do you still feel the 'ring of fire' with an epidural?

[tiasmummy]

for anyone thats had an epidural did you still feel the baby coming out or if you tore did you feel the tearing?

 

[annabelle29]

I had an epi with my first and didn't feel a thing. No ring of fire, no tearing, and I didn't feel it when the dr stitched me up. If the epi works correctly, you shouldn't feel anything really from the waist down.

 

[myasmumma]

what annabelle said

 

[aliss]

Mine had completely worn off and I didn't feel the ROF or the episiotomy. But with the full epidural, no, you shouldn't feel it. Some women get a "walking" epidural or low-dosage and that's when you might start to feel it (if you do - women who go unmedicated often don't feel that either).

 

[NaturalMomma]

Not normally

 

[gretavon]

I felt NOTHING!!! They had just given me another dose of epidural and then checked as I had only been to 7cm a half hour before and bam! The little chick checking me said "um...yeah...he is right there she can push." The other nurse ran over and said "no way! Oh wow yep thats him" i laughed hysterically as i was soooo scared of feeling him come out and i knew i wouldnt be able to feel a thing. It was awesome.

 

[tiasmummy]

wow you guys are really selling this to me im starting to think epidural all the way! lol is it actually painful when they insert the needle in your back? and are there any side effects after? e.g not being able to walk/go to the toilet for a while? or any long lasting backache?

 

[minties]

It's a great way to feel.totally distanced from the birth of your baby. Do you have a big fear of pain?

 

[tiasmummy]

yeh i do have a big fear of pain. im gonna start off drug free but if things get too bad i will opt for an epi

 

[gretavon]

It's a great way to feel.totally distanced from the birth of your baby. Do you have a big fear of pain?

Wow. Really? Because I had one and didn't feel that way AT ALL. Maybe it was just you.

 

[Taylorr]

Nope felt nothing it was awesome, I sat there reading a magazine then the midwife just said right its time to push and I was like 'oh'! lol x

 

[pinkandfluffy]

I didn't feel distanced from my baby...! I didn't feel the epi going in and had no issue going in the shower almost immediately afterwards. No lasting issues that I know of.

That said I'm hoping to do without it this time!

I had one as I'd been induced due to early leaking waters, after 3 days of no sleep in hospital, and as soon as they put the drip on I couldn't handle the back to back contractions. If I'm induced again I expect I will go for the epi but am aiming for an active, drug free birth.

Your choice and I think only at the time can you know what's best but I don't believe you have to feel distanced from your baby we had immediate skin to skin and he breastfed like a champ straight away xxx

 

[Scaredy cat]

I had the epi, but definitely felt the urge to push when the time came so maybe it had worn down/off.
I remember the intial pain of crowning, but to be honest it was what spurned me on, and was the most amazing feeling that my child was coming.
Whatever works for you is exactly what you should do.
I held out for the epi, and this time, I will request it when I feel the need.
Everyone's experience is personal to them and I admire anyone who does it drug free, but at the same time, I think if you feel you need pain relief then thats exactly the right thing to do.

 

[Lauralily]

I felt nothing! I was terrified of feeling the ring of fire but I didn't feel a thing!!! The epidural has made me want more as it was a really nice birth lmao!

 

[Blah11]

I felt nothing! I was terrified of feeling the ring of fire but I didn't feel a thing!!! The epidural has made me want more as it was a really nice birth lmao!

giving birth to your child is amazing, thats why you want more, not the epidural. i feel the same about my 100% drug free birth

 

[ainsleyx2006]

with my 1st i felt nothing at all however i had just been 'topped up' as they thought i was going to need forceps.with my second the epidural had started to wear off and i was getting feeling at top and bottom of bump so yes I def felt the ring of sting however i must add that although it was nippy and uncomfortable i dont think it wouldave been as intense as if I had no epi whatsoever..I loved my daughters birth though..to me it was perfect. I guess it all depends on how effective your epi is when final stage approaches,

 

[darkstar]

I didn't feel the ring of fire at all, it was wonderful (felt it with my first and hope to never feel it again lol).
The needle isn't bad you just lie still and they insert it between contracts. I've had a lumbar puncture and that was much worse than an epidural.

 

[flashy09]

No, I felt pressure but no pain with my epidural. It's no big deal going in either. Highly recommend!

 

[Dani12]

My body resisted the epi and I had 3 extra boosts..... I felt everything!!!

 

[tiasmummy]

how many cm dialated were you all when you got it? as i heard it can slow down labour so dont want to have it too soon xx