https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 21 May 2026 10:02:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2730154 Thu, 27 Apr 2017 21:37:26 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2730154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started to feel some contractions on one side of my stomach. They gave me a "push" of the meds in the epidural to make it stronger and was told it would wear off before it was time to push. OMG I couldn't feel anything from the stomach down. I could have had my legs amputated and not known. Well, I def didn't feel any pressure or urge to push whatsoever when it was time, they just checked me because my contractions were so close together and she was basically ready to come out. My body was doing all the pushing for me because I sure wasn't able to being so numb but she was out 10 minutes later so I basically had a pain free birth which was wonderful. But my legs were numb for another 8 hrs after the epidural was off but once it wore off it was fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2729712 Thu, 27 Apr 2017 08:22:14 +0000 winniebee 2729712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had 3.</p> <p>DS1 - typical epidural experience I would say. Got it around 5-6 cm once contractions got really bad. Worked very well (but I probably self-administered too much after my initial dosing and so I couldn't walk for quite a while after). </p> <p>DS2 - great epidural experience, once I finally got it. I asked for it at 6;30 and didn't get it until almost 9....I was screaming obscenities and was just really really over labor at that point. I delivered him 45 mins later. I would say that the dosing was absolutely perfect and was just enough to take the edge off and I could feel the sensation of pushing but no pain. I also could walk almost immediately after which was great.</p> <p>DS3 (our angel) - I had an epidural with this birth as well. It was not a typical labor experience since I was full term but I did get the epidural once the contractions became more painful. It was not a great epidural experience though...and I'm not sure how much of that had to do with the fact that it was just an awful situation. The epidural placement felt weird to me at first and my blood pressure tanked after and I got pretty sick. It was an effective epidural. I couldn't walk for awhile after birth though.</p> <p>I plan to get another epidural this time around as well. After laboring so long with DS2 without one, I have zero desire to do that again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2729620 Wed, 26 Apr 2017 20:39:25 +0000 Mrs. Cookie 2729620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epi with both of my boys.</p> <p>The first one was great, after 24 hours of laboring and stalling at 7 cm, it was amazing relief but not too strong, I could still move my legs. My sister thinks they turned it down before pushing because I felt a lot more. By the end of the 2.5 hours of pushing I could really tell when the next contraction started and I felt a ton of pressure.</p> <p>It was only after I got my second epi that I realized how much I liked my first one! My second labor was 12 hours from start to finish. I got the epi right away and it was WAY too intense. I hated the feeling of it. But despite feeling absolutely nothing, I pushed my son out in ten minutes.</p> <p>I dream about going med-free with a potential third kiddo because I have always wanted to do it but I really feel like I'd need to mentally prepare for that. If anything I would try to request a less strong epidural!</p> <p>Good luck in your decision!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727641 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 20:21:16 +0000 snowjewelz 2727641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Good both time! </p> <p>With DD1, there was just one spot it didn't get to and that spot hurt a lot for a while (can't remember if it hurt during pushing)</p> <p>With DD2, I was shaking like crazy when I first got it which surprised me. But otherwise it was great. </p> <p>No after effects both times. I love me some epidural! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727579 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 16:01:17 +0000 Portboston 2727579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was trying (very hard) for a natural labor. After 26 hours of back labor, my son wasn't turning and my contractions were beginning to fade out &amp; become less strong. They wanted to give me pitocin so I opted for an epidural. I asked for the lowest possible dosage so it just took the edge off. I could still totally feel it when I pushed him out and screamed the entire time. I was able to walk to the bathroom about 30 min after delivery so I think it was a super low dose but I'm so glad I did it and really wish I would have done it earlier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727554 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 14:54:21 +0000 Mrs. Deer 2727554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wish I could reply to you all individually, but thank you so much! Lots to think about. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727477 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 12:48:46 +0000 alphagam84 2727477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I LOVED my epidural! I was having a slow labor already. I think it was because it was my first labor/delivery and my dr said I had a very tight pelvic floor so I think the baby had a hard time coming down. It worked great and I never had any pain. I could feel my drs hands when pushing so no issues there. When DD was coming out and the ring of fire happened I remember it not feeling good and thinking I'd like it to stop but it wasn't even pain. I can't imagine what it would have felt like if I didn't have an epidural! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727431 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 11:40:46 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2727431@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epi with DD1. I was induced. Pit started at 10 am and DD was here by 415, 3 pushes. I waited until I was nearly 9 cm dilated but I felt so much better afterward.