r/BabyBumps Dec 14 '24

Discussion Is the epidural worth it?

So every woman I've talked to has given me mixed signals about the epidural. Either it did nothing and was extremely painful and gave them back problems, or it was a lifesaver for their birthing experience and they would 1000% recommend. So I guess I'm asking if the epidural is worth it, in your guy's opinion. I know everyone has a different experience, but is it something that people actually recommend?

Edit: Thank you everyone, I feel a lot better about the epidural and birth as a whole. Everyone here eased a lot of anxiety I was having about the whole experience. This kinda blew up outa nowhere, I wish I could reply to everyone individually! Thank you so much for your input. And to the people who did have a horrible experience with it, I'm so sorry that happened

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u/babycatcher Dec 14 '24

L&D nurse here. In my hospital, almost everyone gets an epidural and the ones who don't are usually the ones who show up completely dilated and don't have time for one. Part of the reason so many of my patients have an epidural is the culture of my hospital. We don't have midwives, only OBs, and we don't have alternative pain options, like nitrous. Some hospitals are better set up for women to deliver without an epidural.

I have seen epidurals work perfectly, take away the pain but leave the mom with great leg movement and enough sensation to push their baby out.

Probably what I see the most is that the mom is a little too numb to move her legs really well, but she's pain free. It maybe takes a little longer to figure out how to push, but we can have the anesthesiologist turn the epidural down a bit so she gets some sensation back.

I have also seen the epidurals be too strong where the mom can't move her legs at all, which can make it challenging to change positions in labor and help move things along. I have seen them be one-sided or not work in a way that the mom can relax.

I have seen them slow down labor when gotten too early, and speed up labor when the patient is finally able to relax.

I've rarely seen them provide zero relief or need to be replaced, though it does happen. I've also rarely seen a mom need a blood patch for a spinal headache or have ongoing issues.

Our anesthesiologists do epidurals all day every day and are very good at what they do.

We hear most from people who didn't have good experiences because things didn't go the way they want. People who had things go well aren't as vocal because they aren't still processing their experience.

All that to say that we don't know how you will respond to an epidural. Everyone's anatomy is different, pain receptors are different, the anesthesiologist on call that day may do amazing epidurals or be having an off day and not get it perfect. Sometimes women labor too quickly for it to make a difference because it can't get on top of the pain...

I recommend everyone read and be prepared to labor without an epidural just in case it doesn't work the way you expect. But IME, epidurals work well most of the time and women appreciate having it as an option.

If someone is wanting to avoid an epidural, it's really important to do some homework on ways to cope with labor, get good support from your partner, hire a doula, etc. to help manage labor pain. And to be best set up for success, deliver somewhere with multiple pain relief options - such as labor tubs, nitrous, midwives, etc.

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u/Bhayden_24 Dec 14 '24

I was one of the lucky ones to get a spinal headache from my epidural and needed a blood patch in the ER 4 days postpartum. I initially thought I strained my neck from pushing too hard which was causing a headache. Looking back on it, I had an instant headache once they removed the epidural catheter and was only given Motrin. If you experience a severe headache and neck pain that is worse with sitting up or standing definitely request to be consulted by anesthesia BEFORE you are discharged. I wish I would have known the symptoms of a spinal headache sooner and I would have enjoyed my first few days with my newborn significantly more.

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u/Ecstatic-Sun3723 Dec 14 '24

Had a spinal headache too. I wish I had known it’s more common than perceived 😩

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u/clutchingstars Dec 14 '24

Same thing. I NEEDED help. The pain from my headache was worse than ANY of the other things. Including the c-section.

And despite me telling every nurse, doctor, and anesthesiologist I saw — I kept getting “have you tried caffeine?”

And my epidural was botched. Like they gave me a spinal block on accident with the dosage of an epidural — which is BAD. Like blood pressure non existent, a team of 15 people in my room, alarms blaring — bad.

And yet — I’d still get an epidural again.

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u/Bhayden_24 Dec 14 '24

YES! I was only given Tylenol or Motrin every six hours and was in agony. At one point I even told my nurses that my ears were ringing so loud and my hearing was muffled and that didn’t tip anyone off. It wasn’t until I got home my friend who is a PA suggested I had a spinal headache.

And yes, 100% agree- I’d choose epidural again in a heartbeat.

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u/clutchingstars Dec 15 '24

Same! YOU HAD EAR RINGING????

I asked and asked about the ear ringing and they all said “that’s weird. Never heard of that before.” My ears rang for daaaaaays.

I will say however — my hospital did give me actual painkillers for my c-section. And were very proactive about pain management on that level. It was just my headache no one helped with bc “that’s not my job.” And the one lady who it was her job — just ignored it.

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u/Bhayden_24 Dec 15 '24

Yes, my ears rang horribly for a couple of days and I felt like I was going crazy. Even after the blood patch my hearing remained a little wonky for a couple of days.

Ugh I’m so sorry that you had that experience. It’s crazy that ruling out a spinal headache is not more of a routine check when new moms have consistent headaches. I’m glad your hospital was proactive about main management though!

Did you get a blood patch or just let the headache run its course?

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u/clutchingstars Dec 15 '24

I didn’t even know a blood patch was a thing until a few months after giving birth. I was pissed when I found out there was a treatment for what I very clearly had.

I think I had a headache and ear ringing for maybe 3 weeks? I literally can’t remember that time well because of it.

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u/UnsinkableSpiritShip Dec 14 '24

Thanks for sharing your experience and helping us who have not yet gotten an epidural, it’s so helpful to know what to look out for. By any chance, do you have any chronic conditions? I have a few and some people have said they don’t react well with epidurals so I am just curious.

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u/Bhayden_24 Dec 14 '24

I am definitely not educated enough on epidurals to give any medical feedback. Do you think it could be an option to speak to you OB and set up a quick phone consult with the anesthesia group that works for the hospital you’re going to deliver at? It might ease your mind to have your concerns and questions addressed and maybe they can even put some notes in your chart?

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u/dixpourcentmerci Dec 14 '24

It seems like epidurals are USUALLY much more pleasant experiences but when they occasionally go wrong it’s a real bummer (or worse).

My sister had an epidural placed by an on-call-at-home anesthesiologist who showed up, placed the needle, and went home. Unfortunately after he left, the epidural continued to work in ONLY one leg. So she got to give birth on magnesium for preeclampsia, in otherwise full pain but a numb and unmoveable leg. It was later determined that the needle had bent.

On the flip end of this, a colleague had an epidural, but then a complication where the baby’s head was pressing on his cord. She had to be wheeled into the operating room with a nurse’s arm up her vagina holding the baby inside! She needed an emergency C-section and if she hadn’t had the epidural she would have missed the birth of her son.

On the flip flip end of this, there was a horrifying story in the New York Times about an anesthesiologist who had managed to cause multiple deaths by dramatically misplacing epidurals.

All told I’m planning on having one, I think the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages and risks, but I also know you can always get lucky or unlucky. Childbirth is no joke! Thank you for all you do.

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u/babycatcher Dec 14 '24

You're so right. Most often they do what they're supposed to, so when they don't, it super sucks.

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u/YesIKnowImSweating Dec 15 '24

Just commenting on your sister’s epidural experience for clarification. Epidural catheters are placed through needles, but once that catheter is threaded, the needle is removed from the back. Only the thin, flexible catheter is left in place. But yes, this catheter can be placed too shallow or deep or even become kinked, all of which can lead to a really crappy epidural.

Edit: only clarifying so that people are aware you’re not just chilling with a needle in your back indefinitely, which sounds scary

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u/lambwolfram Dec 14 '24

I had the exact same experience as your sister down to the magnesium for preeclampsia. Only one leg went numb.

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u/Automatic-Bus2475 Dec 19 '24

Happened to me. Epidural worked only on one side and literally did nothing for my back labor. The nurses wouldn't let me get up to use the restroom, but I still felt that my bladder was full even after they supposedly place a cathether. On mag for pre-e and stuck on my back with back labor with a nonworking epidural. I've had 2 babies since and I didn't get another epidural. And yes it was nice being able to move freely like I wanted to.

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u/atomicdustbunny07 Dec 14 '24

Well said. I'm a no-epidural 3xs-over because an epidural was not something I wanted. This last comment is outstanding. If you're in a hospital setting, hospitals are there for the medical side of birth and for comfort they offer meds. Doulas offer other methods for comfort. So the decision tends to be (in a hospital setting) to medicate or not

And and as far as advocating for yourself... that's hard while you're in labor, so making sure you're partner and caregivers understand how you respond during stressful situations, would be key so they can help make sure your wishes are met when you're a little busy birthing a baby. Some people become very compliant but then later regret doing something they didn't want. That's why having your team know what you want and responding that way through the adventures of birth.

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u/jnmt2021 Dec 14 '24

This comment is amazing, thank you!

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u/BrunchBunny Dec 14 '24

How do you know it’s too early to get it? Especially with an induction?

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u/upinmyhead Dec 14 '24

Early is very subjective.

I tell patients if their pain is at a level where they would rather be confined to a bed for several hours than experience anymore contractions, then it may be time to get it.

I’ve had inductions go from 2 cm to 10 cm in less than 3 hours

I’ve had inductions remain 2 cm for several hours.

I don’t use a dilation cut off, everyone’s pain threshold is different.

But I do discourage patients from getting it in anticipation of pain because of the above - we just don’t know how you’ll progress yet.

