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If I Have an Epidural, Will I Know When to Push?
March 9, 2009 at 6:55 AM by Cafe Melisa - Comments (14)
I came across a question about epidurals in Answers from APlessy. She's 37 weeks, has preeclampsia, and is looking at a possible induction. If she has one, and gets an epidural, she's wondering if she'll be able to feel when it's time to push.
Here's what moms had to say, some general epi pros and cons from the American Pregnancy Association, and, for what it's worth, my two cents on the subject.
Moms who responded had all kinds of different experiences -- some could feel absolutely nothing when it came time to push, others knew. There's no definitive answer to how a woman will experience an epidural -- it varies.
From the APA, some pros of the epidural:
-- It can allow you to rest if your labor is prolonged.
-- Relieving the pain can help some moms focus and have a more positive birth experience.
-- An epi will usually help you remain alert and to be an active participant in the birth.
Some cons:
-- An epi may cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly, so you'll have to be routinely monitored. Baby's fetal heart rate will need to be monitored, too.
-- There's a chance you'll experience a severe headache caused by leakage of spinal fluid. Less than 1% of moms do.
-- Once the epidural is placed, you won't have much freedom of movement. Lying in one position can sometimes cause labor to slow down.
I had an epidural after being induced. I dilated quickly, could feel when to push with every contraction, and had a pretty fast delivery.
What's your experience? If you've given birth before and had an epidural, what would you tell a first-time mom to expect?
FILED UNDER: 3rd trimester, labor & delivery, pain management
Comments:
If you can avoid an epidural, do it. Being stuck flat on your bed can make pain worse for you and labor longer, and end up leading to a c-section. If you DO get one, get it as early as possible so it can wear off later if necessary.
I had an epidural, and the ONLY way I could tell when to push was a slight feeling of pressure on the right side of my pelvic bone. Honestly, that's not enough. Nurses shouldn't be telling you when to push - your body should.
I thought the epidural made labor tolerable for me. I definely knew when to push, the pressure for me was unbearable and painful even with the epidural, but the epidural helped me calm down, stay focused and relax. Its different for everyone though. The nurses never told me when to push I was telling them I have to push NOW! haha.
Like RanaAurora, I had barely any tell. I just kind of pushed when I thought I should. I only pushed for an hour (my BFF pushed for 4 hours, without an epi) so I was lucky. If I had my way, I wouldn't have had it. I won't get one with this labor.
i had one with my daughter and couldn't feel a thing. i had no clue how hard or if i was pushing at all. it really scared me. i ended up pushing for over 2 hours. my doctor was getting worried as well, she said i was about a minute away from a c-section. i'm 9 weeks pregnant now and i'm not sure if i'll have another epi.
i had one 17 yrs ago and im still having back pain from where it whent in 
i had one 17yrs ago and still having a pain in my back it wasnt for me but maby it could be for you
first time i felt everything. second time epi was wonderful but i still felt when those contractions got deep. with my son i felt crowning. with dd i didn't. i was pushing and could feel the pressure but i had no problem pushing or anything
i pushed for 40 minutes with my son 3 with my daughter. i felt full frontal pressure. the nurses will tell me when to push becuawse they wil tell me i'm 10 centimeters lol
My mom regrets her Epidural with my brother because she couldn't tell that she was positioned in a way that ended up really injuring her pelvis! She was pretty much bedridden for like, 3 weeks afterward.
I'm still on the fence about having an epidural, but considering how my pelvis has been behaving these last couple weeks, I'm afraid of injuring myself without even knowing it if I get an epi...
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I would tell first time moms to do what they feel is right. I ended up getting one but I let it wear off when I started getting more dialated. I was afraid I wouldn't know when to push too :).
LadyKiki Mar. 9, 2009 at 10:58 AM