<br /> I was pain med free with DD2. I was induced again. Pit started at 530 am and DD was here at 945 am. Again, 3 pushes. Comparing the 2 births, it's really how I felt after that's the difference. I would do either one again but I didn't like not being able to walk after having DD1. BUT I tore both times and getting stitched up is way better when you can't feel anything than it feels when you're waiting for your numbing shot to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727420 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 11:24:52 +0000 gentlelunette 2727420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just want to add, I used a mirror to help guide my pushing with both births. I never in a million years thought I would do that, but it really helped me focus my pushing and making them work for me. Worth considering! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727419 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 11:22:53 +0000 Alba4 2727419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used zero pain meds when I delivered vaginally with my first son. I labored in a tub (amazing) and hired a doula. Luckily, my labor was pretty swift (@8 hours from active labor to delivery) and 1 hour pushing. I was so mentally prepared and wanted it more than anything. Labor was hard, but I was very much in control.</p> <p>With DS2, everything was different. I was high risk due to my placenta previa, and I was put on modified bedrest starting @ 15 weeks. It was unclear whether or not I was going to require a C-section, so we never hired a doula. My placenta moved by 35 weeks and I was cleared for a vaginal birth. </p> <p>My husband and I decided to try for another Med-free birth. I was physically weaker due to bedrest and we used a different hospital (with no tub). My husband did an amazing job helping me labor, but I Had a hard time handling the intensity of labor around 8 cm and I was just so exhausted. I asked for an epidural. It was perfect and not too strong. I was able to calm myself, sleep, and literally within 45 minutes I was ready to push. I still had feeling, but it took the edge off. I had 20 minutes of pushing before my chunky 9lb 11oz baby was born and it was so peaceful! </p> <p>Having experienced both med-free and epidural births, I recommend you play it by ear and see how it goes! Both were amazing experiences. I didn't have any negative side effects from the epidural, except it took a couple hours of monitoring before they let me walk due to my low blood pressure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727418 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 11:20:23 +0000 nana87 2727418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had two extremely similar births-- both were inductions for different reasons, and for both I put off the epi for as long as I could so that I could still move around, so about 12 of pitocin first. Both times it was amazing when I finally got it! Let me take a nap and finish dilating. Both times I could still feel enough to push-- w lo1 I pushed about half an hour, and just 5 mins for lo2! No real side effects afterwards, some swelling w lo1 though that could have been the fluids anyway (36 hr labor...) and some itching w 2</p> <p>Eta we prob won't have another but if I did I think I'd get the epi sooner this time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727413 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 11:15:49 +0000 smocks 2727413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have pretty vague recollections of both of my labors, but that's probably because they were both pretty easy and I had epi's for both.</p> <p>DD: water broke at home, went to the hospital and wasn't contracting much at all on my own so when they gave me pit, they asked if I wanted the epi. I went for it. Barely remember any pain, really chill labor. 9 hours from water breaking (4cm dilated at that point) to her being born, with probably 15-20 minutes of pushing. No pain, great experience.</p> <p>DS: was having mild contractions in the morning so I asked doctors office if I should go in bc I was dilated to 5" the day before. Went in, they gave me pit as well along with another perfect epi, and basically the same experience. 9ish hours start to finish, 20-30 minutes pushing, calm and quiet, able to focus on pushing without pain (just pressure). </p> <p>I would do it again in a heartbeat. The chill/sting from the pitocin was worse than any pushing because of the epidurals. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727412 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 11:15:03 +0000 littlejoy 2727412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was a birth photographer for over 5 years ... I've only seen one semi-odd epidural experience where it failed, but it didn't cause complications that I know of. Of all of the epi births I've witnessed, all resulted in successful vaginal births. It's always amazing to me when a mama isn't making much progress (and is exhausted), and the epidural allows her to rest and her body just does some work on its own ... a blessing for many mamas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727408 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 11:10:28 +0000 cascademom 2727408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved my epidurals. My first one was great because my LO kept moving around and knocking off the monitor. It did wonders for the pain. It was amped half way through. Fantastic.</p> <p>My second one was good, just okay. It took awhile to get since they had to run my blood work for high blood pressure. Once I got it, it was good. I was able to relax while they waited for the antibiotics to work. My LO #2 had other ideas. He put so much pressure down there that he popped his water bag while I was in the bed. It was funny. They came into the room to start that part of the labor, but he did it already. They were clean up crew for it because I didn't notice the blood and stuff. </p> <p>All in all, good experiences for epidurals. I enjoyed mine. It made labor a lot more relaxing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727402 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 11:04:58 +0000 gentlelunette 2727402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both of my epidural experiences were extremely positive. With my first, I was exhausted after 24 hours of labour and once my water broke I just couldn't handle it anymore. Epi went in at 5cm and my midwife checked me immediately after and I had jumped to 8cm. Within an hour I was fully dilated and they were able to just let me rest while the baby laboured down on her own. I