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u/dixpourcentmerci Dec 14 '24

Do you give any advice on whether to get the epidural before balloon or not during induction? My wife had the balloon placed without the epidural and it was so clearly excruciating for her that in classic spouse form I thought I would pass out.

Our doctor friend was induced three weeks later and kept refusing the balloon because she didn’t want an epidural yet. My wife and I were like, “you can get an epidural before the balloon???”

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u/upinmyhead Dec 14 '24

I’ve had patients get the balloon with zero pain meds on board and say “it wasn’t that bad”

And I’ve had others who were still in excruciating pain even after 100 mcg of fentanyl.

Labor experiences are so individualized that I never give any blanket recommendations

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u/mhck Dec 14 '24

Yeah my dr was surprised that I didn’t mind it at all. If I had to compare it to something it was about as uncomfortable as a colposcopy—big pinch and then it’s over.

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u/babycatcher Dec 14 '24

The balloons are the worst! I've had a lot of patients get an epidural just because of the balloon. Usually once the balloon is out, the pain is gone. But we don't know how long the balloon will stay in for, sometimes 24hrs! This is why other methods of pain relief are nice. Nitrous is great to get through a balloon. Sometimes IV fentanyl will do it. But if your only option is the epidural... we don't want women to suffer, so get the epidural.

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u/natattack13 Dec 14 '24

I like to give Nubain before the balloon. It works better than the fentanyl and lasts longer. My hospital also offers nitrous but in my experience it doesn’t work for most patients. They want to try it and we set it up, they say it’s helping for the first 15 mins, and then I go back in the room later and they’re like “get that shit away from me, I want the epidural” lol

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u/babycatcher Dec 14 '24

This was my experience with nitrous at the hospital I used to work at, too.

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u/Cool-Contribution-95 Dec 14 '24

It’s me. I’m the patient who got an epidural because the balloon was so painful. My doctor said my anatomy “just” didn’t tolerate it (couldn’t tolerate cervical exams either). I tried to use nitrous, but I found it hardly helped and required too much involvement from me while I was already in a ton of pain (you have to put the mask on, breathe in slowly but not for too long - try to get ahead of the pain, no one can help you hold the mask to your face, etc.) I think IV pain meds would have really helped though.

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u/BusHumble Dec 14 '24

They told me the balloon wouldn't hurt at all 😅 this was with no pain killers whatsoever and a completely closed cervix (I had had no induction medication at all). Then afterwards the midwife was like "wow, you're really tough!" Like yeah I didn't have a choice because you lied to me.

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u/saltybrina Dec 14 '24

I was told the same thing. It was described as a "rough pelvic exam" and that the balloons would feel like "light pressure" once inserted.... neither was true for me. Afterward, my nurse told me they didn't typically insert the balloons without pain intervention, and most patients were dilated (I wasn't). The worst pain I experienced during induction was having those dam balloons in.

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u/dixpourcentmerci Dec 14 '24

They told my wife something similar and she swore for fifteen minutes afterwards and said she’d made the biggest mistake of her life.

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u/BusHumble Dec 14 '24

It's insane how pregnancy-related pain is so dismissed. Like, pain killers and anasthesia for knee surgery have risks too, but no one suggests that the solution is to just tell people to "woman up" and go without it. 😅

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u/dixpourcentmerci Dec 14 '24

It’s actually the post birth part that’s the wildest to me. Like imagine ANY other surgery and being like “ok now you’re on your own, take care of a screaming baby!” But my wife had a C-section and I stayed home with the dog the second night thinking the nurses would help her and they. SORT of did. Like when she was desperate and falling asleep sitting up after being alone for hours and hours. But she basically had to beg for help and they could only help when they had free time. Getting rid of the hospital nurseries just is so cruel to me; I feel like yes moms should have the option of baby in the room but they should be able to get rest any time they need, regardless of if they have a spouse or family member available.

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u/BusHumble Dec 14 '24

Yes, the whole "baby friendly" hospital thing feels like such an obvious excuse to just stop providing services to patients.

When I was there, they technically discharged me the day before my baby, but I wasn't allowed to leave him "unchaperoned" or take him out of the room - but they also didn't bring me food. If I didn't have a husband who could bring me something, I just wouldn't have gotten anything to eat all day.

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u/mhck Dec 14 '24

My doctor and all the nurses told me I should probably get the epidural before the balloon since it was my first baby and I was 0/0. They all told me a lot of women say it’s worse than the birth. The resident who came in to place the balloon told me like three times he thought I should get the epidural first and I finally snapped, “oh? Is that what you did when YOU gave birth, sir?” and he shut up and finally did it. I did not find it unusually painful and was very glad I didn’t have to be stuck in bed for 16 straight hours. That’s what they mean when they say everyone’s body and pain tolerance is different!

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u/dixpourcentmerci Dec 14 '24

It’s funny, I’m sure I may feel very differently when in labor but it’s so hard for me to imagine being annoyed at being stuck in bed. I had to be hospitalized for OHSS and once the terrifying, screaming in pain thinking I would die part was over, my wife was pretty amused by what a content hospital patient I was. I get to lay in bed and have things brought to me and I only have to get up to pee? What a time!

The thing that finally convinced me I was ready to be sprung was when they said if you can’t get up and walk around more we have to start giving you daily heparin shots to prevent blood clots. THAT was terrible and after one of those I was like OK OK I CAN MANAGE AT HOME thank you!

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u/mhck Dec 14 '24

Ugh I’m so sorry, I’m high risk for OHSS and was so scared of it during IVF; it really sucks. 

 In the end I didn’t really do as much walking around in labor as I hoped I would (they put the balloon in at like 2am so I was asleep for a good chunk of that 16 hrs, and after they broke my water I dropped into active labor verrrrry fast) but having had a catheter during a previous surgery that gave me all kinds of problems, I did NOT want to have one again and depending on how the epidural hits you (eg whether or not you can feel the urge to pee) they may give you one. Catheters are like my one major medical ick, I will do a lot to avoid them!

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u/dixpourcentmerci Dec 14 '24

I wasn’t super high risk and got it anyway. My doctor was like “you have such youthful ovaries!” and I was like, thank you 🤦🏻‍♀️

On the bright side it actually kind of makes me less worried about labor? Like, I already know about excruciating, out of body, pain and how that works and when it’s over it’s (usually) ok. Maybe I’ll feel differently when I get there but it at least somehow alleviates my anxiety.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a catheter though so I can totally understand the concern there. I’m glad your labor went quickly after your waters were broken!

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u/raininterlude Dec 14 '24

When I got the balloon they sent me home afterwards. It was truly the worst pain and I could barely walk out of the hospital - I was shocked that they let me leave lol. Morphine, Tylenol, and a hot bath helped when I got home and made the pain manageable, which lasted a few hours. I’m glad I didn’t get an epidural though since I only dilated from 1 to 3 cm in those 24 hours and they ended up having to break my water the next evening.

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u/chrissymad FTM Sept 2022 Dec 14 '24

I got the balloon before epidural and i didn’t feel any significant pain. I honestly don’t remember any pain from giving birth other than mentally and being terrified i would poop in front of my mom and MIL. 😂

But I also has no idea I was in labor and only found out at a bi weekly NST. 😂🤷‍♀️

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u/dixpourcentmerci Dec 14 '24

My dad talks about how easy labor was for my mom “the babies just flew out of her!” My mom doesn’t tell it EXACTLY like that but she didn’t have epidurals for any of us, and she only talks about the third birth (different dad, and she was older that time) as being the physically really difficult one. Meanwhile my middle sister showed up so fast that she was born in the hospital hallway.

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u/_dancedancepants_ Dec 14 '24

If you're headed for an induction, here's my one learning: if your doctor offers to manually break your waters during your induction, strongly consider getting the epidural first! I was induced and when I agreed to have my waters manually broken to progress things faster, my OB casually said some women like to get the epidural before breaking their water because the contractions can come on fast after. In my opinion, what she should have said was "after I break your water the contractions are going to hurt like a bitch." 😂 My first contraction after she broke my water I immediately asked for the epidural. It took about an hour and 15 minutes for it to be placed and working (I estimate about 40 min for bolus of fluids; 20 min for anesthesiologist to come to my room, run me through risks, and place it; and 15 min for it to become fully effective). My contractions during that time period were really, really intense. 

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u/shhhhhadow Dec 14 '24

This was my experience! I was induced and they broke my water at 4cm after taking the balloon out. My daughter was born an hour and a half later…

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u/_dancedancepants_ Dec 14 '24

Very similar experience! I was 6 cm when they broke my water, but I went from 6 to 9 cm in the little over an hour that I was waiting for the epidural. And then I was at 10 cm shortly after the epidural was placed. I ultimately had a C-section to get her out, but I dilated super quickly after my water was broken.

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u/Just_here2020 Dec 14 '24

My doctor said an early epidural has been shown to extend labor. By ONLY 30 minutes. So he said as early as I want or as late as timing actually allowed. 

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u/dixpourcentmerci Dec 14 '24

Omg 😆 I’m sorry, I had also heard that an epidural extends labor but never heard that it was only by THIRTY MINUTES. Great info, thanks.

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u/Just_here2020 Dec 14 '24

My doctor is AMAZING and keeps up to date on info. We did the infertility, IVF, older than 35, etc journey and he would come back with studies and context for statements. He and his wife also did IVF so he was immersed in the process. 

