Another Epidural Question

I wasn't nauseated at all. As far as pain, I got the epidural and then 5 minutes later I felt like I had to push. I was only 5 cm dilated at the time. They gave me 2 "pushes" right into my epidural cause I was having so much pain. They checked me again and within 5 min of those extra doses I was dilated 10cm and started pushing. Because I had just gotten those extra doses I couldn't feel anything. I couldn't lift my legs I was so numb. The first hour was fine, no pain at all. Then after pushing for an hour it started to get more painful. I ended up pushing for 2 hrs. Could have been just because it was my first, but they said too that because I just had the epidural that could have effected it as well. I really think it's different for everyone. I'm sure you'll get lots of stories, but it's a decision you need to make for yourself. I would do it again if that helps.

I have had two wonderful children and had two wonderful epidurals each time. After getting it I never felt pain, just a lot of increasing pressure. I think I am allergic to the medicine or at least sensitive. I threw up the entire time the drip was on with both pregnancies and none of the extra nausea medicine I was given helped. It wasn't as bad as it sounds though! Good Luck!

Nancy ~
I'm an OB nurse so can give you lots of information on epidurals.

First, it's not uncommon to throw up during labor. There's a shunting of blood during labor....it's focused on the uterus, not the stomach. So we often see women throw up hours after eating and it looks like they just ate. The body isn't worried about digestion at that point.

The epidural will not make you sick. It doesn't go throughout your system like an IV medication does. You can feel totally normal, except your legs are heavy. Just like any medication, it is different for every person. Some of it depends on your body, the anesthesiologist, and more. It should take away most sensation during your labor. As the baby moves down the birth canal, the epidural is less effective. You need to be able to feel when and where to push. I notice that it does seem to still make the pain somewhat less than those that don't have one. If your labor goes really fast, it may not help as much...as far as it may not get a chance to fully work when the baby comes down and it's time to push. That's what usually happens when you hear women say that it didn't really work for them.

I don't know how fast your last labor was, how long you pushed, etc...but second babies usually are faster than first. You may go from being dilated to 2cm to complete...but there is no crystal ball, so you never know. If you want one, don't wait until your pain is too much to handle, you may miss your opportunity. At our hospital, you can't get one after 8 cm.

Feel free to email me if you have any questions!
good luck
D.

It's pretty common for women to throw up during labor (i did both times), so I am not sure if this is what you mean. With my daughter, I was induced and FELT NOTHING, not even any pressure (Oh, I should push now? Okay.). Then I couldn't feel my legs from my pelvis to my knees for an hour or two after I delivered. WIth my son, I went into labor at home and delivered at the hospital 3 hours later. I got an epidural while dilated to 7.5 and FELT EVERYTHING. Of course, the pain was dulled a little, but I could feel the contractions (instead of a 9, they felt like a 6.5 or 7) and I felt my son crowning and coming out. But he was a big baby, too-- a full pound more than my daughter.
The only thing I felt after I delivered my son was (love, of course) and a the most relief ever to have him on the outside and not be pregnant anymore. Maybe love and relief overrule nausea. GOOD LUCK.

With the epidural you never know how much its going to work. With my 1st it worked very well, but they turned it off during pushing because the doctor felt it wasn't letting me have the urge to push! I pushed for 2.5 hours straight! But I didn't feel a whole lot, just a lot of pressure. HOWEVER, with my 2nd baby girl (just born 10/31/08), OMG the epidural experience was totally different! When it went in with my 1st, I literally didn't feel it! This time it felt like a dam sword was being jabbed in my back ! It was horrible! Then it took away some of the contractions for a while, but OMG all of a sudden it was like it just stopped working and I could feel this undescribable pain and pressure "down there"! I guess that was the "urge to push" pain that I never felt the first time! It was actually like contractions focused on that area and the epidural was doing nothing!! I literally felt everything during pushing and stiching up! I turned into one of those screaming nuts you see on TV (which I use to laugh about people that did that,lol) So after I was able to talk somewhat, I asked the doctor about why it was so different, he said that the epidural is a gamble. It can work anwhere from 0% to 100%. He explained that with my first it was more like 85%, this time was only like 40% and quit all together when the pushing started. I never got queasy/nauseated from either of them, but this time it made me ITCH horribly!! So you just have to wait to see how yours goes, it really just depends on who does it and how your body reacts to it. Good Luck :)

I threw up. The pain wasn't that bad, but I had Stadol for my 1st 2 so I don't really know the degree of difference. The 2 Stadol experiences were very different though. The 1st was intravenous and much more effective than the injections I had with #2. It didn't seem much better than the other times. I do have a high pain tolerance, though. You sound nervous. Try not to think about it. If you're deciding whether to do the epidural vs other pain relief, I'd say the epidural seems to be most popular, but I didn't like it better. However, the epidural doesn't effect the baby like the chemicals. All my kids are very healthy so I don't think they were harmed but it is a concern for many. Relax!

I have had 5 epidurals. Twice, it only took on one side, but if you roll to that side, gravity will take over and numb it. In my experiences, I had no pain whatsoever, but I knew how/where to push and it all worked out. If you are not able to push, they will have to turn it down to allow you to feel more. I never got queasy or sick from that. I felt fabulous once I had it and throughout the birth. Good luck! You will be so glad you had it!