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

[nikkchikk]

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

No matter how they are born, when you grow a child and bring them into the world THAT is the full experience. You don't have to push a tiny human out of your vagina to fell accomplished and don't let anyone convince you otherwise!!

 

[Sarachka]

I had an epidural and can assure you my labour was ever bit as special and meaningful as someone who did it without and wants to give themselves a big pat on the back for it!

I got my epi as soon as the midwife said I was in established labour @ 3cm. That was almost 2am and it did indeed slow things down. She was born at 17;57 but I'd take slow and pain-free over quick and painful any day!

Next time I'll probably try and go a bit further by using gas an air (I had nothing except the epi this time) but I seriously cant imagine ever doing it without an epidural. I have no interest in even attempting it. Elina's Apgar scores were 10 & 10 so she was perfect when born.

Oh and I was pretty scared about the cannula and spinal going it but it's fine, I literally felt a tiny scratch, no worse than all the many blood tests you have during pregnancy. I was also on my feet a few hours after giving birth and can't imagine actually having wanted to get up much before then anyway.

 

[holidaysan]

I had one and still felt the ring of fire. Didn't feel any pain other than that. I felt pressure but no pain. I was fine to get a shower afterwards. The epi didn't hurt at all. I felt it going in but not in a painful way.

I didn't feel disconnected in anyway. I knew exactly when my body was telling me to push and i'm sure i was just as overjoyed when i held my baby as someone who didnt have an epi. I actually think it helped me to relax and enjoy labour. Would get it again.

 

[Emma&Freya]

I loved pushing! I pooed and I kept saying to the midwife told you I needed a poo but nooo you wouldnt listen you said I was having a baby hahaha

 

[britt0285]

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

That is a little judgmental and rude. What is best for you is not best for someone else.

 

[holidaysan]

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

Have you had an epidural?

 

[Lyo28]

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

Have you had an epidural?

Very good question!

 

[loulou1979]

A little off subject, I didn't have an epidural, I was however 'numbed' down there before they did an episiotomy and didn't feel the ROF at all. The one and only good thing about having to have that procedure!!

 

[Abigailly]

I didn't have an epi, only g&a but I've not a clue what you men by the ring of fire? It stung for a few seconds but that was it. Honestly, I'd advise against planning any kind of drugs.

Educate yourself, so if the situation arises you know exactly what drugs to take and the effect they'll have on your labor and baby but don't go in determined to have an epi etc. You'll only be disappointed if things change. E.g. when I went into hospital I was (unbeknown to me) too far a long for an epi even if I had wanted one.

Although you're asking about side effects, I had a lumbar puncture 2 years ago and can still feel the spot on my back where they did it. Like a bruise.

 

[Wisp]

Yeah im just settled now in the state of mind that, even though im petrified of the pain etc, i would like to do it with just G&A or Pethidine, i am open to anything else, because if i close myself off to it and see it as not an option, i know i will end up disappointed if i end up going for an option i ruled out. im ruling out nothing, just really i can deliver him naturally...i don't want my fear to get so intense i can't physically push him out. x

 

[Lizzie K]

Yeah im just settled now in the state of mind that, even though im petrified of the pain etc, i would like to do it with just G&A or Pethidine, i am open to anything else, because if i close myself off to it and see it as not an option, i know i will end up disappointed if i end up going for an option i ruled out. im ruling out nothing, just really i can deliver him naturally...i don't want my fear to get so intense i can't physically push him out. x

Oh please don't get so scared of the pain. That is honestly one of the worst things you can do. That fear causes you to tense and try to fight the pain, if that makes any sense, which makes it worse. The best thing to do if you would like to try to go without an epidural is to recognize that you will be in pain and accept it. Remind yourself that it is all completely natural and it won't last forever. For me, the pain wasn't really that bad. It was with my oldest because I went into it with the mindset that it would be unbearable and I would be getting an epidural right away, but the other two were a lot better. I hope this ramble makes sense. My brain is all over the place today.

 

[minimoo90]

I didn't feel a thing, even my tear. I followed my MW advice and started the spidural before the drip, but after 12hrs with just the drip and epidural I couldn't move my legs, feel contractions or even push lol

 

[solitaire89]

Oh please don't get so scared of the pain. That is honestly one of the worst things you can do. That fear causes you to tense and try to fight the pain, if that makes any sense, which makes it worse.

This lady speaks much sense You know what it's like if you have an injection - if you tense up it hurts more. Just keep your body relaxed Start practicing now, so that you can relax your body at will - easier said than done - and so that you can easily recognise where the tension is, and therefore release it quicker!

