https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:23:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it/page/2#post-406244 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:15:01 +0000 rachiecakes 406244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites: so funny that you're the only 'all natural' mom you know - almost everyone I know was very pro-unmedicated, you'll die if they induce you mind-set. </p> <p>For me, I was induced because I was battling pre-eclampsia pretty hard. My hospital is awesome though because they took me in many times and tried everything to get my blood pressure down, platelets normal, proteins normal, etc. A lot of places would just give you a csection, no further monitoring offered.<br /> My induction was a piece of cake. Cervidil patch that cause my water to break and go immediately into (back and only back)labor, no pitocin. DS ended up being in such an awkward position that I was given the epidural to try to relax my uterus and attempt to turn him.<br /> With the crazy back labor I was having I felt totally out of control, like being electricuted or having a seizure. Once I had an epidural - and I didn't even feel them administering it - I could feel contractions but it's like I could harness their strength and push the baby out. I could still feel my legs, I could move. And I was given the biggest episiotomy ever and didn't feel it at all. So I feel like it did exactly what it was supposed to do. </p> <p>I would definitely try to get my next LO into a better position next time though. I would love to experience labor labor and not just back labor if I could. And if I could avoid pre-e, well, that'd be pretty sweet, too ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-406138 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:28:04 +0000 regberadaisy 406138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it is important to go into labor with a open mind. That will be your biggest asset. I wanted a unmedicated birth bu I will not beat myself up if I could not handle the pain. I went as long as I could then went for the eipdural. I was not tethered to the bed. The catheter was not bad at all. And I did not regret it at all. I pushed for 2 hours with no progress bc her head was so big so in glad I went for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-406135 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:27:10 +0000 lovehoneybee 406135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only thing I regret about my epidural was that it stopped working. </p> <p>I was 5cm when I got it. He was posterior, and the pain was so bad I was shaking and throwing up. I'd already been up for almost 24 hours, and my body desperately needed to rest. I'm really not sure I could have made it through without a c-section if I hadn't been able to get that rest. </p> <p>It stopped working again at 9cm, and I spent the next two hours laboring sitting up in bed (the epidural line was still placed). I had zero interest in getting up and walking around. I had zero interest in the ball, or the shower. When I was pushing they let me put my bed at an incline, so I was nearly sitting up. </p> <p>I progressed at a good pace with it in...I went from 5-9cm in about 4 hours (two of which I dozed), and then two hours to get to 10 without it.</p> <p>As for the catheter it wasn't continuously there...they came and put it in and drained me once or twice.</p> <p>I'd say just try to keep an open mind</p> <p>@Honeybee: And I totally agree with your last paragraph. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-406121 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:11:30 +0000 Mrs.M57 406121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Childbirth class had me nervous about epidurals too.i went into labor hoping to hold off and maybe not get one, but once my water broke they didn't want me up walking the halls or on the birthing ball, and the pain was worse than I expected so I got one. Honestly I don't regret it one bit! I was able to relax and rest up for pushing! My epi had worn of a good bit by the time I pushed, which although painful, I liked, because I could feel my contractions and know when to push. Honestly my experience was perfect to me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-406105 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:01:30 +0000 sarac 406105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I considered my epidural required when I needed a foley cath induction. That being said, I hated it. It felt awful, it made me sick, and it didn't even work. I would for sure not get one if I don't get induced next time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-406084 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 12:48:11 +0000 Weagle 406084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I kind of regret getting the epi. My labor progressed pretty quickly. I went from first contraction to 10 in about 6 hours. I ended up having a cervical lip that the OB was afraid would end up rupturing and that she didn't think would clear quickly. At that point I couldn't not push. A ruptured cervix terrifies me, so I opted to get an epi. I ended up having irregular contractions for a super long time and LO wasn't born until 6 hours later. In the end, though, I have a healthy baby and all is well. Maybe next time. </p> <p>In a perfect world, these things would have gone differently:</p> <p>1. I would have sucked it up and not gotten the epi.<br /> 2. I would have moved around to clear the lip. L&amp;D was super busy and there were no rooms for me. They ended up making a makeshift delivery suite in the PACU. Because of the room's actual purpose, I wasn't allowed to walk around, go to the bathroom, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-406041 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 12:08:34 +0000 mrskc 406041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>not on topic but you were talking about catheters. I just wanted to say that I didn't get an epi but still had a catheter after delivery. It was something that surprised me and of course could have refused. But I did 2 hours of skin to skin so it was nice to not have to get up right away to use the restroom. It was painless quick and they just put it in to empty my bladder and then took it out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-406039 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 12:07:41 +0000 Honeybee 406039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved both of my epidurals, but before my first I had a lot of concerns about getting one. I was worried that getting an epidural meant no eating or drinking, no getting out of bed, laboring on my back/side, pushing in the traditional position, and being hooked up to a ton of monitors/wires/etc... Turns out, a lot of those fears did not matter when I actually went into labor. I was puking so much before my epidural, there was no way I could have eaten or drank anyway, since it was all coming right back up. Even without the epidural, you'll be hooked up to a bunch of wires and cords (my hospital required continuous fetal monitoring past 4 centimeters, a blood pressure cuff, an oxygen finger reader thingy, and an iv, regardless of whether I had an epi). I was so weak during each contraction, my husband was holding me up anyway, so it wasn't like I wanted (or even had the strength) to out of bed and move around. And by the time I got around to pushing, my epidural had worn off enough that I could feel most of what was going on and I was a pretty effective/fast pusher.</p> <p>I think it's good to have concerns and be aware of what you may/may not want, but it's also good to realize that you won't know for sure until you actually get into labor. All of your fears may be totally overwhelmed by the pain of birth, and you might get an epi anyway. OR you might realize you can handle birth just fine without meds, and you don't need to get an epi. Either way is great, but you just might not know which way you're going until you're actually in the midst of labor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-406034 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 12:03:48 +0000 Maysprout 406034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a lot of the same fears. I reaaaaally did not want to be tethered to a bed and feel trapped, I hate that feeling. I wanted to try for natural but also knew I didn't want a crazy marathon painfest. </p> <p>So I waited to go to the hospital - I was going to go when my contractions were regularly spaced a several min apart or when my water broke - my water broke and thats when we decided to go and I'm happy with that decision. I probably could have waited a bit longer but my mom had all her kids within an hour of her water breaking so I wanted to be safe. </p> <p>I waited to get an epidural and I was progressing but once I hit like 6.5 I was progressing soooooo slowly. They say transition goes quick, for me it just was soooooooooooo slow and sooooooo painful. So I decided I wanted to get an epidural so I could be in a better frame of mind. And I'm decently happy with that decision. It did cause my labor to slow and they were itchy to start pitocin right after the epidural, which made me really nervous, and I did go on oxygen then because baby's heart rate became too steady. So all of that made me really nervous but I was 8 cm when I got the epidural and after like 3 hours I started pushing. </p> <p>I think waiting for the epidural helped the interventions not get too out of control, I was on a really low level of pitocin, and the epidural did make the birth experience better but it wasnt completely smooth sailing, there were definate effects of the epidural and pitocin on both me and baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-406032 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 12:02:24 +0000 SleepyMonkey 406032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got an epi at 5 cm and do not regret it even remotely. I had pitocin to speed things up a bit and the contractions were really intense and holy hell painful. I don't think I would have been able to push properly without it to be honest, the pain was that bad and I couldn't focus on anything except the pain. Its really not bad getting one and all the cords and whatever that you are hooked up to weren't noticeable for me at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-406023 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:54:56 +0000 immabeetoo 406023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites It seems like such a divisive issue on the Internet - people I know in real life span from completely natural to planned c-section and none really seem to get up in arms about any of it :) But I guess that is the nature of most things online - it's easy to find really angry customers of many products when there are probably just as many that liked it, but don't have any motivation to get online and talk about how they liked it but didn't love it ya know? At any rate, important for everyone to share and I'm glad HB is more inclusive than most. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-406017 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:50:41 +0000 mrsmenow 406017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do know someone in real life that had a really rare complication form her epi and couldn't walk for weeks after delivery. Her husband had to take months off from work to help take care of her anad the baby. She has had premanent nerve damage. It is really rare, but it was scary to hear what happened to her. Everyone else in real life has done fine with theirs (minus a few who had epidurals fail and need to be redone). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-406014 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:49:45 +0000 chopsuey 406014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went in wanting to go natural, but was open to an epidural. Went for as long as I could and got my epidural after 8 hours of labor? Best decision ever.<br /> Got immediate relief and got to sleep.<br /> Meds are wonderful </p> <p>Plan on doing the same for baby 2 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-406007 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:45:47 +0000 runsyellowlites 406007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: "I feel like online some are really really vocal about being anti-epidural and add to the dread of getting one - whereas in real life everyone I know who had an epidural had a positive experience and don't regret it"</p> <p>Agreed! I don't know any moms personally that dealt with spinal headaches or residual back pain but "know" alot from my birth month forum. Then again I don't know many moms IRL so maybe that's why. lol I'm pretty much the same online &amp; IRL since I'm the only natural birth mom I know IRL..... gotta clear up those misconceptions that those I know have..... "going natural is crazy...". lol ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405994 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:39:13 +0000 immabeetoo 405994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am following this because I have similar concerns about not being able to move around - and I appreciate the ladies who have shared their positive experiences (and, of course, those who shared negative ones as well!). I feel like online some are really really vocal about being anti-epidural and add to the dread of getting one - whereas in real life everyone I know who had an epidural had a positive experience and don't regret it :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405993 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:39:10 +0000 runsyellowlites 405993@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladyfingers: Here are some of the mistakes I made my first go round...