Motherhood: Epidural

"You can get the epidural anytime you want."
That was what my doctor told me.

My birthing/lamaze class, all other websites, forums, and articles I have read told me otherwise. They said you need to wait 'til you are 4 or 5 cm dilated before you can ask for the epidural. I was mentally prepared to wait 'til the right dilated size to get it but since my doctor told me I can get it AS SOON AS I want it, then, of course, I took it.

Especially since they will give me an inducing medicine Pitocin which will give me frequent and stronger contractions (to help progress the active labor quicker).

Another important information about epidurals: it is a very small tube/needle that is inserted in between your spine. I primarily thought an epidural is something they inject on your spine once, and then it's done. NOPE. It's a tube that will be attached (and properly secured by your Anesthesiologist) on your back the WHOLE TIME.

The process of putting it in, as for my experience, is PAINLESS. You are supposed to sit on the side of the bed, hunch your back as much as you can to show the spine, then stay very still. Relax. It will only take a couple of minutes to do it if your Anesthesiologist knows what he is doing. He will put a numbing ointment on the part where he will stick the needle. The nurse told me it was a big needle but I didn't look at all, I was just anticipating the 'little pinch' that the Anesthesiologist told me to expect... but I didn't feel a thing. In about 15 to 30 minutes, it made me feel numb from the stomach down to my toes. It felt so weird to see your lower half and not have control over it. I kept on poking my leg but it only felt like I was touching a very soft pillow. So weird!

During your labor, you yourself has the button that will control the amount of epidural you want in. If you feel pain, then click on the button and it will increase the dosage of the epidural.

To those who gave birth ALL NATURAL, with no pain medication whatsoever... YOU ARE THE SHIZNIT! I don't know how you do it, but I am extremely grateful for choosing to get an epidural.