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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Epidural- how does it feel?

106 replies

Kardelen · 03/01/2023 17:28

Hi guys!
for anyone who has had epidural how did it feel when they were putting needle? Also how many cm were you dilated when they did?

how was the recovery? How many hours after birthing were you able to mobilise?

i heard horror stories of epidural- in fact when I had my first baby, the lady opposite me couldn’t walk even after a few days, but eventually the sensation came a little and they gave her crutches to be discharged with.

This is one of my worst nightmares but I can’t go through that pain again!

OP posts:

Bluelightbaby · 03/01/2023 17:47

I’ve had three epidurals; 2 for birth 1 for analgesia as I’m allergic to most oral ones. Not going to lie it does hurt when they put it in BUT it works extremely well - no pain at all. Mine wore off after around 6hrs

Chesneyhawkes1 · 03/01/2023 17:48

I had one for a medical procedure and I didn't feel a thing.

The doctor said I had a nice bony back! Only time I've ever been happy about that 😂

Chesneyhawkes1 · 03/01/2023 17:49

They did spray something cold on me first and wipe the area. So it might have been numbing stuff. They didn't say.

Wtafis · 03/01/2023 17:51

I don’t remember feeling the epidural going in or the spinal

Preggopounds · 03/01/2023 17:52

I hate needles and the idea of an epidural, but it didn't hurt at all going in, was great! No pain! Recovery was fine, can't remember the epidural having had any affect on my recovery?

You can have them at different points of dilation, depends on your circumstances I guess, and the availability of the anaesthetist! Don't ask for one too late if you want it!

Laughingmole · 03/01/2023 17:55

I had one, think I was about 6cm… didn’t feel it going in but you do have to sit really still. Not easy when having contractions… takes about 15 minutes to get set up. I ended up having an emergency c section so it meant I just needed a top up of pain relief. Epidural was great and i actually fell asleep for over an hour when still having very strong contractions, which I didn’t feel.

Wheresmysewjo · 03/01/2023 17:57

I've had 3. No clue as to dilation with #1 or 2 as was in active labour with both and waters had already broken which is when my labours really ramp up.

#3 I had mine before I had a drip (#1 was a drip induction so my birth plan was clear, no drip until epidural was in and running) my waters had been broken but I wasn't in labour at all.

No side effects. #3 stopped working for horrendous period of about half an hour but turning over sides helped and it worked again.

Even with the last epidural, i don't think it was pleasant but it was ok.

I've also had births without epidural.

with 2 and 3 I went home same day, 6 or so hours after giving birth.

hello94 · 03/01/2023 17:57

I am an absolute drama queen and it didn't hurt. The worst part was the cold spray

hello94 · 03/01/2023 17:59

hello94 · 03/01/2023 17:57

I am an absolute drama queen and it didn't hurt. The worst part was the cold spray

Forgot to mention, mine was a c section so not sure if it's any different in a natural birth

UWhatNow · 03/01/2023 18:00

It was bliss! The best. After delivering my baby I hopped off the bed for a bath and was home in my own bed the same night. But get one early in the labour. All the horror stories you hear to scare you off are usually after women have left it as a last resort.

nutmegwhite · 03/01/2023 18:01

DC1 it felt like a really weird unpleasant sensation but not terribly painful. It was mostly scary trying to keep perfectly still when having contractions. Was totally worth it though, took away all the pain and then started to wear off just in time to have some sensation for delivery. It was a great way to give birth with a clear head and be fully present not out of it.

DC2 I hoped for the same. Unfortunately the anaesthetist wasn't as good and didn't place it correctly so I only went numb on one side. When I kept telling them they redid it and did it again so the first numb side got a double dose and was numb for a long time after birth. Pain relief wasn't as complete either. But delivery was thankfully much quicker.

I can't remember how many cm I was each time.

I won't be having a DC3 but if I did I wouldn't hesitate to have one again as the benefits still outweighed the problems for me.

hallodarknessmyoldfriend · 03/01/2023 18:04

Sorry to jump in, but I am also curious about epidurals.

Was it only your abdomen & legs that went numb or also chest?

I would really like to get an epidural for my first birth, but scared about chest numbness.

Changechangychange · 03/01/2023 18:04

Had a spinal pre-c section so wasn’t in labour at the time.

It felt like a bee sting (local anaesthetic) on the skin. The actual needle going into my back I then didn’t feel as it was already anaesthetised. I got an “electric shock” sensation down my leg as they were putting it in, which made my leg jerk but didn’t actually hurt. Don’t think most people get that.

Then my legs slowly became heavier, over about 15-20 mins. Weirdly I thought I could still feel them, but just couldn’t move them - it was the memory of feeling them, if that makes sense. So when I looked at them, they weren’t where I felt they should be. But then obviously during the c-section I wasn’t paying attention to my legs and they didn’t bother me when I wasn’t thinking about them.

C-section was at 11:45, and the sensation came back about 6+ hours later. Was back to normal the next morning and I was up and about with no problems at all.

tulipsunday · 03/01/2023 18:09

I got the electric shock sensation too but wasn't too bad otherwise didn't hurt going in and certainly worth it for the hours of total pain relief it gave me. Only had leg numbness couldn't walk/weight bear whilst in but wore off quickly and no after effects

Pyvadanya · 03/01/2023 18:15

Like being stranded on a hostile desert island, surrounded by wild wolves, feeling like you're slowly dying, when a helicopter suddenly appears in the sky and rescues you from the jaws of death.

