Past preggo's, and current moms-to-be: do you have any info (good or bad) about having an epidural? I know a couple of moms who swear by it, and some who are afraid of it.
I don't believe that there is a thread for drugs during pregnancy, so ANY and ALL info is greatly appreciated.
Betty
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
Right now I say YES, YES, YES.....once the pain comes give me drugs!!!!
I was recently talking to a friend who has 3 kids (pregnant with her 4th). She says she got the epidural her first time and didn't like it. She said it took so long and she couldn't push. Her next two kids, she said she walked and walked around the hospital (which brings the child lower) and gave birth very quickly and easily with no drugs. She says she is going drup free again......don't think I could do it
Butterflybride
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
Posted by ambersmom
Posted by WhatNow?
what do you mean: F'UP? wht went wrong?
Just that...the first epidural I swear was done by a trainee...she had no idea what she was doing and it took her forever. She numbed my legs but not the important parts. The second tech who did it was in and out in seconds and everything was fine...instant relief. I remember grabbing his hand and saying 'God bless you'. I've had back pain continually since that day. I can't stand for more than an hour without being in excruciating pain.
Oh my god....couldn't you file some sort of suit against them?
emilain
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED that epidural!!!
When the doctor came in and asked me to start pushing I asked her for another 15 minutes becasue I was sooo relaxed. I think I could of done it without the epidural since I was already at 7cm when I got to L&D, but I was too scared of feeling that episiotomy. Wanna talk about a BAD drug, I have oen word for you- PITOCIN! Hated it!!!
StepherG
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
Posted by Stefanie
I say, 'Whatever drugs you have to give me...bring 'em on!!!'
I'm with you! Bring 'em on!! Is there a reason that the baby would be effected? Is that why people choose not to have it? I'm confused as to why someone would want to endure pain when you can have relief?
ambersmom
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
Posted by Butterflybride
Posted by ambersmom
Posted by WhatNow?
what do you mean: F'UP? wht went wrong?
Just that...the first epidural I swear was done by a trainee...she had no idea what she was doing and it took her forever. She numbed my legs but not the important parts. The second tech who did it was in and out in seconds and everything was fine...instant relief. I remember grabbing his hand and saying 'God bless you'. I've had back pain continually since that day. I can't stand for more than an hour without being in excruciating pain.
Oh my god....couldn't you file some sort of suit against them?
They make you sign a waiver...and at that point, I would have sold my soul to the devil to stop the pain. The chiropractors can't find anything wrong...but I'm definitely not making it up. It seems to come and go...sometimes worse, sometimes better. If I'm moving or sitting, I'm okay. Standing...OUCH!!
M&M2004
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
I paln on having an epidural. I have a bad back and have had spinal steriod shots which are injected into the same area as the epidural is. The shot isn't bad at all.
I'd insist that an anesthesiologist give you the shot! Not some tech!
ambersmom
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
Posted by M&M2004
I paln on having an epidural. I have a bad back and have had spinal steriod shots which are injected into the same area as the epidural is. The shot isn't bad at all.
I'd insist that an anesthesiologist give you the shot! Not some tech!
That's what I meant but I couldn't spell anesthesiologists
Hazeleyes33
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
I had an epidural both times. Could not have done it without it. I used to get back spasms all the time after my 1st child and I told the dr. when I was in labor with my 2nd and he claimed it wasn't because of the epidural. Knock on wood I haven't had one in a long time (my son is 16 months old) but if I pick something heavy up, I get one.
jpsgirl
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
I was dead set against it....I really thought I could do it without it, I was so wrong....I really have a high pain tolerance, but I just couldn't take the pain another second. Unfortunately, I told them to give me 'a little something to take the edge off' bc I wanted to see if I could go w.o. the epi - they gave me STADOL....and it all but ruined my birth experience. I would have rather been in pain, I was so freaking high - i mean like out of control, I couldn't control my thoughts or talk to my husband, it was horrific. When that finally wore off and I agreed to the epidural, it was heaven. I still knew I was contracting and still felt connected to the whole experience, but the severe pain was gone.
michele31
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
You should read A Thinking Women's Guide to Birth....also, remember that epidurals increase your risk of a c/s.
There are ways to manage pain...but typically women are not taught them. Lamaze is not really good for pain management. Bradley and Hypnobirthing are much better for that. I have known women who did both and did not need an epidural.
jennjohn17
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
i had an epidural and wouldnt do it any other way. once i got it i went to sleep and was able to relax.
Calla
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
Posted by StepherG
I'm with you! Bring 'em on!! Is there a reason that the baby would be effected? Is that why people choose not to have it? I'm confused as to why someone would want to endure pain when you can have relief?
I've never heard of any risk to the baby, but there are some slight risks to the mother. No medication comes without one of those looooong lists of possible side effects!
Claud2001
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
I had an epi with my son, and to this day, I blame the epidural for my cronic back pains. I never had any issues with my back prior to the epi, but now my back is a MESS. I am always in pain...there are just times when it's less severe.
That said, I do not plan on using an epi the next time. I believe that I can labor without it...plus, the epi totally SLOWED my labor down, and that is never a good thing. I also could not effectively push with the contractions b/c of the epi.
MrsERod
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
I wanted to get an epi. with Sofia...but she came too fast...I went au natural with her...all 8 lbs, 11 oz.....
M&M2004
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
Posted by ambersmom
That's what I meant but I couldn't spell anesthesiologists
LOL! I had to look up how to spell it!
chichila15
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
This might be a stupid question, but do they give an epidural for scheduled c/s?
jpsgirl
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
you get a spinal for a planned C-section, I believe. That is an injection, rather than a catheter, since they know exactly when they are doing the procedure and how long it will take. For labor they do an epidural so that they do not have to do multiple injections, with Labor they have no idea how long it will last, etc.
Elizabeth
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
I have heard of women having trouble with back pains or HORRID headaches after an epi. But...I think it's less common than you'd think. I had one with Luke (Tara was c/s so it wasnt a factor) and if I had another vbirth, I'd have one again. As someone mentioned, I had such relief from it and actually enjoyed my L&D with him. It's so personal though, gather as much info as you can and make the decision based on that info. But I'd also recommend you be open to getting one. Many times women want to go natural and end up with one. It's OK, L&D is certainly not painless so there's nothing wrong with getting some relief from the pain.
M&M2004
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Re: To epidural, or not to epidural....
Here's a brochure on childbirth and anesthesia from the American Society of Anesthesiologists
There are some hospitals that allow an epidural during a c/s since it helps after the surgery with pain management. So talk it over with your doctor and see what he/she suggests.
