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

[Kate&Lucas]

I didn't feel any ring of fire but I sure as hell felt the episiotomy
My epidural only really affected my right leg and some of my tummy, I was far too wriggly when it was going in and it obviously missed. Tbh I wouldn't decide until you're there and you know how the pain is, you might find it bearable - it's not really a decision that should be taken lightly imo as it can complicate your labour. And believe me, the last thing you'd want is a failed epi!

 

[TheyCallMeMom]

My epidural really hurt and I still have back pain now from it. (With both of my kids)
It also didn't really offer any relief, I still felt the ring of fire, and I felt them stitch me up when I tore after I had my son.

I also felt really detached from both of their births.

 

[Samemka]

I felt absolutel nothing when I had an epi, although by the time they'd got it in correctly I was almost 10cm so that's prbably why!

 

[AllyTiel]

I am such a hycondriac and was so scared of every single part of labor as it came to me. The IV, the epidural, getting waters broken, pushing. Have to say, nothing was even close as bad as I thought it would be except for contractions. Those were worse than I thought they would be lol. I went into labor the night before I was to be induced and got to 6 cm and that's when they started pitocin.
The epidural was the tiniest pinch ever, (got it at 5cm)and compared to the horrid pain of the contractions, gosh it was so beyond easy. Took the lady about 3 mins. The big needle after the numbing shot just felt like someone was mashing their finger on my spine. Just odd pressure.
When I started pushing and baby started coming down I felt pressure, and when her head was coming out it was very strange pressure and it felt like my hip bones were spreading. No pain, just odd sensation. No ring of fire. I heard the snipping of the episiotomy (her heart rate was dropping) but again, no pain at all. I had a 4th degree tear on top of that, but nothing except pressure,even when sewing me up. That took awhile. I'm a big believer in epidurals, and will no doubt get them with all of my next deliveries.
Oh and I pushed about 15-20 minutes and they used the ventouse. I had a fever and her heart rate had been in the 180's for about an hour. They were in a tad of a hurry to get her out.

 

[StephBord]

I definitely felt the burnin ring of fire, although I pushed for three and a half hours and I am pretty sure my epi had worn off by the time baby was actually born. I had a second degree tear as well but they numbed me before giving me my stitches.

 

[elohcin]

Yep, absolutely. I thought the ROF was FAR worse WITH the epidural during my 1st birth than it was with my 2 natural homebirths.