A pleasent surprise (Epidural)

Member Name: kalliemaile

Product:	Epidural
Date:	18/08/04 (1411 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: brilliant pain relief

Disadvantages: limits activity

Throughout my pregnancy I was very determined not to have an epidural when I gave birth to my baby. I wanted a natural birth and hoped the most I would need was gas and air.
Unfortunatly things didnt work that way.
Due to pre-eclampsia during my pregnancy , I was induced at 38 weeks, this was the first downfall to my plans-medical intervention from the word go.
Having an epidural was still off my agenda untill the pain really kicked in, I was unaware at the time of induction that being induced can make a labour more painful, although it didnt take me long to find out! I managed to go 16 hours without the epidural but was eventually persuaded to have one by the doctors, this was because there was a chance I would need a ceaserean (and I did in the end)and because my blood pressure was also high as a result of the pre-eclampsia - an epidural helps to lower blood pressure.
Many peoples biggest fear about having an epidural s the pain of having it put in, but honestly it doesnt really hurt. The worst part is having to try and sit still whilst it is being put in, its so hard to sit still whilst having a contraction!!!!
A local anestetic is put into your back so you dont feel the epidural going in, a hollow needle is inserted into your back and a tube is fed through the tube. When you have an epidural a canula (a drip) is also inserted into the top of your hand. A catheter is also fitted to drain your urine as you may not be able to feel when you need to go to the toilet.
My epidural was a mobile epidural which meant I could still walk around with assistance, when it was decided I would need an ceaserean the doseage was upped to make me completly numb - I could feel nothing from my belly button down.
After my ceserean the epidural was left in place to administrate painkillers rather than the numbing drug.It wasnt at all painful when the tube was removed, it was just a tickling feeling.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

* An epidural c
an be given in different doses, it can be possible to walk around (with assistance) with a mobile epidural

* Having an epidural isnt as painful as it sounds.

*An epidural can help lower blood pressure when it goes too high in labour

*If you wish to remain very active in labour an epidural isnt such a good idea.

* An epidural can cause you labour to slow down.

*It is not always possible to know when to push during the second stage of labour if you have an epidural

* An epidural can be quite invasive- a tube in your spine, a canula and a catheter.

An epidural has no side effects on your baby and wears off reasonably quickly after labour (although be warned you may get feeling back in some parts before others which can be weird). An epidural is safe although there have been few cases of women being paralised after having an epidural inserted wrongly which is why it is important to stay still and for you to let the person administrating the epidural if a contraction is coming so s/he can stop to give to tie to relax again.

Although I didnt want an epidural, it was a positive experience and I dont regret it, maybe I didnt get the natural birth I had hoped for, I was so glad to be awake when having my ceserean.

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