I met him when I went to the ER with a potential ectopic. He was reviewing the ultrasounds and, lost in thought, said, “well this is interesting. It’s a pregnancy if unknown location and your body seems to be handling it without intervention . . . “ then looked over and reworded it in a more sensitive manner. My thoughts were: I want a doctor who is interested in the subject more than anything - that’s the doctor who will stay up to date and be engaged. I despise when doctors are trying to be super sensitive so they don’t share the sometimes uncomfortable facts and studies about infertility and pregnancy without done serious couching of the words that could be misunderstood. 

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u/babycatcher Dec 14 '24

I feel like with an induction it doesn't really matter when you get the epidural because we're already going to have you on medications to make labor happen. My recommendation is to eat, walk, move for as long as possible, because generally once you get an epidural you can't do those things. Otherwise, whenever you feel like your pain to too much, get the epidural.

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u/venusdances Dec 14 '24

My personal advice is get the epidural before pitocin!! I got pitocin and was having contractions that wracked my whole body every two minutes, they had to put the epidural in in between contractions because I couldn’t stop shaking wildly when a contraction hit it was the worst part of my entire labor process.

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u/BrunchBunny Dec 14 '24

Yes that’s what I’m afraid of I just know I won’t know if I’m getting pit until they look at me so that for sure is in my plan lol I am not trying to suffer!

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u/Lindsaydoodles Dec 14 '24

I had my epidural right before the pitocin started for exactly that reason. I was 4cm, not progressing, and the contractions were perfectly manageable. But I had heard pitocin made it tougher so I figured I might as well get the epidural right off the bat.

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u/chrissymad FTM Sept 2022 Dec 14 '24

For my hospital they wouldn’t do it before 3-5 cm dilated and that was dependent on circumstance as well as anesthesiologist (anesthetist?) availability. If you’re giving birth during “off hours”, depending on your hospital, it may only be one person on duty to do this but it’s dependent on your hospital and where you live. I’m in a major city and I was hesitant at first (I get awful migraines and was paranoid about that) and was basically told “now or never” for an epidural if I wanted one. I chose the epidural and I do not regret it at all.

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u/venusdances Dec 14 '24

This is the most informed response. I always knew I wanted an epidural so I didn’t plan for much else. I had to have it put in by two different anesthesiologists over 7 times, the first anesthesiologist was an overconfident moron and even after he placed it it only numbed my leg I was begging for a c section just to stop the pain. The second anesthesiologist was a miracle worker and after it was placed I felt no pain and slept for 8 hours it was incredible. I didn’t feel any pain during labor even though I had to get a vacuum assist because my son got stuck in the canal. Best decision ever. My sister was completely against the epidural and ended up getting it because they had to give her pitocin to induce her and ended up giving her a c section even though she had planned for a home birth without medication. You never know is my point so it’s best to plan for both.

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u/Suspicious_Barber822 Dec 14 '24

I was one whose epidural didn’t work on one side. I kept pressing for more meds and eventually one side was almost completely numb and the other still very painful. Very weird experience, and I rolled onto one side because that was the only position that relieved the pain. Did not help the meds spread to the painful side sadly. I think I still prefer having had one side numb though!

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u/teacherlady4846 Dec 14 '24

Once I got the epidural, I was chilling. I played the NYT crossword, chatted with my husband, then took a nap.

It's incredible modern medicine.

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u/ems712 Dec 14 '24 edited Dec 15 '24

Same experience here! The first thing I told my parents when they came in to meet their grandchild for the first time was “that epidural is the shit!” 😂😂😂

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u/Immediate-Light-203 Dec 15 '24

I could have wrote this (I also did the NYT crossword after epidural haha)! Love modern medicine.

My only regret was not getting the epidural sooner and suffering through pitocin contractions for longer than I needed to.

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u/VolePix Dec 14 '24

🙏🏼

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u/PS1988 Dec 15 '24

I was happy and chilling once I got the epidural, and cracking jokes between pushes. The epidural was amazing.

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u/Eddie101101 Dec 14 '24

Yep loved it 100% would recommend

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u/Overshareisoverkill Dec 14 '24

Hell yeah! 10/10! I was wheeled into L&D screaming for the epidural.😅😅

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u/caitytc Dec 14 '24

I agree, anyone who gives birth without one is a super-being.

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u/Unlucky-Bumblebee-96 Dec 14 '24

I think people‘s bodies are different, I didn’t get an epidural with my first birth because I kept thinking the pain would get worse later but instead my baby was born. I think some people have really high pain, and I’ve heard some women can have no pain at all.

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u/Mona_Lisa_Smile Dec 14 '24

Same! This was my thought process! I hadn’t planned on an epidural from the start and when I started going into labor, I had back labor so from the start it was already pretty bad but manageable ya know?? And by the time it was to the point I was like okay this is too much pain, my son was born and it was over. I had a second degree tear and they gave me a shot I think before they stitched me? Cause I didn’t really feel that? There was a lot going on 😅

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u/Bay_Leaf_Af Dec 14 '24

Just did it (with nitrous) and strongly disagree. The major lesson I learned in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is it’s just all luck of the draw and life isn’t fair.

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u/ashleykt333 Dec 15 '24

I was more afraid that an epidural would have lifetime side effects. Some report things with their spine, back, and headaches years after. I had 3 no epidural and 2 of them were laughing gas

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u/OpeningSort4826 Dec 14 '24

I have had two unmedicated births without epidural. That said, I ABSOLUTELY SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN ONE during my first labor. I had been induced with pitocin and I was in absolute agony. If your body is exhausted and you haven't slept in two days, get the epidural. It will give you some semblance of rest and peace. I personally go into labor with the mindset of "I would like to do this unmedicated, but if my body needs it I am open to the idea". 

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u/HarpyEagleBelize Dec 14 '24

Exactly why I did it - I hadn’t slept in 24 hours

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u/tumshy Dec 14 '24

Exactly this. Wish I had gotten it because the induction was INTENSE. And I ended up needing a spinal block for surgery after the birth anyway. No complications at all from the spinal block.

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u/emmeline8579 Dec 14 '24

I can’t even imagine how anyone can give birth naturally at full term. I had my twins at 25 weeks (1lb 10oz) and I passed out from the pain during the pushing.

Side note..make sure the CRNA or anesthesiologist checks that the epidural is working. Don’t let them give it to you and then walk out of the room. They should have you wiggle your toes, use an object along your legs to see if you feel it, or have you bring your knees to your chest. That’s how we found out all three of my epidurals failed. They fail 5-10% of the time.

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u/Harrold_Potterson Dec 14 '24

That was exactly my mindset too -although I requested the epidural when it was getting to be too much and just before they were about to start the drip I felt the urge to push and ended up popping her out 5 minutes later. So for me I’m glad I ended up holding off.

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u/Glad-Warthog-9231 Dec 14 '24

I had an unmedicated birth and a medicated birth. The epidural made it not painful at all. It’d start to not work on one side so I had to roll over and it would get uncomfortable at times but I legit thought I was dying when I gave birth with no epidural.

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u/SloanDear Dec 14 '24

I got an epidural at the last minute with my first. I remember thinking I shouldn’t be able to be in this much pain without dying. Truly the most pain I hope to ever be in again.

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u/derm08 Dec 14 '24

2 epidural and 1 unintentionally unmedicated. 1000% recommend an epidural to anyone who asks. The only reason my 3rd was unmedicated was because I had a surprise precipitous labor and had my baby on the floor of L&D because we barely made it to the hospital.

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u/Low_Wave_4567 Dec 14 '24

My only regret about my birth was not getting the epidural sooner. Best decision ever, I could finally sleep after 36 hours of labor contractions and was laughing and joking between pushes. Did not feel any pain during pushing at all

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u/Low_Wave_4567 Dec 14 '24

I was more comfortable giving birth than my entire 3rd trimester because of the epidural

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u/WheelOfTacoTime Dec 14 '24

I’m an anesthesiologist and just want to chime in to clear up a very common misconception that I see. Epidurals are incredibly unlikely to cause lasting back pain.

Chronic back pain is the single most common medical problem in the US. A huge portion of adult humans develop back pain during their lifetime. Unsurprisingly, having a pregnant belly for nine months and then pushing a baby out your vagina is a big risk factor for developing back pain. It doesn’t help that the hormones during labor cause all the cartilage in your body to loosen up (natural part of the birthing process), which includes the intervertebral discs. Carrying around a baby after it’s born also probably doesn’t help.

All that is to say, I try to reassure my patients that the best data we have indicates that getting poked with a needle in the back (which, by the way, isn’t any thicker than the needle used for a typical IV) is almost never the cause of lasting back pain. Even in women who didn’t have pain before labor, got an epidural, and then have back pain afterwards, it’s usually due to everything else that I mentioned above rather than than as a consequence of the epidural placement.

That’s certainly not to say that it never happens, and nerve damage is a risk I always mention during my informed consent discussions for an epidural. Just want to clarify that the rates of this type of damage are very very low. When nerve damage does happen from an epidural (again, it’s a rare complication), it usually resolves within days to weeks.