could feel the tightening in my belly but it wasn't painful, just pressure. And I could move my legs pretty well. Once she was crowing I started pushing and 40 minutes later she was born. As soon as it was turned off I started regaining feeling in my legs and was home within 4 hours of her birth. </p> <p>With my second, the contraction were strong when I was at 5cm and I had already decided on another epidural. We got to the hospital and had it put in and it took effect immediately. Same story- could move my legs and feel the contractions but no pain. Baby laboured down until crowning and was out in two pushes. We were home within 4 hours again. </p> <p>The whole atmosphere in the room was happy and calm. My midwives and my husband and I were laughing and joking and having fun. I felt calm and rested when my girls came into the world. No negative side effects at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727378 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 10:45:15 +0000 youboots 2727378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: I think my whole birth experience was pretty crazy and full of interventions- glad you were there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727376 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 10:40:51 +0000 littlejoy 2727376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@youboots: You had the craziest epidural experience I've ever seen. That anesthesiologist telling you he was tired. :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience/page/2#post-2727373 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 10:32:21 +0000 Coral 2727373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have any basis for comparison but my epi pretty much sucked. Mine seemed to work great for a very very short time and then I could feel lots and lots of pain (I was on a very high dosage of pitocin) but my legs were numb for DAYS after. It felt like it wasn't working because my experience was not one of those magical epidural experiences but I really don't know. The pain was so bad (and I was so tired from 32 hours) that I was hallucinating.<br /> Next time, I want to go into labor naturally (I never want an induction again that isn't medically necessary). Being tied down to a bed for 32 hours sucked, so I want to labor on my own as much as possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience#post-2727372 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 10:32:19 +0000 Eko 2727372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My experience with it was awesome. My labor took 24 hours, but I was induced. I slept for the majority of it and only pushed for 11 minutes. Very happy I did it. I had issues with the placenta coming out and it would have been very painful if I didn't have the epi. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience#post-2727361 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 10:20:37 +0000 lamariniere 2727361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had one birth with and one without. The one without only lasted 45 minutes from 1st contraction to baby, so there was no time for an épi, but it was excruciating. I think the 1st thing I said when it was over was "I'm never doing that again". Given the choice, I would try to have an epi for future births (but we are done). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience#post-2727341 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 09:53:20 +0000 Smurfette 2727341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both were awesome! I was having contractions every 4 mins when we got the hospital for #2. The doctor wanted me to get fluids in me since it was 8 am (labor started at 4) and I hadn't had anything to drink before it. I couldn't wait for it. The contractions hurt ( don't remember them from my first) and then I started shaking I was so cold (just like the first time). After the epidural the cold/shakes went away. I felt nothing when I pushed both pregnancies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience#post-2727338 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 09:47:21 +0000 Mommy Finger 2727338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first birth, the doctor totally screwed up my epidural and I should have had it redone. It kept wearing off and I attribute that to my really long birth (24 hours and 2.5 hours of pushing) since my body couldn't relax.</p> <p>That being said, my 2nd birth was amazing as the doctor did a great job and it was smooth sailing the entire time. Labor was 9 hours start to finish and I think I pushed 2x.</p> <p>I will say that getting the epidural sucked both times. I think my spine might be tight as the 2nd time, the doctor was really confused why I was feeling it so much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience#post-2727328 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 09:41:33 +0000 Boogs 2727328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Epidurals only work for me for short times. When they are working they feel magical! When they wear off, the pain is no fun as you already know. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience#post-2727326 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 09:39:12 +0000 Rocker2014 2727326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Loved my epidural - I had a 3 day induction and by the second evening I was an exhausted mess. The epidural was amazing, and I slept for a few hours, which gave me the strength to keep pushing and probably avoid a c section. I could feel enough to push and was able to be aware and focused on what was happening, which was so amazing. It also kept things numb enough that I could focus on my new LO, and not on all the things going on south of the border after her birth. :wink: </p> <p> I get distracted and overwhelmed by extreme pain, so there was never a question in my mind about whether I would get one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience#post-2727319 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 09:32:01 +0000 Anagram 2727319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Deer: Just wanted to come back and say, the epidural experience is so different from med free. The pain with med free was unreal---I only had 2-3 pushes and even so...it was so insanely intense that I didn't think I could do it. And I was hardly doing anything because LO was ready to come out whether I was ready or not. I remember actually screaming between pushes that the ring of fire was REAL.