A few questions about epidurals

Last night at our childbirth class we were taking about drugs and epidurals. The woman who runs the class is a nurse and from what I can tell pretty much against epidurals. She was more for Stadol (which I just read some horror stories on LIW) or Phenugen (I don't know anything about these) to take the edge off instead. I just don't want to take anything that will make me feel strange, drowsy or loopy (or do that to my baby).

She told us that even if you get an epidural you can still feel the baby actually come out b/c the epidural only numbs you abdomen for contractions, not your lower parts. I've never heard this so I was wondering if this was true for anyone?

Also, how many of you that had epidurals ended up in c-section b/c of it? I had heard some people say that it actually relaxed them so it helped contractions - she said it slows contractions down so many people result in c-section.

Thanks, just starting to freak out a little
Of course I'm going to TRY to take the pain but who knows what will happen?

Message edited 6/28/2005 1:02:51 PM.

Re: A few questions about epidurals

It was wrong of her to push her opinions on you like that - and I don't know how accurate her information is either. I had the epidural and I loved it - I personally would not opt to do it without it! The epidural did not numb me completely (I could still feel my legs, etc.), but I felt NO pain, even during the pushing and delivery. I have heard something about epidurals and a higher C-Section rate, but I am not sure what I heard...or if it is even true.
I have heard bad things about Stadol, but I am no expert.
Perhaps ask your OB? Don't worry about it - don't her stop you from getting an epidural!

Re: A few questions about epidurals

I was also trying to last without any drugs but after 20 hrs of labor....I really needed something so I went for an epidural. It was like heaven. I said to myself, what the heck was I thinking trying to do this without drugs. I could also feel my legs, etc. I had a c-section but it had nothing to the with the epidural, like I said before I had already been in labor for 20 hrs before I went for the epidural.
I have also heard bad things about Stadol so I didn't even consider going that route. You should definitely speak to your OB and do some research on line to educate yourself on your options.

Re: A few questions about epidurals

I had Staydol early in my labor...I felt high. After 17 hours I got my epidural and I felt nothing....I couldnt move my legs at all and my contractions were nothing. I did end up having a c-section but because my baby didnt want to come down.

The epidural is worth it.

Re: A few questions about epidurals

I had both Stadol (TWICE) and then an epidural - I had HORRIBLE HORRIBLE back labor (wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy)... since I was in labor over night, the Stadol, which lasts 4 hours (I think), knocked me out! I slept most of the time, I really needed it! The epidural was awesome, no regrets... I really don't remember what it felt like actually - I did have to have a c'section but it was because Michael was posterior and was NOT budging!

Re: A few questions about epidurals

I tired to last as long as I could without taking anything but since I was on the pitocin and the contractions were getting rough and I was barely dialetd. My dr basically kept telling me for over an hour - that there was no reason tough it out and she could give me something for the pain. It wasn't that I was trying to tough it out as much as I was afraid if I took it too early it would wear off by the time the real pain started sicne I had no clue what I was in for. I took a half dose of Staidol (sp?) because it was too late for a full dose. It made me fall asleep and when I was awake I was loupy and kind of a little disoriented. It only was in full affect for about an hour and a half or so but I think it made alot of the early experience cloudy. It I had my choice again - I doubt I would do this but hey when you are in pain - you never know.

When it wore off - I couldn't wait for the epidural. I had no issues with the epidural. I was a little nervous on the insertion because they tell you not to move and how can you not move when you are having painful contractions but it didn't hurt and it made me feel nothing from the waist down to my toes. For me it took a long time to wear off. So when it came time to push - it was turned off - but I felt nothing at all still for over an hour. So it was difficult to know when and where push. Little by little feeling came back, so the second hour of pushing wa so so. By the third hour of pushing, it had pretty much wore off - but by then I wanted the baby out and I didn't feel too much of the pain. I would chose to get an epidural again.

Message edited 6/28/2005 4:39:56 PM.

Re: A few questions about epidurals

I had an epidural and loved it. I felt no pain, but I could feel the pressure when I needed to push (which is a good thing). Towards the end of my labor I had extreme pressure bc my son's head would not come out. Whe his head was crowning there was a slight burning sensation.

My contractions were very painful when they broke my water. After I got the epi, I was able to rest.

Re: A few questions about epidurals

I had an epidural at 4 cm because I also had horrible, horrible back labor. I was also on pitocin and after the epidural, dilated five cm in two hours and was completely effaced. It didn't slow my labor at all. I was able to feel the pressure of the contractions and the actual delivery, but not much pain (the epidural worked great on my left side but not so good on my right, so I still felt some pain). I would definitely have the epidural again - no regrets.

Re: A few questions about epidurals

I was induced and went into really bad back labor the night I went in. My doctor put me on an epidural late the next morning when I was only about 3cm and I had no problems progressing. My water broke on it's own about 2 hours later and then 4 hours after that my little girl was here. I couldn't feel my legs or anything and didn't feel any pain from contractions or pushing. The nurse said that we would try pushing with the epidural on and since I was progressing well with each push, it wasn't turned off unitl the doctor finished stitching me up.

Re: A few questions about epidurals

I waited as long as I could beforeI had an epidural and I was fine the entire time yes I did feel the baby come out but it wasn't as bad as it would of been without the epidural. They would of gave me another epidural but it was too late I was alrady 10 centermeters whe nthe epidural started to wear off

Whe nI was going to Lamaze the instructure was talkingto us about demeral (sp?) but she said that would go into the baby as well but they would give the baby a shot to counter act the demeral and some of the other drugs but I rather have the epidural cuz what if I took the other drugs and they didn't work at least I knew the epidural worked and I was able to relax for a while

Message edited 6/29/2005 12:20:16 PM.

Re: A few questions about epidurals

THe epidural does wear away , mine had to be re administered b/c I pushed for so long

anyway, YOu still FEEL PAIN but less of it then before they give it to you