thanks

Nope....just make sure you relax while they are giving it to you, only takes a few seconds and then the numbness will begin

your welcome

I personally have never had one BUT after watching the birth of BOTH my children , I know they DO work and don't appear to be painful at all.. RELAX..

Epidurals are the best things ever!!!!!

If you are able to push through it, they'll keep it going and your birth can be virtually pain free.

Absolutely get one.

The only thing is....if your labor moves too fast, they might not be able to get one going before it's time to push. And at that point it's too late.

I've done it with and without. With...is totally better, but either way.....you are in for the most wonderfully joyous experience of your life.

My back has never been the same since mine...

Mine was a bit uncomfortable - they had to give me two because the first only covered one side. At the last minute, as she was being born, I got really sick and thought I would vomit. Thanks to the quick thinking of the anestheologist placing an alcohol prep pad under my nose, I was able to deliver and then get the medicine to reduce naseau (sp?)

Ive never had one, but i know ppl who have had one, and they complained about prolonged headaches and backache up to yrs after.

I remember when i was in hospital after having my first son, there was a woman in my ward who had one, and she couldnt get out of bed for the first 2 days to pick up her son, he had to be passed to her.

ahh i dk now

I was Dula to a gal that had one. She said it was great with no side effects.

i just want to be able to enjoy the expierence, i can tolerate pain, but i've heard and seen stories but then again everybodys different

I found this,taken from http://www.kimjames.net/epidural_risks_and_side_effects.htm im guessing ur doctor has already explained the risks involved with Epidurals...

EPIDURAL RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS

There are obstetrical situations in which an epidural promotes a healthier labor and thus indirectly helps the baby. But there are instances when an ill-timed epidural interferes with the normal progress of labor and therefore may negatively affect the baby. Before you take a leap of faith and sign the consent forms, obtain information from reliable sources about the safety of any drug or procedure for you and your baby, and learn exactly what it will do for you.



Please follow the links to find out what causes the risk or side effect, how often it happens, and what you can do about it.
Maternal Risks

* Hypotension (Drop in blood pressure)
* Urinary Retention and Postpartum Bladder Dysfunction
* Uncontrollable Shivering
* Itching of the face, neck and throat
* Nausea and Vomiting
* Postpartum Backache
* Maternal Fever
* Spinal Headache
* Uneven, incomplete or nonexistent pain relief
* Feelings of Emotional detachment
* Postpartum feelings of regret or loss of autonomy
* Inability to move about freely on your own
* Loss of perineal sensation and sexual function
* Very Serious and rare risks
*

Convulsions
*

Respitory paralysis
*

Cardiac arrest
*

Allergic shock
*

Nerve injury
*

Epidural abscess
*

Maternal death


Labor Side Effects

* Prolonged First Stage of Labor
* Increase of malpresentation of baby's head
* Increased need for Pitocin augmentation
* Prolonged Second Stage of Labor
* Decrease in the ability to push effectively
* Increased liklihood of forceps or vacuum extraction delivery
* Increased likelihood of needing an episiotomy
* Increase in cesarean section


Baby Side Effects

* Fetal distress; abnormal fetal heart rate
* Drowsiness at birth; poor sucking reflex
* Poor muscle strength and tone in the first hours.

I was so determined not to have any drugs when I gave birth to my son...well, it didnt work out quite the way I had planned it. Since his umbillicle (sp) cord was too small to deliver natural, I'd push, he'd pull (kind of a yo-yo effect).

I had to have an epidural for an emergency c-section...but had it not been for that, it was worth all the pain.

The epidural didnt hurt cause I was more focused on labor pains! But, like one stated before me, I wasnt able to get up out of bed for the entire day to pick up my son, as he had to be handed to me. Your legs kinda feel like jello afterwards, but it goes away with time.

I never had any after effects from it.

Good luck.

I've had 2. One hurt, one didn't. Even though the first one hurt when I got it...I'm positive it hurt less than childbirth!

They don't bother me at all.

They are supposed to but I’m not basing that on my personal experience. No kids here. It’s an injection into your spine I think so yes, some pain. However, compare that with childbirth.

Men can have Epidurals too!

Yep, anyone can have one. And then you are numb from the waist down, more or less.

Like any other kind of medical procedure I think alot depends on the individual person and the anestheologist doing the procedure as to its outcome.

I have had 5 children. With the 1st 4 I had a Demerol drip and an epidural with the last. If I had it to do over again give me the epidural every time.I felt a slight pinch at the beginning then nothing. I was up and goin to the restroom within 2 hours of delivery. I was up and walking on my own by that evening. I had him at 1pm.

I would suggest you read as much good information as you can on the procedure. Question your Dr. Find out who the anestheologist are that do epidurals at the hospital where you plan to deliver. Find out how much experience they have. Then you can make an informed decision about whether you want the procedure or not.

What ever you decide I wish you and the new baby good health and happiness!

Sounds like my ex husband...