Epidural stories?
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Topic: Epidural stories?
Posted By: Zasha
Subject: Epidural stories?
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 2:09pm
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My mid wife has gotton onto me about starting to get my birth plan together, and has mentioned the epidural as the most effective form of pain relief, I'm reluctant to go down that road as I had a spinal tap a number of years ago, and experienced severe side effects as a result. (not been able to stand or walk for several days, vomiting, severe head aches and shooting pains in my legs along with long term back ache) As you can guess I'm not really that keen for anyone to stick a needle in my spine ever again. Has any one had any negative effects from having a epidural? Or is there nothing to worry about.? ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: Mum2ET
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 2:37pm
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I didn't have any negative after effects, but it did take a couple of go's for mine to work, as the first time it only worked on 1/2 my body (which was a really weird feeling) and it ended to be topped up. Looking back I think it definintely did slow down my labour and could have been the reason that I torn- but you never know and at the time I glad I had one (Ella moved postier and my back was so, so sore). This time around I am going to try and avoid it if I can, but am still open to having one if I really need it (gas didn't work for me, so I don't really have a lot of pain relief choice). ------------- Mum to Ella (5) and Tom (2) |
Posted By: Andriea
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 2:38pm
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Hi, with my epi, it was great during labour but they forgot to top it up when I was rushed in for a emergency c-sec, so it wasnt working properly and hurt like hell in the beginning, I didnt have anyside effects or anything, she was born at 9pm and the next morning I was up and about ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 2:43pm
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I had an epi and then topped up for emergency c-section..no issues..before during or after...heck it was the only thing that went right..lol:)
my mw doesn't really do birth plans..talks about the basics but that's about it.. worked for me last time even though i thought I would want to plan. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 3:01pm
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I've had a spinal for a c/s and an epidural for a labour and both went fine. My epidural wore off unevenly but that was no huge drama. There are a whole lot of possible side effects to having them though, the anaesthatist (sp?) goes over them with you but you could possibly be in labour at that point and aren't always capable of thinking rationally at that point so it's good to read up on it before hand so that you dont' need to ask questions when in labour.
I remember vaguely the guy telling me I could end up in a wheelchair and thinking how nice it would be to never feel anything again  So yeah, labour not always the best time to be making huge decisions.------------- 
 
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Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 3:30pm
I dont have experience with epis but just remember not all labours need them. I've been through 2 labours and one of those I was told to expect to need one because of my situation and I didn't  But I was prepared to get one if it really came down to it.
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 4:17pm
Just keep an open mind .. I went into labour with Isabelle thinking "im definately not having one" to begging for one as soon as I got into delivery suite 
I had an epi with Issy and a spinal with Elias (as he was an elective c) .. the epi left me with numb parts in my feet for quite awhile afterwards but was fine after that. The hardest part was trying to stay still during the contractions! ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: RinTinTin
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 4:20pm
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WIshing I hadn't come in and read this stuff now. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: JessDub
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 5:04pm
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I was induced and had intense contractions with hardly any dilation. My MW took one look at me and told me I had to have one! When the aneasthetist came in I cried - tears of joy - to see him.
And thank goodness my MW was insistent. It didn't really work for me, in that I needed gas to control the intense pressure but I'm pretty sure not having it would have been awful awful awful. Afterwards no side effects though. It wore off in a couple of hours for me to have a shower unaccompanied etc. ------------- 
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 5:23pm
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lol Julia, I wasn't asking for one, I was screaming for it , both times
I know probably one of the worst epidural stories , but I don't think I should share it , besides , it was a very rare occurance .(was my friend btw , not me ) Even knowing this though, next baby , ima goin to the hospital at the first sign of a contraction , and i'll say , "inject me doctor ! " and he will and then I will sit and watch episodes of Friends with DH on his laptop , I don't care how long the labour is , i've had the short, intense , drug free labour, and I've had the long 24 hour labour with no pain relief and I can't say I enjoyed either (some do , I don't , end of story ) so the thought of a long , drawn out labour with little pain sounds loooovely (and noone give me any stories of epis that didn't work , I shall live in ignorant bliss  )
My main birth advice that I can give anyone, is go with the flow , have a general plan in place , but just remember that on the day of delivery , that plan can go right out the window ------------- 
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Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 6:00pm
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I had an epi last time and it was fine. The only thing is that it was probably also partially to blame for labour not progressing and the c-section I finally had.
I'm avoiding one this time around. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Mel24
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 6:14pm
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My goodness..... I had an epidural and I wish almost every day that I didnt. I got told the risks and thought that I would be fine - that surely everything would be ok. But my right leg went numb within 30 minutes of it going in. My face started to go numb as well. I was still feeling every single contraction so I don't actually know how much pain relief it gave me. My bladder also was numb and for the 4-6 weeks after the birth I had issues not knowing when to go to the toilet. My leg/foot kept me awake for the first few weeks because I couldn't feel it. My newborn baby was sleeping and my stupid foot was keeping me awake!
