Please read this post with so many “grains of salt” that your able to enjoy a margarita (or virgin margarita). This is in no way, shape, or form, any type of medical advice. I am a teacher, not a doctor. I’m not even a good candidate to administer first aid. I am the most squeamish person I know, not to mention that all this is a recollection of my birth story, when I was not at my sharpest. Every birth experience is different, this is mine.
1. Breaking your water before you have an epidural is not the smartest of moves.
This, pending the fact that you actually have control over how your labor is progressing, and let’s face it, once the baby comes, you won’t ever have control over anything for the rest of your life. But getting your water broken actually kind of hurts, and sitting up to have an epidural is very messy if your water has already been broken. And not the fun kind of messy…the “I feel like I should be the one wearing a diaper” type messy…not the most shining moment of my life, but thankfully the labor pains were stronger than my embarrassment at that point in time. And I figured that since 50% of women go ahead and get epidurals during their labor, I needed, and deserved, a bit of help too.
*Update* With my second child I again had to get my water broken prior to having an epidural. My doctor had come by to break my water before the other doctor had come by to give me an epidural. It was again a very uncomfortable experience.
2. No one can stay with you when you have an epidural.
I had a major “I want my mama” moment when it was time for my epidural. My also very squeamish mom wanted no part of being in there for that anyway, but I was really scared to have to do that on my own. I told my nurse that I needed her to hug me and talk me through it. I squeezed her tight, digging my forehead into her shoulder, while my “water” continued to gush rivers all over the both of us. My suggestion? Go to your happy place. Anywhere but there at that moment in time, because to be downright truthful with you, an epidural hurts. It’s worth it, but it hurts. It’s a tradeoff to make though for a few moments of pain versus feeling every bit of labor over the next several hours. Seems like an obvious choice, right?
*Update* With my other two epidurals I again held onto my nurse and felt so much appreciation for them. I felt a lot less scared to get them, knowing that it would be quickly put into place, bringing me one step closer to my baby.
3. Am I the only person on the planet that didn’t realize that an epidural is like an IV for your back?
I thought that an epidural was more like a shot, but its a completely separate IV that’s taped to your back so that it doesn’t move when you do. Ugh to this day I get light headed just thinking about it. Say a quick prayer that you get a person with a good bedside manner who is administering your epidural. When they come into the room and say, “Sit up, lean over slightly and don’t move”…it doesn’t exactly give you the warm and fuzzies.
4. It comes with a pain management button.
I had access to a button that would “amp” up the epidural by giving me more “juice.” I used it quite a bit. No one explained it to me, but I’m assuming it had medicinal and placebo effects. In all reality, there is a limit of the amount of “juice” that you can get during your labor and delivery…it isn’t open like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Most times, it’s limited to 1-2 liters of fluid being pumped through your IV for the duration of your labor. So while you may have the option to push that button, it doesn’t mean that it’s always going to produce!
5. You can be “too numb.”
Just before it was time to push I was clinging to the bed rails begging someone to help me. I was in so much pain that I couldn’t describe or even pinpoint. My nurse calmly told me that any more “juice” from the epidural might make me too numb to push. Turns out more epidural juice wasn’t what I needed anyway, a few minutes into to pushing I barfed everywhere and felt ten times better. While my side effect of barfing was quite mild in comparison to what some woman feel, there are other side effects such as shivering or ringing in the ears that are a possibility as well.
*Update* My epidural didn’t work well with my second labor and delivery and feeling those contractions made it a lot easier to push. It was also extremely painful.
6. It’s hard to be “lady like.”
As modestly as I can put this. When you have an epidural you’re completely unaware of feelings such as being gassy. So when the nurse suggests helping you roll to one side or the other be sure you’re comfortable farting in front of any guests you may have at the time. And to be completely real with you, passing gas is more than likely the most “lady-like” thing that is actually going to happen in that room. While the epidural takes affect the majority of the pain, it also tends to take away your ability to know exactly what “area” you are pushing from. Gas and even other things from your bowels may pass freely without any control from you.
