Epi.

Just a few questions. Id rather hear from experiences then google.

Do you get an catheter?

They put it in the nerve by your spine?
Whats the difference between an Epi and a spinal?

I know you cant get up and walk around with it either, which would suck!

Quoting Mama Bird ♥:" Just a few questions. Id rather hear from experiences then google. Do you get an catheter? They put ... [snip!] ... Whats the difference between an Epi and a spinal? I know you cant get up and walk around with it either, which would suck! "

Yes, you get a catheter. They had trouble getting mine in and when they finally thought they did, they actually didn't. Then they came back in to do it again. It was worth it for me, though. 29 hours of labor before a c-section was called. So I was very thankful for it.

Quoting Nicola =):" Yes, you get a catheter. They had trouble getting mine in and when they finally thought they did, they ... [snip!] ... to do it again. It was worth it for me, though. 29 hours of labor before a c-section was called. So I was very thankful for it."

Do they put the catheter in before the epi or after?

Everyone I know got a catheter but I didn't for some reason. An epidural is inserted between your vertebrae.

Catheter, yes. But my epi didn't even work.

Quoting Mama Bird ♥:" Do they put the catheter in before the epi or after?"

They did mine after, so I was numb

usually they will put it in after!

Yes to the catheter. I hate those darn things!

I got my catheter BEFORE the epi -_-

Do you have to have one? I mean, im shooting for an natural birth. But I wanna know what I can get done if I cant handle it lol

I had an epi, so I can comment on that. It was put into my spine and it barely hurt, it was seriously just a pinch when they did the numbing and the effects were almost instant. It was worth it all the way and I had no problems. They give you a catheder since you cannot get up, but you dont feel em putting that in either. I would recommend it, it made it so much easier and just a much better experience. I would say though dont take any extra before youre about to push like I did, it can make you a little loopy or just not able to remember everything. But that might be because there was so much going on. This time I'll just get the one for the contractions and deal with pushing lol

had a saddle block with my first epi with my 2nd didn't have a cath with either.. they are administered the same way but I could walk around a lot sooner with the saddle block then with the epi.. and saddle block I guess is suppose to numb the places where "would touch the saddle" but only lasts like 2 hours.. I got really numb with mine but pain meds really affect me.

Quoting Mama Bird ♥:" Do you have to have one? I mean, im shooting for an natural birth. But I wanna know what I can get done if I cant handle it lol"

they prefer you have one, you can't get up if you have to pee lol

Quoting Mama Bird ♥:" Do they put the catheter in before the epi or after?"

I honestly do not remember. I was in so much pain from the pitocin haha.

Quoting Nicola =):" I honestly do not remember. I was in so much pain from the pitocin haha."

Pitocin is not a joke.. haha. That smurf was inssaaanee.