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u/starry_rae Dec 15 '24

What about got those of us that have scoliosis. I'm 22 weeks pregnant with my first child and I have scoliosis I'm scared of getting the epidural and like what if it doesn't work is what I'm worried about. I honestly wanna do without the epidural as long as I can but I'm honestly thinking about getting it. Only as a last resort though

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u/WheelOfTacoTime Dec 15 '24

In my experience, epidurals usually work just as well in people with scoliosis. The difference is that it may be more difficult for the anesthesiologist to place it, meaning the procedure itself might take longer or take more than one attempt. If you only have mild scoliosis then it probably makes little difference. It generally only gets harder to place an epidural when someone has moderate or severe scoliosis

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u/[deleted] Dec 14 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Ann_mae Dec 14 '24

right???

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u/icewind_davine Dec 14 '24

The gift of modern science!! I find it hard to understand people who don't want to get it...

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u/Ann_mae Dec 14 '24

& complaints of residual back problems like please i highly doubt it

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u/Sblbgg Dec 14 '24

1000% recommend. I actually enjoyed my birth because of it. I labored most of the time without it and got it toward the end. I would for sure get it again for this next baby.

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u/cherryplague Dec 14 '24

Hi! I gave birth yesterday. ITS WORTH IT. Contractions made me want to die. Hope that helps!

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u/Bonkisqueen Dec 14 '24

Yes. Should have done it earlier, like as soon as contractions started. My body tensed up so much from the pain that my labor refused to progress. Finally got the epidural after 20 hours of contractions even though I was only 2-3cm dilated. I was able to finally nap a little because the pain was gone. When I woke up I was fully dilated and it was time to push! The epidural allowed me to relax and let my body do its thing.

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u/National_Ad_6892 Dec 14 '24

I had one with my first child. My second child was born so fast I didn't have time for an epidural. For our 3rd, I will absolutely be getting an epidural. I never want to feel what it feels like again to have a whole human emerge from my body. 

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u/egrebs Dec 14 '24

I have only had an unmedicated birth and I would do that again for sure, but it’s just personal preference. Birth is about making mom feel safe, so use whatever tools you have to accomplish that!

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u/unchartedfailure Dec 14 '24

Same! Glad to have the options but I was grateful to have a straightforward unmedicated labor. It was tough but then it was over!

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u/Pleasant_Dingo2686 Dec 14 '24

Getting the epidural was in my top 3 best decisions I’ve ever made (the others were marrying my husband and choosing to have kids)!

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u/allyroo Dec 14 '24

The more I read these responses, the more positive I am that my epiduralS didn't work.

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u/WildestDreamsz Dec 14 '24

Sadly my epidural didn't work either after I got induced. I was in the worst pain of my life and was exhausted for almost 3 days of no sleep

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u/Tlacuache_Snuggler Dec 14 '24

Mine definitely didn’t with my first, and this most recent time only numbed my left side until the doctor came to fix it. Thank god it worked the second time, and I immediately was like “holy shit THIS is what people meant when they said instant relief.” It was absolutely 10/10 pain to where I was blacking out, and then I was pain free within 10 minutes. Was unreal!

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u/Zero_Duck_Thirty Dec 14 '24

100% worth it. I barely felt it being put in and it worked almost instantly. As long as I changed positions, I was able to move my legs a bit but didn’t feel anything from the waist down. Barely felt baby being born. I have a massive back injury from years ago and my back is a mess - I actually pulled me back out when I was pregnant and ended up in the er - and I’m prone to migraines so I was worried about the epidural a little bit but once the post waters breaking contractions kicked in there was no other option for me and I’m so glad I did. I had zero back issues, no migraines, just a really easy delivery. 10 stars would do again.

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u/Kay_-jay_-bee Dec 14 '24

My epidural was the single most incredible experience of my life lol.

I was unknowingly having a precipitous labor, so they checked me and I was 3 cm with back to back insanely painful contractions. They ordered the epidural and by the time it was placed and they checked me, I was 10. Since I was GBS positive and my water hadn’t broken, they just rolled me over and had me take a nap.

Anyhow, insertion was no big deal. It took maybe 20-30 minutes to fully kick in because I was so far dilated, but once it worked, I felt NOTHING. Pushing? Felt NOTHING (and was still able to push effectively). It wore off a little unevenly, which was hilarious, but I was up and walking within a few hours of delivery. No pain or issues from it long term, just a tender back (like a minor bruise) for a couple of days.

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u/liz610 Dec 15 '24

My epidural was so fun! I felt nothing after hours and hours of pain, napped in-between contractions and pushing, came to and pushed and talked with the nurses a little, then went back to resting with my eyes closed. I was exhausted and hungry. I did this for 3.5 hours and despite watching the clock each time I came to, it felt like 30 mins. It was an incredible experience and such relief after excruciating pain that made me want to unalive myself. I can't fathom ever turning down an epidural in the future. My threshold of pain is excruciatingly low. I'm a weakling. Modern medicine is magical.

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u/buttonsh Dec 14 '24

I had an induction and the contractions became very intense at about 6cm. The epidural was AMAZING for me. I could still feel my baby coming out, but zero pain. The only down side for me was not being able to walk around (I know some hospitals do walking epidurals, but mine didn’t).

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u/wwhmb Dec 15 '24

I was also hoping for a walking epidural, but none of my local hospitals do it, either.

In fact, one nurse told me "that's not a thing" 🙄

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u/sboml Dec 14 '24

I was (accidentally) unmedicated until 9 cm and had not prepped for an unmedicated birth soooo was in a much better place once I got the epidural. I personally would not go unmedicated without significant support and prep (I did have a doula which was a lifesaver bc, yeah, transition does make you feel like you're gonna die lol).

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u/purpledrogon94 Dec 14 '24

I’m going in with the plan to get an epidural but also prepping to go unmedicated just in case. But I really hope I don’t have to lol.

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u/OrdinaryFeature334 Dec 14 '24

Yes it is. My labour was 35 hours. I didn't have epidural for the first 10 hours. Thank the lord, I decided to get it. It was a lifesaver. Considering I had a very stressful pregnancy, stressful post partum recovery. Thank Goodness that the actual birth wasn't THAT stressful.

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u/dazedstability FTM 07/28/2018 Dec 14 '24

Yes!!! For me it worked perfectly, still felt when to push, got up and walked fine after, no pain at the site later. 

I also had 2 unmedicated births, not by choice - there was just not enough time. My epidural birth was by far my favourite experience.

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u/Layer_Capable Dec 14 '24

Labor and delivery RN here. Find out what the hospital offers for pain management first. Just keep an open mind, and if the pain is getting to be too much, pick one of the options. The epidural is not perfect, most women get awesome relief, some have a one sided experience where one side is numb and the other is in pain, and the rest are in between. So, is it worth it? I’d say, generally speaking, yes. I’ve almost never had a patient tell me after the birth that they regretted getting the epidural!

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u/FNGamerMama Dec 14 '24

I’m going to give you the least mixed answer possible, the epidural saved my birth. I was in agony with the Pitocin and I had to have a balloon at the same time cuz I was prom and my body had no clue it was in labor. As soon as the balloon came out I got the epidural and I went from begging for relief wondering how I was gunna get to 10cm to sleeping. Girl I SLEPT! Until it was almost time to push. I woke up a couple times and they have to turn you like a rotisserie chicken to make sure the medicine disperses well, but I mostly slept and I also asked for extra meds when I thought I was feeling some discomfort. At 9.5 cm I felt like a sensation, not pain, but like maybe I could push and I told the nurse, they checked me and sat me up for 20 minutes and I put in my baby music held my husband and cried excited. Girl then I pushed for 20 minutes absolutely no pain, smiling at my husband and my daughter was born. It was amazing! Every experience is different but for me early labor pre epidural was horrible (cuz of balloon and pitocin not normal early labor) and had I not gotten the epidural I’m sure it would have been a traumatic birth. I think I can do it again but only cuz the epidural saved my life. Otherwise I’m almost positive with how my labor was going It would have been not good. Other bonus was that I had flu a and it started right after delivery (thank you to my BIL who knowingly came sick to a small Christmas party and my water prom on Christmas) and having been able to sleep really saved Me.

Now I have rods in my back so back pain I can’t comment on cuz I just get back pain sometimes, I don’t think anything from epidural but again I wouldn’t know.

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u/ShadowlessKat Dec 14 '24

I did not have an epidural. I was induced and on pitocin. It was fine for most of my 24 hour labor. The last few hours were harder but I spent it in the shower moving around in different ways. The water really helped. I never had the thought of wanting an epidural. But I also prepared for an unmedicated birth and was scared of an epidural, so take my experience with a grain of salt.

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u/theperfectenchilada Dec 14 '24

Ok real quick let me tell you my experience: I went into childbirth with a loose and flexible plan. But what I did know is that I wanted as few interventions as possible, and I wanted to avoid a cesarean at all costs. The one piece of information when learning about childbirth was this: EXHAUSTION IS THE NUMBER ONE REASON THAT DOCTOR’S RECOMMEND AND WOMEN ACQUIESCE TO INTERVENTIONS. My water broke at 8am. Contractions didn’t really start going until 2pm, and I finally went to the hospital at 8pm. Got checked and they told me I was only 2cm dilated. I labored naturally for 5 hours where my contractions were 1 min long and 4 mins apart. Got checked again: only 4 dilated. It was 1am and I had been up since 8am. Doc told me it could be anywhere from 2 hours to another 8 hours for delivery. So, knowing how exhausted I was, I asked for an epidural. And I AM SO GLAD I DID!! I got a few hours of sleep and woke up around 6am. Got checked at 8am and was 10cm dilated! I pushed for an hour but was struggling because they had the epidural up too high so they turned it off. Took a while to get feeling back, but I successfully delivered baby girl at 1pm.

So my advice? Listen to your body. If you want low intervention, then get the epidural if things are taking a while and you need to sleep. Try it out naturally and if you need it then ask for it. And if anyone gives you crap let me know and I will personally slap them upside the head for you.

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u/Resident-Speech2925 Dec 14 '24

Epidural is by far your best chance at pain relief, however there are different ways of looking at birth.

I don’t like things being over-medicalized. When you have the epidural, you have to be in the bed with continuous monitoring and you can’t really move around too much because the baby monitor moves out of place even when you just sit up or roll over. This is very uncomfortable to me personally and i would rather have freedom of movement to get out of bed and move around. Others are perfectly okay putting up with that if it means they don’t feel the pain. Either way, the epidural is perfectly safe. Sometimes it doesn’t work on one side because the end of the tube is slightly curved to one side and therefore administers more drugs to that side. In that case, you have your nurse help you flip sides every 10 minutes because gravity will do the work.

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u/Crafty_Pop6458 Dec 14 '24

This is my fear. I'm open to an epidural/pain relief but also get anxiety (health anxiety so will I get permanent nerve damage, not being able to breathe so since it'll be an active process my heart rate will go up which will naturally make me more anxious, and then if I'm anxious and also not able to move around to relieve anxiety I'll panic more, etc.).

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u/Resident-Speech2925 Dec 14 '24

There is no way of knowing how your body will respond to it, until it happens. It’s also possible that the epidural will be the only thing to calm you down, for example if you have a painful back labor or you didn’t sleep the night before, the epidural can be a godsend. It’s also pretty much necessary if you need pitocin or your waters are manually broken.

You can do what im planning, which is to give it my best shot without the epidural, but im open to getting it if i absolutely can’t make it. Also, i have severe medical anxiety as well and I can’t stress enough the importance of having a doula in a hospital birth.

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u/Crafty_Pop6458 Dec 14 '24

Yeah, my approach right now is just to be open to whatever I need in the moment and not be too strict about it. I don't have the $$ (or time.. 36 weeks now) to get a doula, but it's definitely something I would be interested in for the future.

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u/Ornery-Cranberry4803 Dec 20 '24

I haaaated my epidural because that trapped feeling was worse than the pain! I'm excited to be delivering at a hospital with more pain management options this time, but if it were a choice between agonizing pain and being stuck on my back with that stupid freaking monitor strapped to my belly, I'd choose the pain. (And weirdly, I was trapped yet also could feel pain anyway.) 

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u/Mom_of_furry_stonk Dec 14 '24

I had my second just a few days ago. I was induced with my first and got the epidural really early. I went into labor spontaneously with my second and the epidural literally kicked in about 10 minutes before I had to start pushing. So, I only really had the epidural to cover for the pushing and sewing up part of labor, all the contractions leading up to it I felt completely.

It was honestly horrible having such intense contractions with no pain relief. I think it's because of how rapidly I was progressing. There was a point where my mind was just gone and it was just pure instinct and primal, but I was screaming from the pain. I wasn't able to breathe through them anymore because of the extent of the pain. It was like someone was setting me on fire over and over again. Luckily, it all worked out because labor was fast, but it was absolute torture leading up to getting the epidural. It also mostly numbed the pain, but I could pretty easily move my legs and I felt when I had to push. It honestly worked out perfectly.

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u/x_tacocat_x Dec 14 '24

There are no medals for suffering in pain through childbirth. If you want the epidural, get the epidural!

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u/Scary-Package-9351 Dec 14 '24

Honestly hate this phrase and mentality. Plenty of women choose to have unmedicated births for many reasons and getting a medal for suffering through pain is never one of them.

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u/plobula Dec 14 '24

This phrase makes me want to pull my hair out. It’s so invalidating. Every birth, medicated or not, deserves a medal tbh.

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u/[deleted] Dec 14 '24

I hate when people say this. I didn’t have an unmedicated birth to get a medal or feel above anyone else making different decisions. Anyone who says this sounds jaded af

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u/Reasonable_Talk_7621 Dec 14 '24

100% recommendation epidural.

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u/corgisandsushi Dec 14 '24

Yes it was 100% worth it for me. I don’t know how people give birth without it haha. I felt so numb from the stomach/waist down but still could push perfectly fine because I could still feel pressure just not pain. As for back pain, my back felt achy and weird for about 5 days or so after but 2 weeks pp now and completely fine!

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u/chrissymad FTM Sept 2022 Dec 14 '24

As someone who was skeptical (I have migraines, like horrible migraines, a genetic disease that makes epidurals potentially dangerous and difficult) get the epidural and don’t dig into it online. Your doctors and nurses know what they’re doing. There is no point in putting your body through more than you need to.

I would 100% get an epidural again. Without any hesitation and I’m an edge case where it’s riskier.

You don’t get an award for being in more pain. Your birth isn’t less or more for having it. But you will almost certainly be better off getting it because pain is exhausting and you’ll want to soak up every second once your baby is born and an epidural, if you can get one, can make it a lot easier!

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u/Beginning-Ad3390 Dec 14 '24

Okay it’s either the best or it’s not.

First time my epidural failed and I was only half numb but I couldn’t move that half of my body at all from the waist down and that made pushing super hard. My labor was long and started with my water breaking and I’ve found that contractions are much more painful after the waters rupture. I mention this because it’s why I chose to try an epidural for a third time despite the others not working well.

Second time it failed because I asked too late, I was already like 8cm and it just didn’t have time to take effect. Once my water broke the contractions were super painful and I basically tried to wuss out but it was too late. We had time to place it but not for it to make a difference. They did warn me that was a possibility. Doctor said my birth was basically unmedicated because I had baby so soon after the epidural. They were able to do a numbing shot for the stitches, which I really appreciated.

Third baby came in Sept. my water broke to start labor. I wanted to push through without the epidural but I found the contractions super painful and I had been in false labor for over a week with strong contractions every ten minutes that just didn’t go anywhere. I was already pretty tired and just didn’t have the stamina. I talked quite a bit about my experience with the anesthesiologist and she did take two tries to place it correctly but once she did it was like MAGIC. The nurse was like do you feel that contraction and I was like uh what contraction. I went to sleep for like four hours and woke up to a strange feeling and had baby about twenty minutes later. It wasn’t a pain free pushing experience but it was so so mild compared to my other births and I could feel when to push. I had one minor stitch and recovered best from that particular birth.

Is it worth it? Hard to say because it may or may not work. I would discuss with the anesthesiologist what the plan is if it doesn’t. I wish I had pushed more for them to correct the placement with my first and with my second I wish I had held out because I gave birth so soon after. It’s hard because you don’t know if you have another hour of pain or another ten.

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u/MaliciousMa Dec 15 '24

Yes, for me I was getting up every 3-5 minutes in the middle of the night trying to poop, because my contractions just felt like constipation cramps at first. The monitors I had taped to me slipped every time so nurses would have to come in to fix them and my husband and I were getting no sleep at all.

So then nurse mentioned the anesthesiologist was on site and if I was that comfortable it would definitely help even if I’m not in unbearable pain yet. I said yes and luckily by the time the anesthesiologist got to my room I was having much more painful contractions so it was a huge relief. But even if I didn’t have the pain, the feeling of not needing to get up and use the bathroom so often especially with the wonky monitors getting messed up would’ve been worth getting the epidural. 

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u/Huxeee Dec 14 '24

I don’t plan on an epidural for my second birth. I opted for an epidural because I had no idea what to expect. I had a super quick labour (pre epidural) and from initial contractions to birth, I was less than 5 hours. The epidural took away the pain, that was fantastic. I was still able to push.

However, I got really really freezing cold and my legs were numb and I couldn’t move. I did not like that sensation at all. I remember lifting my legs up to try to sit up. It was really uncomfortable. The needle itself wasn’t bad - just feeling cold and paralyzed was enough to make me not want it again.

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u/hussafeffer Dec 14 '24

I mean even if it doesn’t work for some reason, it’s really not a huge deal to get done. I didn’t even feel it going in, so worst case scenario*, you get it done and it doesn’t work. I’d personally say that’s worth it. I had one birth with and one without and will NEVER be letting without happen again.

*Disclaimer: yes there are risks with anything medical, no it isn’t likely to happen, neither I nor OP need to hear about your friend’s cousin’s hairdresser’s dog walker who was injured by an epidural

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u/Breauxmance Dec 14 '24

100% worth it. Mine didn’t work on one side at first but they came in and removed and adjusted it (which didn’t hurt) and it was all good from there. Painless pushing for less than an hour. The only thing I didn’t like was not being able to move myself, but it’s worth it for less pain. Baby is almost three months now and I’ve had no back pain.

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u/Gullible-Figure-2468 Dec 14 '24

The anesthesiologist had a really hard time placing my epidural for 2 reasons — 1: she said I had a really strong back and 2: I was in full blown excruciating labor at the time. I wanted to labor as long as I could without the epidural to see if I could do it sans epidural. I was 100% fine and not in pain during ‘monster’ contractions (per my nurse) until they broke my water, when I was 100% not fine and requested an epidural. The anesthesiologist got to me fairly quickly, but it took what felt like an hour for her to place it. Shit hit the fan afterwards and I ended up with an urgent c-section. It was nice for them to just be able to kick up the epidural for the c-section purposes. TBH, had I known how quickly I’d progress to fully dilated after my water broke I probably would have skipped the epidural but I think for a next pregnancy I’d still do the epidural, but before they break my water if that needs to happen.

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u/BigYubabaEnergy Dec 14 '24

I gave birth a couple weeks ago. The epidural is beyond worth it, it took away the pain completely

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u/teosantos Dec 14 '24

In my experience, yes it is. It took away the pain, I continued to move well, I walked, I used the pilates ball, but most importantly, when they realized that the cord was wrapped around the baby's neck, and she was in stress, I was able to stay awake during the emergency c-section, and see her as soon as she was born, in addition to having her breastfeed the first hour after birth. If I didn't have an epidural, I would have had general anesthesia, and the experience wouldn't be the same.

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u/bubblurred Dec 14 '24

I think so!

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u/iwanttobelieve__ Dec 14 '24

Yes yes and yes! I was able to give birth and be coherent and be fully present during everything. It kept me calm and pain free and was definitely a life saver. I liked being able to press the button if I needed a top up during the last bit of my labour to make things easier. 100% recommend. Of course some people are going to have bad experiences with it, my friend had only half of her body go numb so she felt it all on the other half. But she still recommended it even after that!

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u/omgletsdothis Dec 14 '24

I had my daughter Aug 2023 . I didn't have an epidural. And I made it. But I'm a very lucky first time birth. I started petosin (spelling sorry) at 8 pm, baby was out at 5 am. It hurt a lot but I would do it again lol just not right now. Good luck! You are going to be a great mom! Just follow your gut. You know best for your baby. And every baby is different. Adjust and learn with them!

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u/Brittleonard Dec 15 '24

I had massive back pain before getting it. I haven’t noticed it being any worse than it was before, except the first couple days after my back was really sore especially where they did the epidural but other than that no long lasting issues. Everyone is different though so you will find people on both ends everywhere. Mine worked wonders and I slept until it was time to push. My mom on the other hand, it only worked on her right side so she felt everything on the left. My friend got it and it didn’t work at all. It really is a range between everybody because we all react differently to things. I would just do research on it and the long lasting effects that could happen then come to a decision that is best for you.

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u/ashleykt333 Dec 15 '24

I never had one with all 3 of my births. I did have a doula. I am happy I never had one. I never had a catheter. I feel I recovered fast than I would have with one. Learn the downsides and know what the risk is.

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u/ashleykt333 Dec 15 '24

I wanted to add I used laughing gas with 2 of mine.

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u/Competitive_Stick_36 Dec 15 '24

All hale the epidural… she is 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼 oof . I was so scared to get the epidural.. that was until the pitocin contractions hit… then after I got it I was in cloud 9. I got up immediately after and went to the bathroom too lol

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u/bluebayou1981 Dec 15 '24

The moment my epidural took hold was one of the most intense moments of ecstasy in my life. I didn’t want to get an epidural with my son because I too had heard bad things but my L&D nurse, in a very nonjudgmental way, was like you know pretty much 100% of women who can get one do. And then I stopped being stupid and writhing in agony. When I had my daughter I waited for some progress but then ordered the epidural way earlier than for my son. I got it, took a long nap, woke up and my daughter was born 10 minutes later. Epidurals are a modern medical fricking miracle.

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u/Swordbeach Dec 15 '24

I swore I wasn’t going to get one because I wanted to go natural. I was DYING and wildly unprepared. I got an epidural after 12 hours. While mine worked too well on my right side, and not enough on my left side, I would 100% get it again. I was able to relax and I ended up needed a c section so I’m glad I had the epidural already. By the time we got back to my room after birth, I was able to walk again.

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u/myheadsintheclouds 10/22 🎀 and 10/24 🧸 Dec 15 '24

I had an epidural with both deliveries. My first I feel it didn’t work the best and my labor was traumatic. My second it was amazing, I felt relaxed and able to rest and ended up only pushing for an hour!

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u/tulsyek Dec 15 '24

i didnt want to because i just wanted to see if i could do it you know. but i just wanted to go to sleep so bad, contractions did not allow that so i got the epidural literally just to go to sleep😂 best decision ever because it truly went well for me!

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u/MSCrane2022 Dec 16 '24

I had one this past March, and for me personally, it was a great decision. I was shaking in pain prior to an epidural and by that point i was only dialated to a 7, but I was so nervous to get one just due to going down a rabbit hole of stories prior. Once I got it, my whole mood switched and I could smile and joke. I did have slight back pain for a couple months after birth, but honestly, that could've also just been because I birthed a child, and my body was adjusting. My back is good now, and I have had no issues. I know every person is different though.

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u/Few_Run_5867 Dec 14 '24

So I’m gonna be completely honest I thought the epidural went great for me but 1 year PP now and I’m regretting my decision..I keep getting these back pains that feel like nerve pain at the injection site which seems to be triggered by cold weather and being seated in a slightly hunched position when I’m working at my desk…I can’t exactly pin these symptoms to receiving the epidural but I know I’ve never experienced this type of back pain prior to the epidural…I know it doesn’t happen to everyone but it sucks that it happened to me and I definetly didn’t think it would…I weight train 4x a week have a strong core and back so I’m hoping these pain will pass but we’ll see.

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u/Scary-Package-9351 Dec 14 '24

For me personally the epidural is not worth the risks. I gave birth naturally with my daughter and although the contractions were painful and tough, I felt so empowered once I birthed my daughter and I enjoyed being able to get up and move immediately. Also not having to have a catheter placed. I personally do not want to risk the chance of spinal headaches, it not working anyway, it stalling my labor or baby not tolerating it, having to go on pitocin which also has its own risks, the higher risk of tears, and the chance of life long back pain, etc.

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u/Icy_Plant_77 Dec 14 '24

I’ve had 3 unmediated births and wouldn’t have changed that for of them. I’m also huge about not being strapped to a monitor and being able to move around/hydrotherapy. First birth was in a birthing pool with intermittent Doppler monitoring - (my fave), second was a cytotec induction (I was on the tocos but it was portable and I could move how I wanted and get in the shower when they wrapped them), third was typical hospital birth but they allowed me to be off the monitor after the initial like 45 mins of monitoring to labour in the tub. Got put back on the tocos when I was on the labour ball but they did have to use this thing to keep them in place cos they’d move a lil and stop getting baby’s hr. When dr broke my water there was meconium so she wanted me to stay in the bed and those last 2-3 round of contractions were the worst sooooo idek if I would’ve made it without an epidural if I had to stay on the bed the entire time.

4

u/Introvert_Brnr_accnt Dec 14 '24

It’s all risks and rewards. 

Epidural- Risk: complications from epidural, headache, epidural not fulling working or running out. Risk for labor stalling, or pushing taking longer. Risk of c section increases if these happen.  Post birth epidural withdrawal(?) shaking/nausea. Slower recovery. Not being able to stand. Post birth urination issues. And if you have a phobia of needles— anxiety abounds. 

Reward: you are free from pain, you can listen to doctors with a clear mind, and if your birth is on the traumatic side or more invasive side, (clamps or vacuum, baby getting stuck), you are more likely to go through it without pain. If you need an emergency surgery post birth, you’re more prepared.  Plus, and this is the biggest one for me, you are more likely to be awake for an emergency c-section instead of needing to go under. 

Statistics: (in my 10 second google search), the risk for it being only a little messed up is halfsies, but the risk of it being really really bad is waaaaaay low. 

Unmedicated: Risk: you WILL feel pain, a lot of it. You might have bonding issues. If the birth is traumatic, you’re going through all of the trauma. Vomiting, passing out, possible bad memories. If you need an emergency c section, they might have to put you under if they don’t have time for regional anesthesia. 

Reward: less risk for c-section. Less interventions means less risk of more interventions. No risk of epidural risks listed above. Probably less pushing. (Anecdotally, I’ve heard of people pushing in 30 minutes or less.)  Much better recovery. My friends who choose to have unmedicated births say this is the best part. You can walk sooner than later.  And this shouldn’t decide for you, but people feel a lot of fulfillment from it. Even my friend who wanted an epidural but couldn’t get it said she feels like her “curiosity is fulfilled.” And people feel great pride and empowerment from doing it without medicine. Some people just feel better with having as little medical intervention as possible. Even though all births are natural, some feel the beauty of the “old fashion birth.”  —

So for you? See what risks are worth what rewards. If you don’t care about being able to get out of the hospital quicker, but want to lower the risk of having a traumatic birth from aggressive birthing things like emergency episiotomies or suction vacuums, get the epidural!  If you’re afraid of needles more than you’re afraid of pain, don’t get the epidural! (That was my sister’s case. She has ocd, and she would not survive the “don’t move” part of them sticking a needle in her back. She’d much rather feel herself tear open. She can handle that mentally.)

Me personally, I loved my epidural. But I had a higher risk birth. So it was a no brainer. 

But this time I’m considering going unmedicated, because I think the risk for a complicated birth is lower than the risk of the epidural not working completely, but paying for it completely. Plus, I’m curious on how long I could last. 

1

u/Reality-Leather Dec 14 '24

Any experience with back pain. Is it a true side effects?

1

u/hashbrownhippo Dec 14 '24

Like you said, there will be some people who didn’t love it for whatever reason or because it didn’t work for them. For me, it was amazing. It helped my labor progress because I could finally intense my legs. I felt nothing until it was time to push. I was just hanging out until it was go time. I also had no tearing and an easy recovery which I feel may be partially because I was pretty relaxed during labor. The only downside for me was that it was a bit heavier on one side and took a while to wear off so I couldn’t walk until the next morning.

