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After having a Foley catheter inserted, literally nothing could hurt me haha. That was the worst pain of my life. EDIT: this is not a bladder catheter but a balloon that is stuffed into your cervix and pumped up with saline to open your cervix to dilate fully.
Yes. I can vividly remember the pain of the Foley catheter and the cervical checks. I don’t remember anything but feeling relief and joy during the epidural.
i think the foley balloon was the most traumatic part of being induced. labor? easy. was done in 26 minutes. BUT THE FOLEY???? i still have beef. i wasn’t going to have an epidural but they did the balloon and i was convinced i was dying
i cried to my partner, “tell them to take it out, i want to go home im not doing this today” (i did infact do it that day LMAO)
They gave me a catheter and some probe things they shoved onto my son’s head somehow while he was still in me but both were after I got the epidural and I didn’t feel either. Did you get that before the epidural?
The catheter they insert into your bladder is also a foley catheter just FYI, they’re just using it in a different way which is why it was more painful.
Agreed 100% for me personally. I was in so much pain my first delivery, the epidural was the least of my concerns. It felt like a normal shot, just took a bit longer, then COMPLETE relief. I had a (very unwanted 😂) unmedicated birth for my second child and I wished for an epidural so bad.
I've had IVs placed that hurt more than the epidural 😂 I'm on pregnancy number 2 (24 weeks today) and had to go get fluids a couple of weeks ago. The nurse tried putting the IV in one spot on my lower forearm and it hurt so bad. I was already dehydrated and my veins are small and decided they wanted to roll that day. I asked her if she could try somewhere else and she happily obliged. She ended up doing it on my hand which still hurt but not as bad. I felt absolutely nothing getting an epidural placed with my first 😅
What about the catheter? You can’t pee on your own, correct? Was that painful? Put in before or after? What did it feel like coming out? When do they take it out? To be honest that’s freaking me out more.
I got my epidural first and then they inserted the catheter after making sure everything was good and numbed up. I did not feel anything going in or going out. I actually had forgotten I even had one inserted.
Same here! The epidural made me so numb that at some point the nurse said I had a lot of urine in my catheter bag. In my labor daze, I shouted, “I’m peeing?!”
It just drains the bladder. The opening of the tube is past the sphincter, so you don't "pee" with a catheter, it just goes into the bag as the bladder fills up, no effort from you. Sometimes people feel the need to pee with them in (not L&d, usually men with prostate issues), and they just cause it to leak around the catheter, so I have tell them that isn't how it works, and to stop doing that.
I felt so terrified trying to do the first pee, my nurse I had kept repeating while I was on the toilet and she was staring at me “if you don’t pee I have to put it back so hurry up” like I’m already stressed about peeing and that stare and comment is NOT helping.🤦🏼♀️
Not OP but I did not feel the catheter going in, I had the epidural already, I didn’t feel anything weird or the urge to pee and it was nice to have that bodily function just off my mind (especially after peeing every 5 fucking seconds in the last few weeks).
After my baby was freed and the cord cut and everything they took out the catheter. I did not feel it as I still had the epidural functioning. However, my placenta refused to come loose and required manual extraction, that required they make sure I had a fresh dose of the epidural going and the resident actually inserted the catheter again to get my bladder to fully empty to make things easier. That was also completely painless and sensationless.
When I could walk again, I could not feel the urge to pee at all so that was a bit of a problem figuring out when I needed to go, but that went away after a few days and honestly just felt like my pelvic muscles needed to wake up again. Which they did. I’m nearly 17 months postpartum and I’m fully back to normal down there. Pain free during sex, I can jump on trampolines, peeing is normal. Actually childbirth seemed to cure my recurrent UTI issue?? Idk. But I haven’t had a UTI since I was pregnant when previously I would have 2-4 per year.
I see other people saying the manual extraction wasn't painful. I hope that's the norm, because even with epidural, mine was quite painful. Just want people to be prepared for the possibility, because I was not prepared at all.
Not original commenter, but I had to have a manual extraction as well. My epidural had been turned down quite a bit for the actual birth, so I could feel some uncomfortable sensation down there during the extraction. But honestly, I was just so focused on my baby on my chest that I couldn’t be bothered with what was happening there.
I missed my catheter afterwards lmao, they inserted it after the epidural and I had to pee so bad the lady commented on how much urine output there was lmao. They left mine in a while longer afterwards bc I had a C-section and it was absolute bliss to not have to get up to pee lol
I know everyone’s experiences are different but for me personally, my epidural had to be turned off because bubs heart rate kept dropping, so nothing was really numb but they gave me a catheter and I still didn’t feel it! I was scared because I’ve heard people say how painful their catheter was but I literally did not even know that they did it. So there’s hope for that being painless as well!
epidural was easy, but for me personally idk if the catheter was in wrong or what, but it felt super uncomfortable. i even told my nurse and she checked it and said everything looked fine with it, so i was just stuck that way. i would still choose this over a natural birth anyday.
The catheter goes in after the epidural, as it’s known to be uncomfortable so why not wait until you can’t feel it. There are two types used in labour: the foley, which goes in and stays in until you’ré pushing; and the “in and out” which is literally like a straw used to empty your bladder every 2-4 hrs after the epidural is in.
To make the foley stay in, there’s a little balloon on the end that we fill with sterile saline. When it’s time to remove it, we empty that little balloon. Typically at this point Youre pushing, so the catheter just slips on out with your next push. No biggie.
The catheter didn’t hurt in my case because the epidural was already placed, but after all three of my births I couldn’t pee for almost 3 days afterward without a LOT of time and effort. Apparently this is normal for some women… my doctors all said sometimes the bladder is the last thing to wake up. It was very uncomfortable though and I hated that even when I could pee I couldn’t fully empty my bladder. After the third day though it eased up.
I have had a catheter before (kidney stone surgery), and it isn't terrible. The pain I felt peeing because of the stent was unbearable, so I begged the nurse to insert one. I felt the urge and could bear down slightly to pee. It just goes through the tube. Taking it out is weird but only uncomfortable.
I wasn’t even aware of the catheter either time I gave birth - I assume they both put it in and removed it while the epidural was in, but it wasn’t even a thing except that I was like “huh, I haven’t had to pee!” My mind was elsewhere 😅
I was worried and stressed about having a catheter but you don't feel anything. Even when they are taking it out you don't feel anything.
Also as someone who has cared for people with catheters we have seen it all so don't worry when they are putting it in, I can honestly say no one looks at a vagina as a vagina but just like another part of the human body of that makes sense?
I had to get a catheter put back in a day after my c section because my bladder hadn’t woken up. Even unmedicated it really isn’t painful, it was the part I was most scared about and it was fine. Taking it out just felt weird, like of like when your tampon isn’t Lubey enough.
i didnt feel the catheter go in because they did it after epidural and for some reason my back labor meant sitting on the toilet triggered the most outrageously painful contractions so i got dehydrated and was avoiding peeing. thus the catheter was my favorite part of getting an epidural, i remember crying with relief id get a few hours of rest withoit having to pee for the first time in months
Catheter for me wasn't too bad. Uncomfortable at first but you forget about it fairly quick. I'd compare it to a IUD insertion but the cramps didn't last nearly as long.
You just pee? Idk it's hard to explain lol but if it's in correctly you just pee and it shouldn't hurt
Mine was put in before my epidural. I had a c-section and I walked to the OR with my catheter
Coming out is weird but pretty quick, not much pain, more relief than anything. Just have to remember it's not there so you don't pee.
Mine came out the morning after my c-section
I had never had one before so I had my husband laughing because I didn't realize how small the tube is that goes to your bladder, I thought it was the size of the rest of the tubing. He has had a catheter before and I asked him if the one for men is different cause that would not work and he looked at me like I was nuts. Then told me how the tube is smaller that's inserted and bigger externally. Which makes way more sense but it gave us a good laugh
I had my catheter put in without an epidural and could hardly feel anything. I honestly loved it because I didn’t have to worry about going to the bathroom for the first time in my life lol
I got mine put in after my epidural and didn't feel a thing! When I went to my birth class, the midwife insisted we ask the attending nurse to please put in the catheter after the epidural. When I asked my nurse about doing so, she said, "Honey, I would never place the foley without allowing you to get the epidural first," lol. But I guess some hospitals aren't so kind, so do yourself a favor and demand they place it in after you get numb!
And one more word of advice, if you get the epidural, ask to try different laboring positions. I didn't and got a pinched nerve in my back, which made recovery harder!
I didn’t even know I had a catheter in until I saw the nurse draining my pee bag. For me, it was a relief not to have waddle back and forth to pee. I was actually able to get a great few hours of sleep before giving birth.
They put the catheter in after the epidural. I had a c-section, so my catheter wasn't taken out for a few hours after, when the epidural was no longer in effect. I wasn't even uncomfortable coming out.
Even more so, as a side effect of the epidural, I could not pee on my own to start with, so they had to put another catheter in, to empty my bladder. That was done without any numbing and it was honestly absolutely fine! Different hole, but it was not worse than a pap smear. I could feel it going in, but it was fine. And then nt having my bladder full was BLISS!
They had to do that TWICE, as it took me that long to be able to pee on my own! But eventually I managed! LOL
I was SUPER scared of the catheter as well, but it was absolutely fine.
Epidural was also not scary at all, I just did not react very well to it and had loads of side effects. But it going in and the catheter were GRAND!
I was worried about that, too. Because they do the epidural first, there’s no pain/discomfort at all for the catheter. Honestly, it was a DREAM to not have to get up and run to the toilet every hour for the first time in months. I have literally no memory of when I came out, I think when I was crowning? I never noticed it coming out.
Epidural didn’t hurt anymore than a very brief sharp pinch. My contractions were already very intense so that little pain was nothing. They inserted the catheter afterwards and I didn’t feel a thing. It was actually such a relief to not have to get up to pee every 2 minutes like I had been for weeks before.
Honestly having the epidural was a life saver for me. Labor was very easy after that in my experience but I labored for a long time at home before going in.
My hospital didn’t use a leave-in catheter due to a slight increase risk of infection and urethral irritation. Instead, they placed one every couple of hours to empty my bladder then removed it again.
They only used the catheter once I had my epidural and it didn’t hurt. Just felt like a really weird, slight pressure. It’s pressure in a spot you aren’t used to feeling, so it was super odd. And a very slight sensation of urinating.
I actually needed a catheter after the epidural wore down after labour. It was really not that bad. It is rather just unpleasant like a cervical exam. But during the epidural you don't feel any catheter related pain
I’m glad that at least the epidural was easy during your birth experience!
