You dont have to feel pain to become a mother! (Epidural)

Member Name: masonsmum

Product:	Epidural
Date:	13/01/09 (176 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: quite quick set up, works within 20-30 mins, mobile ones allow you to move. Quick removal.

Disadvantages: Constant monitoring of baby and blood pressure, lack of ability to move if not mobile.

I have had two epidurals in my three labours. The last one was just over 3 months ago so still fresh in my mind.

My first epidural was perfect. I arrived at the hospital at 12pm that day, by 2pm i was pain free. I felt no needles, though it was a bit uncomfortable with the amount of pushing on my back to get it in. The IV drip wasn't much fun either, but necessary to keep your blood pressure in check. I was totally numb but could still feel the pressure of a contraction which helped me know when to push. It does restrict you from moving about much if it is not a mobile one.

When the pushing stage came, I felt no pain and gave birth to my middle daughter, with no complications or need for medical intervention. Not even a tear. Shortly afterward the epidural was removed in seconds and apart from a sore back the next day, all was well.

With my last labour of my third child, I had my epidural at 9am in the morning. By 10am, I had a 'window' of pain, about 2 Cm's wide, on one side of my belly. It was absolute agony feeling the pain of a contraction centralised in one spot. Unfortunately the anesthetist was busy so couldn't come and adjust it. I was turned on my side in a bid to try to help it, but it just made one leg go totally numb....and stay numb for 12 hours after the birth! I was given gas and air, and at 11.30am my little man arrived, pretty much pain free, as i found when he moved into the birth canal the pain stopped in that area. Again a quick removal and apart from a numb leg for 12 hours, there was no sore back, all was well.

A comment I have had to this review struck a cord. I did forget to mention that epidurals DO have risks, I was lucky enough not to experience them, but epidurals have a much higher chance of bringing about medical intervention in your labour, also there are possibilities of headaches, which can be sorted with a minor procedure to put a little bit of blood into your back to seal the hole, and nerve damage. Do your reearch before opting for one.

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