Epidurals....how did it work for you if you had one?

[nicem815]

All right ladies, let's talk epidurals.

With #1, I was in labor about 20 hours before I had an epidural. I needed a double dose because I didn't feel any pain relief with the standard dose, then even that one wore off so I had more....but when it was time to push, I still felt everything. I have been reading that some people push with the epidural and don't feel anything? Those who had one, what was your experience?

I'm thinking that if it doesn't even really "work" for me I might as well try to go without for #2 (if I progress as I should and don't need other interventions....it's all up in the air right now, as we all know...).

 

[misspriss]

With #1 I had an EMCS with a spinal, so it worked fab - dead from the diaphragm down. Surgery and all. So I was expecting something similar when I agreed to an Epi with DD, and I wasn't expecting what I got.

When they put it in, it didn't really work. After 15 minutes, added another dose. Still nothing, repeat twice until it's been an hour and still not working. Okay, they conclude they need to take it out and put another one in - probably hit scar tissue from spinal.

When they got the second one in? Perfection. I could still move my legs, but no contractions. It was like the most perfect epi I could ask for. I got some rest (I own't say sleep, but rest), kept my leg on a peanut ball to keep my hips open, and then woke up to 7-8cm dilated and going quickly. I was fully dilated shortly after waking up and it was wearing off by the time I started pushing, so I felt most things of the actual birth which was fab. Pushing was great. They pulled it out as soon as she was born and I walked to the bathroom after an hour before they moved me to post partum

I'm not planning on an epi for sure with this one, but I'm open to it if the need arises.

 

[nicem815]

With #1 I had an EMCS with a spinal, so it worked fab - dead from the diaphragm down. Surgery and all. So I was expecting something similar when I agreed to an Epi with DD, and I wasn't expecting what I got.

When they put it in, it didn't really work. After 15 minutes, added another dose. Still nothing, repeat twice until it's been an hour and still not working. Okay, they conclude they need to take it out and put another one in - probably hit scar tissue from spinal.

When they got the second one in? Perfection. I could still move my legs, but no contractions. It was like the most perfect epi I could ask for. I got some rest (I own't say sleep, but rest), kept my leg on a peanut ball to keep my hips open, and then woke up to 7-8cm dilated and going quickly. I was fully dilated shortly after waking up and it was wearing off by the time I started pushing, so I felt most things of the actual birth which was fab. Pushing was great. They pulled it out as soon as she was born and I walked to the bathroom after an hour before they moved me to post partum

I'm not planning on an epi for sure with this one, but I'm open to it if the need arises.

Okay, you described what I experienced way better than I did. I was like you--I could still feel my legs and I could actually finally sleep because I didn't feel the contractions. When I woke up, I had an intense urge to push and she was born within the hour.

So I guess I had a good one the second time around !!

 

[Sonnenschein]

With DD epi I didn't feel a thing when pushing, but I was dosed up on everything else they offered me right beforehand while I was waiting for it. With DS I felt the extreme pressure and a little pain on crowning but not much at all. It wore off fast each time and I was up and about within half an hour

 

[xdxxtx]

I had one with my first baby, and it was a difficult labor. I couldn't feel to push, and my baby was being strangled by the cord and was in distress. Almost ended up with an emergency c-section. My baby was FINE, no worries. I regretted the epidural when I had this awful pulsating in my back for several months, any time I strained at all and sometimes when I'd sit down or stand up. It was awful.

With my second, I got an epidural. Apparently, if you don't push the button for more medication, it wears off after a few hours. Hahaha. It wore off before I got to transition and got some lovely stitches without the pain relief. The labor and delivery were MUCH seaside, though.

I didn't get the epidural with my third (induced) or my fourth (augmented after PROM). It's the most painful experience ever, yes, but as soon as the babies were out, the pain was gone, and I could get right up to use the bathroom. I had them both out in one push. No tearing. I was able to walk around and do whatever I wanted.

I've not met anyone else personally who had a problem with the epidural. It's just not for me. And I enjoyed my natural labors/deliveries much more.

 

[misspriss]

Oh I wanted to add I had no side effects after, but I have known people who got the awful headaches so it is definitely a possiblity. I've also met people who had issues long term from it, so it isn't without risk.

I also had a stitch, just one, I asked for the local because I was pretty sure the epi was totally worn off. It still felt weird, I could feel her pulling the suture stuff through but it didn't hurt, just felt weeeeiiiirrrd.