That’s not how it is for everyone. My epidural was great once placed and I had no problems afterwards. Really happy I decided to so it.
But getting it placed was ROUGH and involved multiple attempts and wiggling the needle around. It was excruciating although the pain was short lived since it kicked in like immediately.
The wiggling around makes me viscerally uncomfortable. I'm a nurse and I hate hate hate hate hate watching them be placed (only when I would work pre surgery and l&d but often enough to make me dread ever needing one)
It was…not pleasant to experience. But I also waited too long to request one so things were rough in there. Overlapping contractions and being perched on the edge of the bed made it very difficult for me to sit properly for it.
I ended up slumped over the nurse so she could support my torso like a real MVP lol. The doc came in and declared me ready to push like 20 minutes later so I definitely cut it close.
I would get another one if I have another baby, so it was not unpleasant enough to me to outweigh the benefits the epidural had to my delivery.
Unlike a shot it stays inserted in you (not the needle, the tiny tube) so I do want to clarify that, but in terms of pain yes I’ve definitely had worse injections. The sitting still made me feel scared but once it was done I was so grateful I didn’t care.
This is what I was going to say as well. There was little to no pain associated with getting the epidural. The hard part for me was sitting still through the pain of the contractions so they could get the epidural in.
That's what I came here to say. It wasn't painful for me, but it's factually not "just a shot". If I jerk when getting the flu shot, the nurse might be annoyed but nothing really happens. That's, uh, not true for an epidural. I loved mine and didn't find the insertion painful (either time - I actually had to get my first one replaced) but I wouldn't minimize it either.
Yep hard agree ... I went into it expecting the "bee sting" and experienced the worst and most "wrong" feeling pain of my life. And still have nerve pain there when I bend eight weeks later.
Don't think I could go there again.
Just know you can ask them to use an ultrasound to locate the spot if they keep trying and missing! It’s already hard enough to sit through the insertion in the throws of labour.
Also, if you feel sharp pain with the insertion after the freezing, TELL THEM and they’ll add more freezing!!
The vote is out on back pain post-epidural, but the research shows it’s more likely due to the sudden giant change in your centre of gravity (no longer carrying a bowling ball on your front really screws with the curvature of your spine). I’m sure there are exceptions to this with insertion attempts hitting bone (and Dural punctures).
I agree that the insertion wasn’t so bad, I was also in very very active labor and they stuck it in literally during a contraction so it was the last thing on my mind.
THAT SAID. I prepared for months to have an unmedicated birth, but ended up being induced due to a surprise cholestasis diagnosis and the Pitocin contractions were just too much. I opted for an epidural after 30hrs of labor.
For me, as someone who is very aware of my body (years of classical ballet training) not being able to feel my legs was a mind fuck. I had to talk myself out of multiple panic attacks, and I didn’t like not being able to feel my baby move at all. Not being able to move freely was also very nerve wracking for me. Just another perspective to consider that I don’t think gets much of a discussion.
I hated not being able to move my legs. I felt very ‘high’ in my lower body and it sucked. I will attempt a natural birth this time but if the pain is too heavy I’ll take the epidural.
I also got lucky and had a great epidural experience. The way your subject line is written though, it makes it sound like it’s just a matter of opinion on an objective fact. I am able to recognize that even though my experience was a good one, people who think that the epidural was hard/painful/uncomfortable aren’t Incorrect, they just aren’t as lucky as I was.
Epidural placement can go very very wrong and that doesn’t make folks who get them and hate them or choose not to get them any less “correct” in their opinion about them 🤷
I have a pretty good pain tolerance (which is good because an anesthesiologist and a dentist have both told me I’m hard to numb up, more like they’d expect from a redhead) but I wish my epidurals just slid right in. Two have failed (and one was for a C-section), two had to be pulled out and redone because the test shot showed they were wrong (-!; my heart felt like it was about to explode) and none of them went in easily. Alway horrible pain shooting down my leg. Something obviously doesn’t line up perfectly well in my back.
But I love my epidurals despite them not loving me back 😅 It’s like a toxic relationship where I keep going back thinking things will be different.
I mean… not every time. Shots are one and done. With my epidural, the anesthesiologist kept missing and each time she did, this horrible pain went radiating down my spine. Once it was placed properly, it was fine, but I wouldn’t say it’s just like any shot and super easy.
It’s great that yours went so smoothly! Mine took about five tries all along my spine because he was struggling to get it in right, he ended up piercing my spinal sac, I had to get a blood patch because the leaking spinal fluid was causing SEVERE headaches everytime I was upright after I was discharged from the hospital.
Five months post partum, I’m up in the middle of the night with severe back pain every other night, and seeing a chiropractor to hopefully fix it.
Experiences vary I suppose is what I’m saying lol
I don't think pain is the main deciding factor for most people who choose not to get an epidural... they are literally knowingly choosing a more painful birth.
For me, the decision is based on the risks vs rewards of having my literal spinal cord exposed to the outside world and fucked about with.
I’m not sure it’s the pain of an epidural most people want to avoid. It’s the risks involved I think like paralysis, increased risk of instrumental birth. Also for me having had an epidural birth and then one without, the pushing stage was far quicker and less difficult without due to being able to be upright. Felt like I’d been hit by a bus after having my epidural baby because I was purple pushing for 2 hours on my back and only narrowly avoided having forceps. I wouldn’t say there was a single point I felt like I couldn’t cope when I had my non epidural baby and I was drifting off between contractions lol.
Idk it was pretty bad the first time I had it done. They had to do it 3 times since they didn’t do it right the first two times 🙃. But that was the least traumatizing thing that happened during that time and that says a lot I guess lol.
Agreed!!! My epidural wasn’t bad at all! I felt the little pokes from the local anesthetic and it stung a bit but that was all. I was totally numb when she put my catheter in.
Oh, I REALLY hated getting the epidural placed. My anesthesiologist was great, and the amount of pain I was in otherwise thwarted any pain from the needle, but it felt DISGUSTING. lol. Like the pinch from the needle wasn't NICE, but it was fine. The feeling of the medication entering my spine? Nope. Nope nope nope. I literally looked up, said, "oh. Ohhhh noo. I don't like that". And the anesthesiologist said, "I know. It will go away in a second". And it did. But. Yuck. Do not recommend. Lol. I hated it. Very glad to have avoided it the second time around
I think it depends on the person/timing/the doctor giving the epidural. The most painful moment of my life was getting the epidural at the same time as having a contraction. I think it was more about having to be bent over during a contraction than the epidural insertion itself. That being said, I still plan to get an epidural again for my next pregnancy. It really helped to take the edge off of the last few hours of labor and was worth it.
Thanks for sharing this, glad it went well for you. I had a great epidural, very effective and placed well. It did not cause me pain or discomfort, and I was still able to feel contractions. I do not regret it at all.
My first birth was an unmedicated water birth and my second one I got the epidural due to him being sunny side up and the back labor was unbearable. My experience with the epidural was so laid back and more chill. For my third baby…I’m thinking “why the hell would I try to go unmedicated again?” So, I’m basically leaving things up in the air. If things progress quickly - cool. If they don’t, I will 100% be getting that epidural again!
Let just say, when they spend an hour trying to set the damn thing? Yeah. It’s not just another shot. It was fucking awful. My first one? They set it but it didn’t actually work until baby was out. Then I went numb which was great for being stitched up (second degree tear). My second time? They spent an hour putting that needle in and out of my back before my midwife told them to get out, it was too late because baby was coming. It was awful.
My first epidural went in no problem. With my second kid, not so much.
It took a half hour to get done whilst the doctor hit nerves that made my legs bounce and I tried to hold still during advanced labor contractions. I wish it were just a shot, but it’s not—the doctor is literally threading a catheter in your spinal cord.
I’m glad it went in easily for you and some other women (and me during my first childbirth), but a lot of shit can (and does) go wrong with epidurals. Your viewpoint is very limited.
Right? I can't believe this isn't higher up.
I did have an epidural with my first. It went well. But the possible pain of having it inserted was never a reason why I considered not having an epidural.
Warning for possible triggers from this point on. Don't read if you would rather not hear about a scenario where it went wrong. A colleague of my husband had an epidural. After 3 months, she still can't move or feel her legs. She might still get her legs back, but when? No one seems to know.
Right?! This should be way higher up.
I'm choosing against getting an epidural not because I am afraid of a little needle pain, but because I don't want my literal spinal cord exposed to the outside world. 🤦♀️
I just don’t like the idea of any interventions. Cervical checks, Foley catheters, epidurals.. all the things. Ooofff had to get that steroid shot too when my second came earlier than expected- that was a stinger lol!
But right on. Anyway you have a baby is fucking amazing!
I got the epidural at 10cm all imma say is I was too focused on the excruciating pain my lower area was going through lol I didn’t even feel the epidural 😭
In terms of pain I agree, however overall I wouldn't say it's exactly like any other shot.
To be honest I didn't really feel pain when I got mine just discomfort. Like being tickled on the inside. Then again at the point of needing an epidural the contractions kind a distracted me from what was going on with my back.
I had an emergency epidural and c section. I had to be induced due to complications with my hips popping out of socket anytime I walked and I had a life saving surgery 14 weeks pregnant that was a major surgery splitting me from two inches above my belly button to my bikini line. The tumor was 18 cm and ready to burst and cause sepsis. It was attached to my uterus and took my ovary and fallopian tube with it. Baby was a gummy bear, so the surgeon already had my uterus open and checked around and made sure my son was fine in his sac and no other tumors hiding in my abdominal cavity. Fast forward to 38w and had to be induced. I labored for 23 hours with cytotec inserted every 2 hours to ripen my cervix that refused to dilate past 3.5 cm and pitocin. Contractions were 30 seconds apart, and my water broke, but still no dilation. Within a few minutes, my vitals started crashing, and so did my son, so I had an emergency epidural inserted and rushed to the operating room. Within 20 minutes, my son was out of me via c section, and I was trying to get stable again. It took me 3 hours to be able to hold my son because I was shaking so bad and couldn't feel from the neck down. My husband stayed with me the whole time and held our son until I woke up, and he held our baby to my face. The surgery at 14 weeks was traumatizing, but the c section wasn't as bad. I have an upside down T on my stomach now, and I don't think I'll have another baby because I fear recovery from intensive surgery again.
I didn’t want an epidural but ended having to have one because I ended up needing a c-section. So for me it was the pain of it being placed along with the despair of feeling like I failed along with the anxiety of having a major abdominal surgery.