My baby girl is now almost 8 months old and the base of my foot is still numb. It doesn't cause any discomfort but man, I wish I didn't have that epidural. |
Posted By: LouD
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 6:14pm
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Ive had an epidural, a spinal block and just recently i too had a spinal tap........very concerning cos you pretty much just play ignorance with those side effects, but i was very lucky to have no side effects from any of those 3...........which makes me very very nervous about number 4 spinal interference in December when i have number 3 csection.......
Can i please put my head back in the sand!!!! As if having a csection isnt scary enough |
Posted By: X
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 7:25pm
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Just my opinion....
there is a special place in heaven for the person who invented the epidural! It was absolute bliss having the epidural. Labour went from an awful, stressful, painful experience to a nice calm, painless experience. Yes, I did have to have an emergency C section eventually, but I don't think you can automatically say that it was the epidural that led to that. I had no complications whatsoever after the epidural & I will DEFINITELY be having an epidural next time (whether I have another C-section or attempt VBAC) ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: BeLoved
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 8:40pm
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Mine did not work, except for a small round numb patch on my back. I felt everything and there was no time to try again. I did not suffer any side affects from what I did have though.
I would opt to not have one next time as trying to sit still during contractions that were one on top of the other was not pleasant and then I got no pain relief anyway. |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 8:42pm
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I loved my epidural with Maya - I'd been in labour for two days, was only 4cm and was shattered. I wanted to marry the anesthatist! After that, I never imagined myself giving birth without one.
With the gremlins I had an epi put in prior to labour as part of a labour management plan (twins=higher risk and they needed to be able to get them out fast if necessary) and whilst it didn't work, it didn't have any negative side effects or complications. Then having had them effectively with no pain relief due to the failed epi, I decided to have a go at no pain relief with lil miss,and tho I was screaming for an epidural a couple of minutes before she was born, it was actually a brilliant experience  -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 8:43pm
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Oh and after both my epis, I was up and about within a couple of hours. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 29 September 2009 at 10:01pm
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I was dead against an epi but after 35 hours of mild labour after an induction my waters were broken and within 20 minutes it was all on. Like Emma when the man with needle turned up at my door I wanted to divorce my DH and marry him instead. I have the biggest crush on him, would love to see him again and see if he is as hot as I remember.
No side affects here, was up and about the next day. I am still planning on natural next time around, but I am open to pain relief if I need it. I think it pays to go in there totally prepared to change your mind on everything you decide out here. -------------   
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Posted By: SpecialK
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 7:28am
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I was also one of the "birth is a wonderful thing and I'll breathe through the pain" brigade... until I went into full on labour and was told by my OB that I should start thinking about pain relief. I then proceeded to discuss the pros and cons of the epi with the midwife for an hour (!). Anyway, the pain was so intense and I was only 4cm, so decided to have one and it was the best thing I could have done. I did use a private anaesthetist, but he got it in in about 2 min, it worked straight away, still had some feeling and was able to move my legs. I was up and about within a couple of hours of having H and the only side effect was fluid retention but that went in a couple of days. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Joscia
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 9:58am
Same with me! The relief of the epidural was SO good - after 30 hours of labour, vomiting, dehydration, exhaustion and very little dilation. I was so sure that I'd have a natural birth - we did the hypnobirthing course & everything - but it all went out the window on the day. I had an emergency C-section too - as by then I was 40 hours into it and completely shattered. I didn't have any adverse side effects from the epi either - apart from a weird numb spot on my lower back for a few weeks afterwards. I was able to get up and go to the loo during labour, and was walking around & showering the next day. |
Odettenz wrote:Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 10:44am
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i loved mine too....and the guy who did it though vomiting on him(i never vomit!) and leaking waters on him wasnt awesome:) i do wonder if the pain wold have been so bad if i hadnt been induced twice? but I also got the epi to bring down the BP and amen to having it asap again:) I'm definitely not in the feel the pain camp:)
I couldnt move much the next few days but that was the emergency c section after effects not the epi..though i did have shaking constantly the whole time the epi was in it was worth it:) ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 11:21am
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......how long do they take to work ?
and ....if it doesnt work after say , an hour, do they top it up ? or will I have to yell at someone ? My friend had an epi and actually fell asleep !and woke up in time to push
What annoys me , is when people like C's stepmum , who is big on natural birth, acts like im being selfish for wanting pain relief, and tells me i'll "forget the pain " I DONT CARE !!! i've done it twice without drugs, my kids are no better or worse than any other child , and I hated both my labours, I want a third child , but if they told me I would not be allowed pain relief next time im in labour, I would have to seriously reconsider getting pregnant with a third baby . -------------
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Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 11:34am
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I have no idea how long mine took to work, etc.... by the time I needed an epi after several days of labour I was way beyond thinking about anything at all except for the pain, I can't even remember most of my time at the hospital.