 

[teacup]

With mine they tried several times to get the epidural in, at one point my leg was involuntarily jumping about as he put the needle in. Then he tried again and punctured the dura, so I was leaking spinal fluid. I had the worst headache of my life for two weeks because there was no fluid cushioning my brain, and it started only half an hour after the epidural went wrong, so I had that to deal with as well as contractions. It gave me no pain relief and then I was bed bound with awful headaches.
Xx

 

[jessmke]

I had one with my first delivery after 30 hrs of active labour and the start of a pitocin drip. It was pretty ideal as far as epidurals go I would say, it didn't hurt at all going in, I didn't feel anything except instant relief from the pain. I fell asleep instantly after I got it, and woke up 3 hours later feeling pressure in my bum. I was fully dilated and ready to push. I could move my legs and was able to get up and squat on the bed, I could feel the contractions, but I couldn't feel the pain. I could feel baby moving down the birth canal while pushing, could feel the crowning, etc, but just didn't feel any pain. I was up and showering an hour after baby was born, probably would have been up sooner but it took them an hour to stitch me up so I had to stay in bed. No long term effects of the epidural except my feet and ankles were super swollen from being on IV fluids.

Had no pain relief at all with my second delivery which I preferred.

 

[sarah1980]

I'm a bit meh about mine. I initially got some relief, I was numb on one side but still had pain in the other although it wasn't quite as bad as it had been, but it wore off quickly and no amount of topping it up worked again.

I'd try having one again if I feel the need but hoping to go without this time.

 

[mara16jade]

That is so weird OP! I'm sorry you didn't get any or much relief!

I got mine when I was at 6-7cm and it was instant. The only time I felt contractions was when they had me lay on one side or the other (epidural medication is gravity fed, so if you're on your side, it can pull away from one side). Other than that, it was great. I could still barely shift my legs around, and when it came time to push I felt zero pain, but could feel when to push and could also squat and use the birthing bar. I felt a tiny bit when he crowned (like a 4 on a scale of 0-10, 10 being the worst).

I'm not trying to sound rude at all, but are you sure you got an epidural? It sounds really strange that it wore off and you needed a second dose. Epidurals are a continuous drip.

 

[nicem815]

That is so weird OP! I'm sorry you didn't get any or much relief!

I got mine when I was at 6-7cm and it was instant. The only time I felt contractions was when they had me lay on one side or the other (epidural medication is gravity fed, so if you're on your side, it can pull away from one side). Other than that, it was great. I could still barely shift my legs around, and when it came time to push I felt zero pain, but could feel when to push and could also squat and use the birthing bar. I felt a tiny bit when he crowned (like a 4 on a scale of 0-10, 10 being the worst).

I'm not trying to sound rude at all, but are you sure you got an epidural? It sounds really strange that it wore off and you needed a second dose. Epidurals are a continuous drip.

Haha yep! Definitely had the epidural! It WAS weird. The guy had to insert more medication initially because I wasn't feeling any relief with the standard dose....a couple hours later I needed more. After that dose, I slept a couple hours and woke up ready to push but I definitely felt the crowning....intensely....like an 8-9/10. I have a pretty good pain tolerance so I'm not sure what was up! I know my body is sometimes resistant to certain meds, so who knows!! I was also really out of it from exhaustion lol.

 

[mara16jade]

Crazy! If you go with an epidural again, I hope it takes better than your previous experience! Fx

 

[luz]

My first baby my FIL did my epidural and it was amazing!!! I was immediately numb when he finished and I didn't feel a thing and never had to top off the medicine. My second I did it without and it was pretty painful, but not really that bad. Had an epidural with my 3rd done by a different dr and it was awful. I had to have 2 doses and then sit and wait 15 minutes for the numbing to kick in. I was fully dilated before I was numb and had the baby and felt everything.

I complained to my FIL about the epidural and he said some hospitals do a mini spinal (what he does) and others do epidurals that take time to kick in. So this baby I'm planning on going the no epidural route because of how horrible my last experience was. If I could have the mini spinal though, I'd do it again in a heart beat!

 

[Zephram]

Mine were good and I will be doing it with my third labour too.

My first I was induced and it very quickly got to a point where I couldn't cope with the intense contractions, so epidural in. Ended in an emcs as a few things went wrong not related to the epidural.

My second I got an epidural after going into labour naturally. It more slowly got to a point where I couldn't handle the pain, but it was a very long labour and I basically became exhausted and needed to rest.

With both epidural I had a window around my left hip where I could still feel some pain, but much less intense. Doctors have speculated it's because I hurt my back quite badly in that region when I was younger and probably have some damaged nerves, so the anaesthetic can't actually get to that little window. By contrast my right side was completely numb.

I am extremely glad I got the epidural with my second as it was a VBAC that ended in a forceps birth - I got a third degree tear and an episiotomy and I did not feel ANYTHING down there whilst all this was going on to my poor vag. Cannot imagine feeling the cut and tear as it happened and for this reason I'm 100% getting an epidural with my third.