</p> <p>(Wanted natural birth, ended with cesarean)</p> <p>-Not having a doula for my hospital birth. Tbh I think even for an out of hospital birth they are an amazing asset that all moms should strongly consider having regardless of birth type wanted.</p> <p>- Didn't have a pro-natural provider. Specifically when I talked about thinking of going natural he shrugged it off like "okay... whatevs"</p> <p>- Didn't change providers when at my 40 wk appt my obgyn said they'd induce my on Monday if DS hadn't come yet. Now I realize how much induction increases other interventions needed &amp; how in most cases is unnecessary... and my MW has had lots of "over due" moms transfer into her care for this reason. I ALWAYS tell moms now it's not too late to change providers until you've already had the baby. lol</p> <p>- When contractions started I didn't rest at all, rather I walked &amp; walked &amp; walked &amp; walked for 17 hrs! (Feared getting induced so tried to push labor)</p> <p>- After getting hung up on by the on-call obgyn I went to the hospital, was only 2 cm... They kept me &amp; immediately started pit.</p> <p>- After being asked "you sure you don't want anything for pain" 10 times in literally 2 minutes I accepted stadol to take the edge off &amp; get some sleep. As I posted on your other thread... feeling drunk, not moving, and then getting cut off when things were tough sucked! lol (I would never just decide one day to run a marathon, I'd work up to that distance beforehand... labor is very much the same)</p> <p>- I then stayed in bed the remainder of my labor. Well, I couldn't get out since I had the stadol &amp; I'm positive it inhibited my progression.</p> <p>- Consented to arom because of slow progression &amp; then also internal monitoring</p> <p>- Then after another 17 hrs I consented to a cesarean bc the doctor played "dead baby". You should never make a decision out of fear but out of all the risks involved with not agreeing to the intervention &amp; to accepting it.</p> <p>I'd also note that I had a very long labor with both DS and DD so the fact of my "failure to progress" with DS was more like "failure to wait" since DD proved to be just as long &amp; not needing intervention to successfully deliver her. If you're interested in seeing other "mistakes" some now natural moms made you can check out this thread on another forum: <a href="http://babybump.alt12.com/community/groups/139-natural-birth/posts/2388958-making-mistakes" rel="nofollow">http://babybump.alt12.com/community/groups/139-natural-birth/posts/2388958-making-mistakes</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405984 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:35:21 +0000 ladyfingers 405984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: Wow, interesting -- thanks for sharing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405959 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:20:58 +0000 loveisstrange 405959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Disclaimer: I was induced.</p> <p>The only thing I regret is that I elected for it and it didn't work for more than an hour or so. They stuck me a million times, I had a back that itched like it got attacked by fire ants afterward and I had a lingering popping pain in my spine for a couple of months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405957 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:19:46 +0000 hilsy85 405957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also just want to share that I had a really positive epidural experience, and I initially had the same concerns that you did...that it would snowball into a ton of other interventions, I wouldn't be able to fully participate in my birth experience, I wouldn't be able to effectively push, etc. </p> <p>I really wanted to have a med free birth, but the pain was very intense and for whatever reason, I could not get my body to relax into the contractions, so I wasn't really making much progress. After getting the epi, I went from 5cm to 10cm in an hour and a half! So I really think that it helped me relax enough to dilate fully. I was able to still feel my legs somewhat (they felt like they were asleep) and I could hold them up to push and move into other positions. I did have a cathater, but it was not at all painful to insert/take out, and I had no complications from it. I also didn't have any complications from the epidural (labor didn't slow down, didn't need internal monitoring, etc). So all in all, I am really happy I got the epi. The only wrinkle was that the first time they tried to do it, it didn't work, so they had to try again a half hour later. But actually getting the epi didn't really hurt (not compared the contractions, anyway!) and once it worked, it worked really quickly and really well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405950 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:16:30 +0000 photojane 405950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i obviously haven't had my epi yet since we're both feb mamas, but i do know that my hospital allows/encourages epi moms to labor in different positions. of course, if you have the epidural you won't be walking the halls, but a lot of doctors/hospitals these days are very up-to-date with new and different laboring techniques for medicated births. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405949 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:16:06 +0000 Rock n Roll 405949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I kind of regretted it? With both kids I got the epidural in transition, so I didn't have it for long and spent most of my labor just hanging out. For my first kid, the hospital I delivered at wouldn't let me go walk around after my water broke, even at the point I hadn't had an epidural yet, which was annoying. For my second, I walked around and used the bathroom the whole time up until I got the epidural, and it was great. I enjoyed the freedom. I didn't get a catheter that time either since I only had the epidural in for less than an hour. (I had the epidural in for maybe an hour and half for my first, but they did give me a catheter, which fell out when I was pushing and they didn't bother to put it back in since I was up and walking pretty quickly.)</p> <p>My regret is from my second kid just because I got a TERRIBLE spinal headache from that epidural. I couldn't sit upright for three weeks after. Even now, five months later, I have weird sudden pressure headaches if I stand up too quickly that I never had before that. I plan on one more kid and I really don't plan to get an epidural for that l&amp;d just because of that. If you do get an epidural and end up with that headache, make sure they patch it up for you before you leave like Mrs. Wagon did. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405939 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:10:02 +0000 ladyfingers 405939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites: What were some of your regrets from the first time, if you don't mind sharing? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405935 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:08:18 +0000 winniebee 405935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Epidural was easy compared to the pain with contractions. I got mine when I was 6 cm dilated and it worked almost instantaneously. Didn't slow my progress, I never needed pitocin....and as for being tethered to the bed, my contractions were so bad there was no way that I would have been any place other than the bed at this point. I was puking and shaking from the contractions they were so bad. The catheter part wasn't fun, I have to say. Pushing was fine, surprisingly, even though my legs were spaghetti. </p> <p>You'll know when you are in it whether you need one or want one or not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405934 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:07:32 +0000 runsyellowlites 405934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really regret the pain management I agreed to with DS &amp; other than getting him out of it the whole experience sucked..... So I went unmedicated this time. Most of the moms in my natural birth group have the same background, epi with first &amp; unmedicated with subsequent. And they pretty much unanimously agree they should've gone unmedicated with their first because it was such much better than they expected.</p> <p>As for your friend, I'm on the other end not understanding why, with all the information &amp; resource we have, anyone would choose to go medicated. *shrugs shoulders* I just am really glad that I (would bold if I could) birthed DD as an active participant as opposed to her just being born.</p> <p>Sidenote: that's not said to make anyone feel bad about them choosing a medicated birth. It's simply the primary difference I found between DS &amp; DD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405930 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:07:21 +0000 mrs. wagon 405930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: ooh, you sound bendy. :D That position sounds like it would be super effective!! and haha at your most amazing gingerale. After delivering WJ (and not eating for almost 48 hours) I ate the most delicious chicken salad sandwich ever. It was the only thing available at 5am (a cold boxed lunch) and it was SO GOOD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405927 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:06:47 +0000 Beebug 405927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>lol I am glad to hear I was not the only one FREAKED after birthing class about the epi!</p> <p>I said to DH I wish just he got to learn/see that part of class and I could leave my head in the sand!</p> <p>I was not induced, and got the epi, NO regrets. I was at the hospital just under 3 hours before getting it!</p> <p>I was overdue, went into early labour 40+5, active labour 40+6, had her at 41w!</p> <p>I thought I had a high pain tolerance, wanted to utilize all the options (tub, birthing ball, bars, walk, etc...) and go "natural"/med free if I could.</p> <p>I got to the hospital when contractions were 4 mins apart, then began throwing up through contractions, morphine didn't touch me, and then I was checked and was only 4cm!</p> <p>Bring.on.the.epi!</p> <p>It really didn't hurt that bad, and the relief from it was unreal/so worth it. It allowed me to relax, sleep, and be SO ready for pushing! Being "tied" to the bed was so much of a non-factor for the level of relief. DH and I slept, and it was great, by the time we got a night of sleep, I was a 10, and ready to push! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405925 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:05:57 +0000 Mrs. Bee 405925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>my epidurals couldn't come fast enough. no regrets! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405924 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:04:31 +0000 hellobeeboston 405924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladyfingers: I ate two popsicles in between pushing -- that was the only thing they allowed besides water &amp; ice chips. no food though... and after he was out I drank the most amazing gingerale of all time. haha.</p> <p>they also "straigh cath-ed" me - so not a constant catheter, just came in &amp; placed it a few times.</p> <p>do what you feel is best! You'll know when you're in it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405923 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:04:21 +0000 ladyfingers 405923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: Yeah that is a concern for me on the flip side -- being in such pain for so long that my pushing isn't effective anyway because I'm so tired. Thanks for sharing!</p> <p>@mediagirl: Yeah the instructor was definitely not anti-epidural, but once she started passing around the internal contraction monitor and the internal fetal heartrate monitor and the vacuum... I just totally started freaking out haha. But it does make sense what you said about allowing you to relax. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anybody-elect-to-get-an-epidural-and-regret-it#post-405917 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:02:23 +0000 mrs. wagon 405917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladyfingers: don't listen to your friend! Just go into your birth with as much information as possible and keep your mind open to doing whatever you feel is right once the time comes. Your frame of mind when you're in pain is really different and you'll know what to do and what's best for you and your baby! </p>