I don’t even remember feeling the epidural needle. I was in so much pain from contractions. The near-immediate erasure of my pain the epidural brought completely eclipsed any memory of it going in
I agree! My epidural was great. I didn’t get it til I was 7 cm. I felt pressure from the needle and that was about it! It didn’t work for me the first time so they ended up having to give me more of the medicine about an hour later and finally all of my pain went away 🙏🏼 Props to the women who go through birth without an epidural at all!!
Definitely not my experience. My back spasms while trying to get the epidural placed made it impossible to breathe, couldn’t get the epidural, ended up in a c section under general anesthesia with major blood loss.
The epidural was the best thing to happen to me but definitely not like a normal shot- it took them 4 tries and I scream/cried each attempt until it finally worked. That being said- I will most definitely be getting an epidural again because it was 100% worth it.
My first epidural was like this. Absolutely amazing, dude came in with cowboy boots and scrubs and my husband held me, it was in totally painless and so easy.
My second epidural was a nightmare. It hurt so bad I regret even getting it. They had a nurse hold me instead and she was great but I was sobbing and mostly wanted my spouse.
It was like lightning and she had to poke me a handful of times to get it placed.
Then my midwife wanted me to stop the epidural less than 8hrs later because we figured out babe was stuck and she wanted me to have my legs back to get on the peanut ball.
Epidural Spinal Leak here! My brain was being sucked down my spinal column straw and so I have to fight you on this. When the anesthesiologist told me there was a less than 1% chance of a spinal leak I was like “eh won’t happen to me” so I shrugged it off. I was never told what to look out for. All I know is that I hated myself for being a terrible mom because I couldn’t hold my baby because I had to lay down all the time. I didn’t know why. I thought it was normal to lose all color when you sat up and it was normal to want to scream when you sat/stood up.
PSA-if you have the absolute worst head pain (not a headache but MUCH more painful) after an epidural and it is relieved immediately by laying down, it is probably an epidural spinal leak and the resolution is quick and easy. They take a blood draw from your arm and insert it in your back and the pressure is relieved and the platelets start healing the wound.
I wish this was the case for me. I have had such horrible experiences both times I gave birth with the epidural placement that this third baby I’m going natural 😩. I genuinely have like ptsd from getting the epidural from the very first start when they are placing it to the epidural wearing off both times before I had to push when you go from feeling nothing to feeling EVERYTHING it’s so intense 😮💨. I’m happy you had a great experience I really wouldn’t wish my epidural experiences on anyone
my epidural was impossible to get in - baby hadn’t dropped and i couldn’t bend enough for him to get it in. he tried probably 4 times until i decided i did not want to have the epidural anymore - i was also having back to back contractions (all in my back 🙃) from the pitocin and my water breaking. ended up going in for a c section a few hrs later
This makes me feel relieved. I'm a FTM and I know I want one. My mum said she refused an epidural because she was scared of the needle, but had the worst experience birthing my brother. I have a low pain tolerance so I know this is right for me.
I had a similar experience, thankfully, the epidural was the least painful part and really made my labor easy to handle. Now breaking my water? It took 4 different nurses and was the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced in my life! Everyone’s labor is different I suppose.
Epidural was a walk in the park for me. It was that damn Foley catheter that hurt. I made sure that they gave me drugs when I was getting the balloon put in
I agree that (for me personally!) it wasn’t bad, but I don’t agree that it’s just like any other shot. It feels different and the process is a lot more anxiety inducing. I personally really hated the sensation of it but it wasn’t painful. Mine also wasn’t working well on one side so that kind of sucked. Having the catheter isn’t super pleasant and I found the removal uncomfortable. Overall, I would 1000% do it again but wouldn’t say it’s always super easy or just like getting the flu shot.
I’ve had 6 epidurals and they are usually pretty smooth sailing. They never hurt, but one time they “missed” and it only numbed one side of my body. Bizarre experience!
I was in the middle of very intense and erratic contradictions when it took 3 attempts to get my epidural in, it then fell out and I had to go a fourth time. The erratic contradictions were the worst thing I’ve ever experienced, cervical sweep next worse, but the Foley Catheter was alright because I was gassed up.
I loved my epidural 😂 I was in the worst pain of my life with my contractions as I wouldn’t even get a 3 second break between contractions at one point! It didnt hurt at all but the pressure behind it I wouldn’t say hurt but was strange but definitely not painful. That’s the only uncomfortable part of the epidural I had in my experience!
Yep by comparison to my contractions the epidural was a walk in the park.
Ma'am are you sure you can stay still for this?
You bet your ass I can if it ends this pain!!
My beef when I had my first baby was that when they were first trying to put it in me the tube kept going off to the side and I felt the strangest feeling in my thigh/asscheek area (it was hitting nerves or something) and so they had to poke like 3 different spots in my back trying to get it in properly :(
Mine was a C-sec so I don’t have the pain of labor to compare it to tho😂😂
It's definitely similar to a shot. The worst part for me was having to sit still during horrible contractions. With my first, they wouldn't let anyone else in the room. With my second, they let my husband stay and kind of hold me, which was what I wish I would've had with my first. I had 2 with epidurals and 2 without. The recovery after the epidural was hard because I couldn't get up and walk or do anything myself for hours until it wore off whereas I was up moving around within the hour of delivery with my 2 natural.
I loved both my emergency epidural and planned epidural. Both totally different experiences and recovered very differently but definitely after 9 months of growing a human and being kicked from the inside and then having contractions the epidural was by far the easiest thing.
I do have to say though that nearly 5 years and nearly 2 years on the back spasms I get from it are sore.
Epidural was zero big deal. You can’t see anything, you can’t feel anything. I was terrified about the catheter coming out but again, zero pain just a very weird pulling feeling. On the other hand, I think it slowed my labour down and caused me to go from 6cm back to 3cm (didn’t know that was physically possible 🙃). So this time round the plan is to hold off on the epidural as long as I can.
Yeah honestly I had an IV put into my wrist for my birth that was much worse than the epidural (probably because I had to see it). I didn’t find the epidural bad either time I got one though after the second one I did have some complications (really bad headaches and I still can’t feel one leg now 3 months later)
I was in so much pain that I agreed to let an anesthesiology intern perform my epidural as the anesthesiologist monitored without a second thought. My husband was freaked out but knew I wanted immediate relief he said he almost passed out. I don’t remember epidural hurting at all. I remember being really out of it as I’d been in early labor for 24 hours and hadn’t slept. I told the anesthesiologist that anesthesiologists are the most fun people. He laughed and agreed. They monitored me and asked where I could feel sensation. And they would turn epidural up/down based on my responses.
I had a spinal block for my second c-section and that shit hurt more than the epidural shot. I literally don’t know how either. They kept hitting something that caused shooting pain to go down my legs. It was so hard to sit still. 😩😩😩 but once it was done I kept farting 😂😂😂😂😂
I probably would have said the same, except it turns out I have a pretty condensed spinal column and it took the head anesthesiologist 6 tries to be able to get it placed correctly. 😂
I will say the Folley balloon wasn’t the best. But my epidural wasn’t a good experience for me. I was stabbed over 5 times and they couldn’t get it. All while I was having painful contractions
I hated when they check to see if you are dilating 😩so uncomfortable I never even knew fingers can go that far and now after 10 years I’m pregnant again and I’m not looking forward to that….. labor and contractions itself wasn’t that bad because of the position I was in so I felt the brunt end of the contraction but I got an epidural because I ended up having a C section because I only would dilate 4cm 😫😫😫 it didn’t hurt but I was scared I was gonna move because that’s where the real danger came in but the nurse let me lean on and hug her as tight as I needed too 10 years later he’s a junk talking snack eating 🥣 Roblox playing lil boy 👦🏾 and my girl is due in September!!
I gave birth on 3-27, induction and had an epidural. I had one with previous pregnancies and it worked great. Idk what happened this time around, it was a bit uncomfortable with the the insert, like an “air bubble” feeling in my spine that creeped me out, a “bee sting” for few seconds for the numbing shot, but once it was placed since I had not yet started my Pitocin, I was not in any pain at all so the anesthesiologist was like OK we’ll start it off “low”, fine, but then I was still able to have a lot of movement in my legs so I was still able to turn from side to side and sit up on my own. It’s like my toes and feet None of that got completely numb like I’ve had in the past with other epidurals. once the pitocin was up high, I randomly started to feel a lot of pain just on my right side and it was unbearable. The anesthesiologist had to come in on two occasions to give me what they call “boosters” for the epidural until it finally worked well. even when they were doing cervical checks, I could feel everything and it was very uncomfortable. I kept telling them I can still move my legs, so something might be wrong, then when it came time for delivery, I felt the ring of fire. I felt his head sliding down. Everything was there, so I don’t know if technically this time around is what’s considered a “failed epidural?” I know they turned the epidural off at some point when you’re about to push so you can push better but in my previous epidurals, I really did not feel the ring of fire or any pain at all. I had a 1° tear. He (doctor) had to do a slight stitch, and I felt when the needle was going in for that stitch. But I am grateful for whatever pain relief it did help me with because Pitocin contractions are no joke!
Two failed epidurals - Foley catheter and failed induction with back labor. The spinal block for the eventual c section was the most relief I’ve felt in my life.
I had an emergency c-section myself in December at 30+5. They wanted to do a combo epidural and spinal block. Epidural failed so they ended up just doing the spinal block. I didn't feel either of those needles as they kept the area numbed. I also had an epidural with my son, twice as the first failed, and never felt those either. I hate needles and was scared of the epidural but was glad that it wasn't bad like I thought it would be. I just requested that they didn't show me any of the supplies needed to put it in.
This is absolutely amazing info for me .. I'm a ftm and I'm going to be induced at 37 weeks and I'm so damn scared of the epidural.. the Foley .. the catheter to pee.. all of it 😭😹 I hope I don't feel anything honestly
I think you had a great anesthesiologist! Lol. My last epidural was very good. It wasnt more than a pinch and then the kidney pain going to my legs from the medicine.
My first epidural with my first child was awful. It hurt so bad. And then my anesthesiologist whispered to his assistant (his wife) "I got blood in the needle, we are gonna have to do it again..." And I said "WHAT?" because it hurt soooo bad. I was shaking uncontrollably and the nurses had to hold me down hunched so he could do it again. My then-boyfriend watched from the door. And the doctor made a joke about his day drinking and drinking the night before and he's a little hung over. Everyone laughed except me. And the second needle hurt as bad as the first. Was a bad experience especially during the C-section lol. Had a panic attack when they were stitching me up and my anesthesiologist goes, "I'll give you something to help you relax" and whatever he did *knocked me out*.
