https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:44:52 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-wanted-epidural-did-you-get-it#post-2907914 Thu, 09 Jan 2020 10:40:20 +0000 graceandjoy 2907914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A fun little poll as I'm almost 35 weeks with my 3rd and a little anxious that I might not get epidural in time :silly: </p> <p>DD1 - Was induced so definitely got epidural<br /> DD2 - Went to hospital around 1pm, gave birth at 9pm so also had time for epidural </p> <p>I know it's not the end of the world if I don't get it; with both girls, I could still very clearly feel the pressure to push so wasn't completely pain free anyway! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience#post-2727141 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 21:47:17 +0000 Mrs. Deer 2727141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had med-free births with both my of my girls. As the birth of baby #3 approaches I've found myself seriously contemplating an epidural. I am just so torn! My first labor was 12 hours long and it was a pretty typical/difficult natural birth, with about two hours of pushing. My second labor was 16 hours long but was so doable! The only hard part was again, the pushing, this time because it was so insanely fast and excruciating. My body just kind of expelled her after just one big push. I screamed bloody murder the whole time. I really don't mind facing labor again, but I don't want to face that kind of pain again. Part of me rationalizes it because it was only a minute or so long. Seems silly to get an epidural to avoid a minute or two of pain… but it was so intense!<br /> But then I think about risks/issues that can come with an epidural. Because of how fast the pushing happened last time I really want to make a decision before going to the hospital.</p> <p>So tell me about your epidural experience! Anything great, terrible, or surprising? :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/non-epi-births-compared-to-epi-births#post-2727472 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 12:43:24 +0000 DesertDreams88 2727472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Weird title but I couldn't figure out how to make it shorter!</p> <p>Basically, if you've had an "epidural birth" and a "non-epidural birth" , both vaginal, how do you compare the experience in your mind? Pros, cons? Definite preference? If you were to do it again, what would you do?</p> <p>My experience: Horrible 24-hr induced labor, about 8 hours spent in transition (yes, a nightmare), wasn't allowed to get an epidural, DRs &amp; I wanted to avoid a CS bc I was only allowed gen. anesthesia. So I really want an epi next time but I wonder how I'll "push" without feeling the contractions...? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/migraine-from-epidural#post-2724140 Thu, 13 Apr 2017 21:10:57 +0000 littleblessings 2724140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had my 3rd little blessing on April 8th and for the past couple days I have had a migraine that won't quit. Has anyone else had this? When did it subside? Did you have to go back to the hospital? What did they do? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-how-many-cm-did-you-get-your-epi#post-2529343 Wed, 20 Apr 2016 07:58:20 +0000 LuLu Mom 2529343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm always interested to hear when people received their epidural. For me I received it when I was about 4 cm with DD1, the doc said "I'm going in for 2 scheduled C-sections, if you want one I'd do it now because it would be a few hours before I get back" so I did! </p> <p>DD2 I got it in right away in the OR because I was having a RCS. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-epi-affect-your-babys-heart-rate#post-2350031 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 22:18:27 +0000 DesertDreams88 2350031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm due in Jan. I was leaning towards getting an epidural when I'm 5cm dilated or so. However, my LO was recently diagnosed with a heart arrythmia, and I've read that epis can affect the baby's heart rate (via the mom's blood pressure...?). I'm wondering how common this is..... I'll be asking my OB on Wednesday, but I figure I should ask the Bee too :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience-like-1#post-2346643 Fri, 06 Nov 2015 10:19:06 +0000 Bao 2346643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With LO1 it went in great, no issues but then it wore off completely while I was pushing, that sucked. </p> <p>With LO2 the anesthesiologist was debating even letting me have it because of my platelet count I believe. She used her best judgement and let me have it but they had to leave it in much longer than normal and two nurses had to hold pressure for a long time when they took it out. I also couldn't move my legs for hours after birth and they were a little concerned after a while but it turned out ok. </p> <p>What was your epidural experience like? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/quick-would-you-recommend-an-epidural-when-induced#post-2187403 Fri, 22 May 2015 17:26:59 +0000 dc yoga bee 2187403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like title says! Went to my 38 week apt, blood pressure was 150/84, protein in urine. They sent me to hospital, blood pressure 134/84, but lots more protiein in my urine. Being induced today at 38 weeks even. I hadn't really made a decision one way or the other about an epidural. Any experiences having an epidural when you were induced? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-hospital-or-dr-have-an-epidural-line-placed#post-2250270 Thu, 30 Jul 2015 17:23:10 +0000 BSB 2250270@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB says that she likes to have an epidural line placed. Not sure if this is because I'm having twins or if she suggests this for all of her patients. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/reasons-you-cant-have-an-epidural#post-2184905 Wed, 20 May 2015 19:28:18 +0000 simplyfelicity 2184905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A friend of mine gave birth last month without an epidural because she wasn't allowed one (apparently, it was due to a very mild allergy of hers.) She was counting on one her whole pregnancy.<br /> Now I am curious...what are the reasons you cant have an epidural? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2138960 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:22:44 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2138960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After having an epidural (8cm when I got it) I feel really doubtful I could make it without one. However, I have since become seemingly prone to UTIs (have had 2-3, not sure if the 3rd was separate, in less than a year, and never had them before) and I don't do well on antibiotics to say the least, and epidural = catheter = increased risk for UTI.</p> <p>Just not sure I could make it! I've never had a reason to want to try the epidural-free route before so I haven't read up on it or anything like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-the-cold-make-your-epidural-site-hurt#post-2077834 Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:43:12 +0000 LovelyPlum 2077834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This cold is making mine ache :bummed: I hadn't been able to feel the soreness of the site for a long while, but I guess that is what a winter like this will do to a girl, even 10 months later.</p> <p>Anyone else? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-point-did-you-get-an-epidural#post-2010504 Mon, 05 Jan 2015 16:03:35 +0000 edelweiss 2010504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>if you got an epidural, at what stage of labor did you choose to get it (in terms of hours and cm dilated)?</p> <p>my water broke and contractions started right away at 1 minute each, less than 5 minutes apart. when i got to the hospital a couple of hours later, i chose to get the epidural. i was 4 cm dilated.</p> <p>how about you? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/does-it-hurt-to-get-an-epidural#post-1955528 Sun, 23 Nov 2014 09:15:00 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1955528@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not going to lie, getting an epidural scares me. I don't mind needles usually, but the idea of a giant needle in my back freaks me out! I'm sure a few moments of discomfort are worth no pain... but giant needle! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-an-epidural-with-your-first#post-1952529 Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:31:02 +0000 mrsjyw 1952529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>did you have it with subsequent L&amp;D?</p> <p>I've always wondered if I could go med-free. Especially because the worst part of labor for me was the two hours of pushing, by which my epidural had worn off after the machine was being wonky all morning before pushing time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/spinal-vs-epidural#post-1854553 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 10:11:10 +0000 Nskillet 1854553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone had both? What's your experience? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-bad-epidural-experience#post-1882323 Tue, 30 Sep 2014 08:52:34 +0000 swurlygurl 1882323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If your epidural went awry somehow, are you still traumatized?</p> <p>My epidural for L went as fine as it can go. For K it was a complete disaster getting it in. Apparently my interstitial spinal spacing is small and thick (?!) and the epidural guy couldn't get it in. Three attempts with lots of digging around and he had to call in the head of epidurals to come do mine. It was a 30 minute process of non-stop poking! So. Much. Pain. Now that it's over, if I focus enough I can find the nerve and actually feel it - it creeps me out!</p> <p>Plus, the first Dr was one of the hottest men I have actually seen in real life. Awkward for my sweaty crying pregnant mess of a self :silly: </p> <p>Knowing how bad it was though, I would still get it again in a heartbeat. Once it was finally in I felt great and had a fun labor/delivery :)</p> <p>I'd love to hear other disaster stories if you can stand to talk about it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidural-peanut-ball-experience#post-1807502 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 21:04:45 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1807502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One thing that seemed to change at my hospital since my last delivery is the use of a "peanut ball" to help keep you opened up even if you are in bed for monitoring or an epidural. </p> <p>What was your experience with them? Did it help? What positions did you use especially if you had an epidural </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-didnt-plan-on-getting-an-epidural-for-baby-1#post-1764822 Thu, 17 Jul 2014 12:23:50 +0000 coopsmama 1764822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>...but ended up getting one anyway, are you going to attempt without one for #2 or get an epi much earlier in the process? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-epidural-slow-down-labor#post-1725227 Thu, 26 Jun 2014 19:32:54 +0000 kml636 1725227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my first birth the epidural (got it at 7 cm so I waited to get it too) definitely slowed down labor. The came pitocin, which I want to avoid. So, planning for birth number 2, I'm not against an epidural in theory, but having already had my body react against it, I'm nervous about getting one, but also nervous to go without! </p> <p>I read some things from the natural birth community stating that it usually slows down birth and then other things that say the effect is minimal. Your experience? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-the-feeling-totally-come-back-in-your-legs-after-epidural#post-1706157 Tue, 17 Jun 2014 20:50:21 +0000 spaniellove 1706157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My legs were never numb to the point that I couldn't move them or walk, but I realized afterward that the skin must have been numb. About 2 weeks later the feeling still hasn't totally come back to part of my thigh. Is that how it always works? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-did-your-epi-entrance-point-heal-on-your-back#post-1635840 Thu, 15 May 2014 10:22:28 +0000 Beebug 1635840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For those who had epidurals, what did the spot on your back heal like?</p> <p>If you had a second epidural with subsequent pregnancies, did they go in the same spot, or somewhere else?</p> <p>I feel absolutely stupid posting this, DD is almost 19 months old (born Oct 2012) and I am 40+3 today with #2 and finally just clued in what the hole in my back is. I have had this scab that has never healed, I think it's from my epi with DD. It's in that spot, and it's never bothered me (who looks back there?) Obviously it should have healed by now, it hasn't, I can't fix that at this point, but can they go in above or below for another one if needed?</p> <p>For those who had epi's heal properly, did the spot even scar or just heal over and was forgotten?</p> <p>I must have some sort of issue with healing, this spot, my IUD removal surgery incision didn't heal over properly either, weird. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-did-not-want-an-epidural#post-1660389 Tue, 27 May 2014 12:47:54 +0000 septca 1660389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Why not? (Poll below - you can vote more than once) No judgment, just curious. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-an-epidural#post-1653351 Thu, 22 May 2014 19:52:27 +0000 lawbee11 1653351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did! Sweet, sweet relief :heart: </p> <p>Did you have an epidural? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-failed-epidural-with-your-first#post-1617092 Tue, 06 May 2014 15:47:40 +0000 jedeve 1617092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did you/would you get an epidural with your second?</p> <p>My epidural never fully took and when it did, it wore off about half an hour later. It took some of the edge off, but I could still feel most everything. But I couldn't move. I don't know if it's worth trying for one again. I don't want to end up in the same position of not being able to move, but still feeling almost everything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-want-an-epidural-will-my-midwife-try-to-make-me-go-without-if-i-can-did-yours#post-1567897 Mon, 14 Apr 2014 13:48:05 +0000 Mrs tartan 1567897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm only 16 weeks but I already know I want an epidural, noone can talk me out of this, I'm terrible with pain. I can't cope with menstrual cramps. My decision is made (as long as its ok for both me and baby of course). Will the midwife try and make me go natural until I'm screaming at her or do they accept that once you are in established labour? I just don't want to feel guilted into trying with no pain relief or keep asking and it taking forever.<br /> Did you get an epidural easily if you wanted it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-chose-to-get-an-epidural#post-1526790 Thu, 27 Mar 2014 15:17:00 +0000 Cole 1526790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been thinking about my expectations for birth and I had two close friends recently give birth. Both wanted natural births but both got epidurals. Then both of them had scary issues that were related to the epidural and almost led to c-sections. So needless to say I am now petrified! Did things go smoothly after your epidural? Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-got-an-epidural-1#post-1451743 Wed, 26 Feb 2014 16:18:29 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 1451743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did you have a vacuum/forceps assisted delivery?</p> <p>The doula teaching our prenatal classes claims that "almost every time" someone has an epidural they need either forceps or vacuum. Then talking to friends, I don't know anyone who has had either.</p> <p>Poll below! Multiple options for multiple kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/epidural-side-effects#post-1446807 Mon, 24 Feb 2014 17:59:32 +0000 coopsmama 1446807@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm just curious... did any one have any negative side effects from their epidural, long term or short term? I was thinking about a friend of mine who has had long term pain at her epidural site since giving birth and am curious how frequently that happens.</p> <p>As for me, I only had an epidural in for about 5 hours and it served me well with no side effects. I'm grateful! </p>