ask the nurse free, ask the nurse online free

To Get an Epidural or Not?

by admin

Okay at 38 weeks Im now starting to get really really really nervous about the process of childbirth itself. I am getting such mixed advice about whether or not to take the epidural. Im terrified of needles so i cant imagine a huge horse needle being inserted into my back but then again I dont think I can handle the pain of having my groin ripped apart by a baby. So what is the lesser of two evils? Are there any long last side effects of the epidural? Does the needle hurt that bad?? Does giving birth naturally drug free really feel unbearable. I AM SO NERVOUS!!!

1 comment… read it below or add one

Mom of 4-to-be April 18, 2009 at 7:15 am: I've done it with and without, and here's the advice I would give you. If at any point in the labor you feel like you need the epidural, get it. Believe me, you will know when you are reaching the end of your pain threshold. You won't care about the needle at that point, and you won't see it anyway because it goes into your back.

You will feel it sting when it goes in, and pressure as they push the fluid into your spine, but after that, you will be fine. The main thing is to have only enough of the medication to numb the pain, not to make you numb from the waist down. This requires a very competent anesthesiologist. The reason you don't want complete numbness is because you will not be able to feel the pressure of the baby or the contractions, which prolongs pushing and makes it very difficult.

The lasting side effects are that you may experience back pain, sometimes a year or more afterwards, but don't rule it out based on a possibility.

As far as natural birth, I've given birth that way twice. Both labors were extremely short. The first was 2 hours, the second only 1. There wasn't time to think about an epidural, and it didn't hurt that much until it was much too late, anyway. If you experience a labor like this, you won't care about not having an epidural. It is over so quickly, and once it's over, the pain is over. The recovery is very quick, and you just won't be thinking about it once the baby is in your arms.

My feelings: for a short, easy labor, no epidural. Any labor over 3 hours or with any difficulties (like back labor), get the eipidural. Only you can know which route will work for you. Trust your instincts, and enjoy the process. Best of luck!