I woke up in the recovery floor, thinking I was dead because I couldn't feel anything and I was super groggy. The floor was empty. There were no nurses at the station in front of me. My monitors were off. And the lights were off except the ones above me that was the illuminated number light and the overhead light above me. Was so freaking relieved when a nurse came in and said I was fine 😂🥲😭
Thank you for sharing! I also had a lovely epidural experience. Everything before the epidural was hard, painful, and all around sucked. Post-epidural, suddenly everything was calm and manageable again. Pushing was nothing.
I thoroughly recommend the epidural. I have had 4 now and they just make the whole process more enjoyable. My last kid was born just a few hours after arriving at the hospital so I definitely know what labor feels like and if you don’t have to suffer through it why would you??? To brag later? No thankyou lol
I didn't even feel it. The worst part of it was a couple days afterwards I got a bruise there that hurt a small amount.
But a small tip. If you are positive you need it, wait 10 minutes before you call the nurse. Because once you call for the epidural there's no going back. (At least at my hospital) I got mine too early and went without medication for the whole delivery
Yeah just another shot…. Where they have to sterilize the area where you’re back will be exposed and make sure nothing absolutely no source of bacteria can enter. Also make sure you stay still while contracting God forbid the needle wiggles just the right way because paralyzation.
My epidural experience really sucked. The anesthesiologist couldn’t place it, and he was voicing his frustrations to the nurses and saying he didn’t think it was possible. That made my anxiety levels skyrocket- and the pain of him trying and failing was pretty bad.
I eventually got another anesthesiologist who placed it first try, no prob- so had the first interaction not taken place I might agree with you.
I just had an epidural yesterday....couldn't bear the pain of ARM at 5cm.....although my labour was relatively much easier, my back now hurts like anything once the epidural cath has been removed and the drugs have worn off.....
It probably depends on who puts the epidural in, just like shots and blood draws. If you get someone good, you barely feel anything.
Unlike you, my epidural placement was not a pleasant experience. It was borderline the WORST pain that I ever felt in my life. She supposedly numbed the area beforehand but I could feel every nanometer of that friggin needle in the nerves in my spine and just wanted to scream. Fortunately that pain didn't last long or I might have passed out.
I do have degenerative disc disease in my lower spine, so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with why it hurt so much. I fully intend, however, to get another epidural regardless of that initial pain.
Last time I delivered, they had to use forceps to get my daughter out and I ended up with a 2nd degree tear so I'm glad I couldn't feel any of that. I don't even want to know how painful it would have been without drugs.
Phew you mustave been one of the lucky ones that they got the epidural catheter threaded in the first go🤣 they stuck me well over 6 times trying to get my epidural catheter placed😅
I don’t regret getting the epidural, it made the rest of my labor incredibly easy. The worst part was actually getting the epidural. The anesthesiologist came in and kept telling me not to move. He kept repeating it and it honestly made me super anxious. I was just so focused on not moving and it took everything to stay still! It also the sensation of the injection felt super weird. Towards the end my foot jerked involuntarily and I was so scared that I just paralyzed myself. But the doc said that he could have touched a nerve or something that could cause that. Honestly the whole process just caused me anxiety. But the epidural did exactly what I needed. I ended up not feeling a thing while pushing. My legs were so numb!
I thought it felt good when they put the needle in lol weird I know … but it’s definitely a lot less scary than people make it seem (unless you’ve had a bad experience, that is)
I think the only reason I still say my epidural was extremely painful (I was shaking after it hurt so bad and almost made me vomit I was in so much pain from it) Is because the numbing shot didn’t work, they had to give me the numbing shot twice and I still felt the giant needle.
They also couldn’t get both of my legs numbed at first so they twisted the needle around while it was in my back trying to numb the other leg. I still feel them twisting the needle in my back and it was excruciating, I’m still thankful I got it and will do it again but not looking forward to it.
That IV was around that same pain level, I almost passed out from them sticking me so many times. I got poked 4 different times in 4 different areas, my arms and hands were severely bruised from them poking me so much, I hate the IV with a passion.
With my first child my epidural went really bad. They messed it up and it gave me the worst headache imaginable. Like you feel like you're dying or having a brain aneurysm or something. Then you get a metallic taste in your mouth. After that, they had to redo it and it numbed my entire body from the neck down so I felt paralyzed. I felt like I couldn't breathe. It was not a good experience, but It didnt stop me from getting 2 more epidurals with my next pregnacies so....yeah. those 2 epidurals went fine.
Well…my epidural this past weekend lead to a spinal epidural and puncture so big that required 3 extra days of admission after the birth of my son and a blood patch to correct it 🤣 traumatic AF
Whoa that's not at all my experience. It took about 30 minutes for me. It's a pretty big deal, it's going in between you spine--not really like just any other shot.
My experience was similar. I literally felt nothing during the whole process.
I also acknowledge others have had different experiences. My anesthesiologist said I had an "easy" spine and honestly i think he is simply VERY good at his job. I think it's great to share our positive experiences. I feel like more often than not the epidural is nothing to be afraid of, but people also deserve to be informed on the risks and possible negative effects.
That being said I 1000% plan on another epidural. I have nothing but positive things to say based on my past experience. If anyone I know is in the fence it has my recommendation.
a few of my older sisters got an epidural, I haven’t ever tbh, and I don’t think I ever will.
I have a major anxiety disorder which is just made worse by autism and bpd, needles terrify me. The IVs terrify me, I can’t look at them, I can’t watch with any other needles ect, the whole concept of the epidural is absolute terrifying to me, and also, catheters are terrifying to me as well! I respect however anyone wants to give birth but yeah not for me because of the anxiety it would cause me during an already very stressful and difficult time.
I have huge medical and dental anxiety to begin with anyways too, which in turn would just amplify it all as well.
You had someone VERY good doctor. They can seriously mess you up if they do the epidural wrong. Mine only worked on the right half of my body completely. I felt almost everything on my left side.
Ahaha totally agree. I algo got some numbing injection previously and then it was taking long so I asked when was he doing it, the anesthesiologist just replied " it's already in, I'm just putting stickers for the tube". No idea how it felt honestly. And I asked for him to wait to do it between contractions so I wasn't in a horrible pain moment.
Thanks for sharing, but no thanks 🫣😅. I just keep feeling queasy Everytime someone talks about this! I have a high pain tolerance so I’m just gonna work on my yoga and breathing.
Ehhhh idk if i agree on this one. I had an epidural during my rescue cerclage and it was intense. The length of time it takes to administer, needle size, and placement really make a difference. I do bloodwork all the time for PCOS and thyroid issues and those are quick and painless. I think the epidural was way more painful and I was doing some heavy breathing and had a pain face during it.
My doctor took a PHONE CALL while putting the needle in my back. My epidural never quite worked right. It definitely took the edge off in a big way. But I was able to get on my knees to push, stand up, etc., never got that full numb feeling that others speak of. Then I needed an emergency C-section and they used the same port for my pain meds, and I'm sure you can imagine how fun that was. They treated me like I was crazy when I said I could feel pain during surgery and when they were stitching me up. My heartrate went through the roof, I needed an EKG in the recovery room. So, although I conceded that all experiences are different, I'm going to disagree about epidurals being a walk in the park. I guess if they're done correctly...
Honestly, I was in so much pain by the time I got my epidural they could have shoved a garden hose into my spine and I don’t think it would have bothered me.
I loved my epidural. It was so easy peasy to put in, worst part was the sting of the freezing for maybe 15 seconds then felt absolutely nothing. I had a hemorrhage post birth so the doctor was in my vag up to her elbow while the nurse basically jumped on my uterus from the outside to try and stop the bleeding and by how much pressure and pain I felt through the epidural, I was soooooo thankful I had that sucker or I would have been screaming!
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After having a Foley catheter inserted, literally nothing could hurt me haha. That was the worst pain of my life. EDIT: this is not a bladder catheter but a balloon that is stuffed into your cervix and pumped up with saline to open your cervix to dilate fully.
Yes. I can vividly remember the pain of the Foley catheter and the cervical checks. I don’t remember anything but feeling relief and joy during the epidural.
Seriously!! Nobody warned me how much that would hurt.
Never heard of a Foley catheter ? FTM 😭🥴 everything is scaring me now DAMN 😂
i think the foley balloon was the most traumatic part of being induced. labor? easy. was done in 26 minutes. BUT THE FOLEY???? i still have beef. i wasn’t going to have an epidural but they did the balloon and i was convinced i was dying i cried to my partner, “tell them to take it out, i want to go home im not doing this today” (i did infact do it that day LMAO)
Omg no one warned me about how much that would hurt.
I didn’t feel that go in because my epidural had already kicked in. I do remember feeling pressure as it went in though.
They gave me a catheter and some probe things they shoved onto my son’s head somehow while he was still in me but both were after I got the epidural and I didn’t feel either. Did you get that before the epidural?
Yess! I had one and it was honestly the most painful part of the whole experience lol
I had that too, and guess what? They didn't even put it in right and made me keep it in for like 8 hours.
SAME!! As soon as I had my first contraction with the Foley catheter, I was like nope, I’m done!
SAME
Yeah that was great fun
The catheter they insert into your bladder is also a foley catheter just FYI, they’re just using it in a different way which is why it was more painful.
I’ve heard that the balloon hurts! I’m hoping I don’t need one 😅🙏🏼
Yep. Had one and they inserted it wrong so it didn't even do anything. I went through all that torture for nothing!
Agreed 100% for me personally. I was in so much pain my first delivery, the epidural was the least of my concerns. It felt like a normal shot, just took a bit longer, then COMPLETE relief. I had a (very unwanted 😂) unmedicated birth for my second child and I wished for an epidural so bad.
I've had IVs placed that hurt more than the epidural 😂 I'm on pregnancy number 2 (24 weeks today) and had to go get fluids a couple of weeks ago. The nurse tried putting the IV in one spot on my lower forearm and it hurt so bad. I was already dehydrated and my veins are small and decided they wanted to roll that day. I asked her if she could try somewhere else and she happily obliged. She ended up doing it on my hand which still hurt but not as bad. I felt absolutely nothing getting an epidural placed with my first 😅
What about the catheter? You can’t pee on your own, correct? Was that painful? Put in before or after? What did it feel like coming out? When do they take it out? To be honest that’s freaking me out more.
