what is an epidural??

its a needle into your spine that numbs you from the waist down i had one and couldnt feel it goin in because the contractions were more painful its fabulous when it works but make sure you dont try and walk i went to go to the toilet and fell over becasue my legs were like lead. it isnt always necessary but im quite good with pain but was begging for it in the end GOOD LUCK

An epidural is a pain medication delivered through a catheter in your spine. The only thing you feel is the little prick of the needle they use to thread the catheter through so no the needle is not left in you only the catheter is. It isn't necessary but it is one of the pain relieving methods during labor. I had an epidural during the delivery of my son and I didn't feel a thing. It was a nice and quiet labor. I would definitely do it again. It is ultimately your decision and you can talk to your doctor about it. They hear all sorts of questions so don't think you are asking a question they have never heard.

there is pain involved although it is not as painful as giving birth LOL.... They stick a needle in your spine it is most important to stay still during the insertion of the needle as one wrong move can cause severe problems then they insert a small tube to give you local anesthesia during labor and delivery. Side effects of this is usually later on after the baby you get pain in the location during high emotional states such as anger excitement and fear. some women have severe pain some have mild. If you have a low threshold for pain the epidural is ideal for you as giving birth is more painful then have the epidural LOL Good Luck and best wishes

Its a small catheter they put in the edge of your spine, commonly used during childbirth to stop the pain. It is the preferred pain management by hospitals and you skin is numbed before they do it. The most you will feel is maybe a slight stick but mostly pressure witout any pain. If you have a low threshold of pain I would recommend the epidural. It allows you to be in way way way less pain and alert for childbirth.

The term epidural is often short for epidural anesthesia, a form of regional anesthesia involving injection of drugs through a catheter placed into the epidural space. The injection can cause both a loss of sensation (anaesthesia) and a loss of pain (analgesia), by blocking the transmission of pain signals through nerves in or near the spinal cord.

Epidurals are pain medication given by needle in the center or end of your spine while you are about to go into labor. They aren't necessary but many people get them. They don't hurt from what I've heard since your in so much pain already and the major thing that is risky with getting one is if you move your spine while the needle is in you, you can be paralyzed permanently.

The other answers are correct in saying that it is an anaesthetic administered through a small catheter (tiny plastic tube) that is inserted into the tiny space between the membranes covering your spinal cord called the epidural space, by an anaesthetist. You will recieve a local anaesthetic to the skin first so that it does not hurt. As a form of pain relief it is excellent, although ocassionally it does not work as well as it should and some women still feel some pain, usually in a small area, called 'a window' of pain. However, it does carry down sides and potential risks. It reduces your blood pressure which means you have to have a cannula (drip) in your arm; depending on the hospital which does it you may not be able to move off the bed, and you are unable to feel the sensation to pee, therefore may need to have a catheter in your bladder to empty it, this carries the risk of infection. It has also been proven by recent research to slow progress of labour by reducing the tone of the pelvic floor and inhibiting the effect of the hormones which make your womb contract; this may result in you needing a drug to speed up labour which can then result in fetal distress, this in turn may lead to assisted delivery or caesarean section and even if baby doesn't become distressed you increase your risk of these by about 50% because of delay in either 1st or 2nd stage. There is also a small risk of something called a spinal tap, when the needle goes too far and pierces the inner mebrane allowing some of the fluid surrounding the spinal cord to escape, this is not dangerous but can cause very severe headaches which in the worst case scenario can last for over a week and make it impossible for you to sit or stand upright because this worsens them. I don't wish to put you off but you need to be aware of all the factors. The biggest thing that will make you unable to cope with the pain is your mental state regarding labour, if you are afraid then you produce lots of adrenaline which inhibits production of endorphins, your bodys' natural painkillers and the hormones that make you labour. The best form of pain relief you can provide for yourself is to deal with your fear. You can do this by either attending good classes, I don't know where you live so it is difficult to recommend anything but if you live in the U.K. The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) provide excellent classes for a small fee, you can find them on the internet. Try alternative therapies such as hypnotherapy, fantastic at dealing with your concerns, I saw a 1st time mum recently who used this, came in to hospital fully dilated and so calm so didn't appear to be in labour. Yoga classes for pregnant women are also excellent. Water for labour and birth is also good pain relief, it relaxes you and helps stimulate lots of those pain killing hormones, again I have cared for many 1st time mums who cope brilliantly with this. Get some good, accurate information about how beautiful and natural the birth process is before you resort to such invasive things as epidurals. E-mail me if you wish

Well my friend had a epidural done with both her kids and no it didn't hurt her at all..

Me - I didn't get one . The pain without the shot was extreme, but over before you know it!! Honestly to me the epidural isn't really necessary at all!

One friend said when she was pregnant with her first she said she wanted nothing artificial but half way through she had to have the epidural . With the second she could be heard coming in the hospital car park shouting get the epidural ready NOW !!! lol

It's not necessary, but if you're bad with pain, you will want one. It does hurt when they give it to you, but it's smooth sailing from there. Good Luck!