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

[Lizzie K]

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.

They don't always give it to you in between contractions. DH had to literally hold me still because I got mine while I was having a contraction.

I didn't feel the ROF with the epidural, just pressure. However, I then had two more births with no epidural and it wasn't that bad. I will never get the epidural again because it could have contributed to the problems DS1 had at at birth, as well as the extremely high fever (almost got dunked in an ice tub, it got so high) I ran after the birth. I just don't want to take the chance.

 

[Taylorr]

I got mine at 4cm dilated and I still dilated at 1cm per hour which I was told was ok x

 

[tiasmummy]

did you still go home the same day?

 

[Taylorr]

did you still go home the same day?

I had her at 5pm on sunday and went home 5pm on monday but that is only because they were shortstaffed and had no one to discharge me! They said I could of gone home in the morning!

 

[Mummy2B21]

Hiya hun i had an epidural and it was amazing for me i didnt feel the ring of fire or my tear but i could still feel the urge to push which was ideal.

I had the epidural at 9cm dilated due to being stuck at 9cm for 7hrs i was begging for an epi and had to wait as dr was in theatre id recommend epi i had no problems with it and i didnt evan notice the needle going in as i was in so much pain the hardest thing was keeping still for the dr x

 

[Justagirlxx]

I had a failed epidural which only worked on one side and then wore off - I felt everything, every contraction, ring of fire, baby coming out, etc. I think it helped me to push him out faster being able to feel it though.

 

[star_light]

i had my son last year in nov..my epi ditnot work my all contractions are at my back ..i dialated 6-7 cm with showing no contractions on machine .....lol...the dr. refuse to check me saying u r not in active labour and man when they did im 6 cm already.....i fell every thing as without epi...

 

[Laura617]

My son is almost 2 but still recall his birth like it was yesterday. I had the epi when I was about 3 cm dialated (my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart so not waiting until there was a break). I felt a pinch when they gave me a numbing shot but didn't feel the epi at all, was too busy feeling the contractions lol. They turned my epi off when I started pushing. I felt no pain, I felt pressure of the baby and felt every moment of him coming out, it just wasn't painful. I had minor tearing which I didn't feel either and doc was quick to stitch while epi was still working. It started wearing off and I felt the stitching a bit. About an hour after the birth I was able to get up and shower.
And to the person with the rude disconnect comment, I was totally connected and very aware of everything. If you choose to do it naturally that is wondrful for you and I would wish you nothing then a great labor and delivery so I would hope you would wish that on others instead of making snide comments.

 

[nikkchikk]

No, I felt a lot of pressure, but no real 'pain' even though they had stopped my epidural and hour before she was born.

 

[HollySSmith]

I also had a 'failed' epi, which only took to my right side, but not the left. I'll avoid one if possible this time as I found having only half of me take to it worse. We shut it off once ds was in a better position and I actually felt better once it had worn off entirely. My sister had the same problem so I wonder if it's an anatomical thing (to do with with the space in the spinal column), but I also have heard that what happened to me (and pp) is fairly common.

 

[nikkchikk]

I also had a 'failed' epi, which only took to my right side, but not the left. I'll avoid one if possible this time as I found having only half of me take to it worse. We shut it off once ds was in a better position and I actually felt better once it had worn off entirely. My sister had the same problem so I wonder if it's an anatomical thing (to do with with the space in the spinal column), but I also have heard that what happened to me (and pp) is fairly common.

My experience was similar, but the nurse kept having me switch laying on one side and then the other when the epidural would fade out of one side.

 

[HollySSmith]

Yeah I was moving from side to side to get ds to flip (he was back to back), it worked for ds but did nothing for the epi lol!

 

[louiseoxx]

I always said from the very start i was getting an epi but ended up being to late, i was in labor from 10:30-06:33 with just gas&air (which is crap) lol you can do it hun! If i can do it anyone can im such a big wimp lol just think of the prize you get at the end xxx

 

[meant2bamummy]

Loved my epi with my twin girls! Mind you, I was having really bad back labour so I certainly felt it. Funny enough, once Avery was out, they had to reach in and pull Brooke out from my ribcage..didn't feel that at all and she was up to her elbow (tmi, i know) lol

 

[Katy Bug]

My sis had an epidural. She couldn't describe to me how it felt because she didn't feel anything but pressure! In fact, when telling her I wanted to go all natural, she was trying to discourage me by telling me about her friend that told her it felt like someone was "blowing a blow torch" on you down there. So I can only assume her friend meant the ring of fire. So yeah, unless the epidural wears off, you won't feel it I guess

 

[ClairAye]

I had an epi, and I had it topped up, I felt LO coming out and tbh it was awful!

 

[Wisp]

seee i like this post, but i contradict myself cause i have this massive fear of the pain, which ofc an epi would completely fix for me, but at the same time, i was told i couldnt have kids so feel kind of blessed to get my lil man and want the full experience incase he is a one off and i only get one shot at this. so as much as im petrified i also want the ring of fire etc cause of the experience, i think i may be letting my pride get in the way, i think i will have a lot happier birth experience if i just accept i may need an epi, dont want to be disappointed with how i did in labour or have any regrets after, eg if i dont feel him come out at all and then regret not having the full experience after. that make sense? or am i really going as barmy as i feel?! haha x

 

[HollySSmith]

Haha the best plan is NO plan. It's ok to have an idea of what you want, but it doesn't mean its what you'll get! I want to go natural this time, but if LO is back to back again, I'll be asking to epi sooner, if only to get him to flip lol.

 

[dizzygirluk]

I had a epi and felt everything. The ring of fire, the contractions the lot. I don't think they wanted to make me completely pain free so I could feel the contractions (don't see why, I ended up with a third degree tear anyway). I know this, as when I went to get stiched they had to put the dose up high so I didnt feel anything. I dont know why they bothered lol. X

 

[dan-o]

I never felt any burning and didn't have an epidural, in fact pushing was quite a relief and not what I would call painful at all!