7. It goes away quickly, yet stays with you for a while.
Moments, dare I say seconds after my son was born, they unhooked my epidural. I got sensation back so quickly that I could feel the doctor stitching me up…OUCH. And for a couple months after my son was born, if I bent down a certain way, this bolt of tingling lightning would shoot down my leg. It didn’t hurt, it just felt weird. I also felt like my back was just sort of separated into two halves, top and bottom. It’s so hard to explain, but I’ve had other women tell me that they understand what I mean. While the typical epidural can wear off quickly, most times you’ll still feel the effects of having an epidural several hours after giving birth. And if you have an epidural for a prolonged period of time during labor, you may end up having to have a catheter afterward as well.
*Update* My epidural didn’t take well with my second child, so what little I did feel wore off quickly. With my third it was a very long time before I got feeling back into my legs.
8. Your blood pressure becomes a major concern.
Once I signed myself up for an epidural, I also signed up for a permanent blood pressure cuff. This cuff would take my blood pressure automatically, every. 15. minutes. Therefore sleep and rest were impossible because every 15 minutes it felt like my arm was going to explode.
*Update* I did have problems with blood pressure after receiving my epidural with my third child. The nurse gave me ephedrine which solved the problem.
9. You have to have an IV first.
I didn’t know that you have to have IV fluids for at least an hour prior to receiving an epidural. I had IV fluids for 34 hours, I’m pretty sure I made sloshing sounds when I walked for a week.
10. The numbing effect can change locations.
No idea why or how, but lets say you lay on your left side for too long, all of your numbness will be on the left side so your nurse may have you move from side to side over time. It’s like the “juice” likes to group together and pool on the side you are laying so your nurse will literally tell you to roll over every from moments. It sounds totally odd, but it works.
11. They might not work.
Hot spots are real, very, very real. With the birth of my second child, my nurse and I realized that my epidural didn’t seem to be working. I also dilated extremely fast and didn’t really have a choice, but to push through the pain. Unlike my first epidural, this time I really felt the urge to push, which did help me push as hard as I could. Don’t get me wrong, having an epidural that didn’t work WAS NOT FUN, but I was also more in-tune with natures intentions and I was able to deliver my baby very quickly because I could feel the urge to push.
Depending on the type of labor and delivery that you are hoping for, make certain that you do your research on whether an epidural is right for you. Each soon-to-be mom has their own opinion, and their own story about why they choose to use an epidural or not, and honestly, to each their own. Just like with anything in life, there are positives and negatives, risks and concerns that come along with using an epidural during labor. If you truly have concerns about the effects of the epidural to you and your soon to be born baby, talk to your delivery doctor to get the answers that you seek. It’s your body, it’s your birth story, and it’s your choice. I’m happy to have shared my choice and my birth story with you!
Thank you so much for reading my post! What were your epidural experiences like?
Stephanie says
I had an epidural for my first 2 deliveries and noticed that I developed pain at the site of insertion. I went natural for my 3rd baby and the recovery was so quick in comparison. I was out of the hospital as soon as they would release me!
20somethingSHE says
I’m currently 21 weeks pregnant with my second. I’m not quite brave enough to declare that I’m not going to get an epidural yet, but I have been reading up on natural deliveries.
coffee with Addison says
So no one told me it could cause shaking, like massive convulsions I could not control. It was terrifying, especially because I didn’t learn until later that it was entirely normal for some people. Thanks for the heads up doc.
Dana says
Yea! I had only heard of shakes after c sections.
Brianne says
I’ve had 3 kids and zero epidural and always had the shakes. I’m pretty sure that is more of a hormone thing.
thehouseturnedhome says
I wanted a natural delivery but ended up needing a c-section and so I got an epidural. One thing I wasn’t prepared for was how much the numbing stuff BURNED before they even put the epidural needle in!
April@loveourreallife says
Good tips for first time moms! There are enough surprises with a newborn, being informed about epidurals should not be one of them!
karen says
The shakes were the very worst – and also being so numb in one leg that I couldn’t walk to the bathroom for 12 hours.
Lindsey says
I’m gearing up for my baby to make his arrival and this was great to read!!
Susan says
I had everyone in the room for my epidural. My water was broken by the doctor befor I had the epidural. I had a great twin birth and didn’t feel a thing.
20somethingSHE says
I bet different hospitals have different policies. I’m starting to wonder if having my water broken hurt because I wasn’t dilated. Did your water gush everywhere when you were getting your epidural?