</p> <p>With the epidural, mine wasn't perfect in terms of erasing all pain--but it lessened the pain IMMENSELY. After having the med free birth, I actually laugh at myself having LO1 because I think I complained that the epidural wasn't working well and I was feeling "everything" on one side of my body, but after *actually* feeling everything, now I know that's not true. I would say on my right side, I was totally numb. Someone could have pinched my butt or my leg and I wouldn't have felt it. My left side probably felt 50% of the pain I might normally feel. But I wasn't screaming in pain like I was when I was unmedicated. I was more like...uncomfortable. It was at most a 5-6 on the pain scale (before they topped up the epidural) compared to the full 10 of unmedicated. The pushing part with epidural was more like immense pressure and no real pain. It's a weird sensation not being able to fully feel your body parts and push effectively. Even so, it only took me about 7 rounds of pushes (maybe 15-20 min?) to push LO1.</p> <p>One odd thing that happened to me was that they turned my epidural down/off (not sure medically what exactly they did) about 30 minutes before pushing so I could feel to push better. While that was a good decision and probably helped me push effectively, by the time I delivered the placenta and the doctor started stitched my tear, I could feel every single stitch and I kept telling him it hurt and I could feel it, and he said that wasn't possible (douche).</p> <p>The second time, I specifically and forcefully told the OB that I wanted a shot of something numbing before being stitched up. I was worried that since it was unmedicated, he would just start stitching. My 2nd OB was so nice about it and really numbed me up and said if you feel ANYTHING, tell me and I will make it go away. So ironically, the unmedicated birth had the better stitching experience. But the pushing with epidural was less painful, more controlled, and more calm than the med free.</p> <p>That's just my personal experience with both types--hope it helps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience#post-2727308 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 09:26:02 +0000 ElbieKay 2727308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was terrified of getting an epi, but I did not approach labor with the mindset of being 100% against it. I wound up getting one after 17 hours of unmedicated labor when we thought I was fully dilated but was unable to push. It turns out I was at 9.5, not 10, and it took another six hours plus pitocin after the epidural for me to deliver the baby. I only pushed for about half an hour though.</p> <p>I have to say, I was pretty glad that I couldn't feel anything post-delivery. There was all kinds of activity going on "down there", and I was able to mostly tune it out and focus on my brand new son. And I didn't even have much tearing or anything, so I can only imagine what would happen if there were lots of stitches involved *shudder*</p> <p>I am still not great with needles and concerned about side effects of an epidural gone bad. If I go through another labor, I will probably take the same approach (trying to avoid the epi but ultimately caving if I stall out or if the pain is just too much).</p> <p>My primary goal for my labor was to avoid interventions, and delaying the epi for so long probably helped with that. Overall, I am happy with the my outcome, which was a long but complication- and incision-free labor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience#post-2727301 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 09:18:56 +0000 peachykeen 2727301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My epidural only partially worked. It worked enough to give me the shakes but I still felt excruciating pain when pushing. I didn't realize this wasn't normal, of course, until my OB was surprised I could feel her stitching me up.</p> <p>I will probably try to do without this time around, but other than it not fully doing it's job I didn't really have any negative experiences from the epidural. If I feel like I need it, I will go for it again.</p> <p>I am curious to ask my OB about alternative pain management options this time, since I know they gave me a few extra things through my IV (I think?) when the epidural wasn't doing it's job.</p> <p>ETA: I was induced with DD1 and I am pretty confident the epidural did speed up labor/dilaton, so that made it worth it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience#post-2727300 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 09:18:48 +0000 Anagram 2727300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epidural with LO1 and med free birth for LO2. I didn't have any issues or side effects from the epidural and the pushing part was 1000x more calm than when I had LO2 med free. I was silent during pushing for LO1 and screaming my lungs out while pushing LO2. </p> <p>If I were having a 3rd, I would want to plan for a latish epidural. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience#post-2727292 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 09:05:44 +0000 azjax 2727292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-was-your-epidural-experience#post-2727285 Fri, 21 Apr 2017 08:53:46 +0000 kes18 2727285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My epidurals were wonderful! My first I was induced so by 2cm I was like crying it hurt so much. So I got the epidural at 2cm. Sped up my labor. I could feel the contractions but they didn't hurt. So pushing was fine, I could feel when to push. My second I went into labor on my own and got my epidural after I checked in around 5-6cm. Same thing, I can feel contractions but not the pain. It did stall my labor a bit so my nurse got some ball thing between my legs to open up my pelvis which helped it move along again. So i didn't need any pitocin with my second. So pushing and delivery didn't hurt with either. You can feel the pressure and pushing is still lots of work but it didn't hurt. Amazing!! No negatives afterwards either. I could doze through the active labor, I think I almost fell asleep both times.</p> <p>We did have 2 decels for baby #1 right after it was placed but nothing after that so except for that brief scary part it was fine. I was on and off oxygen with her since her heart rate wasn't variable enough or something but that was it. My second had no issues the whole time. </p>