Epidural?? Scared of the concept...info please

Just some advice. If you have scoliosis you CANNOT have an epidural. I ahve slight curvature of the spine so cannot have. I always say natural is best and it isnt natural not not feel what is going on down there. Women for years have managed without. I think you should just do your research. I know someone in UK who have spinal nerve damage after an epidural so there are risks. Also try not to pump yourself full of drugs such as pethadine. TBH a lot of drugs cross the placenta, affect baby and u end up having to HAVE c-section. I think too much is all medicine. I think we should all try and deliver without too much intervention. ONLY when in an emergency :) BUT I do agree IF you INSIST on having one, have a low dosage so you still have some feeling. Do your research :) All the best whatever any of you choose. My mother in law had 6 kids with nothing and my nan had 3, so I am sure we can all manage!!!

Epidural is the best. Eventhough I had a slight hiccup when inserting the needle, the anesthesist has to insert it twice as my vertibrae were very close to one another....but having your husband or some one else close to you to distract you and support you is the best as it really does not hurt its just the thought that scares us! And within about a minute you start feeling less pains with contractions......I also did not have a too high dosage so I was able to guide the mdwives to when the contractions were coming:)). Was in full labour for 10 mins! Bliss!!!Goodluck!

You will probably find that the thought of birth becomes less terrifying the closer it gets. Read some positive birth stories (e.g. "Stand and Deliver") or download video (e.g. the TV series "one born every minute") that include all kinds of birth scenarios - natural, epidural, c-sections... it really set my mind at ease and stopped my imagination going wild all the time picturing worst case scenarios. Consider taking ante natal classes and/or get yourself a doula if you can do with the extra support. And then, thoroughly prepared for all eventualities, just take it as it comes!! I was also scared of an epidural so managed without any pain relief - and you know what, it wasn't as bad as it seems on the movies - and I'm sure an epidural would have turned out fine as well if I had one. The minute the baby is in your arms the birth and pain is forgotten anyway!

Epidural is a Huge blessing only if it is given at the right time & by the right hands!! I had an epidural gave birth at Welcare last year & i think it was one of the best decision i took, however i have heard stories from my other friends who had a "not so good experience" due to complications & wrong dosage etc etc. Welcare boasts of having some of the best anesthetists in Dubai & indeed the guy was good, i could say i had a pain free delivery. The idea behind this was that i was able to concentrate on the birth itself & support the doc & nurses rather than concentrate on the labor pain itself. I think most women go thru so much of pain that they are unable to co-operate with the doc's & the nurses/midwives & in turn this becomes a struggle for the baby as well! If you have a choice of getting an epidural why not? help your self & the baby! :)

I didn't have an epidural for my first in the UK, and did for my second here at City. The difference was amazing. I was actually 'present' for my DD's birth and could enjoy it, whilst with my first I was off with the fairies just trying to cope and my DSs birth was totally secondary. I too was sqeamish about the idea, but if you get to a point you need it, you will totally not care about needles/anything! Good luck with your decision!

When I had dd1 my epidural was a true godsend - I had never experienced such relief in my life. The only slight 'complication' was that after they topped it up for my emcs I felt quite cold so they covered my arms with blankets during the op. But really, I was blown away by how powerful the drugs were and how they liberated me from my awful contractions during labour. For dd2 I had an elcs and opted for a spinal block instead. That was better as I didn't feel cold at all.

DC Diva - if you do have an epidural (and you might be alright with just gas and air) then if it's the right thing for you to do, insist on a low dosage so you can still at least feel the contractions and some of your legs. My doula asked for low dosage for me and I felt much more in control with that. Also you might find the epidural makes you cold, so make sure DH is ready with a blanket and dressing gown until you warm up again!

I ended up having an epi. My first labour was all natural, with just the use of gas and air. So this time around I was looking for the same thing. I counted out all pain relief because I had it set in my mind that I could do without it. And when the day came, I was strong mentally and honestly I did not need the epi. But I was in labour for ages and ages and things were not progressing. They induced me, even when the contractions where at the worst, I was only using gas and air, but I remained at 7cm for 5 hours and contractions were coming fast. My OB recommended an epi only because she thought it would relax me and help me dilate. I spoke to the anaesthetist before and got as much information I could from him. I asked for a really low does as I wanted to feel everything. Inserting it was painless, I did not feel a thing and it was over before I could even say boo. He was joking with me when he was doing it. The relief was amazing. I could feel every muscle in my body relaxing. Within half an hour I dilated to 10cm and could feel baby's head, and I could still feel the urge to push. I could feel everything, but it did not hurt so much. So my experience with it was great, it did what my OBGYN wanted it to do, and I had my baby in my arms in no time. If I had to do it again, I would not count out having it, but would certainly try without it first coz I know I can do it. Like the other posters have said, educate yourself on it, know what you getting into, and keep an open mind. Try as hard as you can without, but if you need it, then do it. I was so against them, but now feel differently Good luck

DC diva, chat to your anaethetist as soon as you can; this should help your confidence levels. Also chat to your gynae about who she/he uses and what she thinks of them. I told everyone who would listen that I'd rather have a caesar than an epidural for reasons slightly different to yours, but in the end the epidural I decided to have in the throes of a very fast and furious labour was absolute HEAVEN. I could relax and enjoy the moment and the actual needle bit was so not even worth mentioning. If you can do a contraction, you can SO do an epidural. Good luck!

