies. With my first, I started having painful contraction at around 6:30. I started pushing at around 7:00, and I was screaming by then. DD wasn't born until around 9:50, and so for 2 and a half hours I was in pain(with the exception of the 2 minutes in between contractions). But it wasn't a horrible, unbearable pain. It hurt like a mother, but as soon as she was out, I said"I could do it again without drugs." And I did 23 months later with DS. With DS my labor progressed pretty quick. I wasn't in pain until I started pushing and he was out 5 minutes later.

So for me it was the right thing. I think everyone is different. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, plus I had my mind absolutely made up before I went in that I wanted a natural birth.

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

I got one, and it was a breeze, I do not regret it one bit....I have no residual pain from it or anything bad to say about it

it was a LIFESAVER

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

OK, so for me, I wasn't afraid of the needle, I have always had a fear of anything related to my back or neck for fear of paralysis... not sure why.

So anyway, I went into my pregnancy convinced that I was not going to get one.

Once I got to 4 cm and started feeling the contractions, I decided it was OK to change my mind!!

I am in LOVE with the doctor who did my epidural! I felt nothing when he did it for me and within a matter of minutes, the pain of the contractions was gone!

For me, getting the epidural was the best decision I have ever made! I had no issues from it and would do it again if I have another baby! Good luck with your decision!

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

It will be your 2nd most favorite thing about labor and delivery.

I only felt a pinch and from then on it was bliss. I ended up with a c-section so they upped the meds and I had no complications.

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

I got it also - very close to the last min
my DH said your not going to get an award for not getting on so JUST get it already!!!!- I was holding out for as long as I could.....some say it helps in bringing the labor to an end ?? But who is really paying attention to the time at that point?? I say GET it!!!! YOU WILL FEEL BETTER ;)

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

Posted by jerseypanda

OK, so for me, I wasn't afraid of the needle, I have always had a fear of anything related to my back or neck for fear of paralysis... not sure why.

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

I hate needles...not deathly afraid but I hate them. I had no doubts that I would get an epidural and was so happy that they offered it to me right away. My labor was 12 hours start to finish and came on super fast. At the point when I got to the hospital (about 6 hours into it) I just wanted the pain to go away. The epidural was nothing compared to the labor pains, especially because I started to get really heavy back labor. As a matter of fact, I think the only pain I remember from the epidural was more of a cold stinging that lasted for like a second or two. It really wasn't bad. Your mind is going to be racing that day....Just keep calm. Especially if you know now that you're going to get it, just remember how much better you're going to feel! Also, I know every hospital is different. They let DH stay in the room while I had mine (they did make him sit in front of me in fear that he wouldn't be able to handle seeing the needle) and that helped because he held my hand throughout. Seriously though, I told the anesthesiolgist at least 3 times that day that I loved him.

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

Posted by jerseypanda



I am in LOVE with the doctor who did my epidural!

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

dh HAD TO LEAVE THE ROOM WHILE I GOT MINE...

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

Posted by JenandMikey

Posted by jerseypanda

OK, so for me, I wasn't afraid of the needle, I have always had a fear of anything related to my back or neck for fear of paralysis... not sure why.

this is EXACTLY WHAT IM AFRAID OF!!!!!!!! i feel like an absolute moron

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

Okay, this isn't what you wanted but I too was deathly afraid of the epidural. I HATE needles with a passion and really couldn't picture having one stuck in my back.

Well, I was induced. After being in labor 9 hours, with no sleep and only being 4 centimeters dilated, I decided I had to get one or I would never be able to push our baby out. Once I got it, the rest of the labor (22 hours total), though long and no fun, was fine. I could still feel my legs, though they were numbish and could actually doze now and then, something I never could have done with contractions. No pain until I had to push.

If you think the labor will be relatively short, going without is probably doable, but if it's going to be long, I say get an epidural. You will be so happy you did.

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

Definitely the right decision for me. I had no problems with it...the shot to numb me hurt more than anything else and I didn't have any weird side effects from it.

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

Honestly, before I had DC#1, although I never questioned whether I would or would not get an epi (I always knew I would), I would read about how the epi was done and quite frankly it made me ILL.

I had never had surgery or been in the hospital (knock on wood).

When I went into labor with DS#1, I could not wait to get the epi. The anest came in and prepped me and when I asked him when he would be done, he told me that he was already DONE! You feel a little pressure where they insert the needle, but to be honest, the thought of NOT having the EPI on time; it being too late that I couldn't get it, TERRFIEID me!

My worst fear was being so exhausted from the labor pains and then being too exhausted to push the baby out and having to have a section.

I hope that helps!

I truly believe that when you are so afraid of something, the build-up is almost always alot worse than what you feared initially!

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

I have the whole back/spine fear thing. I actually skeeves it so much that it turns my stomach. That being said I DO NOT REGRET IT ONE BIT!! It relaxed me so much that my DD came flying out

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

I didnt feel it when they put the epidural in. I was in heaven once it was in my system though. i was even able to go to sleep.

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

There was no doubt in our minds were wanted an all natural birth and we wouldn't have changed a thing

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

With my first son I didn't have the epi and how I wish I did I was in labor 23.5hrs 10 mins from a c-sec since they were not going to let me go 24hrs and let me tell you it was long and PAINFUL. I don't mean to scare you but I just have hard deliveries. With my last 2 I had it and I think it was the best invention they came out with That being said you need to do what makes you feel comfy, many people are against taking drugs for the delivery but if I had to do it all over again I would do it the same. I'm happy I got to feel what it's like with out medicine and with.

Re: hi there....xpost from pregnancy board

Compared to the contractions, it was nothing!