Experiences with epidurals

[Luvmama]

Tell me your experiences about epidural ??

 

[Balloo]

I had a brilliant experience until it wore off to be honest!! But then as soon as I said it hurt again they offered me a top up!! The guy who did it was lovely and friendly. The needle going in was a bit pinchy but it felt amazing afterwards!! Lol. The sensation itself was like a cool stan running through my body-sounds strange but feels awesome. The best part was when they were trying to get me to the right position-he said to 'arch m back like an angry cat' at which point I started to giggle, then the midwife said to my boyfriend well it's better than saying 'arch ur back like a cheap slapper!' Needless to say. Giggled even more! But ver positive experience for me

 

[broodymrs]

Will be keeping an eye on this thread. Thanks

 

[seaweed eater]

I had a fine experience. I had it for about half an hour of transition, 3 hours of pushing, and about half an hour afterward during perineum repair. I could still feel a lot of pressure, and could tell when I was having ctx before they showed up on the monitor, but it took the pain away. I have a needle phobia but the insertion was fine. It slowed things down a lot (3 hours of pushing!), but that's the main reason I got it so I was ok with it. The first time I had them turn it up from the lowest dose was when my tear was getting stitched, which I found much more painful than giving birth!

I will try not to have one in my next birth, because I think I could and should have gone without one -- I was worried about how fast things were going and how much pressure I felt, but I think it would have gone smoothly and been over soon if I'd held out. Then maybe, after a shorter pushing stage, I would have had more energy afterward to bond with LO and breastfeed. That said, it wasn't a bad experience by any means.