 

[Mummy Bean]

I didnt get my epidural until i was 8cm so they gave it to me on the lowest dose possible...so still felt contractions.

So yes i did feel the ring of fire...but i dont think it was painful...just reallly odd...esp the three min in between getting his head out and the rest of his body...FREAKY!

 

[Wisp]

Yeah im just settled now in the state of mind that, even though im petrified of the pain etc, i would like to do it with just G&A or Pethidine, i am open to anything else, because if i close myself off to it and see it as not an option, i know i will end up disappointed if i end up going for an option i ruled out. im ruling out nothing, just really i can deliver him naturally...i don't want my fear to get so intense i can't physically push him out. x

Oh please don't get so scared of the pain. That is honestly one of the worst things you can do. That fear causes you to tense and try to fight the pain, if that makes any sense, which makes it worse. The best thing to do if you would like to try to go without an epidural is to recognize that you will be in pain and accept it. Remind yourself that it is all completely natural and it won't last forever. For me, the pain wasn't really that bad. It was with my oldest because I went into it with the mindset that it would be unbearable and I would be getting an epidural right away, but the other two were a lot better. I hope this ramble makes sense. My brain is all over the place today.

Thanks hun. Thats a lovely message, and totally does make sense. I see your little boy is due only 4 days after mine. I hope it all goes well for you and your doing well now. I feel like a giant blimp! so uncomfortable now. Just hope i cope okay with the pain eek...yeah im trying to find ways to relax myself...music seems to be the key at the moment so started a big labour playlist on my ipod to play in the deliver suite xx

 

[.rollinn.]

I didn't feel anything when i had my epi,except major pressure from babies head. Every body is different though you could end up feeling everything.

 

[Lizzie K]

Yeah im just settled now in the state of mind that, even though im petrified of the pain etc, i would like to do it with just G&A or Pethidine, i am open to anything else, because if i close myself off to it and see it as not an option, i know i will end up disappointed if i end up going for an option i ruled out. im ruling out nothing, just really i can deliver him naturally...i don't want my fear to get so intense i can't physically push him out. x

Oh please don't get so scared of the pain. That is honestly one of the worst things you can do. That fear causes you to tense and try to fight the pain, if that makes any sense, which makes it worse. The best thing to do if you would like to try to go without an epidural is to recognize that you will be in pain and accept it. Remind yourself that it is all completely natural and it won't last forever. For me, the pain wasn't really that bad. It was with my oldest because I went into it with the mindset that it would be unbearable and I would be getting an epidural right away, but the other two were a lot better. I hope this ramble makes sense. My brain is all over the place today.

Thanks hun. Thats a lovely message, and totally does make sense. I see your little boy is due only 4 days after mine. I hope it all goes well for you and your doing well now. I feel like a giant blimp! so uncomfortable now. Just hope i cope okay with the pain eek...yeah im trying to find ways to relax myself...music seems to be the key at the moment so started a big labour playlist on my ipod to play in the deliver suite xx

Yes, I have discovered music helps me, too. I keep meaning to get DH to charge the battery in my car just enough so I can get my CD's out of the changer and put the music on my MP3 player to listen to during labor. (it has a 12 disc changer, but I can't get the case out since the battery is bad and won't hold a charge) There was a recent study done on how music can affect people while in pain. It has been proven to be an actual pain reliever and a de-stressing aid. I know when I am in a bad mood, I can put some music on and it helps me relax, so why not try it while in labor?

 

[Mrs_X]

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

strange, i didnt feel distanced from my baby when i had?
did you actually have one or are you 'presuming?'

 

[baby_mama87]

I just felt horrible pressure when wanting to push. I had no pain and had a forcep delivery with episiotomy. Luckily I'd had the epidural put in at about 7cm

Xxx

 

[onemorebabe]

I didnt have an epi with either of my children I went 100%natural.. And plan on doing so with this one.. With my first I didnt feel the ring of fire but she was only 7.lb 6 oz.. Now with my second I felt the ring of fire but I didnt tear(she was 10lb 1oz).. Its not THAT bad..

You have to think of that pain in a much different way than any other pain.. Normally pain means there is something wrong with your body.. But in labor pain means your body is doing what it was made to do.. Birth a baby...

But I personally was way more scared of the thought of someone stabbing a LARGE needle in between my spine than I ever was the pain of child birth.. Out bodies were made to have babies..