Exactly.

Mine didn't hurt at the time, but once I got it, I had to sit still, and my compulsion when in pain or with anxiety is to move around a lot, pace, stretch. No can do once you have the epidural.
And, once I was sent home, I had a backache from he!! because of it.

I liked the birth of my first child better. I had nothing but a shot of nubain to calm me in order to focus. I wish I never got talked into the epidural on the 2nd child.

ive had both. my first 3 children i had with drugs.. the last one without. (not by choice.. i was scheduled for an epidural, but wasnt dialating so they couldnt administer one) and the first three were so easy. and the children are fine at ages 8, 6, and 4. my youngest i HAD to have naturaly with NO drugs. it was by far more pain than i would wish even on my abusive ex. and i have a high tolerence for pain. even with my bad experience.. i say give me the drugs.

Yes, I understand that. I was just speaking as a rule that women are the people normally associated with having them, and they are usually for reasons of childbirth.

Possible and probable back pain and/or paralysis for life. Think about it. Hmm... somehow, the pain of childbirth sounds better. If and when I have another child, I won't get an epidural ever again.

Well put information, I don't know, this is my first child so I don't know what to expect.

To each their own, Izz...I'm still reading the posts about women who wish they never had them...pain relief during birth vs chronic pain after... Most everything in life has another side to the coin...I'm glad the OP is getting both sides so she can make an intelligent & informed decision..

Right. I hear this time after time.

best advice.. have a long talk with your dr about it.. and talk to the anestheiology department about it as well. they will be better equiped to inform you of the risks and rewards than any of us can..
best of luck

I'm sure it will hurt like hell, but labor won't last forever and I'm sure once I finally see her the pain will be the farthest thing from my mind.

i HAVE the chronic pain after. i have high potential to be paralized within the next 3 years due to it. mine was a freak accident. the next 2 epi's that i had went flawlessly. research your hospital. had i researched my hospital i would have known that the anestheiology department had a "training" guy there. and that was the guy i happened to get. but with my next 2 i had a seasoned guy who knew exeactly what he was doing.
ifeel that as long as you have someone who knows what they are doing.. it is a good choice.

the pain wont be the farthes thing from your mind.. it will be hovering in there somewhere. just drowned out by the joy of a sweet new baby.

Kudos

Someone needs to turn up the volume on this woman.

You're a lucky girl, Izz...I'm glad the last two were pleasant...

naw.. just been there done that 4 times.. if there is one thing i know its babies. lol

Yeah my sis in law has had 4 and she is now a proponent of the drugs. She is done now thank goodness. My bro was fixed.

yes,but only for a second,Its nothing compared to labor pain

That's odd because my first I had an epidural and it was only because I wasn't dilating!(I think about 1 cm in about 4 hours after my water breaking and having been induced).

My middle child I had a shot of demerol in the butt cheek, but was pushing before the doctor even pulled out the needle. I swear I could have run a half marathon immediately afterward - I felt terrific!

My third I had a terrific nurse who talked to me about different options of pain relief (during the last stages of labour). She held a gas mask over my face during the last few contractions and talked firmly and calmly to me. That helped immeasurably.

I wouldn't go into delivery with any set plans of what you will, or won't do. Each birth, and each woman's pain threshold, are different.