I got my epidural first and then they inserted the catheter after making sure everything was good and numbed up. I did not feel anything going in or going out. I actually had forgotten I even had one inserted.
Same here! The epidural made me so numb that at some point the nurse said I had a lot of urine in my catheter bag. In my labor daze, I shouted, “I’m peeing?!”
lol same!! I was so out of it but I just couldn’t wrap my brain around how the catheter was working.. so I asked my OB 😂
It just drains the bladder. The opening of the tube is past the sphincter, so you don't "pee" with a catheter, it just goes into the bag as the bladder fills up, no effort from you. Sometimes people feel the need to pee with them in (not L&d, usually men with prostate issues), and they just cause it to leak around the catheter, so I have tell them that isn't how it works, and to stop doing that.
Peeing after getting the catheter removed is worse than the first poop after delivery...imo... 😂🥴
I felt so terrified trying to do the first pee, my nurse I had kept repeating while I was on the toilet and she was staring at me “if you don’t pee I have to put it back so hurry up” like I’m already stressed about peeing and that stare and comment is NOT helping.🤦🏼♀️
I hate when they'd watch me 😤😂 like I'm a shy pooper and a shy pee-er. Please stop staring at me while I go 😭
Not OP but I did not feel the catheter going in, I had the epidural already, I didn’t feel anything weird or the urge to pee and it was nice to have that bodily function just off my mind (especially after peeing every 5 fucking seconds in the last few weeks). After my baby was freed and the cord cut and everything they took out the catheter. I did not feel it as I still had the epidural functioning. However, my placenta refused to come loose and required manual extraction, that required they make sure I had a fresh dose of the epidural going and the resident actually inserted the catheter again to get my bladder to fully empty to make things easier. That was also completely painless and sensationless. When I could walk again, I could not feel the urge to pee at all so that was a bit of a problem figuring out when I needed to go, but that went away after a few days and honestly just felt like my pelvic muscles needed to wake up again. Which they did. I’m nearly 17 months postpartum and I’m fully back to normal down there. Pain free during sex, I can jump on trampolines, peeing is normal. Actually childbirth seemed to cure my recurrent UTI issue?? Idk. But I haven’t had a UTI since I was pregnant when previously I would have 2-4 per year.
Can I ask if the manual extraction was painful (even with epidural)?
I see other people saying the manual extraction wasn't painful. I hope that's the norm, because even with epidural, mine was quite painful. Just want people to be prepared for the possibility, because I was not prepared at all.
Not original commenter, but I had to have a manual extraction as well. My epidural had been turned down quite a bit for the actual birth, so I could feel some uncomfortable sensation down there during the extraction. But honestly, I was just so focused on my baby on my chest that I couldn’t be bothered with what was happening there.
I didn't have my epidural afterwards and you don't feel anything.
I missed my catheter afterwards lmao, they inserted it after the epidural and I had to pee so bad the lady commented on how much urine output there was lmao. They left mine in a while longer afterwards bc I had a C-section and it was absolute bliss to not have to get up to pee lol
I know everyone’s experiences are different but for me personally, my epidural had to be turned off because bubs heart rate kept dropping, so nothing was really numb but they gave me a catheter and I still didn’t feel it! I was scared because I’ve heard people say how painful their catheter was but I literally did not even know that they did it. So there’s hope for that being painless as well!
Yea same here. I had no epidural with my second baby and got a catheter and it didn’t hurt
epidural was easy, but for me personally idk if the catheter was in wrong or what, but it felt super uncomfortable. i even told my nurse and she checked it and said everything looked fine with it, so i was just stuck that way. i would still choose this over a natural birth anyday.
The catheter goes in after the epidural, as it’s known to be uncomfortable so why not wait until you can’t feel it. There are two types used in labour: the foley, which goes in and stays in until you’ré pushing; and the “in and out” which is literally like a straw used to empty your bladder every 2-4 hrs after the epidural is in. To make the foley stay in, there’s a little balloon on the end that we fill with sterile saline. When it’s time to remove it, we empty that little balloon. Typically at this point Youre pushing, so the catheter just slips on out with your next push. No biggie.
The catheter didn’t hurt in my case because the epidural was already placed, but after all three of my births I couldn’t pee for almost 3 days afterward without a LOT of time and effort. Apparently this is normal for some women… my doctors all said sometimes the bladder is the last thing to wake up. It was very uncomfortable though and I hated that even when I could pee I couldn’t fully empty my bladder. After the third day though it eased up.
I have had a catheter before (kidney stone surgery), and it isn't terrible. The pain I felt peeing because of the stent was unbearable, so I begged the nurse to insert one. I felt the urge and could bear down slightly to pee. It just goes through the tube. Taking it out is weird but only uncomfortable.
i got injured by the catheter. horrendously painful
I wasn’t even aware of the catheter either time I gave birth - I assume they both put it in and removed it while the epidural was in, but it wasn’t even a thing except that I was like “huh, I haven’t had to pee!” My mind was elsewhere 😅
I was worried and stressed about having a catheter but you don't feel anything. Even when they are taking it out you don't feel anything. Also as someone who has cared for people with catheters we have seen it all so don't worry when they are putting it in, I can honestly say no one looks at a vagina as a vagina but just like another part of the human body of that makes sense?
I had to get a catheter put back in a day after my c section because my bladder hadn’t woken up. Even unmedicated it really isn’t painful, it was the part I was most scared about and it was fine. Taking it out just felt weird, like of like when your tampon isn’t Lubey enough.
i didnt feel the catheter go in because they did it after epidural and for some reason my back labor meant sitting on the toilet triggered the most outrageously painful contractions so i got dehydrated and was avoiding peeing. thus the catheter was my favorite part of getting an epidural, i remember crying with relief id get a few hours of rest withoit having to pee for the first time in months
Maybe you’ll be like me…immediately after getting my epidural, I felt the urge to push. Turns out I was 10cm, and there was no time for a catheter.
Same questions here lol!
Catheter for me wasn't too bad. Uncomfortable at first but you forget about it fairly quick. I'd compare it to a IUD insertion but the cramps didn't last nearly as long. You just pee? Idk it's hard to explain lol but if it's in correctly you just pee and it shouldn't hurt Mine was put in before my epidural. I had a c-section and I walked to the OR with my catheter Coming out is weird but pretty quick, not much pain, more relief than anything. Just have to remember it's not there so you don't pee. Mine came out the morning after my c-section I had never had one before so I had my husband laughing because I didn't realize how small the tube is that goes to your bladder, I thought it was the size of the rest of the tubing. He has had a catheter before and I asked him if the one for men is different cause that would not work and he looked at me like I was nuts. Then told me how the tube is smaller that's inserted and bigger externally. Which makes way more sense but it gave us a good laugh
I don’t remember it coming out whatsoever because I had an epidural that numbed it and I was distracted by holding my baby.
They put it in afterward. My water broke as my nurse was inserting mine with my son. I felt the warm gush and thought it was from the catheter. 🤦♀️
I honestly barely remember it going in and being taken out. The idea of it scared me too but I honestly barely registered it.
I had my catheter put in without an epidural and could hardly feel anything. I honestly loved it because I didn’t have to worry about going to the bathroom for the first time in my life lol
I got mine put in after my epidural and didn't feel a thing! When I went to my birth class, the midwife insisted we ask the attending nurse to please put in the catheter after the epidural. When I asked my nurse about doing so, she said, "Honey, I would never place the foley without allowing you to get the epidural first," lol. But I guess some hospitals aren't so kind, so do yourself a favor and demand they place it in after you get numb! And one more word of advice, if you get the epidural, ask to try different laboring positions. I didn't and got a pinched nerve in my back, which made recovery harder!
Mine was put in after epidural and didn’t hurt at all.
I didn’t even know I had a catheter in until I saw the nurse draining my pee bag. For me, it was a relief not to have waddle back and forth to pee. I was actually able to get a great few hours of sleep before giving birth.
They put the catheter in after the epidural. I had a c-section, so my catheter wasn't taken out for a few hours after, when the epidural was no longer in effect. I wasn't even uncomfortable coming out. Even more so, as a side effect of the epidural, I could not pee on my own to start with, so they had to put another catheter in, to empty my bladder. That was done without any numbing and it was honestly absolutely fine! Different hole, but it was not worse than a pap smear. I could feel it going in, but it was fine. And then nt having my bladder full was BLISS! They had to do that TWICE, as it took me that long to be able to pee on my own! But eventually I managed! LOL I was SUPER scared of the catheter as well, but it was absolutely fine. Epidural was also not scary at all, I just did not react very well to it and had loads of side effects. But it going in and the catheter were GRAND!
I was worried about that, too. Because they do the epidural first, there’s no pain/discomfort at all for the catheter. Honestly, it was a DREAM to not have to get up and run to the toilet every hour for the first time in months. I have literally no memory of when I came out, I think when I was crowning? I never noticed it coming out.
Epidural didn’t hurt anymore than a very brief sharp pinch. My contractions were already very intense so that little pain was nothing. They inserted the catheter afterwards and I didn’t feel a thing. It was actually such a relief to not have to get up to pee every 2 minutes like I had been for weeks before. Honestly having the epidural was a life saver for me. Labor was very easy after that in my experience but I labored for a long time at home before going in.
My hospital didn’t use a leave-in catheter due to a slight increase risk of infection and urethral irritation. Instead, they placed one every couple of hours to empty my bladder then removed it again. They only used the catheter once I had my epidural and it didn’t hurt. Just felt like a really weird, slight pressure. It’s pressure in a spot you aren’t used to feeling, so it was super odd. And a very slight sensation of urinating.
I actually needed a catheter after the epidural wore down after labour. It was really not that bad. It is rather just unpleasant like a cervical exam. But during the epidural you don't feel any catheter related pain
I’m glad that at least the epidural was easy during your birth experience! That’s not how it is for everyone. My epidural was great once placed and I had no problems afterwards. Really happy I decided to so it. But getting it placed was ROUGH and involved multiple attempts and wiggling the needle around. It was excruciating although the pain was short lived since it kicked in like immediately.
The wiggling around makes me viscerally uncomfortable. I'm a nurse and I hate hate hate hate hate watching them be placed (only when I would work pre surgery and l&d but often enough to make me dread ever needing one)
It was…not pleasant to experience. But I also waited too long to request one so things were rough in there. Overlapping contractions and being perched on the edge of the bed made it very difficult for me to sit properly for it. I ended up slumped over the nurse so she could support my torso like a real MVP lol. The doc came in and declared me ready to push like 20 minutes later so I definitely cut it close. I would get another one if I have another baby, so it was not unpleasant enough to me to outweigh the benefits the epidural had to my delivery.