My epi only worked down one side, so they did an ice-cube test and topped it up and then I got some relief for a couple of hours until I was dilating properly. DH got to have a sleep on the couch for a couple of hours which he probably needed as well, after being up with me for days. I did throw up on myself, probably because of the epi... but the worst part about that was needing to get manhandled into a new gown by the nurses while I was all limp. I wasn't able to get up and shower for about 24 hours but that could have been from the blood loss etc. as I needed huge huge cuts because Chloe ended up being a forceps delivery. When I did shower I needed help and sat on a chair. I also got huge swelling in my ankles as all the fluid dropped, a couple of days after... but that was it. I honestly think that if an epidural hadn't been invented then I probably would have died in labour. I'm not being dramatic either at one stage I stopped breathing for about a minute and a half before the epi was put in and my heart rate dropped below 20 and freaked everyone out.------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 11:39am
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Just to add, my second birth was completely different... I had the drug-free birth that I had wanted the first time around, and I only begged for pain relief for about 5 mins before Ollie was born... unfortunately he was flying outta there and there was no time even for gas! ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 11:58am
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yeah i get really annoyed people tell me i should do it the way nature intended..good for them they want to do it drug free but i didnt!:) esp if it's like the last one..
kelly- time passed in a bizarre way...might have been the gas lol..but i remember him saying 20mins to work.. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: X
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 12:31pm
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When people tell me there is no need for pain relief during labour I always ask them if they would have a tooth pulled or a root canal done with no anaesthetic. Childbirth is THE most painful experience known to man so why would you not have pain relief for it? No-one gives you a medal for not having the drugs...
Just my opinion-don't mean to offend anyone... If you don't need the drugs then good on you, but as far as I am concerned, I don't think it makes you any less of a mother to ask for pain relief. I am ALL for the drugs! I hate pain... and I just think it's uneccesary. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 1:20pm
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I wanted to pash the anesthetist It was sooooo good, such a relief after 20 or so hours of agony! I think mine must have worked perfectly cos I felt no pain, only pressure, and I could still walk straight after... I had no problem pushing DD out either... ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: Katep
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 1:45pm
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TBH- I would not have another baby unless I know I can have an epi! I had mine at about midnight, DD was born at 9am and I was up and walking at 11am.
I think they are fantastic ( oh and I planned a natural birth as i was scared of the thing in the spine and side effects) |
Posted By: SpecialK
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 5:06pm
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lol odettenz, I decided to have my epi when the midwife said "well, no one is going to give you a medal for not having it!" ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Zasha
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 7:33pm
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Thanks for all the replies, it's certainly reasuring to know that the large majority of epidurals are successful and have limited side effects. Even though it's still hard for me to forget the trouble I had with the spinal tap. I guess for me it's still kinda once bitten twice shy when it comes to needles going near my spine. Although now that I'm better informed, it will be easier for me to weigh up the risks of something going wrong, and I will certainly be more open to the idea of an epidural if I find that the labour is taking a long time, or that I can't cope withe the associated pains of giving birth. -------------
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 30 September 2009 at 10:01pm
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K - Mine worked within 3 minutes cos I only felt one more contraction once it was in.
I do remember starting to feel it wearing off and saying to my mw I am starting to feel again, I am starting to feel again.... she topped me up straight away
Zasha, thats the best way to be... completely open minded. You just never know what will happen. Good luck, FX you dont need it anyway! -------------
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Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 01 October 2009 at 1:00pm
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3 mins is awesome:) I'm really not sure cause of the gas as well time was flying like when you are drunk but also going very slow..lol ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 01 October 2009 at 5:55pm
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So there are mw's out there that if , when I get preggy again , I ring and say , "I want the baby at middlemore and I want an epidural as part of my birth plan " they will say "no worries " ?
my last mw , I said to her , jokingly (or half joking) that next time I was getting the epidural , and she said "oh , you'll forget the pain , you wont need it " which makes me reluctant to get her again, I know a lot of MWs are into drug free births ........ Anyone know of any botany mws that are ok with epidurals ? (for future reference , can't hurt to ask !) -------------
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Posted By: X
Date Posted: 01 October 2009 at 7:25pm
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My MW was absolutely fine with me having the drugs. We discussed it early on. If she had given me a negative vibe about drugs I would have changed my midwife immediately. It's your birth & you should be able to do it the way you want.
