Epidural or Not?
Posted by mommie on May 28, 2008
Dear MOMs, I have a friend who is currently expecting. She was asking some mothers if she should take pain killers. What are all your thoughts. Please share your experiences & advice.
FAQ
1.To take or not to take.
2. Some say it will affect the child others say it wont. Will it?
3. How do u decide?
4. When is best to take epidural?
Requested by An expectant Mum
shoppingNsales
the time i nak labour my doctor wanna give an epidural but tak sempat coz from 5-8cm only take 1/2 an hour. the doctor said the best time around 5cm open. from my fren experienced, dia kata tak sakit la masa nak labour coz dah ambil epidural tapi sekarang pinggang dia selalu sengal2…not sure coz of epidural or not tapi majoriti yang ambil akan cakap the same thing. from doctor advise memang takde side effect. effect to baby dont think so coz baby dah tak absorb apa2 dari kita lagi that time
yep..i almost have an epidural done but x sempat becoz it’s approaching 9 cm oredi.my biras used to have epidural everytime she delivers and now she’s been complaining on backache.my hubby was so relieved that i din get to be injected with epidural for reasons i also not clear..but i was equipped with morphine if i’m not mistaken, due to medical reasons.during the labour i din feel much of the pain tho forcep was used and i suffer a first degree tear..
I had 2 children without taking epidural…as I just took pethidine (not sure how to spell) the jab..how much is epidural now? last i hrd was RM600..
I was induced for 11 hours and in labor (pain) for 4 hours. by the time i asked for epidural it was too late already. the doctor asked me to tahan for another hour. i was almost dying. the pain was unbearable, especially coz kena induce. it all depends on what kind of delivery u want.
my sister wanted to enjoy the birth of her son (plus tak tahan the pain) so she opted for epidural. she said it was a ‘beautiful’ experience.
as for me, pain doesnt even descirbe it. its more than pain. but i’m glad i didnt take epidural coz right after the baby came out, there was this kind of relief and feeling of satisfaction. although painful but it was so meaningful..now that was a ‘beautiful’ experience to me…
I took epidural for my labour. Can’t imagine what would happen to me without it. Maybe ended up with C section if I didn’t take epidural cos I really couldn’t bear the pain walaupun baru terbuka 1-2 cm… so after taking up the epidural, seriously i lebih relax n siap boleh tidur lagi sementara nak tunggu bersalin… i memang jenis tak tahan sakit, nak tunggu ambik epidural kena bukak 4 cm dulu, so before that i ambik pethidine sbb tak tahan sakit… kalau boleh semua i nak ambik janji I tak sakit and tak operate.
i didn’t take epidural. i didn’t feel the pain until it’s open 6 cm and for me it still bearable. and it didn’t take long from 6 cm to 10 cm only 1+ hour. the pain increasing due to the contraction. I’m grateful for that. maybe because i walk a lot when my pregnancy 9 month, my mil told me to walk. i dunno if it’s true or not but it works for me. even when it’s already open 3 cm i still go to supermarket near the hospital. my advice if you can’t handle the pain when it’s open 1-2 cm then take epidural. it’s better than you pass out during labor then you have to take c-section.
i also plan to take epidural. i n my hubby go for course during my pregnancy and he also agree that i take epidural. however i give birth in hukm and we reach there at 4am. at that time the anaesthetic not around (they only work off hour or upon appointment) so i didnt take any. however is a beautiful experience, my hubby accompany me in the labour room and he appreciate so much after he saw what i’m going through including all the pain.for 1st mum better go when the pain gap is around 5 minutes so u dont have to spend so much time in hospital. however the pain can be reduce by taking gas. i also heard rumors that whoever take epidural will get back aches and need extra equipment such as vacuum to force baby to come out. this is because the mother couldnt feel the pain so they cannot push harder.
amai, u r right. my hubby also appreciate me more after seeing me go thru so much pain (& also after seeing doctor cut me (episiotomy) and then see then baby’s head tearing me to come out). when i want something from my hubby i sometimes say “remember my sacrifices giving birth” and he will buy me what i want. worth it!!!