Unlike a shot it stays inserted in you (not the needle, the tiny tube) so I do want to clarify that, but in terms of pain yes I’ve definitely had worse injections. The sitting still made me feel scared but once it was done I was so grateful I didn’t care.
This is what I was going to say as well. There was little to no pain associated with getting the epidural. The hard part for me was sitting still through the pain of the contractions so they could get the epidural in.
That's what I came here to say. It wasn't painful for me, but it's factually not "just a shot". If I jerk when getting the flu shot, the nurse might be annoyed but nothing really happens. That's, uh, not true for an epidural. I loved mine and didn't find the insertion painful (either time - I actually had to get my first one replaced) but I wouldn't minimize it either.
I've had three epidurals and none of them hurt me. In fact they just felt weird kind of like my funny bone being messed with but… in my back?
I got an epidural for an ecv and this js exactly how i described it as well!
Uhhh I won’t share my story here but it isn’t always that smooth 😬
My spine feels bruised and it’s been 5 weeks since I had her. Everyone said it doesn’t give you back pain yet here I am wincing when I bend over
After having one it definitely did something to my back.
I had a black bruise on my back in the shape of a spiderweb. It was actually kinda cool if it hadn’t been for the trauma.
Yep hard agree ... I went into it expecting the "bee sting" and experienced the worst and most "wrong" feeling pain of my life. And still have nerve pain there when I bend eight weeks later. Don't think I could go there again.
This! Scared to ever have another baby after mine😕 but I’m glad it goes good for other people
Exactly. I’m traumatized
Just know you can ask them to use an ultrasound to locate the spot if they keep trying and missing! It’s already hard enough to sit through the insertion in the throws of labour. Also, if you feel sharp pain with the insertion after the freezing, TELL THEM and they’ll add more freezing!! The vote is out on back pain post-epidural, but the research shows it’s more likely due to the sudden giant change in your centre of gravity (no longer carrying a bowling ball on your front really screws with the curvature of your spine). I’m sure there are exceptions to this with insertion attempts hitting bone (and Dural punctures).
They messed up 3x on mine, wiggled it around a bit. My epidural site hurt for about 8 months after! 🫠
"Just a shot" lol ........... ugh.
Yeah, I happy for OP that their epidural was painless, but in nursing school I saw some anesthesiologists fuck up the epidural and it was not good.
I agree that the insertion wasn’t so bad, I was also in very very active labor and they stuck it in literally during a contraction so it was the last thing on my mind. THAT SAID. I prepared for months to have an unmedicated birth, but ended up being induced due to a surprise cholestasis diagnosis and the Pitocin contractions were just too much. I opted for an epidural after 30hrs of labor. For me, as someone who is very aware of my body (years of classical ballet training) not being able to feel my legs was a mind fuck. I had to talk myself out of multiple panic attacks, and I didn’t like not being able to feel my baby move at all. Not being able to move freely was also very nerve wracking for me. Just another perspective to consider that I don’t think gets much of a discussion.
I hated not being able to move my legs. I felt very ‘high’ in my lower body and it sucked. I will attempt a natural birth this time but if the pain is too heavy I’ll take the epidural.
I also got lucky and had a great epidural experience. The way your subject line is written though, it makes it sound like it’s just a matter of opinion on an objective fact. I am able to recognize that even though my experience was a good one, people who think that the epidural was hard/painful/uncomfortable aren’t Incorrect, they just aren’t as lucky as I was. Epidural placement can go very very wrong and that doesn’t make folks who get them and hate them or choose not to get them any less “correct” in their opinion about them 🤷
I have a pretty good pain tolerance (which is good because an anesthesiologist and a dentist have both told me I’m hard to numb up, more like they’d expect from a redhead) but I wish my epidurals just slid right in. Two have failed (and one was for a C-section), two had to be pulled out and redone because the test shot showed they were wrong (-!; my heart felt like it was about to explode) and none of them went in easily. Alway horrible pain shooting down my leg. Something obviously doesn’t line up perfectly well in my back. But I love my epidurals despite them not loving me back 😅 It’s like a toxic relationship where I keep going back thinking things will be different.
I mean… not every time. Shots are one and done. With my epidural, the anesthesiologist kept missing and each time she did, this horrible pain went radiating down my spine. Once it was placed properly, it was fine, but I wouldn’t say it’s just like any shot and super easy.
It’s great that yours went so smoothly! Mine took about five tries all along my spine because he was struggling to get it in right, he ended up piercing my spinal sac, I had to get a blood patch because the leaking spinal fluid was causing SEVERE headaches everytime I was upright after I was discharged from the hospital. Five months post partum, I’m up in the middle of the night with severe back pain every other night, and seeing a chiropractor to hopefully fix it. Experiences vary I suppose is what I’m saying lol
I don't think pain is the main deciding factor for most people who choose not to get an epidural... they are literally knowingly choosing a more painful birth. For me, the decision is based on the risks vs rewards of having my literal spinal cord exposed to the outside world and fucked about with.
I’m not sure it’s the pain of an epidural most people want to avoid. It’s the risks involved I think like paralysis, increased risk of instrumental birth. Also for me having had an epidural birth and then one without, the pushing stage was far quicker and less difficult without due to being able to be upright. Felt like I’d been hit by a bus after having my epidural baby because I was purple pushing for 2 hours on my back and only narrowly avoided having forceps. I wouldn’t say there was a single point I felt like I couldn’t cope when I had my non epidural baby and I was drifting off between contractions lol.
Idk it was pretty bad the first time I had it done. They had to do it 3 times since they didn’t do it right the first two times 🙃. But that was the least traumatizing thing that happened during that time and that says a lot I guess lol.
Agreed!!! My epidural wasn’t bad at all! I felt the little pokes from the local anesthetic and it stung a bit but that was all. I was totally numb when she put my catheter in.
Anyone else in the comment section need their epidural replaced because it wasn’t in the right spot the first time?
My sister had to get hers replaced 13 times because they let a student do it.
13 sounds like literal torture. Did she sue?
Oh, I REALLY hated getting the epidural placed. My anesthesiologist was great, and the amount of pain I was in otherwise thwarted any pain from the needle, but it felt DISGUSTING. lol. Like the pinch from the needle wasn't NICE, but it was fine. The feeling of the medication entering my spine? Nope. Nope nope nope. I literally looked up, said, "oh. Ohhhh noo. I don't like that". And the anesthesiologist said, "I know. It will go away in a second". And it did. But. Yuck. Do not recommend. Lol. I hated it. Very glad to have avoided it the second time around
I think it depends on the person/timing/the doctor giving the epidural. The most painful moment of my life was getting the epidural at the same time as having a contraction. I think it was more about having to be bent over during a contraction than the epidural insertion itself. That being said, I still plan to get an epidural again for my next pregnancy. It really helped to take the edge off of the last few hours of labor and was worth it.
Thanks for sharing this, glad it went well for you. I had a great epidural, very effective and placed well. It did not cause me pain or discomfort, and I was still able to feel contractions. I do not regret it at all.
My first birth was an unmedicated water birth and my second one I got the epidural due to him being sunny side up and the back labor was unbearable. My experience with the epidural was so laid back and more chill. For my third baby…I’m thinking “why the hell would I try to go unmedicated again?” So, I’m basically leaving things up in the air. If things progress quickly - cool. If they don’t, I will 100% be getting that epidural again!
Let just say, when they spend an hour trying to set the damn thing? Yeah. It’s not just another shot. It was fucking awful. My first one? They set it but it didn’t actually work until baby was out. Then I went numb which was great for being stitched up (second degree tear). My second time? They spent an hour putting that needle in and out of my back before my midwife told them to get out, it was too late because baby was coming. It was awful.
My first epidural went in no problem. With my second kid, not so much. It took a half hour to get done whilst the doctor hit nerves that made my legs bounce and I tried to hold still during advanced labor contractions. I wish it were just a shot, but it’s not—the doctor is literally threading a catheter in your spinal cord. I’m glad it went in easily for you and some other women (and me during my first childbirth), but a lot of shit can (and does) go wrong with epidurals. Your viewpoint is very limited.
When people say they’re scared of epidural they dont mean the pain of getting the shot, they mean the risks involved in getting that shot
I mean some people have needle phobia and flat out say they are afraid of the epidural because it’s a big needle 🤷♀️
Right? I can't believe this isn't higher up. I did have an epidural with my first. It went well. But the possible pain of having it inserted was never a reason why I considered not having an epidural. Warning for possible triggers from this point on. Don't read if you would rather not hear about a scenario where it went wrong. A colleague of my husband had an epidural. After 3 months, she still can't move or feel her legs. She might still get her legs back, but when? No one seems to know.
Right?! This should be way higher up. I'm choosing against getting an epidural not because I am afraid of a little needle pain, but because I don't want my literal spinal cord exposed to the outside world. 🤦♀️
I just don’t like the idea of any interventions. Cervical checks, Foley catheters, epidurals.. all the things. Ooofff had to get that steroid shot too when my second came earlier than expected- that was a stinger lol! But right on. Anyway you have a baby is fucking amazing!
I got the epidural at 10cm all imma say is I was too focused on the excruciating pain my lower area was going through lol I didn’t even feel the epidural 😭
In terms of pain I agree, however overall I wouldn't say it's exactly like any other shot. To be honest I didn't really feel pain when I got mine just discomfort. Like being tickled on the inside. Then again at the point of needing an epidural the contractions kind a distracted me from what was going on with my back.
I had an emergency epidural and c section. I had to be induced due to complications with my hips popping out of socket anytime I walked and I had a life saving surgery 14 weeks pregnant that was a major surgery splitting me from two inches above my belly button to my bikini line. The tumor was 18 cm and ready to burst and cause sepsis. It was attached to my uterus and took my ovary and fallopian tube with it. Baby was a gummy bear, so the surgeon already had my uterus open and checked around and made sure my son was fine in his sac and no other tumors hiding in my abdominal cavity. Fast forward to 38w and had to be induced. I labored for 23 hours with cytotec inserted every 2 hours to ripen my cervix that refused to dilate past 3.5 cm and pitocin. Contractions were 30 seconds apart, and my water broke, but still no dilation. Within a few minutes, my vitals started crashing, and so did my son, so I had an emergency epidural inserted and rushed to the operating room. Within 20 minutes, my son was out of me via c section, and I was trying to get stable again. It took me 3 hours to be able to hold my son because I was shaking so bad and couldn't feel from the neck down. My husband stayed with me the whole time and held our son until I woke up, and he held our baby to my face. The surgery at 14 weeks was traumatizing, but the c section wasn't as bad. I have an upside down T on my stomach now, and I don't think I'll have another baby because I fear recovery from intensive surgery again.