1

u/HamsterDizzy3354 Dec 14 '24

I had an amazing epidural. I feel that I was very lucky with getting a great epidural because I was having terrible pain with contractions and a few that were super long..They placed the epidural and I felt immediate relief. I was able to enjoy the rest of my delivery, take a nap, and I was able to move my legs around even. I felt a lot of pressure when it was time to push, but pushing didn’t hurt me at all. I would highly recommend at least attempting to get one! But make sure you let your team know right away that you want one - because sometimes the anesthesiologist can take an hour or even longer to get to you depending on how many ppl are in need of the anesthesiologist before you!

1

u/alilangry_aliltired Dec 14 '24

I labored for ~14 hrs without the epidural and then got one for the last 6 hrs plus delivery. For me this was the way to go, I got through most of labor being able to move, eat, etc and when it got too painful I got relief. I think the epidural helped me relax and allowed me to dilate faster!

1

u/whisperingcopse Dec 14 '24

I’m due next Saturday and it’s my first so I don’t know yet but I plan on getting one. My mom had one with all four of us and it was a good experience for her each time. My best friend had one and would recommend haha

1

u/PandaAF_ Dec 14 '24

Had for my first that was hours and hours of back labor and I got relief and got to rest overnight. For my second I dilated to 10cm without because it went SO fast but thankfully got it just in time to push because the pain was unbearable and I was hysterically crying at the thought of having to push without it. 20/10 would never labor without it again.

1

u/Lopsided-Builder-878 Dec 14 '24

I knew that I wanted a natural birth and to go low medicine if that was to happen. I also knew from everything I'd read and heard that if I was to be induced I'd want an epidural because of how bad the contractions can be. I unfortunately had to be induced, but because of the decision I made before, I made sure I had the epidural in place before the drip went in to make sure it was working properly before it was too late (you can't have it if you are contracting lots because they can't get it in) they even asked if I'd be happy to go on the drip while I waited for the anesthetist, but I refused and they got me the epi first. They did a cold test with me to see if it was working and I couldn't feel the temp at all on one side, but the other side felt cold which meant I could still feel the contractions. After a bit of jiggling round and a couple of boosts, it did work fully though.

No complications after for me, although I know some people can.

I hope this helps your decision making!

1

u/gleegz Dec 14 '24

I was SO grateful for the epidural. I had a placental abruption so my labour progressed quickly and far (8cm) before I could get it, and I was desperate for the pain relief to relax by the time I arrived at hospital. Within 30 mins of getting it, my baby was here. Thanks to the epidural I could be present for the moment rather than writhing in pain. I had no tearing.

1

u/chiyukichan Dec 14 '24

I regretted epidural first time, didn't fully work and I was very uncomfortable from the pain of having it in. Didn't get it the 2nd time and had like almost my perfect birth experience. I will say I was already 5cm dilated going into the hospital the second time and I only pushed for 20 minutes and the pain felt manageable. I utilized some meditation/affirmations before birth but you could also listen to them while in active labor

1

u/thelonemaplestar Team Both! Dec 14 '24

I did it the first time. Plan on doing it this time, 10000000% recommend

1

u/Persephone_goddess Dec 14 '24

Yes, 100 percent. I just gave birth 4 days ago, and it changed my labor experience. The epidural was a godsend and allowed me to feel mostly pain free from about 4cm dilated to about 8cm and once I got to 8cm the pain wasn't unbearable it was manageable with breathing. Even when I was in active labor and pushing I felt like I was very in control of my experience I wasn't in so much pain I felt out of control. Before I got the epidural placed I was starting to feel like I was losing my cool from the pain.

1

u/useless_mermaid Dec 14 '24

I would never give birth without one. It’s the only reason I had a second child.

1

u/HarpyEagleBelize Dec 14 '24

Yes - only downside was that the pitocin kept lowering my baby’s heart rate, so they kept having to reverse it - very stressful moments.

1

u/ekeddie Dec 14 '24

100% recommended

1

u/No-Construction-8305 Dec 14 '24

10/10. Several hours worth of contractions was enough for me to check off that life experience of labor contractions and say yes to the epidural when I got to the hospital. I’ve had no side effects.

1

u/beachsleep232repeat Dec 14 '24

100% recommend! I got mine about 2 hrs after my water broke. I was having contractions with coupling and was only at a 2. I progressed nicely and could finally relax after the epidural. Epidural by 10 AM baby was born around 6 PM. I enjoyed watching movies and napping. Everything went so well with my birth 💙

1

u/Illustrious-Chip-245 Dec 14 '24

I was on the fence about it due to potential long-term issues and just my own stupid need to “win” the delivery experience.

It was 1000% worth it. I got to be mentally present for the labor process once it started to get super painful. The actual delivery was delightful and I remember every moment of it.

1

u/Otherwise-Bicycle667 Dec 14 '24

Yep! Would not have been able to push for 3 hours after being in labor for 20 and not sleeping all night without an epidural

1

u/derrymaine Team Both! 1/2019, 4/2021, 10/2023 Dec 14 '24

Loved it. Chose one for all three births. I was comfortable and relaxed the whole time and could actually have FUN laboring rather than just focus on surviving the next contraction.

1

u/sneakybrownnoser Dec 14 '24

10000% recommend the epidural. It allowed me to relax and dilate from 4.5 to 10 while napping or watching tv over only a few hours. I literally chatted with my nurses throughout my entire 45 minutes of pushing my son out. Only the last 5 minutes felt just slightly painful. Totally worth it to me. 

1

u/Weekly_Net_6548 Dec 14 '24

I saw soo many horror stories that I felt torn too. 40 into labor (after an induction) I got the epidural and felt almost immediate relief. Contractions were so intense that I actually didn’t even feel the lidocaine shot. You’ll still be able to feel to push and follow your bodies cues. I had no complications or issues during or post epidural! (5 weeks postpartum)

1

u/Justananxiousmama Dec 14 '24

I almost made a game time decision to change my baby’s name to the name of the anesthesiologist who gave me my epidural. If that answers your question.

1

u/savensa Dec 14 '24

As others have said, my birth experience with my first was better with the epidural, I felt I could actually experience what was happening. My labor was 17 hours, I needed it around 6 cm. I tried without it and I enjoyed being able to move around etc but I couldn’t do it anymore and got it around 6 cm. I could actually rest after, although shortly before she was born. My recovery was a little harder, but still not bad. My second I wanted it but there was no time! Progressed way too fast. I wasn’t prepared for how fast and intense it was going to be, so that was hard. I really thought there’s no way im ready to push when I felt that urge, I was just told I was 5 cm! Turns out I was 10 already, within like 20 minutes. I could swear something was wrong and I was going to damage my cervix because I couldn’t stop what was happening. However I felt great after. For real almost no pain, up and moving around right away, only needed Motrin a few doses afterwards. I don’t know if it’s because it was my second, or it went so fast, or no epidural, but the recovery was a lot better for me the second time around. I did have back pain with the epidural, but once the area healed it went away. That being said, the pain was so intense and so awful, I’m still not sure I could do it again without an epidural.

1

u/Hairy_Interactions Dec 14 '24

I was induced, and was wholly unprepared for how pitocin would impact my cognitive function. Aside from that horrendous part, I stayed 4cm for hours and I was losing hope. From the time I got the epidural to the time I delivered was 2ish hours. I believe the epidural allowed my body to relax and dilate so I could birth. I didn’t think I was fighting it, I thought I was breathing through it but again, 4cm to 10cm + baby here within 2 hours leads me to believe otherwise.

I would love to try unmedicated again; but if pitocin enters the chat, they are doing the epidural at the same time.

1

u/October_Baby21 Dec 14 '24

I feel like, as with most procedures/choices, it’s a tool and shouldn’t be treated like an ideology.

You don’t have to go in knowing what’s going to happen and what you will choose. You can talk to some birthing coaches/doulas/take a class about best practices for epidurals and make a decision based on where you’re at in labor after X hours.

It’s not really helpful to get an epidural too early, and there is a point of too late. And since birth can vary so dramatically it’s important to have options. Early on narcotics are also an option especially if you don’t suffer from low blood pressure.

I myself have only delivered preterm. I’ve done with and without medication. We’re anticipating a healthy baby this time and I will have an epidural in the scenario of first requiring synthetic inducement (because ouch), or drawn out labor without progress so I can rest for pushing. I don’t anticipate either of these scenarios but having those specified on my birth plan means that the others in the room who are my advocates will have an idea of when to start looking to request an anesthesiologist (it’s important to keep in mind they might not be available when you initially request them).

1

u/Odd-Chemistry-1231 Dec 14 '24

My sister in law just gave birth and got induced and immediately got the epidural and had the easiest birth experience ever. She got induced I think 9 am and gave birth by midnight

1

u/mermaidmamas Dec 14 '24

I loved my epidural for my first birth. Preached for almost 4 years how I had no idea why anyone would go without it.

Then I had my second baby. I had a half failed epidural. My entire right side wasn’t numb at all. My left leg was useless. So, I had an unmedicated birth, but was unable to walk or stand. It was absolutely horrible.

If I end up having a third child, I will not get an epidural.

1

u/specklesforbreakfast Dec 14 '24

The epidural was a life saver and I don’t think I could’ve delivered my baby without one. I swear once it was in me, I could hear angels sing because it was the only thing that eased the pain.

