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For anyone who has ever had an epidural..
Ok pleeeeease tell me honestly
Does it hurt having the epi as much as I have been led to believe?
Would you do it again?
I am only 16 weeks but am starting to get quite scared abot having to give birth and what makes it worse is that I'm horrible with needles and the thought of that freeking long needle going into my spine scares the living crap out of me! But I know I need to get myself used to the idea... so please let me have your honest thoughts!
Abby (16+1)
Does it hurt having the epi as much as I have been led to believe?
Would you do it again?
I am only 16 weeks but am starting to get quite scared abot having to give birth and what makes it worse is that I'm horrible with needles and the thought of that freeking long needle going into my spine scares the living crap out of me! But I know I need to get myself used to the idea... so please let me have your honest thoughts!
Abby (16+1)
0
Replies
I have been told by everyone I have asked that the epi does nt hurt. They will give it to you whilst you are having a contraction so you will not feel it.
Honestly hun you don't need to worry, plus you won't be able to see the needle
Caz
xx
I am having it for the 3rd time and I am a complete coward so it cant be that bad!!! The 1st time I had it I must admit I was under the influence of gas and air and I cant remember feeling anything then the 2nd time I had a complete dickhead who couldnt do it attempt twice (it did hurt then) but the midwife gave his a telling off then when the "proper" man came in I didnt even notice he had done it!
I think its worse when you worry too much because you tense up and they are stood there with a big needle saying "relax". Yeah right!
You will be fine!!!
Hopefully you won't need one and even if you do it's nothing at all like you imagine. Hope it all goes well for you.
Rebecca x
To be honest, if I think about it I still get freaked out - knowing what it is and where it's going is just not normal!
However, I have always been fine - the only thing that caught me unawares was when it touched a nerve and my leg jolted out! If you've got a good team they will talk you through it and have it done in no time - I've had all mine done 'cold' as it were before sections so was fully aware. I've heard ladies say that they didn't even particularly notice it if they were inbetween contractions - just the sheer relief of it working!
Good luck hon - really, don't let it spoil your pregnancy.
Karenxx
34+5
xxx
I'm 17+1 so not far ahead of you. This is my first so not had an eipdural before but I'm guessing by the time I need one, I'm going to be in so much pain anyway, I'll gladly let someone stick a large needle in my spine if it means a bit of pain relief Which is funny because when you think of it now, it sounds horrific! Mind you, I think I will ask them not to show me the needle - I think I might freak out on the spot seeing that. I'm quite squemish (if that's spelt right) so I don't think I'll really want to see anything that's going on 'down there' - some people have mirrors and videos made of the whole thing - not really my cup of tea
I had to have 1 and I didn't even feel them doing it!! I had been in active labour for around 6 hours so by that point the epidural was nothing compared to what I had been feeling. Having said all that I am hoping not to have one when I have another baby but thats nothing due to the pain of it(or lack of pain) but because I didn't want one the first time round but had no choice this time round I hope to have a choice and go completely natural.
They numb you first with a local anyway before the big needle goes in - believe me it is far worse for your partner as they actually see the size of the needle!!
Helen 25 + 3
i was also against it and so was my oh but when i was in labour both me n kirk ended up begging for it at 3cm i got it at 5cm and summer was born 15 mins later!!!
it didnt hurt at all i just felt some pushing on my back thats all i will never give birth without one i still knew when to push and defo felt her coming out!!!!
good luck
vicky n summer xxx
I think I'm generally just getting myself quite twitchy about the whole thing - and i'm only 16 weeks!
I think i'm just going to take everything one stage at a time - have my 16 week mw appt on thurs and hoping to be able to hear baby's heartbeat (in that interim stage after first scan and before 20 wk scan when not really feeling pg so am really looking forward to that) and will then try and take things week by week and not focus too much on labour
Perhaps baba will just come out when I am asleep one night without me noticing a thing? lol
Abs xxx
I had one even though I have previously undergone spinal surgery and have scar tissue in the exact place they need to insert, didn't feel the needle at all. Gave birth naturally & pushed pain free.
My advise is enjoy your pregnancy and worry about it when the time comes, you'll know what's right for you then.
Ell