Between the risks of epidural, and my fear of needles, I was really scared of needing one. I thought I'd try everything else beforehand. But on the day I had no choice as my blood pressure was so high. To be honest I didn't even feel the needle going in. There was so much else going on, I was concentrating on the contractions and getting into position... And I did have gas. So think the hardest part was arching my back like a 'C' with a huge bump! I know some people say they go to sleep afterwards, or they can't move, but not me. I felt a slight wave of relief, and was still able to get on my knees to push only one hour in. Perhaps mine was a low dose as I still used the gas too. But really was nothing like I feared. Good luck!

i took my plaster off in shower, so it didnt hurt at all. taking epidural was the best decision i took for me, i was throwing up badly at the start of labor coz of the anxiety as i was not relaxing. epidural made me relax and i could focus and felt so much better.

Here's the thing with birth...EVERYONE wants to share their stories, great births and otherwise. Try really hard over the coming months to appear like you're listening to the horror stories but let it all wash over you. Every single pregnancy and birth is unique so you will create your own birth story. My second birth was induced and when it all started happening was WAY more intense than I had expected. Long story short, the anaesthetist arrived and made sure I was 'comfortable' (LOL!) while he got everything ready. My contractions were long, intense and with no break in between. He said, "Right, I'll get this in after this next contraction." I shouted at him, "AFTER? THERE IS NO AFTER!! THEY NEVER END!!" He just smiled, gave me a pat on the back and said, "It's done. You'll feel a whole lot better in a couple of minutes." And I did. :D I didn't feel a thing. Just the relief when the meds started working. :) Fast foward to baby number three and I birthed her without any pain relief at all. Go in educated about your options and all of their pro's and con's. Go in with an open mind and be prepared for anything. Congratulations on your pregnancy and best wishes for the months ahead. I could second almost everything in this post. My firsrt labour was induced and I had to have my waters broken. Contractions hit me like a train and I NEEDED that epidural and was so happy for the relief it gave. Next 2 labours, naturalish (certainly no epidural), in fact my second was drug free because she came out like a bar of soap, almost in the car. Don't worry about your labour yet and don't make any definite decisions about what you do and don't want at this point. Your body is made for birthing babies and your ob/gyn is trained to intervene and take the pain away if this is what you choose. No way is right or wrong but don't worry about it at this pint, concentate on cooking your baby. Good luck!

I've had 3 children and each time I've had an epidural. The epidurals didn't hurt, it was more the thought of it..... a slight pressure on your lower back and then bliss.... I agree with 'kiwispiers', the most painful thing was the plaster coming off afterwards.

I am really terrified of needles and was dreading having an epidural. However, I didn't even feel the needle go in and you can't see it anyway. To be honest there's always such a lot going on that an epidural seemed to be but a tiny blip in the whole birth process so you should try not to worry - I know that's easier said than done :) and no amount of reassurance from other people beforehand really sunk in with me and I was thinking about this from about 3 months in! I was actually in the middle of a contraction when they put the needle in (my fault as I hate needles so much I moved my hand when they tried to put the cannula in and managed to snap the needle so delayed the whole process by 2 mins - whoops) but even then it was fine, still managed to keep still because you just do because you have to. I think I went into some sort of 'zone' and remember thinking, why am I doing this, I don't even need an epidural! It's amazing how brilliant your body and mind can be during childbirth even if don't think it will be. The relief once the epidural kicked in was fantastic!! You only have to wait a short time for the effects to be felt. Also, here they are pretty quick getting the anethetist to you once you decide you want one (about 2 mins when I was in the Medcare with DS), there's no hanging about, so no time to worry (to be honest you will be distracted by other things/people) and you know that the pain relief will be with you shortly. Yes, you can get through another couple of contractions when you know the anethetist is on the way!! BTW, I'm not promoting epidurals here - some people don't want or need them - just giving you some reassurance if you do decide to have one. As Green-ish says do your research so you go in educated about your options and be open-minded. You really don't need to worry about it. People will love to tell you their stories too, take with a pinch of salt and blank out negative things - obviously don't bury your head in the sand and make sure you're clued up about everything you feel you want to know about. I actually had some real comedy moments during labour and childbirth with my lovely doula and DH and once the epidural kicked in, went to sleep, spoke on the phone, watched a DVD (think I even ate a whole massive bar of chocolate!).

There was no pain for me, you don't feel the catheder going in, my dr talked to me the whole time and the hardest part is keeping really still, the only mildly painful part was after the birth when they had to peel off the very sticky tape which held the catheder to my back, ouch!. I was worried about really wanting to move before it had worn off and being stuck in bed so long but actually, it wasn't a problem at all.

Yup, everyone loves to tell you their story :D. I was petrified of an epidural. As in, more petrified of an epidural than I was about evicting something the size of a watermelon from something the size of a plum. Having it put in wasn't the best experience of my life by a long shot, but it certainly wasn't anywhere near as bad as I'd expected and I quite liked the numb feeling once it kicked in! As Green-ish says, go in with your mind open to whatever you need on the day. And try not to worry too much about it over the next few months. Good luck!

Here's the thing with birth...EVERYONE wants to share their stories, great births and otherwise. Try really hard over the coming months to appear like you're listening to the horror stories but let it all wash over you. Every single pregnancy and birth is unique so you will create your own birth story. My second birth was induced and when it all started happening was WAY more intense than I had expected. Long story short, the anaesthetist arrived and made sure I was 'comfortable' (LOL!) while he got everything ready. My contractions were long, intense and with no break in between. He said, "Right, I'll get this in after this next contraction." I shouted at him, "AFTER? THERE IS NO AFTER!! THEY NEVER END!!" He just smiled, gave me a pat on the back and said, "It's done. You'll feel a whole lot better in a couple of minutes." And I did. :D I didn't feel a thing. Just the relief when the meds started working. :) Fast foward to baby number three and I birthed her without any pain relief at all. Go in educated about your options and all of their pro's and con's. Go in with an open mind and be prepared for anything. Congratulations on your pregnancy and best wishes for the months ahead.