I got an epidural after 5 hours of my contractions starting because the had to give me medicine to help me dilate because I was dilating and my contractions were less than 2 minutes apart. The epidural worked great, but the only down side is I couldn’t feel nothing at all, so I couldn’t feel to push or anything, which caused problems. I got a catheter put in right after they did the epidural.

I had 3 epidurals. First one was absolutely picture perfect. I felt no pain but still a lot of pressure so I knew to push. 2nd one sucked. It only worked on one side & wore off really fast. The nurses had called to have it redone but my son came really fast. 3rd was successful but I'm guessing they changed the meds in it from the first time because I felt a lot more "high" from that one & it lasted awhile even after it was out. I had a catheter the first time but they put it in after and I didn't even realize it until they told me they were taking it out. The worst part about actually getting it is trying to hold still while they put it in, I was in so much pain by the time I asked for it I didn't even really notice it going in.

I had an epidural and it was GREAT! I definitely plan to again. I waited a while on mine and if I had known I would have got it sooner! You do have a catheter, but I really didn't feel it going in or out because of the meds. I did try an IV med before the epidural and I won't do that again. It just made me feel really drunk and I still felt the contractions, just made you not really care that you were having them. I didn't like that feeling personally. Lol. So I plan on going from nothing to the epidural this time

Sorry, I skipped over your catheter question. I gave birth at two different hospitals with different doctors. The first time they would insert the catheter periodically to empty my bladder and then remove it. The second time they left it in. I preferred the second way because it was one less thing they had to bug me about.

I have two good experiences, one bad. Catheter used everytime. Mine was placed after epidural though.

With my first I had an epi. I got it at 8cm and it really just took the edge off enough that I could feel the contractions and know when to push but they were extremely bearable and I wasn’t overcome by the pain of them. I didn’t feel it go in at all and had no pain after it. It wore off an hour after I gave birth, so a few hrs after I initially go it. I didn’t get a catheter.

My second was natural and I’d never do it again. I enjoyed having my first. My second was just hell.

I lasted 12 hours without meds and was only dilated 5 cm and extremely tired. I ended up asking for the epi and the relief was immediate. I did get a catheter. It made me a little paranoid. I kept thinking it came out for some reason. Obviously not lol

After getting the epi, I was freezing and had the chills so it was a little uncomfortable but it was nothing compared to the contractions.

Overall, I had a good experience.

I had two epidurals, one with each kid. First one I couldn't move anything from y waist down whatsoever, needed a catheter and labor was not as painful as I'd anticipated. Second epidural (different province) I could get up and pee on my own (however my water would renewal everytime I got up so it felt super gross) and labor was so much more worse than the first time. Having said that, if I have another child I will 100% have another epidural. Also, first epidural didn't hurt to be put in and they had it in within 6 minutes. Second me hurt a lot (first one was just pressure) and took about 40 minutes to get in.

My epidural was not painful and I wasn't nervous about it . I'm not afraid of needles, when I got it I felt relaxed and I slept

I didn’t feel it go in, had almost immediate relief, didn’t feel the catheter go in or out, and didn’t feel the epi come out. Great experience for me.

The first epi I got they gave me to much and I couldn't feel myself push so I ended up pushing for over 3 hours. They only let me push that long bc there were no operation rooms available for a cs yet. I've had 4 others since then and they have all been great!

I had epidurals with both my kids. It was pretty easy. They used lidocaine first around the injection spot. Just to numb the area. Then they just inserted in the epidural. It works almost instantly. I did get a urinary catheter but it wasn’t kept in. They just did it to empty my bladder once. Didn’t feel the cath at all

I did not feel them putting it in or taking it out either time.

Wow thanks guys... correction this is baby #5 not 6. But the catheder thing is so weird for me!!! Idky it just freaks me out! But i guess i won't feel it getting put in or taken out right?

Yes to the catheter. They aren't bad at all. I didn't have any pain getting mine put in. The epidural hurt going in but it's because they have to wait for a contraction and all I wanted to do was cry because my contractions were so intense at that point. After I got the epi it was smooth sailing? I do not like that I never feel when I should push but dd was in there while I was in labor and I could tell she was getting scared and frankly I could never go natural.

I've had two epidurals and both were great experiences. No difficulty with placement and effective pain relief. The only side effect I had was with the 2nd one - I got itchy all over shortly after it was placed but it went away. I have absolutely no complaints.

I'm on baby number 3....both didn't have epis either and my last traumatized the pain was elected much worse than with my first....I still think I'm going epi free even though I'm terrified this time around!!

You are amazing!! I’ve had the epidural every time and it really doesn’t hurt too bad when they put it in, just the initial poke. You will have to get a catheter since you will be numb, but you won’t even know they are putting it in. I didn’t feel anything and I could barely feel my contractions.

Done three labours without, two with and one with a spinal block instead.

My ones with were both induced - back and thigh contractions. First one worked a treat. Second one - it didn’t work I felt every pain. I tore and felt them stitching me. I also had to deliver lying on my back. Only had the catheter after epidural fitted.

The spinal was amazing. Worker quicker, could still move my legs and no catheter. Wore off quicker too.

If you’ve already had 5 kids without an epidural I would definitely try to do it again without one. I have nerve damage in my back from the epidural but I ended up with a c section so I needed it anyway.

Before the epidural I just couldn't handle the pain. I had back labor. The epidural allowed me to relax during my 28 hour labor. It was a life saver. I couldn't feel anything until I started pushing. Even though I could tell you when a contraction was coming during pushing it was still bearable. I just have a really low pain tolerance lol. I maxed out my epidural and kept saying I needed more. They kept giving morphine lol.

My epidural never took, they needed up giving me pain meds through my IV which lessen in effectiveness after the first time. At that point though I was out of my mind with pain so I was willing to try anything.

They used pain meds through the iv because I wanted to try without the epidural, but that just wasn’t cutting it so I got an epi. It worked great for me. And yes I had a catheter, but if I remember correctly I got the catheter before the epi..

I've had 2, good experiences I guess. You can ask for half the dosage if you want. I did that with my second. And yes catheter is used.