Having an Epidural in Prep for C/S

[WizzFizz]

Hello,

I had my first child last year. After 5 hours of established labour, the contractions were too much to bear, and I asked for an epidural (after trying gas & pethadine!). When the Anaesthetist came in and i was asked to sit on the edge of the bed and curl over as much as I could, he gave me a local. I was contracting while he did it so I was concentrating on trying to keep as still as possible and grit my teeth and moan quietly. Then when he put the Epidual needle in, I had another contraction (they were about 90 secs apart), I was bracing myself for the next one but it didn't happen - the Epidural was in and doin its thang!! YIPEE!

WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS.... I am having another baby in November which I have to have by c/s as I "failed labour" with DD... Does the local hurt when they put it in your back and do you feel the Epidural needle being inserted at all? I will probably go in to have my baby a week before its due date so I will be clear headed and wont have other pain to keep me from noticing the needle like last time!:eek:

Ali

[Briannabear]

My epidural experience was much the same as yours. Mine was an emergency caesar so it is probably different to an elective.
My epi felt like I was being punched in the back. :eek:

[perrywinkle]

To be honest I can't even remember having to local at all. I would have to say it would hurt as I've had local injections a few times else where. I wouldn't worry too much as I would much prefer a little bit of pain rather than feeling that epidural going in. You wouldn't feel the epidural going in at all but you may feel the warm liquid being put into your spinal area. Best of Luck you'll be fine!!!!

[JATS]

The local was barely a tiny sting, and I didn't feel the epi going in at all, never any pain/problems around the site afterwards either.

[Pixie]

it hurt like hell and I was in labour I screamed an nearly bit the nurse who was holding me still..the thought of being paralysed was enough for me not to move lol

[munchkin05]

i had an emergancy c section after 26 hrs of labour :banghead:

i dont remember getting a needle or anything for that matter all i want was my baby out safe and healthy

i know i had one but cant say if it hurt or not or even what it felt like
sorry im no help :o

[babytoo]

Ok...I am a wuss...scared sh@tless, wanted bubba number 2 to stay in there coz I was so petrified and........I would go as far to say that I loved it!!

My 1st was an emergency c-section after 18 hours labour and the epi was put in pretty early on....I freaked out by the end not feeling my legs etc so much so that all my vitals were getting critical...never wanted to go thru again...

Anyway...2nd was a pre-booked c-section and it was great....the needle onlly hurt for a spilt second which was the local and then the spinal went in which didnt even hurt.....its all over and done with so quickly...its fantastic! If you need to know anything else....pm me or just ask...all the best

[PhAnToM]

Hi Ali.


I have had 2 c-sections. Both of them "elective". (I STILL haven't figured out why they call it that. My pelvis never widens enough for my babies to get there head's through to engage. I suppose they gotta come out somehow. So if they mean i elect to have the baby taken out, rather than turn 3 while still in my belly, then YES i have an elective cesar!) :confused:

Anyway, both times i was fully aware of what was going on. No pains. Obviously nervous. But i have to say, although i was worried about what was happening, i didn't feel any pain during the epidural. In fact i have no pain association with the epidural, during or after.
The only sensation is like something icey cold running down your spine.. a very fine line.. but nothing that makes you uncomfortable. Just a cold sensation.
The first hospital was a bit more scarey. I was left in a room with the anasethetist (?sp.. sorry, too tired to concentrate on spelling.) He didn't say anything to me except "hands in your lap, bend right over and arch your back." I felt like i was in quarantine. He did it and left me there on my own for what felt like forever!

The second one was at Werribee Mercy (November 2005.. so still fresh in my mind) and they were absolutely brilliant with preparation. This time he came in and explained everything he was going to do and what i should and shouldn't feel. Spoke to DH and me for a while. Made me feel REALLY comfortable. I had nurses holding my hand and he talked me through the prep from start to finish. He kept telling me "if you EVER think you feel anything at all, you tell me immediately so we stop it straight away." he also told me it's normal to feel nausea, but that i don't have to put up with it. Any inkling of nausea during the cesar, i should tell him and he'd stop it instantly. I did start to feel a bit of nausea sometime later. I mentioned it and he jumped up and put something into my IV.. and the nausea was gone immediately. i couldn't believe how quickly it took effect . i almose doubted that i ever felt the nausea.

Bottom line, don't stress about the epidural. It's really no pain at all. (and i am no fan of injections...)

Good Luck and let us know how you go!

[SilverStarfish]

I have had 2 c-sections. Both of them "elective". (I STILL haven't figured out why they call it that. My pelvis never widens enough for my babies to get there head's through to engage. I suppose they gotta come out somehow. So if they mean i elect to have the baby taken out, rather than turn 3 while still in my belly, then YES i have an elective cesar!) :confused:


I prefer terms like "non-emergency". To me "elective" makes it sound like a trivial decsion, like what to wear or pizza toppings :confused: