Fear of the epidural
- Thread starter Carley
- Start date
Carley
Mama to one and pregnant
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2008
- Messages
- 3,077
- Reaction score
- 0
I want a home-birth but I'm under high risk and I'm having a hospital birth in the birthing centre. I have had a lot of genetic problems and premature births.
How would people describe getting an epidural? I've been told to get it early so that when I'm in full labour I don't have to sit still through full blown contractions.
But I've also been told epi's can slow down labour and have effects on the baby? I'm scared it may interfere with breast-feeding?
How would people describe getting an epidural? I've been told to get it early so that when I'm in full labour I don't have to sit still through full blown contractions.
But I've also been told epi's can slow down labour and have effects on the baby? I'm scared it may interfere with breast-feeding?
pepperflake
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2008
- Messages
- 860
- Reaction score
- 0
I'm wouldn't say I'm scared of the epi. I didn't have one with my first baby so I know I can do it without one but I've also been researching it a lot in the past few days because my back has been hurting so bad. I'm afraid I will have a hard time during labor if my back continues to hurt like this and I will get way too tired.
But I've also known a few people that ended up with emergency c-sections because the baby's heartbeat dropped when mom's BP dropped from the epidural. But then I read all these lady's stories and how wonderful it is. I'm feeling really torn about it. I guess I will just have to wait to see how I do this time. I think it's important to be as informed as possible about benefits and risks so you can make the right choice for you and your birth. Talk to your MW. Read everything you can.
Someone posted this link the other day https://www.kimjames.net/epidural_risks_and_side_effects.htm
But I've also known a few people that ended up with emergency c-sections because the baby's heartbeat dropped when mom's BP dropped from the epidural. But then I read all these lady's stories and how wonderful it is. I'm feeling really torn about it. I guess I will just have to wait to see how I do this time. I think it's important to be as informed as possible about benefits and risks so you can make the right choice for you and your birth. Talk to your MW. Read everything you can.
Someone posted this link the other day https://www.kimjames.net/epidural_risks_and_side_effects.htm
PitBullMommy
Princess, FF & Angel Mom
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2007
- Messages
- 3,321
- Reaction score
- 0
Terrified. I hate needles and God help the person who tries to put one in me! Cept, of course, for the IV that I have to have cause of the GBS
Holldoll
Mom of 1 Princess
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2007
- Messages
- 1,645
- Reaction score
- 0
It's not the needle going in that you should be fearful of, it's the effect on both you and the baby.
I was terrified to have one and before labor, was VERY adamant about not wanting one. Because of the way my labor went (I won't post it again, it's in the birth stories) I ended up having one. I was still terrified while getting it and during the labor. I think it ended up saving me from having a c-section. I would just say make sure you know the pros and cons about them. There can be serious consequences of them.
I was terrified to have one and before labor, was VERY adamant about not wanting one. Because of the way my labor went (I won't post it again, it's in the birth stories) I ended up having one. I was still terrified while getting it and during the labor. I think it ended up saving me from having a c-section. I would just say make sure you know the pros and cons about them. There can be serious consequences of them.
pocahontas35
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2008
- Messages
- 447
- Reaction score
- 0
You don't need to be afraid! I know they are scary b/c of the needle, and the risks, but the people giving them are trained and do them all the time. You won't feel the actual epi, b/c they numb the spot first with a small needle. That stings a bit, but only for a few seconds. Then you have to sit completely still while they do the epi, but you can't feel it at all. And it is like Lorrilou said, you are so distracted by the pain of the contractions that you don't really notice it. I didn't get one with my first 2, and I did w/my second 2. It is all a matter of where you are at (pain wise) whether you can handle it or not. You will be okay. Just be sure of what you can and can't accept during labor before you are there and maybe irrational.
S
Serene123
Guest
I'm petrified but unfortunately I'm also aware of myself and my lack of pain tollerence.
I've had an epidural with all three of my pregnanies. None of them have hurt. With the last one I just felt a little bit of pressure. After the pain of the contraction the epi feels SOOOO relaxing, and will give me time to get my strength back up to do all of the pushing. Although my last Dr. was a total jerk and stopped the epi for the last phase!!! It took alot longer to deliver. It hurt so much I didn't want to push. I had ripped all the way through and screamed my head off for over an hour. I made sure this time that my Dr. kept the epi going 
I don't EVER want to go thru that pain again! On top of that he yelled at me for screaming and kept telling me to quit. Errrrr stupid Doc.
I don't EVER want to go thru that pain again! On top of that he yelled at me for screaming and kept telling me to quit. Errrrr stupid Doc.
A
AppleBlossom
Guest
The fear of the immense pain of birth is greater than that of the epidural for me lol
PitBullMommy
Princess, FF & Angel Mom
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2007
- Messages
- 3,321
- Reaction score
- 0
Although I'm terrified of the needle first and foremost, I'm gonna guess that the labor pains are gonna hurt WAY more. Plus...the needle would be behind me...I'm just REALLY terrified of some of the consequences for me and LO if we got one. My sis almost died cause of hers. Scary stuff!
