looking for honest epidural answers

1- Does getting the epidural hurt?

2- Did it make you quesey or throw up?

3- Was anything else offered to you besides the epi?


I don't know why but I'm having aniexty attacks about getting a giant needle put in my spine. Any words to calm my fears?

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

I'm the biggest baby and I can not take pain, but it was not bad at all! It feels a little pinch that lasted a few seconds. Out of everything that happens to you that day, that is the least painful.

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

Ok, I had an epidural for my c-section, so it wasn't optional, but I'll tell you that I was more scared of getting this than of the actual c-section.
However, it really didn't hurt at all getting it, and I didn't even know they put it in, I thought they were still cleaning the area
The epidural did make me VERY VERY itchy, but supposedly that's not uncommon. They would give me benedryl for it, but it did nothing.
As for now, I still get headaches, maybe once a week, that start at the site of my epidural and radiate up my spine. Apparently, also not that uncommon.
Would I get one if it were offered to me again? Absolutely.

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

I can't lie it pinched, but is soo tolerable and in my opinion worth it..
I have a tatoo on my back and that actually hurt more.
I had no side effects and I was not sick at all..
I actually said after it was all said and done that if i was a professional athelete when I retired I would get one to ease all of my body..

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

I HATE needles and it pinched a little going in, but the relief it gave was GREAT. No quesy....I felt the warm tingly sensation down my leg (one leg went completely numb) and I got a little metallic taste in my mouth....that's it.

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

1- Does getting the epidural hurt? Yes it hurts BUT not as bad as the contractions. I was so scared of this and in the end it wasn't that bad at all.

2- Did it make you quesey or throw up? No it didn't make me quesy and I did not throw up.

3- Was anything else offered to you besides the epi? No nothing else was offered.

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

It pinched for a sec and then I got an electric shock feeling (mild) going down my right leg. It's supposed to happen and they warned me about it. I felt it kick in immediately! It took about 20 min for them to give the epi- they have to find the right spot, do a test to make sure you won't have a reaction to it, insert the cathitor (wow did I mess up that word LOL!) and then get you set up. It was SOOOOOOOO worth it! I didn't feel a thing through the whole labor. If you want it, tell them when you get admitted b/c if you wait too long the anesthologist may not be available and it could be too late.

Afterwards you will be soar where the put the cathitor (again spelling ) in.

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

I thought I would be able to take the pain of labor, and was wayyy off. The epi only pinched for a second and that was it. The contractions I was having in the middle of it were wayyy worse.

I did get the shakes and shivers every so often on it, then after I gave birth I was shivering. overall

I had a wonderful epi experience! My legs left like dead tree trunks, all i could do was wiggle my toes and all i felt was a little pressure with each contraction.

For my next one I would do it again in second!

ETA: I didn't get queasy or nauseaus at all. I kept eating icepops, and crushed ice to keep my sugar up and something in my tummy.

Message edited 7/26/2006 11:53:44 AM.

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

I didn't feel it go in at all - it could have been that I was already in pain and it just was part of it. In my opinion it is well worth it!

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

1- Does getting the epidural hurt?
It did hurt a little...when I say "a little" I mean because the pain of being in labor was SOOO painful...the epi was nothing in comparison..and within minutes I was completely pain free.

2- Did it make you quesey or throw up?
Not at all and I had an epi, topped it off 2 times and then had a spinal too - nothing made me sick.

3- Was anything else offered to you besides the epi?
yes - demerol - I didn't want it...I was very clear that I wanted the big guns right away!!


Side note: the spots in my back where the epi went in are still sore if I bend over or rub against them, but it's minimal and well worth it!!

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

1- Does getting the epidural hurt? Didn't feel a thing putting it in or taking it out

2- Did it make you quesey or throw up? nope but the pain killers made me puke (I puked before they were even able to put in an iv for anti-nausea meds)

3- Was anything else offered to you besides the epi? I had a pain killer (hallf dose) before my epi and hated every minute of it. Made me puke and feel so off and totally hated teh feeling of it.

I do an epi again - no doubt about it but not sure about the pain killer.

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

1 - I guess the person I had was HORRIBLE b/c mine HURT and I am not a baby when it comes to pain by any means.

2- Yes it made me sick and I threw up shortly after ( after that I felt fine)

3- I am not really sure all I know is I requested the epidural since I had been in labor so long and felt I needed it.

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

i was more nervous about the epidural than labor itself, but let me tell you it was so worth it and the best thing ever! just a little pinch and then i was feeling great!

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

I never saw the needle and it pinched for a second but soooo worth it because I felt like a million bucks when I got it!

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

1- Does getting the epidural hurt?

Listen, after being labor for over 24 hrs, the epidural felt like a nice warm breeze compared to the contractions. Seriously, the worst part of getting the epidural was trying to hold still while having a contraction while the needle was in my back.


2- Did it make you quesey or throw up?

No.

3- Was anything else offered to you besides the epi?

Yes. Before I was allowed to get the epi they offered me Stadol and I jumped all over it. But it doesn't help with the pain, just makes you sleepy and drunk.

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

The epi didn't hurt at all going in just the pinch and slight burning of novacaine. Once they got it in I felt little shocks in my legs (which is normal) nothing bad at all.

I did get the shakes pretty badly but also hear that could be due to the transition stage (and believe it or not I kind of felt better shaking)...Dh kept thinking I was cold but I wasn't at all. Other than that no side effects at all and the shaking stopped by the time I gave birth.

I knew I wanted the epi from the getgo so nothing else was offered. I also knew I didn't want to feel out of it at all so nothing else was an option for me.

I will definatley be having the epi again

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

1- Does getting the epidural hurt?
Yes, but it is nothing compared to the contractions and the pain was totally worth it.
2- Did it make you quesey or throw up?
No, but I got a little itchy.
3- Was anything else offered to you besides the epi?
No


I was nervous too, but when the time came I had not doubt that I wanted it and no fear of it at all.

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

it was very briefly the worst pain i felt during the whole labor experience -- maybe i had a bad technician. but once the epidural kicked in i was grateful.

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

When I got my epidural my experience was not too bad. Obviously, you feel a pinch like you normally would with a needle but it was a big pinch. The same type of big pinch I felt when I got my belly button pierced.
Then when the anesthesiologist (sp?) was adjusting it I felt pressure which was IMO was the worst part because it was uncomfortable in an awkward way but 2 minutes later I was lovin' everybody.

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

Mine really hurt but that was because it took them 12 (no exaggeration) sticks before they got it in

I am also still (almost 3 years later) very sensitive in that area on my back.

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

1. I don't remember it hurting but i also had some major intense back labor so nothing hurt more than that
2 No- just felt INSTANT relief- like a new woman
3.No

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

1- Does getting the epidural hurt?
Yes, a little bit
2- Did it make you quesey or throw up?
I did vomit 8 hours later but I am not sure if the epidural had anything to do with it.
3- Was anything else offered to you besides the epi?
No

Re: looking for honest epidural answers

1- Does getting the epidural hurt?

Nope, I did feel a little electric charge in my right leg, but it's apparently very normal...I never saw the needle

2- Did it make you quesey or throw up?
I felt nothing but instant relief...until it began to wear off

3- Was anything else offered to you besides the epi?

I was offered Staydol overnight while I was being administered the Cervadil for my induction...it made me very crazy apparently, I was taking about train tracks and jumping squirrels to my DH and felt it very important to tell hm all about it for the sake of the world