Question about Epidural

I'm terrified of needles...like when I have my blood drawn, shots, anything involving a needle, my heart races and I jump away without any control usually. It's something that's always happens, no matter how hard I try to stop it.
So, my question is...can they give me something to help my anxiety about needles before they give it to me?...something that won't hurt my baby girl. I don't want to screw her over, because I can't deal with my needle phobia...but I really can't do anything about the creepy crawlies/jumping.

Quoting justplainme93:" I'm terrified of needles...like when I have my blood drawn, shots, anything involving a needle, my heart ... [snip!] ... screw her over, because I can't deal with my needle phobia...but I really can't do anything about the creepy crawlies/jumping."

Not that i know of. I was freaking out about it when I got mine, especially when they told me i couldn't move and i was in the middle of having contractions every like 30 seconds so i was freaking out more. But you just have to tough it out. You'll be ok i promise

Trust me when ur in pain in labor, the freakin needle feels good!

You're going to have an IV also....I don't think they will give you anything. And you don't feel the epidural at all, or see it since it is in your back. They give a shot of lidocaine before doing the epi, so it really doesn't hurt. By the time you get it, you're going to be pretty uncomfortable, you really won't even notice.

I HATE needles as well. But in the moment I was in so much pain that the needle was the last thing on my mind. I also didnt look at the needle which helped tons.
As for can they give you something, possibly but Im not sure.

Who says you have to get an epidural?

I'm the same with needles and by the time I agreed to get the epi with my 1s I was sooo tired and in so much pain I swear on everything I *didn't feel it* with my 2nd I wasn't in pain at all but they scared me into getting it before pain started, and I felt it   and it sucked..

With my last I didn't ven have an iv in and no epi and it wasn't too bad  

<blockquote><b>Quoting mommy2vanessa:</b>" Who says you have to get an epidural?"</blockquote>




  you don't HAVE to get it.
But if you do, just don't look at the needle.
Honestly, when I had mine it hurt less than a bee sting. It was nothing!

I don't think there is anything they can give you. I had a fear of needles when I was pregnant with my oldest. I was in labor for over 12 hours and when it came time for my epidural I completly forgot about my fear. The lady doing it said that I would feel a slight shock/electric type feeling going down my right leg and when that happened I actually jumped. If I were you I would tell your doctor about your fear and any nurses that are in the room when you get the epidural. That way they could possibly hold you still or keep you calm.

When you are that far gone into the pain and request and epi you wont even think about the needle.
and they wont even let you see it any way.

you dont have to get one but If you need one the needle will be the last thing on your mind....

GL

I don't know. I'm terrified of needles too (panic attacks just thinking about them) as well as blood and everything medical. I went to a psychologist a few years ago, partly because I was scared that I would be so traumatized giving birth that I would resent my child (this was years before we started trying). He gave me some excellent ways to reduce my anxiety, the best thing was to pay attention to how my body was reacting to the anxiety (sweaty palms, blurred vision, ringing in ears, increased heart rate, etc.), this immediately dropped the level of anxiety. I had to practice it though, the psychologist helped me practice and gave me homework, I went to see him about 7 times because that's what my insurance would cover.

For birth, I decided to try to avoid an epidural and prepared for unmedicated births. I was induced with my first and was GBS+ so I needed an IV (for both), that was by far the worst part of the either birth. I felt anxious, even with the coping techniques and all the relaxation I had practised during pregnancy.

Are you willing to consider skipping the epidural and giving birth naturally or is that off the table? There are some excellent ways to relieve pain without medication and without needles.

Quoting kr.r:" Are you willing to consider skipping the epidural and giving birth naturally or is that off the table? There are some excellent ways to relieve pain without medication and without needles."

I wouldn't be able to...I'd love to, but I can't see myself even attempting to do that. I have a not so great pain tolerance...so I'd end up giving into the epi anyway

Quoting B&R + J:" Not that i know of. I was freaking out about it when I got mine, especially when they told me i couldn't ... [snip!] ... having contractions every like 30 seconds so i was freaking out more. But you just have to tough it out. You'll be ok i promise"

I was right in the middle of a contraction when they did mine but it wore off before I started pushing so it didnt even matter that I had one. Well I cant say that. It didnt wear off till I was dilated 7-8 and it didnt take long to dilate the rest of the way then only 30 minutes of pushing. So not in pain very long. I slept most of my 10 hours of labor.

<blockquote><b>Quoting justplainme93:</b>" I wouldn't be able to...I'd love to, but I can't see myself even attempting to do that. I have a not so great pain tolerance...so I'd end up giving into the epi anyway"</blockquote>




Your body was made for it.
Don't sell yourself short