Epidural fear

[Babyblue32]

Alright.
I've just woken up freaking out about having an epidural.
Which is ridiculous because I haven't even made a plan that's set in stone to have a c section.

I've been advised by cons, that's it's probably best for me, which I agree with.

I have my midwife next week to discuss birth plans anyway, and then another meeting with cons in a week or so.

I don't know why I'm freaking out!

The thought of having a spinal just really panics me a little.......

Any positive thoughts? Please?
(I know I'm over thinking - I just need a little hand hold)

It's my first baby.... I don't even know why I'm thinking about it yet. I've still got like 5 weeks

This worried me too through most of my pregnancy! I can honestly say though it's no where near as bad as I thought it would be. Please try not to worry!

Is it the pain you're worried about, or the needle length?

They numb the area with local anaesthetic first. Whilst some consultants are on the fence , due to controversy, others will happily administer something to calm you down (Chllorphenamjne, Midazolam, Diazepam), and so,etching for any nausea or vomiting (Cyclizine, , Metoclopramide).

Don't worry if you need a CS, my wife said it was fine, but you need to speak to The anaesthetic if you feel strange/nauseous, unwell, agitated). The anaesthetist is there purely to ensure you are comfortable, and has a wide range of medications that (s)he can administer, including painkillers, sedatives, benzodiazepines, anti+nausea, drugs to slow your bowels, and many more).

They also don't mind you listening to music during the operation, with the caveat you must be able to hear the medical personnel if they ask you something.

I was worried about this to. As it happened I was surprised when they’d finished as I didn’t feel a thing

I had a spinal for a c-section which is most likely what you’ll get if you and the consultant decide on an ELCS. I felt a scratch for the local injection but never even saw the needle for the spinal itself. I didn’t feel it going in either because of the local anaesthetic. And unlike the epidural there’s no drip. Really wasn’t scary at all.

I had a spinal.block rather than an epidural for my cs. I was also worried about having a needle in my spine but it was fine.

I was so so so anxious about mine, I really was a wreck before my section, and my only real fear was the anesthetic.

The needle going in was not fun, didn't hurt but felt strange and uncomfortable. The rest was honestly fine. I actually quite liked the effects of the anesthetic. I had a horrible first birth so loosing the feeling in my legs and letting someone else just take over was weirdly nice and calming.

There were two anesthetists and they both filled me confidence and had a brilliant bedside manner which obviously really helped.

If I had to have another I would be no more worried about the anesthetic than I would about going to have a smear. It was a brief uncomfortable moment.

You'll be fine :)

I never even considered it when I was pregnant, had to have a emcs and it was fine, they told me to say still, it took about 10 seconds, I don't even feel it!

I had one son born With it and one without and I am telling go for it 100%. You still have the emotions and incredible feeling of the birth without the tremendous pain. Why avoid it?

Thank you all for the replies....
I'm not sure why I'm so worried about it right this minute... it won't be happening for a few weeks.
It's purely the needle into my spine that spooks me, I think a good chat with midwife should help.... (hopefully)

I was so scared when I got mine.

I honestly didn't feel a thing. They numb the area beforehand. I'm not good with needles at all but I was absolutely fine.

The needle in the spine i 3 seconds, labour three hours and you can't compare the pain, honestly.
Chat with your midwife, but be aware a lot of them are encouraged to push for natural deliveries, more for financial and logistic reasons than your wellbeing. A friend is a midwife here in Australia, she stopped doing deliveries and is now a supervisor in prenatal care because she didn't always agree.

I've had 2 epidurals they are fine no problem at all just stay very still when they are putting it in.

I've given birth twice and the section was by far the better experience so calm. I was much more scared at stressed first birth. They had the radio on and chatted away to me 5 mins flat your baby is there.

Get arnica tablets for healing and move around as much as possible it will be great.

I had one but didn’t have a c section I was to exhausted after hours on my feet and I couldn’t lie down so opted for epidural..I don’t remember anything at all bad about it I remember the needle going in but I don’t remember feeling extreme pain of it
Don’t know if that’s helpful to you

I had an epidural with both labours. By the time you decide to have one/are administered one you’ll be begging for it.