My Labor Experience: Was the Epidural Really Worth It?

Hello everyone!

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the most intense experience of my life - giving birth to my daughter just a week ago.

I'm a total believer in avoiding epidurals at all costs, but I ended up having to give birth naturally, despite my initial plans to get a C-section.

I didn't have any pre-eclampsia symptoms, but my blood pressure was high, and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get an epidural.

I was really counting on getting some relief from pain, but I ended up having to go without.

I'm not a fan of pain, even minor procedures like a gynecological exam are a nightmare for me, and I was terrified of the pain during labor.

I had done some research on breathing techniques during labor, but I wasn't really convinced that it would make a difference.

My husband was going to be by my side, but I was still really hoping that the epidural would get me through the pain.

But my labor didn't go as planned. It started out of nowhere, without any warning signs, and I ended up giving birth two weeks early.

I was exhausted from the high blood pressure, which was spiking to 150/100, and I was getting hardly any sleep.

Pregnancy was a real challenge for me - some people might be flying high, but I was barely moving. By the 37th week, I was already a shadow of my former self.

Roads were just as intense for me. When you're expecting one thing, it's hard to accept something completely different... But, thank goodness, everything turned out okay! It could have been a whole lot tougher.

Roads were actually pretty quick for a first-timer - I arrived at the reception with contractions and a dilation of about 2 fingers or 2 cm at midnight, and by 8 am, I had given birth.

I won't go into all the details of what happened during the labor, but I was hit with everything I had been dreading, and my nerves were on the verge of collapse.

My partner's test came back negative - we wouldn't have had time to get it done, anyway - and there were no free partner rooms available. Plus, the ultrasound showed some complications. They barely told me anything, just discussing it among themselves. All my worst nightmares came true...

I was already in a pretty rough state - my blood pressure was through the roof, and I was shaking like a leaf. The nurse was even yelling at me, telling me to stop shaking for the baby's sake!

At 2 am, they finally put me in the delivery room.

27th maternity hospital, where we ended up going instead of the 17th, which was our original plan... I don't think I'll be going back there anytime soon.

I'm not planning on going back.

They left me writhing in pain on that bed alone, hooked up to a fetal monitor, and the nurse kept leaving and getting annoyed whenever I called her back. She was being really harsh and rude.

I was literally clinging to that bed in agony, sobbing, and whispering, 'Someone, please help...'

I have no idea how women endure contractions on a birthing ball, walking, standing, or in the shower – the pain just paralyzed me. I couldn't move; I was lying there, clinging to the bed, and no matter how hard I breathed, nothing seemed to help. I was shaking like a leaf, and it was just a nightmare... Then I started screaming and crying at the top of my lungs.

And then, at 4 am, they finally offered me some pain relief. Finally! Thank God, finally!!!

No, seriously, the attitude of medical staff in our maternity wards towards expectant mothers is often appalling, ruthless, and cruel... All these screams, accusations, intimidation... I get that it's just their usual routine – screams, groans, pain – but why not calm the woman down? Why not administer proper pain relief? Why not have a gentle conversation, offer support? Do they really need to be so rude, short-tempered, and judgmental?...

Baby, childbirth should be about peace, care, attention, warmth... Not criticism.

Then it would be easier for everyone, I'm convinced!

Anyway, the anesthesiologist showed up, and I thought my ordeal was over.

A brief word on epidural anesthesia:

I've had my fair share of medical procedures, but the epidural anesthesia process was a new experience for me. The anesthesiologist inserted a thin catheter into the epidural space in my lower back, which is where the nerves that control sensation in the pelvic area are located. Once the catheter was in place, the needle was removed, and the catheter was secured to my back. The anesthetic medication was then slowly administered through the catheter, blocking the pain signals from reaching my brain, and I remained fully conscious throughout the process. During a C-section, the medication is adjusted so that I wouldn't be able to move my lower body, which is necessary for any surgical procedure. However, during a normal delivery, I was able to move around normally.

The anesthesiologist administered local anesthetics like lidocaine into the epidural space.

No big deal.

The key is to make sure everything is done correctly and not to cause any unnecessary complications...

The doctor asked me a few questions about my health, medical history, and any potential allergies before the procedure. Just a standard questionnaire.

Then he dropped a bombshell - we wouldn't be monitoring my contractions during the injection, and I wouldn't be able to move. There would be a needle in my spine...

I was terrified - during contractions, I was already feeling intense pressure, and now I'd have to sit still...

So, it began. I had to sit uncomfortably on the bed, leaning forward with my head near my knees - it was a real challenge, especially with contractions and a growing belly...

First, they numbed the area where the needle would be inserted into the epidural space.

And that was actually really painful. They administered lidocaine in the lower back area.

I'll never forget the feeling of the doctor slowly inserting the catheter into my lower back. The sensations were pretty tolerable, like someone was gently poking me in the back with a bit of pressure.

It felt like the needle was passing through something with a slight crunch. (Compared to labor and delivery, this was nothing)

Next, I realized they had secured the catheter with a wide bandage on my back, pulled it out somewhere in the neck area, and that was it.

The doctor told me to lie down and warned me that I wouldn't be able to get up, go to the bathroom, and so on. I'd have to call the nurse for everything (who barely responded to my cries, by the way).

The insertion site was barely noticeable after a couple of days.

The adhesive bandage left a bigger mark.

What I felt?

Numbness in my lower body, legs, and a decrease in pain. Pretty much right away.

It was noticeable, that's for sure. At first, I could finally breathe easily!

Symptoms became like they had happened a few hours ago – tolerable. Like a really painful period.

I lay there for an hour...Of course, I didn't sleep, but I did manage to calm down and catch my breath.

And then the pain relief started to wear off!😱🤦🏻♀️

I remember, that's when things got really intense. The pain came back, and I thought I was going to pass out or something...

When I was already crying my eyes out, I finally decided to add some pain relief... I remembered.

They added it to the catheter on my neck, I think.

But honestly, I didn't feel any difference after that.

I'm still in shock about how painful labor was. I'm amazed that women can go through all that pain. And the craziest thing is, when the baby is born, you kind of forget all about it!

Zashing me up was also super painful, and they barely gave me any pain relief, just a little lidocaine and that was it. They said I was 'numb' but I was definitely feeling it.

I don't think the epidural helped, or maybe it wore off too soon.

I think the doctor should have kept a closer eye on me to make sure the pain relief was working, or at least lasted longer.

That's pretty much my story.

So, here are my takeaways:

1. I was really hoping to feel minimal pain during labor, or at least not as much as I did. Unfortunately, the epidural only helped a bit with the contractions, but I was still in a lot of pain for most of the time.

2. The epidural only lasted for an hour, then I had to wait some more to get another dose. I'm not sure how it works for everyone, but that's what happened with me.

3. The epidural didn't help with the pushing, the actual birth, or the stitching afterwards. At least, not in my case.

4. I found the procedure itself to be pretty tolerable, but it's really uncomfortable during contractions when you can't move and have to sit in an awkward position.

5. After the pain relief, you're not allowed to move, only lie down, which is a real pain when it comes to using the bathroom.

6. I didn't notice any negative side effects from the epidural anesthesia itself. My back doesn't hurt, and nothing's malfunctioning.

7. As far as I know, the anesthesia doesn't harm the baby.

I'd still recommend epidural anesthesia during labor, even if it's just for a short time and not very strong, because it really helps ease the suffering that women go through when giving birth.

Maybe if the doctor is constantly nearby and administering the anesthesia when it's needed, it's more effective. But I think that's just a matter of luck or the doctor's contract.

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