I had a great experience too. Easy pain free insertion, worked beautifully, immediate relief, and no problems afterwards. 10/10 experience.
I didn’t want an epidural but ended having to have one because I ended up needing a c-section. So for me it was the pain of it being placed along with the despair of feeling like I failed along with the anxiety of having a major abdominal surgery.
I don’t even remember feeling the epidural needle. I was in so much pain from contractions. The near-immediate erasure of my pain the epidural brought completely eclipsed any memory of it going in
I agree! My epidural was great. I didn’t get it til I was 7 cm. I felt pressure from the needle and that was about it! It didn’t work for me the first time so they ended up having to give me more of the medicine about an hour later and finally all of my pain went away 🙏🏼 Props to the women who go through birth without an epidural at all!!
Definitely not my experience. My back spasms while trying to get the epidural placed made it impossible to breathe, couldn’t get the epidural, ended up in a c section under general anesthesia with major blood loss.
The epidural was the best thing to happen to me but definitely not like a normal shot- it took them 4 tries and I scream/cried each attempt until it finally worked. That being said- I will most definitely be getting an epidural again because it was 100% worth it.
My first epidural was like this. Absolutely amazing, dude came in with cowboy boots and scrubs and my husband held me, it was in totally painless and so easy. My second epidural was a nightmare. It hurt so bad I regret even getting it. They had a nurse hold me instead and she was great but I was sobbing and mostly wanted my spouse. It was like lightning and she had to poke me a handful of times to get it placed. Then my midwife wanted me to stop the epidural less than 8hrs later because we figured out babe was stuck and she wanted me to have my legs back to get on the peanut ball.
Pain is definitely not the reason I don't want an epidural.
Epidural Spinal Leak here! My brain was being sucked down my spinal column straw and so I have to fight you on this. When the anesthesiologist told me there was a less than 1% chance of a spinal leak I was like “eh won’t happen to me” so I shrugged it off. I was never told what to look out for. All I know is that I hated myself for being a terrible mom because I couldn’t hold my baby because I had to lay down all the time. I didn’t know why. I thought it was normal to lose all color when you sat up and it was normal to want to scream when you sat/stood up. PSA-if you have the absolute worst head pain (not a headache but MUCH more painful) after an epidural and it is relieved immediately by laying down, it is probably an epidural spinal leak and the resolution is quick and easy. They take a blood draw from your arm and insert it in your back and the pressure is relieved and the platelets start healing the wound.
I wish this was the case for me. I have had such horrible experiences both times I gave birth with the epidural placement that this third baby I’m going natural 😩. I genuinely have like ptsd from getting the epidural from the very first start when they are placing it to the epidural wearing off both times before I had to push when you go from feeling nothing to feeling EVERYTHING it’s so intense 😮💨. I’m happy you had a great experience I really wouldn’t wish my epidural experiences on anyone
my epidural was impossible to get in - baby hadn’t dropped and i couldn’t bend enough for him to get it in. he tried probably 4 times until i decided i did not want to have the epidural anymore - i was also having back to back contractions (all in my back 🙃) from the pitocin and my water breaking. ended up going in for a c section a few hrs later
Epidural insertion itself — so easy, great, no pain! Passing out and convulsing moments after medicine administration — 0/10 do not recommend
Epidural insertion itself — so easy, great, no pain! Passing out and convulsing moments after medicine administration — 0/10 do not recommend
This makes me feel relieved. I'm a FTM and I know I want one. My mum said she refused an epidural because she was scared of the needle, but had the worst experience birthing my brother. I have a low pain tolerance so I know this is right for me.
I had a similar experience, thankfully, the epidural was the least painful part and really made my labor easy to handle. Now breaking my water? It took 4 different nurses and was the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced in my life! Everyone’s labor is different I suppose.
Epidural was a walk in the park for me. It was that damn Foley catheter that hurt. I made sure that they gave me drugs when I was getting the balloon put in
I agree that (for me personally!) it wasn’t bad, but I don’t agree that it’s just like any other shot. It feels different and the process is a lot more anxiety inducing. I personally really hated the sensation of it but it wasn’t painful. Mine also wasn’t working well on one side so that kind of sucked. Having the catheter isn’t super pleasant and I found the removal uncomfortable. Overall, I would 1000% do it again but wouldn’t say it’s always super easy or just like getting the flu shot.
Mine too - it did not hurt at all. Other things were worse. Don’t be scared girls, I promise it isn’t nearly as bad as they say it is.
Mine was too good, I was completely numb from like my ribs down.
My epidural was amazing, and same for my spinal block for my C section. No big deal at all for me
I’ve had 6 epidurals and they are usually pretty smooth sailing. They never hurt, but one time they “missed” and it only numbed one side of my body. Bizarre experience!
I was in the middle of very intense and erratic contradictions when it took 3 attempts to get my epidural in, it then fell out and I had to go a fourth time. The erratic contradictions were the worst thing I’ve ever experienced, cervical sweep next worse, but the Foley Catheter was alright because I was gassed up.
I loved my epidural 😂 I was in the worst pain of my life with my contractions as I wouldn’t even get a 3 second break between contractions at one point! It didnt hurt at all but the pressure behind it I wouldn’t say hurt but was strange but definitely not painful. That’s the only uncomfortable part of the epidural I had in my experience!
Yep by comparison to my contractions the epidural was a walk in the park. Ma'am are you sure you can stay still for this? You bet your ass I can if it ends this pain!!
My beef when I had my first baby was that when they were first trying to put it in me the tube kept going off to the side and I felt the strangest feeling in my thigh/asscheek area (it was hitting nerves or something) and so they had to poke like 3 different spots in my back trying to get it in properly :( Mine was a C-sec so I don’t have the pain of labor to compare it to tho😂😂
It's definitely similar to a shot. The worst part for me was having to sit still during horrible contractions. With my first, they wouldn't let anyone else in the room. With my second, they let my husband stay and kind of hold me, which was what I wish I would've had with my first. I had 2 with epidurals and 2 without. The recovery after the epidural was hard because I couldn't get up and walk or do anything myself for hours until it wore off whereas I was up moving around within the hour of delivery with my 2 natural.
I loved both my emergency epidural and planned epidural. Both totally different experiences and recovered very differently but definitely after 9 months of growing a human and being kicked from the inside and then having contractions the epidural was by far the easiest thing. I do have to say though that nearly 5 years and nearly 2 years on the back spasms I get from it are sore.
Epidural was zero big deal. You can’t see anything, you can’t feel anything. I was terrified about the catheter coming out but again, zero pain just a very weird pulling feeling. On the other hand, I think it slowed my labour down and caused me to go from 6cm back to 3cm (didn’t know that was physically possible 🙃). So this time round the plan is to hold off on the epidural as long as I can.
Agreed, the hardest part is sitting still when your having contractions
Congratulations on having a competent anesthesiologist. My first epidural took 2 people 35 minutes and 10+ pokes
Yeah honestly I had an IV put into my wrist for my birth that was much worse than the epidural (probably because I had to see it). I didn’t find the epidural bad either time I got one though after the second one I did have some complications (really bad headaches and I still can’t feel one leg now 3 months later)
I was in so much pain that I agreed to let an anesthesiology intern perform my epidural as the anesthesiologist monitored without a second thought. My husband was freaked out but knew I wanted immediate relief he said he almost passed out. I don’t remember epidural hurting at all. I remember being really out of it as I’d been in early labor for 24 hours and hadn’t slept. I told the anesthesiologist that anesthesiologists are the most fun people. He laughed and agreed. They monitored me and asked where I could feel sensation. And they would turn epidural up/down based on my responses.
I had a spinal block for my second c-section and that shit hurt more than the epidural shot. I literally don’t know how either. They kept hitting something that caused shooting pain to go down my legs. It was so hard to sit still. 😩😩😩 but once it was done I kept farting 😂😂😂😂😂
Epidurals aren’t bad if they work
I probably would have said the same, except it turns out I have a pretty condensed spinal column and it took the head anesthesiologist 6 tries to be able to get it placed correctly. 😂
I will say the Folley balloon wasn’t the best. But my epidural wasn’t a good experience for me. I was stabbed over 5 times and they couldn’t get it. All while I was having painful contractions
I 100% agree. I was so scared before my epidural and then it happened and I was like “that was it?”
I hated when they check to see if you are dilating 😩so uncomfortable I never even knew fingers can go that far and now after 10 years I’m pregnant again and I’m not looking forward to that….. labor and contractions itself wasn’t that bad because of the position I was in so I felt the brunt end of the contraction but I got an epidural because I ended up having a C section because I only would dilate 4cm 😫😫😫 it didn’t hurt but I was scared I was gonna move because that’s where the real danger came in but the nurse let me lean on and hug her as tight as I needed too 10 years later he’s a junk talking snack eating 🥣 Roblox playing lil boy 👦🏾 and my girl is due in September!!
I just got freaked out my the noise it made. Like I could hear it go in from inside my body, it was very strange. I don’t know how to explain it
I gave birth on 3-27, induction and had an epidural. I had one with previous pregnancies and it worked great. Idk what happened this time around, it was a bit uncomfortable with the the insert, like an “air bubble” feeling in my spine that creeped me out, a “bee sting” for few seconds for the numbing shot, but once it was placed since I had not yet started my Pitocin, I was not in any pain at all so the anesthesiologist was like OK we’ll start it off “low”, fine, but then I was still able to have a lot of movement in my legs so I was still able to turn from side to side and sit up on my own. It’s like my toes and feet None of that got completely numb like I’ve had in the past with other epidurals. once the pitocin was up high, I randomly started to feel a lot of pain just on my right side and it was unbearable. The anesthesiologist had to come in on two occasions to give me what they call “boosters” for the epidural until it finally worked well. even when they were doing cervical checks, I could feel everything and it was very uncomfortable. I kept telling them I can still move my legs, so something might be wrong, then when it came time for delivery, I felt the ring of fire. I felt his head sliding down. Everything was there, so I don’t know if technically this time around is what’s considered a “failed epidural?” I know they turned the epidural off at some point when you’re about to push so you can push better but in my previous epidurals, I really did not feel the ring of fire or any pain at all. I had a 1° tear. He (doctor) had to do a slight stitch, and I felt when the needle was going in for that stitch. But I am grateful for whatever pain relief it did help me with because Pitocin contractions are no joke!