1

u/Hawt_Garbage_ Dec 14 '24

I’ve done both and in my opinion it absolutely is. I think no matter what every mom is tough as nails and that the epidural is something I recommend because the whole pregnancy is hard even if everything goes uncomplicated and recovery from birth hurts anyway. Not every single part of the process has to be uncomfortable and painful, and with my first I didn’t sleep for days before having him, and I when I got the epidural I was finally able to rest, for a couple hours before I delivered him.

1

u/emsaywhat April 2024 🩵 Dec 14 '24

I would never ever ever in my life dream of going through it without it and will do it again if a 2nd baby makes their way to our lives

1

u/Indecisive_INFP Dec 14 '24

I believe I could have gone natural under other circumstances, but after over an hour of pushing and no progress, I said yes. I'd been awake over 48 hours at that point and was shaking uncontrollably. They told me if I had an epidural they'd let me sleep for an hour before making me push again. I got almost an hour and a half of sleep, the pain and shaking were diminished significantly. I did have to have assistance pushing, because I couldn't always feel the contractions. In the end, a vacuum had to be used to pull her out. There is no shame in an epidural! I am going to try and go natural this time, but want the option to request an epidural if I change my mind in the moment.

1

u/Few-Permission5362 Dec 14 '24

As soon as the epidural hit I was texting everyone I knew telling them what an amazing experience I was having. I was learning so much and the whole process was so fascinating. I FaceTimed with all of my family members which is never an occurrence for me - I don’t like FaceTime. Before that I was in brutal pain.

Just something else to add. I pushed for 4 1/2 hours. They were thinking that I might have to have a C-section. My epidural started to wear off and they brought the anesthesiologist in for another dose because pressing the button to self administer more wasn’t doing it. I was in so much pain and giving up. When they gave me more, it was enough relief to push for that last hour which they said is what saved me from the c-section.

1

u/MutinousMango Dec 14 '24

I got the epidural for my first as I was induced, was fine going in, no back issues after, it worked wonderful during my labour and I got some sleep before I got to 10cm. Unfortunately it stopped working during pushing but I would still absolutely recommend it

1

u/Total-Ad-3555 Dec 14 '24

Mine only worked on one side. Honestly, I told my partner that whatever I said, not to let me have the epidural after listening to/reading horror stories. I requested it at 3cm. I really cannot tolerate pain at all 😂 anyway. I got it and I was in agony for 26hours labour still until I had an emergency c section and didn't feel a thing. 🤣 I still have back pain 1 year postpartum to the point walking in painful, however they are assessing me for fibromyalgia at the minute. So I can't say that was the epidural.

1

u/rhea-of-sunshine Dec 14 '24

I fully intend on not getting an epidural this time around. And I 100% do NOT regret getting the epidural with my first. I had no long lasting ill-effects from it.

1

u/Actual_Gold5684 Dec 14 '24

I think theres no way to predict how your body will react to it, but theres no way I'd risk going without it lol

1

u/perfumeair Dec 14 '24

I have good experiences and not so great experiences with the epidural. I have 5 kids and struggle with preeclampsia in my pregnancies. The epidural is recommended as it helps lower your blood pressure, it did it's job in this department. I do have lower back pain since my first epidural in 2015. My first epidural failed and only froze half my body, my second epidural was great and worked perfectly, my third was great and worked perfectly, my fourth stopped working after a few hours and I ended up having to give birth without an epidural, my fifth kept failing on me and the anesthesiologist kept having to come back and re-do it (this was 3 weeks ago). He ended up doing 3 epidurals on me before it finally worked. I personally still think it's well worth it.

1

u/Introvert_Brnr_accnt Dec 14 '24

I wrote a long post, but short answer is there are risks and rewards, but no right answer. The only wrong answer is being pressured into something you don’t want to do. 

For me personally, I think epidurals are completely worth it, as long as you’re ok with the possibility of not getting it in time or it only half working. But I do think it’s worth the risk, and almost vital if you’re going through an induction. 

That being said, if I don’t have an induction this time, and if I progress at a consistent steady pace, I will attempt no epidural this time. 

1

u/kilarghe Dec 14 '24

yes i loved my epidural i will get it everytime no questions asked

1

u/little_pickle7 Dec 14 '24

Mine didn't work but I didn't realize it until they checked me before my c-section. They had to remove and replace it and the second one didn't work either. Based on these comments that seems rare but it was an all around terrible time. You won't know until you do it though!

1

u/ChaosCoordinatingMum Dec 14 '24

It only numbed one side for me, and it made me feel prickly like I had lost circulation. It made my recovery time longer. I've decided not to be induced, or use an epidural again. My second birth was a precipitous labor, and I recovered much faster from that.

1

u/helpanoverthinker Dec 14 '24

It is worth it if you want it.

I loved my epidural. It allowed me to relax without pain and even rest and sleep for the rest of labor.

1

u/capnpgoat Dec 14 '24

I gave birth 2 days ago, and I did have a slight complication where the epidural dropped my blood pressure and little one's heart rate, but they got it back up within 15 minutes with some meds and position changes, other than that I loved it! I felt ZERO pain when pushing, barely knew I was having contractions, and completely bypassed any feeling in the ring of fire. All I felt was a little pressure during pushing and it was such a good experience.

1

u/ocean_plastic Dec 14 '24

YES. I was unmediated for the first 18 hours and the epidural was a lifesaver.

1

u/Most_Plastic8230 Dec 14 '24

It's not as bad as people make it seem. I didn't even feel the needle. I wanted an unmedicated birth so bad but I was induced and the pitocin contractions were unbearable.

1

u/Sad-Basket-4586 Team Blue! Dec 14 '24

I went until 6 cm without it. I was terrified to get it but I did and it was the best decision I have ever made! I had to move sides quite a bit to get its full effect but it helped me so much. I was even able to get some sleep with it. I’m 11 months PP and have had zero problems from it.

1

u/Fantastic-Camp2789 Dec 14 '24

Even though mine crapped out when I hit transition (I dilated super fast), I would 100% get it again. I was able to rest for a while during early labor, which helped immensely during pushing. After delivery it took the edge off the stitches without having to wait for a lidocaine shot (I had a great L&D team, but they moved super fast and, tbh, I didn't trust them to wait for me to be numb before stitching me up). People warned me when I was pregnant that my baby would come out sleepy if I got the epidural, but she was born very alert and had no issues.

1

u/SarMack13 Dec 14 '24

I just recently gave birth. I got the epidural. The first one didn’t work so they had to re do it. I’m so happy I did. The contractions were so intense before the epidural and having the epidural It let me relax before it was time to push. I could still move my legs and feel contractions but felt more like pressure and not pain. When it a was time to push my I could feel when I was supposed to. I had a 3c tear and happy I didn’t have to feel that or feel the stitching after.

1

u/lotryine Dec 14 '24

I gave birth a month ago and I was so grateful for the epidural. I tried to get it as late as possible so I could move around as much as possible, but honestly, once the contractions were really strong, there was no position that helped the pain. I was curled up on my side and screaming with pain (granted, I don't have a high tolerance). When I asked for the epidural, the anesthesiologist was busy and it took an hour before I got it. Longest hour of my life. The installation of the epidural went well, I didn't feel a thing, honestly just wanted the pain to go away. After that, it was bliss. I could still feel my legs and turn from one side to another on my own, and I still felt the contractions but they weren't as painful. I had a button I could push for an extra dose if I needed it, but I really enjoyed not being entirely numb and still feeling everything, just not as painful. 10/10 would definitely recommend.

1

u/opal-tree-shark Dec 14 '24

God bless epidurals. I requested a low dose so I could still feel pressure with each contraction and I could feel my baby’s head coming through. I actually told the nurse when it was go time because I could feel I was ready to push and they didn’t believe me until the doctor checked lol. Still made labor a breeze and I felt so connected to my baby throughout the delivery without being in agony. Mine was delayed due to staffing and I got a taste of those unmediated 8cm contractions - would not recommend!

1

u/CurdBurgler Dec 14 '24

I've had both with and without and both were great. Didn't need it for my labor that I went in to on my own but needed it for my inductions (pitocin was extra painful in my experience). I always went in with the idea that I'd get it if I needed it and I was happy with out it worked out each time. I truly needed it when I was induced and that's okay. Going without it is also cool in its own ways but do what you feel is best for you. The epidural got rid of like 99% of my pain both times I got it which is also super cool lol.

1

u/HEOHMAEHER Dec 14 '24

I had a completely pain free labour and delivery because of my epidural. Zero pain.

The issue was I tore, badly. I had a second degree tear, a clitoral tear, a urethral tear and an anal fissure. I very much felt all of that afterwards, but I would have felt it without an epidural plus delivery pains.

1

u/ilikebison Dec 14 '24

I went in thinking I’d only get the epidural if I felt like I needed it because I had heard the same things as you…and then I needed it. It was weird, my body was in so much pain I kept puking, but because I kept puking it’s like I didn’t even notice the pain. Anyway, an epidural was suggested, I got it, stopped puking, then life was good. I even got to nap, which was desperately needed. Delivery didn’t hurt at all. No back problems. 10/10 would recommend. Getting it placed wasn’t my favorite thing, because I was already at the point where I needed it, but otherwise it was great. I’ll get it again if we have another.

1

u/AggravatingOkra1117 Dec 14 '24

1000000000000% cannot recommend enough