I've never been afraid of needles, but I said I didn't want an epidural. When I started to realize I was only gonna feel my contractions in my back, I couldn't changed my mind. I didn't feel any pressure from the needle or the needle itself. I got a contraction while the dr was putting it in, so I was more focused on not squirming from the pain than anything else. You're also in an uncomfortable position bc they kinda want you to ball up over your bump, so that may even distract you too. After that I did get a little itchy and hot but that only lasted about 15 mins and it was bearable. It was such a good epidural that I didn't feel anything at all after that. Not even the pressure of my son coming out. This time, I kinda know what to expect when it comes to back labor so I'm already expecting to have to get another one. If I'm lucky and don't get the same kind of contractions, I'll try again for med free, but if not, I'm not worried about it at all. The only con that I see with it is that they don't want you to walk for a couple of hours after whereas with no epidural, your legs are obvi not numb so you're a little more free.

Why are you nervous? Its a very small needle they put in before the epidural that numbs your back it doesnt even hurt i didnt feel mine

So I got the epidural on the OR table before my emergency c-section. They had to do it twice (too low the first time) and I barely felt it both times. The worst part about it for me was feeling numb. I hate that feeling.

don't worry! Read up on unmedicated births! If you don't want the epidural, don't do it

I was induced and I decided I wanted to do it naturally.....yeah...aboit 4 hours in and only 3 cm I begged for it. Doc came in, had me prepped and waiting for the contraction to end...it was the worst contraction and then he said ok you will feel some pressure....i felt nothing. No pressure no stinging not even the needle. And I am terrified of needles and I'm a baby when getting shots. Just tell the doc that you don't want to see the needle or any of the prepping. And to do it right after a contraction. Like seconds after. I plan on getting another one with this one since I'm being induced again. But I will wait a few hours into labor before I get it. Oh and after I got it...i slept the rest of my labor. Best sleep I've ever had! They had to wake me up about 4 hours later and tell me it was time to push. My mom laughed at me bc I just wanted to go back to sleep lol. Felt nothing when pushing her out...only took 3 pushes.

A couple of my labors were so painful I would have let them insert pain meds in my eyeballs. ????

I totally agree with the other ladies! With my first born I was terrified about getting but hours into the very intense contractions I begged for it..and honestly I'm not going to say it doesn't hurt but you have so much more pain coming every minute at one point that what they do really only feels super uncomfortable because you are getting contractions during the process and you can't move..but you will be fine mama just don't over think it that makes it worse!?

Going without an epidural is also an option! Totally doable!

I had back labour with my first that made the pain unbearable not to mention I had been having contractions all week so I went into it exhausted. I had said I didn't want an epidural so the nurse refused to give me one and gave me fentanyl. It did absolutely nothing so I asked again, she said no. I waited for her to leave, I was so physically exhausted, I was getting verbally abusive. I asked the next nurse and she ordered me an epidural. By the time it came, the anesthesiologist was packing up to leave and my daughter was coming. I never felt anything from the epidural even afterwards. ??‍♀️ I almost lost my daughter due to the fentanyl so I told myself since I went the whole time feeling every bit of pain, I would go med free next time. (Well, at that point I swore I wouldn't have another)

With my second it was completely different. The pain was nowhere near that of the pain I had last time. No back labour, I was able to walk, move around, breathing really helped me through each contraction. I didn't even consider meds, I felt really in control.

If I have a similar experience this time I will consider myself one of the luckiest women in the world.

Trust me when it's time to get the epidural you won't care how big the needle is, you just want the pain to stop.

I had 3 contractions while they were putting in my epidural. I was 7.5cm dialated. So for me the pain was so much and I didn't feel the epidural at all. I felt where he marked my back but that was it. And about 10min after I felt amazing and actually felt like I could enjoy giving birth to my daughter more.

Aw, yeah it's a scary reality check. The epidural may or may not be for you! My mom for instance was dead set against having it because she was more afraid of that than birth itself. So she never got one. I had it and it didn't even work for me but I came in knowing I wanted it.

It wasn't painful but I had scoliosis surgery which somewhat permanently numbed my skin all the way down so that helped I suppose. My biggest discomfort was having to sit on the edge of the bed and lean forward so they could insert it. He had to try twice. I just found it uncomfortable leaning forward for awhile while having my worst contractions.

I thought I was gonna freak out for my epidural. But having contractions with water already broken and on pitocin I was begging for it after 4 hrs of trying to stick it out.

I was just thinking the same thing! Haven't had the tour yet but just finished my first childbirth prep class.... Omggggg

I have a very extreme fear of needles. I will sometimes faint just looking at one. But during labour I was literally begging for them to stick that giant needle in me. Lol. Long story short - epidurals are AWESOME ??

What about for a scheduled c section? Do they induce you before the do the epidural or spinal? I don't know how any of that works. I'm hoping for a vaginal birth but my baby may have other plans.

After my tour with my first pregnancy, I left there way more afraid of the c-section surgery than the epidural

I actually felt the epidural when they put it in and it was extremely painful. I cried. I don't want to do that again. For me it was worse than the contractions.

I agree with the other ladies. With the pain, you'll probably be begging for one lol

For real! That pain and u'll be like I'll take that needle please! If they are good, ull barely feel it go in and it'll be pain free immediately. I remember when mine went thru, I said "I need to go pee first please" and they said "u are peeing right now. We even inserted a catheter". It was super quick

I never had a fear of needles.

But I tell you what when I was in labor and they showed me the needle before attempting to put it into my spine.... my heart rate and blood pressure reached all new highs.

NOPE.

Not happening, idc. Nooooooo wayyyyyy, never again.

They wouldn't let me back out and the nurses just yelled at me while I was having the single worst panic attack of my life.

Didn't even work, only numbed one half which made it soooooo much worse.

when it comes time to need an epidural, you won't be nervous for it, due to the pain. by that point, you'll be ready to place your own lol