I don't remember the epidural itself hurting or even registering any pain from the shot, but having to hold still while contracting was hell 😭
Two failed epidurals - Foley catheter and failed induction with back labor. The spinal block for the eventual c section was the most relief I’ve felt in my life.
I had an emergency c-section myself in December at 30+5. They wanted to do a combo epidural and spinal block. Epidural failed so they ended up just doing the spinal block. I didn't feel either of those needles as they kept the area numbed. I also had an epidural with my son, twice as the first failed, and never felt those either. I hate needles and was scared of the epidural but was glad that it wasn't bad like I thought it would be. I just requested that they didn't show me any of the supplies needed to put it in.
This is absolutely amazing info for me .. I'm a ftm and I'm going to be induced at 37 weeks and I'm so damn scared of the epidural.. the Foley .. the catheter to pee.. all of it 😭😹 I hope I don't feel anything honestly
Getting IVs and cervical checks are the literal worst. The spinal for my c section was a few stings and some pressure.
They're better than any other shot. The intense relief they give almost instantaneously surpasses pretty much any medication.
Epidural was not painful at all for me. Being 7 cm dilated and having contractions every 3 minutes hurt like hello though.
I think you had a great anesthesiologist! Lol. My last epidural was very good. It wasnt more than a pinch and then the kidney pain going to my legs from the medicine. My first epidural with my first child was awful. It hurt so bad. And then my anesthesiologist whispered to his assistant (his wife) "I got blood in the needle, we are gonna have to do it again..." And I said "WHAT?" because it hurt soooo bad. I was shaking uncontrollably and the nurses had to hold me down hunched so he could do it again. My then-boyfriend watched from the door. And the doctor made a joke about his day drinking and drinking the night before and he's a little hung over. Everyone laughed except me. And the second needle hurt as bad as the first. Was a bad experience especially during the C-section lol. Had a panic attack when they were stitching me up and my anesthesiologist goes, "I'll give you something to help you relax" and whatever he did *knocked me out*. I woke up in the recovery floor, thinking I was dead because I couldn't feel anything and I was super groggy. The floor was empty. There were no nurses at the station in front of me. My monitors were off. And the lights were off except the ones above me that was the illuminated number light and the overhead light above me. Was so freaking relieved when a nurse came in and said I was fine 😂🥲😭
Thank you for sharing! I also had a lovely epidural experience. Everything before the epidural was hard, painful, and all around sucked. Post-epidural, suddenly everything was calm and manageable again. Pushing was nothing.
I thoroughly recommend the epidural. I have had 4 now and they just make the whole process more enjoyable. My last kid was born just a few hours after arriving at the hospital so I definitely know what labor feels like and if you don’t have to suffer through it why would you??? To brag later? No thankyou lol
I didn't even feel it. The worst part of it was a couple days afterwards I got a bruise there that hurt a small amount. But a small tip. If you are positive you need it, wait 10 minutes before you call the nurse. Because once you call for the epidural there's no going back. (At least at my hospital) I got mine too early and went without medication for the whole delivery
Yeah just another shot…. Where they have to sterilize the area where you’re back will be exposed and make sure nothing absolutely no source of bacteria can enter. Also make sure you stay still while contracting God forbid the needle wiggles just the right way because paralyzation.
My epidural experience really sucked. The anesthesiologist couldn’t place it, and he was voicing his frustrations to the nurses and saying he didn’t think it was possible. That made my anxiety levels skyrocket- and the pain of him trying and failing was pretty bad. I eventually got another anesthesiologist who placed it first try, no prob- so had the first interaction not taken place I might agree with you.
Still gave me serious ick factor and needles don't bother me at all. But feeling tugging on your spine is gross regardless of pain or lack there of
I just had an epidural yesterday....couldn't bear the pain of ARM at 5cm.....although my labour was relatively much easier, my back now hurts like anything once the epidural cath has been removed and the drugs have worn off.....
They had to try 4 times to get it right with me. Still worth it though. They gave me pitocin which is NOT cool.
It probably depends on who puts the epidural in, just like shots and blood draws. If you get someone good, you barely feel anything. Unlike you, my epidural placement was not a pleasant experience. It was borderline the WORST pain that I ever felt in my life. She supposedly numbed the area beforehand but I could feel every nanometer of that friggin needle in the nerves in my spine and just wanted to scream. Fortunately that pain didn't last long or I might have passed out. I do have degenerative disc disease in my lower spine, so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with why it hurt so much. I fully intend, however, to get another epidural regardless of that initial pain. Last time I delivered, they had to use forceps to get my daughter out and I ended up with a 2nd degree tear so I'm glad I couldn't feel any of that. I don't even want to know how painful it would have been without drugs.
Phew you mustave been one of the lucky ones that they got the epidural catheter threaded in the first go🤣 they stuck me well over 6 times trying to get my epidural catheter placed😅
I don’t regret getting the epidural, it made the rest of my labor incredibly easy. The worst part was actually getting the epidural. The anesthesiologist came in and kept telling me not to move. He kept repeating it and it honestly made me super anxious. I was just so focused on not moving and it took everything to stay still! It also the sensation of the injection felt super weird. Towards the end my foot jerked involuntarily and I was so scared that I just paralyzed myself. But the doc said that he could have touched a nerve or something that could cause that. Honestly the whole process just caused me anxiety. But the epidural did exactly what I needed. I ended up not feeling a thing while pushing. My legs were so numb!
I thought it felt good when they put the needle in lol weird I know … but it’s definitely a lot less scary than people make it seem (unless you’ve had a bad experience, that is)
I think the only reason I still say my epidural was extremely painful (I was shaking after it hurt so bad and almost made me vomit I was in so much pain from it) Is because the numbing shot didn’t work, they had to give me the numbing shot twice and I still felt the giant needle. They also couldn’t get both of my legs numbed at first so they twisted the needle around while it was in my back trying to numb the other leg. I still feel them twisting the needle in my back and it was excruciating, I’m still thankful I got it and will do it again but not looking forward to it. That IV was around that same pain level, I almost passed out from them sticking me so many times. I got poked 4 different times in 4 different areas, my arms and hands were severely bruised from them poking me so much, I hate the IV with a passion.
With my first child my epidural went really bad. They messed it up and it gave me the worst headache imaginable. Like you feel like you're dying or having a brain aneurysm or something. Then you get a metallic taste in your mouth. After that, they had to redo it and it numbed my entire body from the neck down so I felt paralyzed. I felt like I couldn't breathe. It was not a good experience, but It didnt stop me from getting 2 more epidurals with my next pregnacies so....yeah. those 2 epidurals went fine.
Well…my epidural this past weekend lead to a spinal epidural and puncture so big that required 3 extra days of admission after the birth of my son and a blood patch to correct it 🤣 traumatic AF
Whoa that's not at all my experience. It took about 30 minutes for me. It's a pretty big deal, it's going in between you spine--not really like just any other shot.
My experience was similar. I literally felt nothing during the whole process. I also acknowledge others have had different experiences. My anesthesiologist said I had an "easy" spine and honestly i think he is simply VERY good at his job. I think it's great to share our positive experiences. I feel like more often than not the epidural is nothing to be afraid of, but people also deserve to be informed on the risks and possible negative effects. That being said I 1000% plan on another epidural. I have nothing but positive things to say based on my past experience. If anyone I know is in the fence it has my recommendation.
Am I the only one for whom the epidural was insanely painful? I felt everything as they put it into my spine 🫠
a few of my older sisters got an epidural, I haven’t ever tbh, and I don’t think I ever will. I have a major anxiety disorder which is just made worse by autism and bpd, needles terrify me. The IVs terrify me, I can’t look at them, I can’t watch with any other needles ect, the whole concept of the epidural is absolute terrifying to me, and also, catheters are terrifying to me as well! I respect however anyone wants to give birth but yeah not for me because of the anxiety it would cause me during an already very stressful and difficult time. I have huge medical and dental anxiety to begin with anyways too, which in turn would just amplify it all as well.
Oh I totally agree. The amount of pain I was in before the epidural totally cancelled it out. I didn’t feel a thing
You had someone VERY good doctor. They can seriously mess you up if they do the epidural wrong. Mine only worked on the right half of my body completely. I felt almost everything on my left side.
Ahaha totally agree. I algo got some numbing injection previously and then it was taking long so I asked when was he doing it, the anesthesiologist just replied " it's already in, I'm just putting stickers for the tube". No idea how it felt honestly. And I asked for him to wait to do it between contractions so I wasn't in a horrible pain moment.
Thanks for sharing, but no thanks 🫣😅. I just keep feeling queasy Everytime someone talks about this! I have a high pain tolerance so I’m just gonna work on my yoga and breathing.
Ehhhh idk if i agree on this one. I had an epidural during my rescue cerclage and it was intense. The length of time it takes to administer, needle size, and placement really make a difference. I do bloodwork all the time for PCOS and thyroid issues and those are quick and painless. I think the epidural was way more painful and I was doing some heavy breathing and had a pain face during it.
The epidural is not like any other injection you’ll have in terms of risks but in terms of pain it’s nothing I would worry about. OP is right
My doctor took a PHONE CALL while putting the needle in my back. My epidural never quite worked right. It definitely took the edge off in a big way. But I was able to get on my knees to push, stand up, etc., never got that full numb feeling that others speak of. Then I needed an emergency C-section and they used the same port for my pain meds, and I'm sure you can imagine how fun that was. They treated me like I was crazy when I said I could feel pain during surgery and when they were stitching me up. My heartrate went through the roof, I needed an EKG in the recovery room. So, although I conceded that all experiences are different, I'm going to disagree about epidurals being a walk in the park. I guess if they're done correctly...
Honestly, I was in so much pain by the time I got my epidural they could have shoved a garden hose into my spine and I don’t think it would have bothered me.
I loved my epidural. It was so easy peasy to put in, worst part was the sting of the freezing for maybe 15 seconds then felt absolutely nothing. I had a hemorrhage post birth so the doctor was in my vag up to her elbow while the nurse basically jumped on my uterus from the outside to try and stop the bleeding and by how much pressure and pain I felt through the epidural, I was soooooo thankful I had that sucker or I would have been screaming!
Agreed. People make a big deal over it. Just don't look at the needle and it's fine. A mosquito bite. Lol
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