I like neddles but I am scared to get an epaderal done at the time of the baby due. Should I be? Will I even feel the neddle going in between my spinal bones into the dara?

I have seen some vedios of it being done and it looks like it really hurts. What should I do?

Honestly - I was in so much labor pain (at a 4) that my nurse said I would not make it to 10 and still have the energy to push. So I got it. I never felt a thing!! It was amazing. I am sure each person's experience is different - but mine was great! The worst part of the whole experience was the tape on my back! They seriously taped my entire back to make sure the "cord" didn't move.

See the thing with me if I don't know it's there then I am fine, but knowing that a needle the size of pencial lead is going into my spinal colum and having a small catheder in my back for fuilded to come out, is kinda creepy to me. But if i stop watching the vedios then I should be okay.  Thanks Erica, for the help. I am due in March and haven't decided really yet if I should get one because of so many people telling me its bad and all. You are the first to tell me its really good and you didnt feel it. so I am kinda leaning to yeah i am going to get one.

Hopefully no one will tell me its bad and not to get one.

I just went through a csection last week to have my son and had a spinal which is just a little different then an epidural (I had an epidural when i had my daughter last year) and i remember saying really thats it--it wasnt bad at all we get so scared over the fact they are sticking a needle in our back but really it hurt 10 times worse when they stuck me 4 times to get my IV in. I wouldnt get yourself so worried about it.

I was like Erica. I was in so much pain and the anesthisiologist (really bad sp.) was busy wih an emergency case I had to wait an extra two hours for my epidural. By the time they came with the needle I was practically screaming "just stick me already". I barely felt a thing and it kicks in instantly which was awesome. I ended up having a c-section anyway-she was too big.

I don't even remember if it hurt, all I know is I was in a TON of pain before and after I was wasn't in anymore pain but cold(it made me feel cold and shakey but it may not do that to you)...I ended up having a emergency c-section cause they found out that the cord was around his neck.  But Cristal I'm like you, needles like that FREAK me out...when the guy was telling me what he was gonna do I just told him 'don't let me see it or it will never happen' even tho I KNEW how big it was as long as I didn't see it in person I was fine....PLUS I had my hubby covering my eyes so I didn't look

I think the anticipation of it is worse than the actual shot. I remember being surprised that it didn't hurt any worse than it did. You know, 'cause you hear all this hype about how long the needle is and all that. The truth is, I never even saw the needle (maybe I just chose not to look). I felt a little stick and before I knew it it was over and the painful contractions I had been experiencing for two days were GONE!!! It is SOOOO worth it!!!

i remember the epidural was a god send i didnt feel it til i went numb i told the doctor i loved him for it labor hurts soo much more then the needle. but i was there when my little sister got hers and she jumped and said it hurt but like i said i didnt feel it.

Honestly I don't remember the epidural hurting at all...I got a shot to numb the area and remember a little pressure, but nothing compared to the labor pains!!  I actually thought before I went into labor that I would try to do a natural labor...well, let's just say I am all for epidurals now!!  Good luck!

Thanks yall. I am due in march and i cant wait. only 98 more days till she pops out.  but i think i will go ahead and get one.

Thanks yall. I am due in march and i cant wait. only 98 more days till she pops out.  but i think i will go ahead and get one.

I WASNT SURE WHAT I WOULD DO AND JUST MADE THE DECISION WHEN THE TIME CAME.  TRUST ME THE THOUGHT OF TO DO THE EPIDURAL OR NOT GOES AWAY AFTER THOSE FIRST GOOD CONTRACTIONS BACK TO BACK! :)  GOOD LUCK!

I can't tell you if it will hurt or not, because I never got an epidural.  I would say though that I think it is best to wait until you are in labor to decide if you are going to have it done or not.  Everyone I have talked to and info I have read says that having an epidural slows labor down.  I decided early on that I did not want to say yes, I had to have an epidural no matter what.  I've always wanted to have a completely natural childbirth and so, unless there was some reason why I had to have one, I planned to not.  After the birth, I was very glad that I did not have one.  I was up and walking around 20 minutes after giving birth.  I also liked having the ability to feel my legs and move my lower body while in labor.  Next time around, I plan to do it the same way.  So many people told me that I would not be able to handle the pain of childbirth and that I would definitly have to get an epidural, so I was a little worried, but it honestly was not as bad as I thought it would be.  Something that did help me was having the mindset that the pain was working toward something.  It was not just pain because I was injured, it was pain that was helping my body work to bring my baby into the world, and thinking that way helped a lot.  Overall, I would just say to think about it, and keep yourself open to all your options, and wait until you are in the situation before making your decision.  Good luck.

Hi cristal, i just joined this group so i just read your question. I delivered my son on August 14 of 2009. I had an epidural when i was about 5 or 6 cm along. i was in pain. and i am a pain to all doctors when it comes to needles and shots of all sorts. i HATE needles. but i didn't feel anything. i was so scared, but they talked me through it and told me what they were doing when they were doing it. so try not to get to worked up about it, like i did. it will be okay. and afterwards, you will be fine.