Original poster

Kardelen · 03/01/2023 18:16

Thank you for everyone’s contributions. Really reassured me especially knowing that I may be able to go home the same day!
heard it delays the birth as can’t feel that much contractions, which leads to c section, but I guess this doesn’t always happen?

did you guys actually feel the contractions, or any pain when the baby was being delivered? Or did it feel like pulling sensation? Did you guys need episiotomy as can’t fully push?

when I had my first the pain was really bad, could actually feel pressure and burning sensation everytime I had a contraction as I was 10cm. Was too late for an epidural. So as long as I don’t feel anything!

OP posts:

MonkeyPuddle · 03/01/2023 18:17

Didn’t feel it going in, they used a numbing spray. I was also off my tits on the gas and air and would happily have been hit over the bed with a brick if it helped the back to back labour pains.
Numbness wore off in a standard time, dunno how long, don’t remember. No lasting effects.

MonkeyPuddle · 03/01/2023 18:19

I still felt my contractions, not as badly but still able to feel them. But I liked that, I had a sense of control.
No idea about vaginal births as we went to emergency section and DD was born VERY quickly that way.

Nosecamera · 03/01/2023 18:20

I don't remember feeling it at all, I do remember a midwife repeatedly shoving a pillow into my bump with the first one,I think I was meant to hug it and stay still, my bump was very painful and I refused. The second they kept trying to site during contractions, so of course I couldn't stay still.
The feeling of the endorphins and no pain when it kicks in is blissfully.
I didn't know I was allowed to move after the first one and stayed still for nearly 48hs, I have nerve damage on my lower back from that. The second I started wriggling around as soon as I could , which is good because the hospital had changed their policy to 24 hr discharge. Keep drinking the water, they like you to have a proper, non catheterisation wee before home time. Keep an eye on it though, a backed up catheter bloody hurts.
Bare in mind that your nipples will probably be numb so you won't be able to judge a good latch as well as you might. Both mine fed in recovery.

lemonyfox · 03/01/2023 18:22

I've had 3. 2 for broken legs and one for emergency C-section.

Mine REALLY hurt going in, every time. Like awful sickness unnatural shouting-out-loud pain. But I'm a wimp and also fat so it took quite a bit of faffing by the Dr each time to find the right place to put it in. I also get terrible shakes and teeth chattering when I've had one which is a bit weird.

Wears off after 4-5 hours. I was very itchy all over my legs for about 24 hours afterwards!

RinklyRomaine · 03/01/2023 18:23

I had one with DS1, after 24 hours of back labour, felt a sharp scratch and weird pressure, then...nothing. It was a 'mobile' epi so I could still move around, and I had control of the level. Had a temp catheter where she just drained my bladder and took it straight out again. Dropped back the amount at 10cm and could feel enough to push, which was super easy with no tears, all fab. Worn off within the hour and felt great.

DS2 they kept trying to convince me I didn't need an epi, left it too late and had trouble siting it. It failed, as did the second attempt, both were painful and quite scary as I was in quite a state. Full spinal block worked in the end. Anaesthetist visited me the following morning and was super apologetic. I wasn't mobile by the end but it wore off in a couple of hours and left no lasting effects. So my experience is not to leave it til it's too late!

glamourousindierockandroll · 03/01/2023 18:30

Needle - don't remember. I know that I did not care one bit because I was in so much pain and knackered from such a long labour.

Effects - wonderful. Could still feel contractions as pressure but no pain. Very easy pushing stage.

Aftermath - was walking to postnatal ward about 2 hours later.

itsabigtree · 03/01/2023 18:40

Having the epidural put in was incredibly painful for me. I can't remember how dilated I was but I was very close to pushing stage.

It failed anyway and I felt everything.

They also punctured my spinal fluid and I had to lie down on my back for 3 days unable to care for my baby, and then developed a headache so bad that I wanted to die!

Not trying to scare you, just saying that it can go very wrong. I personally wouldn't recommend. That was my 2nd birth and I too chose epidural as felt I couldn't go through it all again without, but if I had a 3rd, I'd go without.

trifleyulelogpavlova · 03/01/2023 18:40

DS was forceps with spinal block - not good
DD was epidural and no other assistance

As per PP...

Needle - didn't feel it

Effects - had a beautiful birth, could feel enough to control my pushing, worked with the mid-wife on that who told me when and how much to go for it

Aftermath - I was told not to get up for a good few hours after birth (I wanted to shower almost instantly so did find that a bit annoying, but only a bit, plus side was that I had time to feed and stare at the gorgeous thing I just produced).

DuchessofSandwich · 03/01/2023 18:44

I've had 3 epidurals and a spinal block. I don't remember any going in, so it can't have been bad. Every time it took quite some hours to wear off, about 2-3 hours till I could move a foot and a couple of hours more before I felt able to try and stand. But that was my feeling, I was a bit scared to fall so wanted to feel everything really well for a while before I tried.

I felt that my epidurals were a very positive experience. Would highly recommend.

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