Liz says
I had an epidural and my husband was there with me. I also didn’t have to be on fluids for anytime prior. My water had already broken prior, though not by my doctor. I didn’t have any negative effects from the epidural. Everyone reacts differently. There is not guarantee you will have the shakes, or pain from and epidural. The epidural got me through intense contractions so that I had some time to rest and was able to push when was time.
Royneisha says
Thank you! I’m pregnant with my first and hearing your experience was actually really refreshing. Every else in here made me so nervous.
Kenzie says
Amen!
Amber says
I never had an epidural instead i had an ITN with both my boys and plan to with my next babies. ITNs only numb your stomach from the pain of the contractions. It made me super itchy but that was better then the pain. I would never have an epidural due to all the crazy things it does to you. You still get stuck in the back but its a one time thing. No IV in your back.
Jessica says
I think it’s important to note that many of these things are circumstantial and it doesn’t happen to same for everyone. My husband and my Mom were with me during my epidural. They broke my water before my epidural and all of it came out before they started the epidural process. The shakes are crazy and annoying, but harmless. Just remember to ask questions and stand up for yourself! Because nurses and doctors do this every day they sometimes forget to explain.
Dana says
At the beginning of the post I stated “Every birth experience is different, this is mine.” And I agree, I think because its nothing new for doctors and nurses they sometimes forget that you have no idea what’s going on etc etc
Janelle says
Ps breaking your water does not hurt. And I had my husband with me both times I received an epidural. Sooo those two are not true.
Dana says
Sounds like those two things are not true in your case, they are in mine, in both of my deliveries.
Stephani says
You forgot to mention how no one tells you what a beautiful slice of heaven an epidural is after the numbing takes effect! Mine allowed to to sleep unless the nurses were checking me, which was a blessing considering I was up all night waiting for my contractions to get stronger with my second, and went in the middle of the night with my third. Compared to my first, when the doctor placed the epidural wrong and it only worked on half my body… I love the epidural! That’s not to say it’s without its consequences, but it’s a trade off I’ll take every time!
Dana says
I completely agree! My first epidural was 100%, my second left a lot of me untouched with numbness. Ouch!!!
Lisa Marie says
My water being broken was Niagara Falls after a long snowy winter. I was a week overdue and I was contracting but my mind may of been acting up a bit and what could have been the baby moving in my belly I called a contraction so around noon I tell my SO to come home bc it’s time but he came home and enjoyed a nice 3 hr nap while I just chilled out lol. Best part when we finally went to go the starter went on our newly purchased vehicle (I swear you can’t make this stuff up haha) my dad had to drive an hr to pick us up (it would be normally 40-45 mins but my dad is “that guy,” you know the one in the fast lane barely breaking the speed limit and watching 20 cars zoom by with horns blaring and fingers flashing unfazed bc that’s how he rolls and ive learned to roll with it. So he gets to us, I’m calm as a cuc with another hour to go before even arriving at hospital & even then I could have been sent home but my dr knew I wanted him to deliver her and I was just ready so he broke my water and then went home to eat dinner haha. A few things; I never realized breaking your water was done with a knitting hook or that it wasn’t just a single sac but 3… and yes it hurts but I have a high pain tolerance. But they didn’t get the last sac at first so Back in they went. And it was just river after that. The nurse said she’d never seen anything like it. It was as if a damn broke between my legs for almost an hour. I still wonder how embarrassing but also a mess it would have been if I was out to eat or at the grocery store. I was being stoic but the pain was just becoming intolerable and once I saw concern with so much fluid gone that the a dry birth was becoming more plausible & seeing the petocin I knew the window of getting relief with an epidural was rapidly so I’m sure I was annoying my nurse for what seemed liked hours to get the anesthesiologist up to my room (local hospital but still seemed almost intentional making me wait considering I was the only one in l & d but he could have been in surgery at 11pm…lol. But I heard his voice and threw my SO so quick lol. I had an epidural for 36 hrs in past for my first labor but that’s a long, sad story for another day but I do know what overkill on meds so U can’t move is like. But at first I felt nada in terms of relief and I’m a tall girl that weighs almost 1/3 more than before so he upped my dose and thank god bc the timing could not have been more on point. Within 20 mins I was pushing after ten mins Madeline Belle had arrived.