I am happy to say that I could handle labor pains quite well unfortunately my OB decided to give me epid to make my first labor and birth experience virtually painless. In my case I was playing it by ear but I considered getting one once labor pain get very intolerable. Getting epid is really a personal choice. When I sit I can't get up because my legs are numb. I try to run, but I can't because my legs get stiff and I feel like I am about to fall face forward. I have problems with my back, my legs hurt, I lost a lot of weight and muscle, I am sore. 17 months later my heart is still beating fast and I was given heart medicine.

I was terrified and I began to pray! My heart continued to beat fast for about an hour or more. When I was given that shot in my IV my heart bagan to beat very fast. Remember, when I was given the epi my labor was induced for the baby to come, but they took forever, the doctor.and she was a resident, a resident, what was I thinking. Then my baby's heart rate fell, so I was given something to stop her from coming. Anyways my doctor dragged once I received the epi. I was ignorant of the fact that I was going to lose all the feelings of my body waist down. I didn't have an epidural untill my fourth child, because the thought of labor made me want the epi with this baby. Feel free to email with any further questions. Regardless of your decision I wish you the best of luck to you and your upcoming birth. Consequently I would recommend that you do your homework, weigh the pros and cons, and make the best, most informed decision that works most for you and your family. But again potential side affects should ALWAYS be considered before making any medical decisions, because although it is not common for a negative side effect to occur, it should not be forgotton that they DO occur.

However, epidurals are generally very safe procedures and have a very high benefit, in terms of pain relief, for the mother. In addition, the side effects mentioned by an earlier poster were absolutely correct and should be strongly considered before making any decision. In most cases they clear up over time with treatment, however, some cases linger for long periods of time even years after the epidural regardless of efforts to treat. As a practicing chiropractor I see many patients who have back pain after their epidural.

Epidural after effects