Does it hurt? Did you end up with a spinal headache? What was your experience like?
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I didn't even feel it because they numbed the area first. It was sore for a day or two afterward. I had no other side effects.
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Really painful getting it. Then it felt really uncomfortable and wired in my legs. Then it didn't really work. I really hated it.
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I am really curious about the responses to this! bump!
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I didn't feel them doing anything, but I was already 10 cm Di contractions were a little distracting! I had zero side effects or issues.
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I had one with DS1. It hurt a little getting it. It worked for about 6 hours, then wore off. I had back pains where it was for about a year afterward.
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It did not hurt going in at all, but this was during excruciating back/hip labor. I had no side effects, but it also wore off after a few hours. I was also still able to move my legs.
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I don't remember if they numbed me or not first but I was I was trying to hold still through back contractions so I doubt I would have felt it anyway. They told me it would take 15-20 minutes to kick in but I had nearly immediate relief. I told the anesthesiologist I loved her before she left the room.
I had the shakes off an on and was cold while it was working, but was told it was normal (I was fine with an extra blanket).
My back was constantly sore for a week or two afterwards and off and on sore for months (and 9 months out is still randomly sore at the approximate injection site) but I had a few complications with it (it stopped working twice) so I'm not sure how much that contributed to the lingering pain.
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Didn't feel a thing getting it, it was nothing compared to the contractions! At first it didn't work on a portion of my left side, so they had to up the meds to the point where I couldn't move my legs at all. I could still push well enough and the baby came after 20 minutes of pushing. A little sore for the week after. I had a great experience and would do it again in a heartbeat!
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they numbed the area first, so that part felt like getting any other shot, and then i didn't feel anything else. they had to redo mine because the first was too high up (so i could feel the contractions loud and clear), but the second one worked and it was awesome. no unusual side effects besides the epidural taking some time to wear off.
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It hurts a little while you're getting it, especially since you have to be leaning forward during contractions. but, it only takes a couple minutes for them to get it in and it begins working within 5 minutes. A lot of Drs will numb the area first to help alleviate the discomfort of getting it.
For me, it was worth the couple minutes of pain, cause I had been laboring so hard for so long I needed the rest.
I have no lingering side effects.
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i cried while getting it, but that was because i was sooo exhausted already and had been having contractions since the night before (so no sleep) for 14 hours. But seriously, that last bit of pain was worth because it worked WONDERS! within 10 minutes i think, i had to ask if i was still having contractions (I was).
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It hurt a little going in, but honestly, not that bad. I think the build up of fear is worse than the actual pain. And, that's saying something, because I am a HUGE wuss!
The only side effects I had afterwards was that I was shaking a lot afterwards. Like you're cold, except I wasn't cold. It was really weird... My whole body was shaking - teeth, arms, legs, stomach. I don't know if that's necessarily from the epidural though. Could also be from all the adrenaline/hormones?
I loved it - it was awesome and I won't feel bad if I have to do again with my next babies (although I will always try to do it without)
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they numbed the area first, so it didn't hurt getting it. but I shook pretty bad from it, but I don't know if that's because within 30 mins of getting it I was on my way to the OR for a C-section, and got a higher dose.
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It hurt briefly when they put it in. You can feel the needle stick a bit. They have you sitting with a wooden stool to prop your legs up. I had a nurse holding my hands during the contractions and to position me correctly during it. Once it was in, I didn't notice it resting on my spine during the rest of my labor. I had to be moved around a lot, so it didn't bother me. I also shook a bit after I had it put in. It's normal from what the nurses told me.
At the hospital where I delivered, they kick the spouses out of the room for the procedure. DH talked with some soon to be grandparents as their daughter was in labor for 12 hours previous to when I arrived there.
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Small poke in the back, but that's it. WAY better than the horrid contractions I was having while sitting up waiting for it to be administered.
For several hours, it worked great. I still had mobility in my legs so I didn't feel paralyzed, which is what I was fearful of.
Then I had a breakthrough spot on my hip that was starting to really hurt, so we paged the anesthesiologist to come back in to re-do it.
Then I was totally numb from the chest down for the duration of labor.
Right before it was time to push, the breakthrough spot on my hip happened again, but it was too late to re-do anything because I needed to have enough sensation to push effectively.
They gave me a little pen-type thing that I could push if I needed to boost anytime, but it didn't work for me at all.