Pain killer for contraction will cause drowsiness and to some people it might expedite the dilation.
It all depends on your individual pain threshold..how much pain can u bear. For me, with a hubby who’s in medical line, fully support the use of epidural. I was induced for my 1st, & I couldnt bear the pain even when it was only 5 cm & it took almost 24 hours to get there. So, the gynae advised me to get epidural to help my body relax & speed up the dilation. So, for my 2nd, once I reach the hosp, it was 5 cm, & I asked for epidural. The experience was beautiful (I was chatting on the phone when it has dilated to 10cm!). Definetely I’m going to opt for epidural again for my 3rd..(coming soon). Make sure your anesthesist give u a low dose epidural, so u can still feel the baby pushing. Yeap, the cost was RM600 @ Pantai Bangsar last year. So far, I dont feel any backpain whatsover…hopefully takde lah!
Mum_of_3 which doc are you using in Pantai Bangsar ?
baby mel,
My gynae was Dr Nora. Not sure if she’s still there now.
I took epidural and I do experience back pain till now (gave birth in Feb 08). However, I’m not sure if it is due to epidural or my diet (lack of calcium) since I often skip meals nowadays. I also have to use vacuum because I don’t feel the urge to push. But I do feel the baby came out. Not painful though
i took epidural because to me the pain was so unbearable! hehe..but at the end i was c-sect..for me epidural has not giving me any back ache or any other ache..might opt for epidural again should i give birth again next time..:D
I was also planning to take epidural and so I notified the nurse in-charge about that when I was admitted after water bag burst. At that time it was only 2.5cm dilated, and the nurse told me it needs to be 4-5cm before I decide to take it or not. So I waited… contraction pain was OK, somewhat like period pain, but a heavy one. By the time I tak tahan, nurse check and it was already fully dilated, too late
So they gave me gas instead. I found it quite effective, just that a bit groggy when I suck too hard and too frequent due to the pain.
So everything happened without epidural or pethedine. I thought it was still OK because the urge to push is greater than the pain. And the hope that it will soon be all over helps the pain to be manageable.
Oh, forgot to mention that it all happens in 3.5 hour, with intense pain only about 1 hour, so I guess that helps too. I think I won’t go with epidural for the next one, save $$ and since it was a short labour for the 1st one, it’s likely that the 2nd labour won’t be long too. Also, since without all these it is still err.. not too bad
But I think it’s probably better off to take epidural if labour is long so that you can keep your strength for the pushing and not use them all up managing the pain. I heard that you need to stay very still when they administer epidural so there won’t be side effects like back pain.
Both my babies were delivered in HUKM private wing. Epidural was an option and can be requested at any time of the day during labour. I was encouraged to take epidural for the first labour.It was a pain free labour. i still feel the urge to push but there was no pain at all.
2nd baby, i only felt contraction pain 4 hours after my waterbag burst and dilated at 6cm. I requested for the epidural but the pain was still unbearable. I was informed that the dosage was redued because a lot of mothers complained not being able to feel the urge to push.
So, for me, one labour was pain free with epidural and the other was painful even with epidural. But I can still enjoy the birth of my babies without feeling groggy or tired.
I have been having painful backache recently but only during PMS. So not sure if it links with epidural because pain was only felt after 2nd baby turned 2
I took epidural. Some ppl said that the effect of taking epidural is back pain. I don’t buy it. Because I did not experience the back pain. But my sister who did not take the epidural experience the back pain. So conclusion, the epidural may not be the reason of the back pain. It depends on individual. If you can bear the pain, so don’t take it.
Hmm.. I actually wanted to use epidural but unable to do so because it was toolate. So my doc gave me pentadine.. Last me for a while.. they gave me the gas mask but I refuse to use it because it is too “rimas” for me.. But like all mothers would say.. the instant the baby lay on your tummy the pain immediately disappears.. like magic he he he.. But I had nightmare of labour the night after he he he.. so if I could take epidural i would go for it…
Can we take half the usual dose of epidural so we can skip the pain of contractions..but still know when to push? can ah? Will we be charged 1/2 the price too?