 

[nicem815]

My first baby my FIL did my epidural and it was amazing!!! I was immediately numb when he finished and I didn't feel a thing and never had to top off the medicine. My second I did it without and it was pretty painful, but not really that bad. Had an epidural with my 3rd done by a different dr and it was awful. I had to have 2 doses and then sit and wait 15 minutes for the numbing to kick in. I was fully dilated before I was numb and had the baby and felt everything.

I complained to my FIL about the epidural and he said some hospitals do a mini spinal (what he does) and others do epidurals that take time to kick in. So this baby I'm planning on going the no epidural route because of how horrible my last experience was. If I could have the mini spinal though, I'd do it again in a heart beat!

That makes sense!! I think my friend who just had her baby had the spinal....I think I had the other one your FIL was talking about lol!!

 

[nicem815]

Mine were good and I will be doing it with my third labour too.

My first I was induced and it very quickly got to a point where I couldn't cope with the intense contractions, so epidural in. Ended in an emcs as a few things went wrong not related to the epidural.

My second I got an epidural after going into labour naturally. It more slowly got to a point where I couldn't handle the pain, but it was a very long labour and I basically became exhausted and needed to rest.

With both epidural I had a window around my left hip where I could still feel some pain, but much less intense. Doctors have speculated it's because I hurt my back quite badly in that region when I was younger and probably have some damaged nerves, so the anaesthetic can't actually get to that little window. By contrast my right side was completely numb.

I am extremely glad I got the epidural with my second as it was a VBAC that ended in a forceps birth - I got a third degree tear and an episiotomy and I did not feel ANYTHING down there whilst all this was going on to my poor vag. Cannot imagine feeling the cut and tear as it happened and for this reason I'm 100% getting an epidural with my third.

Wow!!! Thank goodness the epidural worked for you!!! Gosh, that sounds like it would have been intensely painful without it!

 

[lilmisscaviar]

I've personally never had an epi but I've known lots that have. I have heard horror stories, like my mother said that when they gave her an epi during my birth they didn't get it in the first time so they had to jab her again and she had a horrible headache for a few days afterwards. I've heard quite a few stories of it wearing off before delivery and a couple girls I know complained that the spot where they had the epi would burn every once in a while months after they'd given birth. I've also heard people say that the epi is the best thing ever and they wouldn't birth any other way. A doctor told me once that a lot of people choose the epi because when you can birth without feeling much pain, the majority are going to choose that route.

The reason I went medication free is because of the simple reason that I have a huge phobia of needles, however I'm not completely opposed to the epi. If there was ever a time when my labor dragged on and I was exhausted, I'd get an epi just to have some relief.

 

[Nita2806]

I am so happy to come across this thread. I am expecting my first and planning to go the natural birth route. Everyone I have came across said the Epi is a wonder drug - and they would definitely recommend it. I even spoke to a lady who goes to the same OB as me, and said she doesnt allow any doctor to insert the epi but herself, and she knows her story. I am planning to have an Epi (even though I have a horrible fear of needles) - I think my fear of the pain beats the needle fear.

Following to see what everyone here's opinions are

 

[luz]

My first baby my FIL did my epidural and it was amazing!!! I was immediately numb when he finished and I didn't feel a thing and never had to top off the medicine. My second I did it without and it was pretty painful, but not really that bad. Had an epidural with my 3rd done by a different dr and it was awful. I had to have 2 doses and then sit and wait 15 minutes for the numbing to kick in. I was fully dilated before I was numb and had the baby and felt everything.

I complained to my FIL about the epidural and he said some hospitals do a mini spinal (what he does) and others do epidurals that take time to kick in. So this baby I'm planning on going the no epidural route because of how horrible my last experience was. If I could have the mini spinal though, I'd do it again in a heart beat!

That makes sense!! I think my friend who just had her baby had the spinal....I think I had the other one your FIL was talking about lol!!

When the dr put in the medicine and told me he'd be back in 10 minutes to make sure I was numb I started crying!! I expected it to be immediate and it was awful. He came back in and I still wasn't numb so I had to have a second dose of the medicine, which made me incredibly nauseous so I started puking, and then I was fully dilated before he even came back in to check on me again...

The only problem I had the first time around was pain in my urethra for probably about 6 months PP. I'm assuming from the catheter

 

[Scout]

I loved mine, just wish my OB would have allowed it earlier! My water broke when i was only 1 cm so my OB started a pitocin drip to speed things up. He wouldn't allow the epi until I was 5 cm, which took 12 hours. Once I got there, the epi was wonderful. I finally got a few minutes rest, but progressed to 10 cm and ready to push an hour after getting the epidural. I could feel the contractions to push, but it didn't hurt at all. I pushed maybe 5 or 6 times and she was out. No lasting effects for me. Oh, and my OB doesn't use a catheter, even with an epidural. I was happy about that.