Overall, my experience with it was fine. The breakthrough pain was annoying, but not unbearable.
No issues afterwards in terms of headaches, etc. I had a little soreness at the injection site, but it was gone before a week had passed.
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It felt like a pinch when I got it but I was like 8 cm so contractions were crazy painful and I was squeezing my poor husband's hands/arms/body to keep from moving. It wasn't that hard for me to keeps still but I did really need something to grip tight to, I think my husband might not offer his arms or hands next time. Afterwards the contractions still hurt (though a bit less) for a couple minutes or so but then things got better. I didn't get a headache but I was a bit itchy, nothing horrible but I don't think I'd have been able to sleep. The IV made me have lots of bloating, which I didn't love that feeling but it wasn't painful, and they did put me on oxygen (again not painful just slightly annoying) because my contractions stopped and baby probably fell asleep but since her heart rate got regular they like to see more variation.
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The needle didn't hurt at all. There is this little shock that goes through down to your toes that hurts for less than a second. I remember the first time they tried to do the cath I could feel it and they had to redo it because I moved. Overall, it was really no big deal. I was going into my 3rd day of labor.
ETA In Lamaze class we learned that the spinal is deeper than the epi and that's what they give for c-sections. Epis shouldn't cause headaches but spinals do. I never had a headache. However I'm not discounting those who did...That's just what the Lamaze class lady said.
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@highwire: I had breakthrough pain during my epidural. It was probably my worst contraction the whole night. After it was re-done, I felt amazing. It took a bit to feel the pressure to push on the contractions.
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I didn't feel it at all. It was super quick. They did it on me while I was laying on my side- I didn't even know they had started when he told me he was done! And then....sweet, sweet relief. I didn't have any complications from it. It was weird though. I had "zombie legs". I could move and control them, but they felt like they were sleep!
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I was terrified of the epi and hadn't planned on one, but after 40 hours it was time! The numbing shot burned, but then everything just felt like pressure. I was really, really scared so I may have noticed sensations more.
After I could still feel some of the stronger contractions, but they felt like tightening. When I got close to 10 I started feeling them more/ with mild pain. They increased my dose, but I could still feel pressure.
I wasn't totally numb for pushing, I could feel my doctors hands telling me where to push to, and could feel the contractions (tightening, not pain). I pushed for 40 mins.I had no negative side effects, and was walking within 20 or 30 mins, I think. It was the best choice for me and babe at that point in the process and I'm so glad I did it. I went from 4 cms to 10 in 4 hours, after only getting to 4 in 40 hours! I was also able to sleep, which helped me have energy for pushing (and she needed to come out fast because her heart ate wasn't regulating properly).
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I didn't feel anything when he inserted it. Then it lasted for twelve hours till they disconnected it when labor was over. It is weird how you can't feel anything but it was great!
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@FutureMrsMcK: @swurlygurl: @cascademom: Have you ladies had anesthesia before that gave you the shakes afterwards (i.e. previous surgeries)? I had knee surgery where I was put under and woke up "violent". But I had TMJ surgery prior to that where I also went under but woke up fine. Just wondering if it's something I should bring up to the anesthesiologist.
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I hardly remember....it was nothing compared to contraction pain!
It was like a prick in my back and really beyond that.....wasn't too bad, and the relief was unreal. Great experience here! I had been in labour 26 hours or so and was only a 4 when I got to the hosp (24 hours into it), so was ready for anything at that point!
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When it kicked in, it felt like the heavens parted and angels started singing haha. It hurt a little going in (they had to stick me 3 times so that may be why) but it was SO worth it! When they tried the first two times I just got what felt like an electric shock in my right leg so he had to move it over just a little and then bingo. I was totally comfortable and couldn't feel any contractions but could still wiggle my toes which was great. It didn't make me feel paralyzed or anything. I didn't have any side-effects either. Just a band-aid over the puncture hole until I left the hospital.
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It was a minor sting when the lidocaine injection went in and then I didn't even feel the other stuff go in....my next contraction was probably half strength and then after that, they were just gone. No spinal headache, just a slightly achy back the next day. I could wiggle my toes and move my left leg pretty good, but my right one got the juice a little more and was numb until that evening. They gave me a button so I could keep getting more pain relief throughout labor.
It did hardly anything for my sciatic pain, though.
