mommytashaX2

I've written the same thing in the teen forums as well but I'm looking for all the advice I can get!!!

I am 33 weeks pregnant (34 tommorrow ) and I have been thinking about the epidural for a while now. Everyone I have asked so far has said to use it if you feel you need it but with my first, I didn't use it and I was a crying, screaming mess . I'm thinking about it because I don't want to remember this birth experience like I remember my last. I want to be able to enjoy it and not freak out everyone in the hospital, then again, I've heard so many things about the epidural and I get scared. I'm looking to for any advice, negative/positive experiences and anything else anyone would like to share about them. This will help a lot with my final decision so I'm counting on you guys!!!

loubieloulou

i thought it was AMAZING!! i was induced so in lots of pain had 3 hrs of natural and wasnt dilating much so chose to have it, thought it would really hurt as they put it in but i didnt even feel anything i promise! and after about 5 mins if that, i was lying in bed chatting and watching telly!! my labour was 18hrs long so i needed it!
they brought in an extra lamp and i asked for all the lights 2 b turned of as my head felt like it was gonna pop of and i was sick when the nurse gave me tablets for my head aches, was really thirsty and they wouldnt give me drinks apart from ice cubes so they were the only down sides from my experience but i think im gonna 98% have an epidural again this time.
everyone is different thou it works less and better on different people, but go with what you feel like at the time loads of luck xxx

AquaDementia

I had an epi very early into my induction (I was only 2 cm dilated) and it was the most amazing decision I made.
I did not feel anything at all and my delivery was pretty tough (forceps $ episiotomy).
I highly recommend it.

Suzanne

Can I ask what negative things you have heard hun? cos I dont think ive heard any bad stories about it to be honest sweetie!!! Perhaps the worse thing ive heard is that sometimes it doesnt work... it didnt work for me on my 2nd baby (didnt have any pain relief on the 1st, well not until I got into theatre for the c section) they tried it twice and both times the aneathatist said "I give up it isnt working on her" LOL cheers then!

I had an emergency c section on both my births so I had to have a spinal block each time and it was fantastic, so if the epidural is as good then I say GO FOR IT! I bet you will be glad that you did!

mommytashaX2

Well, I've had some people tell me that its possible for the freezing to take effect on the wrong part of the body, so instead of the bottom half numbing, the top half does instead!!! I've also heard that it can leak into your body and cause all types of complications. The most common one is back problems later on in life and the possibility of becoming crippled if you move when its being injected... I don't know if these are only myths but I hope they are because I hated the pain that came with my first little one.

alyxzandra

There are a few things on my body that is sacred - my eyes and my spine. I am trying to avoid the epidural, but have no idea how much I will be able to endure the pain. I have already said if I need a c-section, they better knock me out completely. I do not want to know!!! But, I am in the same boat as you, mommytasha. Thinking about it, but not sure.

AquaDementia

I remember posting about wanting to avoid the epi by all means possible, and there I was 2 cm dilated, in excrutiating pain begging for something I thought was so scary.

pepperflake

Not to be the bad guy here but epidurals can cause many complications. I was considering it but have been doing more and more research and have decided against it. I figure if I could do without with my first one, I will manage without with this one.

Most concerning to me is that it can slow down labor and increases the use of things such as forceps and episiotomies. It also can make the mother's blood pressure drop, reducing the oxygen flow to the baby, baby's heartrate drops and then an emergency c-section results. My SIL is a labor and delivery nurse and she says this happen a lot. This also happened to my best friend and seems to occur to quite a few women on this board.

This is a good thorough article
http://www.healing-arts.org/mehl-madrona/mmepidural.htm

If you google, epidural complications or something like that, you can read up on this yourself and make an informed decision. I know it works well for most people and I think thats wonderful. I just personally don't consider it an option. I hope you learn everything you can about it and make your own decision.

BeckyBoo

My dads cousin was left permantly paralised from an epidural and died 2 years later.

I avoided it with my son, I didn't like gas and air, it made me feel sick. It's amazing where you find the power from to fight against the pain.

I plan on doing this one solo too.

lady3

I'm having an epi because I don't think the pain is worth it. Also, it can help keep the mum relaxed and I already have a weird heartbeat, so the doctor thinks it will be a good idea. I have had many friends and family who have had the epidural and they do nothing but sing its praises!

If everyone doesn't help you make a decision now, I'm sure when you're in labour, you will know if you want it or not lol.