Hi Archie,

Need ur help to understand the side effects of epidural.Are they really serious - i mean something to last life long like back pain.Someone said I wont be able to push the baby if I am numb hip down.
I am really scared of normal delivery as I have seen my sister undergoing the pain....
Is opting for C-sec a better option over epidural. I am in Delhi with gud gynae in ganga ram hospital.
Regards
Preeti archie replied. Preeti,
Epidural when done by right person is not bad at all. It may be a little more painful while performing procedure and blessing for long labor cases. Not that everyone will face side effects, its individual. Also not feeling urge to push is individual too. If it's minimal then likely be that you will feel contractions at a low pain level and should be OK. If it's in excess then not only you will not feel urge to push but also slow progress is likely. Also if procedure is done before 4cm then chances of vaginal could be dropped.
headache and backaches are common concern. I did have epidural in first labor and was regretting until last labor and had determined to do anything to avoid epidural. I did not mind induction or C-section but hated epidural because it did pain a lot more than contraction when it was done. But I think I was looking it at emotionally. This time I did not have epidural still I had back pain. So this is my personal experience and someone would have different experience.

See how long you can manage labor on your own without pain management and at home. Once in hospital try to be on your foot rather than on bed. See if you could walk through contractions and pause only during strength of contraction. When its unbearable and you are dilated not less than 4cm or not more than 8 cm then opt for epidural and relax in bed thereafter.

Otherwise try all natural:-) Do not opt C-section over Epidural as often Epidural is required for C-section:-(
Archie