I took epidural for both my first & second child at private hospital. I didn’t know about the epidural then but the first doctor advise me to take it as it was my first labour experience and it will take long hours as mine was only 4 cm open at that time (turned out I delivered after 9 hours). The pain was unbearable, and caused me to scream and panic. Thankfully, the epidural made me feel calm and relax. Definitely recommended for first time mothers, if you can’t bear the pain. For the second child, I was induced. The labour also took long hours and the pain was unimaginable. I opt for the epidural again as I could not stand the pain anymore. So far I have not feel any side effect. But if you feel that you can tahan the sakit, don’t take epidural. It’s better to experience the natural labour.
I didn’t take the epidural because according to the gynea and also based on facts from a talk on epidural I attended at a private hospital, an epidural has been linked to side effects such as back ache and migraines.
However, it differs with individuals and how it was administered. The important deciding factor is whether the doctor administering it is skilled or not.
An epidural is administered by poking the needle into your backbone so one wrong move and you will have chronic backache for life or worse, possible paralysis.
Well, give me labour pain anytime.
I had C section for both of my children. I don’t feel any backache after delivered my first baby in Nov 2004. However, after deliver the 2nd baby last Nov 2007, off and on I will feel backache if I sit “bersila/bersimpuh” on the floor… too bad, I have no option but to take epidural due to C-Section.
I took epidural when i delivered both my daughters.
At first for my elder daughter, I thought that I can stand the pain but at last i couldn’t stand it and ask for epidural (that time was about 3cm dilated)..I don’t know what i’ll do without epidural…so for the 2nd one, I immediately ask for epidural when i was admited as I don’t want to go through the pain like the 1st time…delivery was beautiful with the use of epidural…it can really help you to relax and also it assist in the dilation (as in my case)…
My daughters are now 4+ yrs old and 8mths and so far, I didn’t experience any side effect of the epidural.
So my advise would be, if your threshold of pain level is low, it’s better that you ask for epidural beforehand so that you don’t hv to ’suffer’ through all the pain but get to experience the beautiful experience of giving birth…
I went through my first one and delivered within 3 hours without epidural (the doctor in the private clinic I went to doesn’t do epidural).
By the time I opened 2cm the contractions were painful but I did not have backache. There was no pain at all when the baby was coming out, felt just like shitting. I knew it the exact moment she was coming out because I felt just like the shit was coming out! (The pain was the contraction before that.) I was trying to relax and gave two short pushes but when I heard one of the nurses ask to push longer, I did that on the 3rd one and out she came!
My friend had epidural and because of that, she did not feel the urge to push and so the doc used vacuum (and this further adds to the bill)!
Another one had epidural but she went for C-sect at the end. After delivery, she had vomitting and fever. Are these the side effects of epidural? She delivered in Sunway Medical Center.
The friend I mentioned in the post before this one delivered in Taman Desa Medical Center.
I delivered in Dr. Chan’s women’s clinic in Mentakab, Pahang. I delivered in 2006 and my bill totalled RM1000. Haha! They definitely paid more than 3x what I paid, for the same stuff(except epidural)and same treatment.
Im currently pregnant, I don’t know if I’ll have epidural or not.
Excuse my saying so but is it more beautiful to feel your baby coming out or feel nothing at all?
Roberta, ask your mom on her experience last time. Could you also be like her?
I do have the impression that delivery is easier (such as faster) for those who are more flexible, such as dancers and those who regularly play sports. It’s likely these ppl can do without epidural.
Minty, you are a crook and you know it.
It really isn’t a sacrifice on our part. In fact, I didn’t know that I’ll benefit so much from it, physically and mentally. It was like my body went through an overhaul and I was actually better than before. Before, I used to tire easily. I found out something else too.
What’s more, you didn’t feel the pain of the doc cutting up or the moment the baby was coming out due to pedithine. You certainly didn’t see it, don tell me they held a mirror for you to see like what they do in hair salons!
Finally, all the cost is paid by hubby.
What a picture you painted, haha!
I opt for epidural for all 3 deliveries , my eldest is 8yrs old, so far no back pain whatsoever. However, my last birth experience was the best, the doc knows how to make sure i didn’t feel the pain and yet know when the time has come for me to push. I’m pregnant with my 4th and will definitely opt for epidural again.