------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 01 October 2009 at 9:52pm
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Thats what I think too !
Even when I was in labour , all I wanted to do was swear and yell, and every time I was about to she would interrupt me and say "just breathe through it " I wanted to throttle her ....... -------------
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 02 October 2009 at 11:16am
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LOL KA, it was quick but it did take him 5 contractions to get in! Once it was in it was pretty instant..
K - You can totally find a mw who is happy to do it YOUR way. They are there to assist you giving birth and its your body so do what you want!!!! I probably would have hit her LOL. -------------
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 02 October 2009 at 2:33pm
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ooh I was close Mel , verrry close .
And I asked her a question before a contraction started , then she kept talking while my contraction was going I yelled at her "shutup , shutup , just shut the hell up !!!! " and when Ty was crowning I told her to "move your bloody hand !!" Oops, poor MW, it was HIS hand , up by his head .... -------------
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Posted By: SpecialK
Date Posted: 02 October 2009 at 3:45pm
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caitlynsmygirl, I'd def look for a midwife that was ok with hospital deliveries and pain relief! You forget the pain but you still have to go through it, and I don't think it should be a rite of passage.
Zasha, do you have the option of a private anaesthetist? It does cost more, but the guy I had has literally done thousands of them, is very quick and has never had any complications or an epi that didn't work. The $$ was def worth if for peace of mind. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Zasha
Date Posted: 02 October 2009 at 10:47pm
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Unfortunately thats not really an option for me (not unless we win lotto between now and then lol) as our buget is very tight and I don't have the exta $$ that would be needed to hire such a specialist. -------------
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Posted By: X
Date Posted: 03 October 2009 at 10:47am
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We used the hospital anaesthetist & she was great. She came 10 minutes after I asked for her & got it in first time. I don't necessarily think you need a private anaesthetist to ensure they do a good job. $500 is quite a lot extra...
I will use the hospital anaesthetist again next time. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 05 October 2009 at 1:37pm
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K I thought that if you lived out in howick area you had to birth at Botany am I wrong? I dunno cos my mw births outta Auck. And I live in Auck area. We will definitely be using her again when we go for our next baby so long as I aint living in Howick that is cos she won't go that far lol ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 05 October 2009 at 1:57pm
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I just had the hospital one, he was dreamy, or maybe I just thought he was dreamy cos he came to take my pain away. I had maybe 3-4 contractions whilst he was putting it in and then they just faded away and I was so happy. He even redid my IV for me cos I have wafty veins and my mw had had to put it in my elbow crease cos she couldn't get it in my hand (that's not a normal problem, I just have really sh*t veins and I was dehydrated which wasn't helping things). -------------
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Posted By: kellie
Date Posted: 05 October 2009 at 4:51pm
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The anaesthetist at waikato hospital was absolutely gorgeous.
I was fully against having an epi (was planning for a water birth and possibly using gas...LOL) Ended up having the epi re inserted 4 times over a 20 hour time frame as it would suddenly stop working. One problem was being told to push with the contractions.. I couldn't feel them so that was hard to do. Ended up having forceps though anyway. Afterwards I felt really disorientated and disassociated though, I don't know if this is from so many epis, or over 40hours established labour. I have a feeling it was from the drugs though. ------------- 
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 05 October 2009 at 5:25pm
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I am so having the epi.
And im ordering a hot anethesist to do it too . -------------
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Posted By: mummyofprinces
Date Posted: 05 October 2009 at 6:17pm
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LOL funny how we all think our drug man was gorgeous!!!! I did see mine 5 days later I still thought he was sexy! I put him on my list LOL. -------------
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Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 06 October 2009 at 8:34am
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lol mt epi man was def hot...even my mum and mw were flirting with him!!! I didn't care... I just wanted the drugs lol. And he was wonderful with those too...didn't hurt in the least and the dosage was just perfect! Could feel the contractions but they didn't hurt adn I gave birthtotally pain free. (although the after match was a different story!) -------------   http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 06 October 2009 at 10:41am
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I loved my epidural!!! I got when I had been in labour for 40 or so hours so i needed it badly lol.
It didnt work that well down my left side, but it still took a bulk of the pain away. I ended up with an emergency C Section but I dont think it was from the epi, it was because I had a lip of cervix that wouldnt budge and Id been in labour too long and they didnt want Caden to be in there for any longer. This time I had an elective C Section and had a spinal, the spinal was WAY better than the epi, it worked right away and i was numb in like 2 mins! and it worse off well after the op and i could feel my legs a few hours later, with my epi it took ages for me to feel my legs again. ------------- |
Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 06 October 2009 at 11:41am
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That's interesting Sheza - I've always wondered how Spinal blocks rate against Epi's. -------------  
 
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