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@Alivoo01: I had surgery when I was 16 on my bladder and kidneys. I don't remember if I had shakes or not. I think my nurse told me that the shakes were normal for epidurals. Someone had her baby a few weeks before me and in pictures, she had a blanket after her epidural for the shakes too. I think the shaking stopped in about 10 minutes afterward. I remember that they also had blanket warmers in the hospital room, so they put one on me right after.
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@Alivoo01: No, I've never had any other surgery to compare it to. I'm pretty sure this was even my first time in a hospital! Sorry, no help
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It hurt a lot for me. And it made me shake uncontrollably.
It didn't work at all for me (failed three tines after three insertions) so I will definitely not be getting it with #2. -
I had a failed epi. The doctor tried twice, maybe even 3 times (it's all foggy now). I was warned after the 2nd attempt that I'm at risk of headaches. But honestly, I didn't care! I was induced and 8 cm dilated my contractions numbed whatever else I was feeling.
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I didn't feel a thing. I was only at 3 cm, but the doc had pretty much maxed out the pitocin (I think I was at 18 on the pitocin), and I was having terrible back labor. Even when the nurse turned the pitocin off (temporarily, so I could sit still for the epidural), I still didn't feel anything. I never had an side effects at all, and couldn't even find the injection site after I came home from the hospital.
Would I do it again? Most definitely!
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I had a good experience with mine. The hardet part was holding still through my contractions that were on top of each other at that point. The only painful part was the numbing shot...it felt like a bee sting, which was exactly what the dr told me to expect. After that, no big deal, no headaches. Very quick relief and I was complete within about 2.5 hrs so didn't have any issues with it wearing off.
I do occasionally get a pinpoint sore spot in my back that I'm guessing is the epi spot, when I'm really exhausted or have carried my kids a ton in a day, but it's not bad and not too frequent. I was induced for medical reasons and with the pit, not having an epi was not practical for me. I don't regret it.
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It was the worst part of labor for me. It made me cry. I think they numbed the skin first but when she put it in she said I would feel a "zinger" and to let her know when and what side I felt it on. I am not sure if it was just the fear of them putting something in my spine or what but it was the most horrible experience for me. I plan to go natural next time since I got it at 8cm and only got it out of the fear of feeling LO crown, and tearing. I was handling the contraction pain fine. I had other negative side effects from it during labor that I wont go into, my thigh was numb for over a month, and I still have some back pain at 4months pp
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I had a positive epidural, with two births. When they gave it, being bent over while having contractions and being still was kind of difficult but it didn't really hurt. After about 10 minutes, I was in heaven! No headache and no problems.
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It feels like heaven. Seriously I barely even felt mine going in and had almost immediate relief from the pain. I was cold for a while after but nothing an extra blanket could handle. My back was sore for maybe two days afterwards but that was my only side effect. I basically had a perfect epidural because it took away all my pain but I had no trouble telling when my contracts were hitting and I was able to push effectively the whole time.
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@cascademom: 10 minutes isn't bad. I had the shakes for about an hour upon awakening from my knee surgery despite the fact I had like 10 blankets on me!!
@swurlygurl: That's a good thing this was your only hospital visit! =)
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@Alivoo01: No, I've never had the shakes from anasthesia before.
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The epidural was like sweet heaven, ahhhh. Except for when it wore off. 3 times. But the re-doses were again like sweet heaven, ahhhh. No complications, but my back was a little bit sore after delivery in the spot where it went in.
*ETA* they numbed the area first and I didn't have to lean forward, just turned on my side. And my 3rd re-dose was in the middle of pushing when the head had been in view for awhile. I had no trouble pushing the baby out and I'm soooo glad I got more drugs.
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My epidural was my favorite thing to have ever existed. It just felt like I was getting a shot & then I felt NOTHING. I went from 5 to complete in 4 hours of blissful ignorance! Pushed out my babe with no pain & then got stitched up without feeling a thing. No side effects or risidual pain. It was glorious.
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My epidural was perfect. I had pretty bad pitocin contractions prior to getting it and I also had to go #2 (which I couldn't do b/c of stage fright, that was no fun). The epidural didn't feel great going in because of all the pressure of the contractions/angry intestines, but within 5 minutes I didn't feel any pain. I still had some control over my legs, but everything between my ribcage and legs was numb. It was kind of hard to tell if anything was happening when I was pushing (I delivered within an hour of getting the epi), but the doc and nurses coached me along and I got her out with like 10 minutes of pushing. I LOVED my epidural. No side effects afterwords either.
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