I wanted to take d epidural…but as my husband was jez going thru d forms tht needs signing…my gynae said tht its too late…d baby’s coming out oredi…hahahhaha!!!!
i took apidural n do experience the back pain..3 weeks already.even though the pain is decreasing but it was hard 4 me to find the right position to sit. some people say it takes years to recover.
i wish i did’nt take the epidural, but i had to because of the dr recommendation, since it open so slow, n i’m out of energy. the water bag is to thick.so they have to break it. the pain? only god knows.
during delivery, no pain
im a 24th years old mum and my baby is already 5 months. yes, i took epidural when i gave birth to her. i really can’t imagine the pain without it bcoz when it started to dilate 3 cm, i barely can’t stand the pain, just imagine if it dilated more huhu… the next 6 hour at labour room, i just slept without experienced any pain and also when it came to delivering. it took only 12 minutes without any pain!! i really grateful that i took epidural.
about the cost, i don’t think it too expensive, my last time was only RM300++ (Kota Bharu Medical Centre)but it really worth it.
alhamdulillah, until today, i don’t experience any backpain or what so ever pain. im really glad and planning to take it on my next delivery
I tried to have a natural birth. I ended up getting an epi after being in excruciating pain for a few hours. The epi advanced my dilation from a 4 to an 8 in less than 1 minute. I was in so much pain that I had tensed my entire body and my cervix could not relax/dilate. My advice, do not make up your mind before hand. Keep an open mind. I was dead set against the epi and now feel it was the best thing I couldve done for me. After the epi baby came right away. I may have been in painful limbo for hours without it. Do not listen to anyone who makes you feel guilty for your choices natural or medicated. This is about your body. Also, after the epi, I was able to enjoy the experience and focus on what was going on around me.
I took epidural for my delivery and had side effects during the labor. I was shivering like mad about 1 hour before delivery. It is scary as the shiver is uncontrollable and non-stop.
The epidural really helps in reducing the pain, and i have a lovely delivery (minus the shiver). I also do not have backache till date.
But, if i have to deliver again, i will still go for epidural as i cant stand the pain.
Epidural? Never acrossed my mind, at all! The pain is a beatiful experience to me, and i wont want to missed it as it is not something that you feel everyday, and i am proud to tell my friends during the delivery experience sharing session, that i opted for non-epidural.. furthermore, the pain that u feel, is only last about the max of 1 day(for those yg lambt bukak..) compare to the backache yg kte akn rase after that, maybe for the rest of your life..(even without the baby inside your womb..) hmmm… the pain is nothing.. but it is all depends, buat ape diorg cipta ubat canggih2 ye x..
emm..
rite now,i oready past my edd. and bfr dis,neva thot of taking epi as i hope the baby will come out early and spontaneous..wat i mean,i’ll go to the hospital when the waterbag burst,or the contraction become more regularly..and arrive at the hospital juz to deliver the baby n hope i can bear all the pain..thats wat all in my mind laa…
but,since i have no chance to experience all those things,and seems like i need to be induced,and bring my bag happily to the hospital,i decide to take epidural.hehe..know why?rite now,juz feel want to enjoy my delivery and how beautiful it will be..and be relax.
yeahh..some says,u will feel the beautiful of delivery after u suffer a lot in pain.
bt,in my opinion,it depends on how u want to create it..so,i guess i create my own story..alang2 da overdue kan.hehe..
about the side effect,it depends on individual la..i guess.if u lack of calcium,sooner or later,u will suffer when u getting older..due to our pregnancy n breastfeeding.so,drink a lot of calcium……
Hi
[url=http://spion.awardspace.biz/vkontakte-bagi.html ]link[/url] or [url=http://spion.awardspace.biz/shpion-vkontakte.html ]site[/url]
Thank you. [url=http://tolstuha.awardspace.info/kak-pohudet-za-nedelyu.html ]website[/url] or [url=http://tolstuha.awardspace.info/bistroe-pohudenie.html ]website[/url] or [url=http://tolstuha.awardspace.info/pohudet-na-10.html ]site[/url]