OP again - it's really nice to hear a range of experiences and reactions. I really did appreciate the pain relief - my god, the screaming agony, the unrelenting blocks of pain - it was just so... my body pushed out my baby and it was just... weird. Thanks all.

This article is a couple of years old -- makes me wonder if more hospitals are offering it now.

https://www.washingtonian.com/2014/04/01/washington-hospital-center-now-offers-laughing-gas-for-labor/

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I hated that feeling. I went without the epi with my second (no pitocin, though), and I had a much better experience.

I just keep thinking if I get lucky and the stars align blah blah blah I can make it through even with the pitocin and no epi. It's when I turned the eight hour mark with pit on broken water that I said uncle. But if I know one thing from my two births, it's hope for the best, plan for the worst. And at the end of the day I'm really hoping for a healthy baby.

Do any hospitals in the area offer Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas)? It is becoming more commonly available where I live in the south, a state where birth centers/midwives are pretty common. It hasn't been used much here, but it is pretty standard in the UK. It takes the edge off and can help with anxiety (which sounds like it might be helpful). I'm pro epidural too, totally understand choosing that, but just offering this as another option that many people aren't aware of.

It sounds like you probably already have set where you have to deliver, but I've been surprised sometimes to find out something was available if I asked, but wasn't easily listed somewhere. Nitrous is a bit different because they need special systems for it, but nothing to lose by checking. And this might be helpful for someone else reading. Good luck OP!

I will not be getting an epidural with my second because the epidural made me TOTALLY loopy.

But I don't think this is universal.

I've had 3 surgeries and it was very hard for me to come out of anesthesia. I'm usually in post-op recovery for hours.

The epidural had the same effect on me. I was in and out of it. When they turned it down, it didn't work. Like, at all. Not, "we want to feel pressure" kind of not work, but like I could feel myself tear kind of not work.

And since I had the epidural, I couldn't move around to get comfortable.

I'm shocked that I myself am not going to get an epidural for round 2 because I have NO pain tolerance. But I can't be so loopy again!

They may have given narcotics because pitocin causes such strong contractions. If you can avoid it, thou, you may be able to avoid the disconnect. My first dulled the pain, but I could still feel everything. My scinsm though, did nothing for the pain while numbing my legs completely, so no guarantees.

Yes, I hated that feeling. I went without the epi with my second (no pitocin, though), and I had a much better experience.

Pretty sure all epidurals contain fentanyl.

Anonymous wrote:Did they put narcotics in the epi?

Mine was really light and I could still feel a lot, which I liked!

It was - it was fentanyl! I wonder if that was what made it feel so complete even though I think I only got one bolus of fluid (if I through my pain fettered memory the anesthesiologist narrating to the med student behind me) but my legs were dead. Granted once I got the epi I dilated and then pushed fast (for a first vaginal delivery), so maybe there was no wear-off time.

I'll definitely have to ask the anesthesiologist when they come in for the first consult. Thanks all.

Anonymous wrote:I had an epidural but really didn't feel that disconnect you are talking about so it's not universal. Sorry this is not helpful...but I guess what could be helpful is just knowing that it is possible to have an epi but feel very much still connected/in control/"with it" but I think you'd have to talk to a dr about the specifics because I know my sharing my experience isn't helpful really

I second this sentiment. I had an epi and did not experience the disconnect that you describe.

I would talk to your doctor about your specific concerns since he or she has access to your medical records, knows what dosage you got, etc.

I hope it goes better for you this time.

I had an epidural but really didn't feel that disconnect you are talking about so it's not universal. Sorry this is not helpful...but I guess what could be helpful is just knowing that it is possible to have an epi but feel very much still connected/in control/"with it" but I think you'd have to talk to a dr about the specifics because I know my sharing my experience isn't helpful really

Did they put narcotics in the epi?

Mine was really light and I could still feel a lot, which I liked!

Anonymous wrote:Try asking for the lowest dose possible in the epidural? I've had 5 of them and only 1 was too much where I couldn't feel a thing at all. I did not like not being able to feel to push. The others gave enough relief to actually enjoy the whole process but I could still feel the pressure of contractions and that I had to push.

I thought it was the lowest (I asked for it at any rate), and I never used the "top off" button; there was some sensation, but not a bunch and hated having to push basically flat on my back. (Who knows, maybe that was for an unrelated reason. I feel like a lot happens in birth that's not explained.)

Try asking for the lowest dose possible in the epidural? I've had 5 of them and only 1 was too much where I couldn't feel a thing at all. I did not like not being able to feel to push. The others gave enough relief to actually enjoy the whole process but I could still feel the pressure of contractions and that I had to push.

Do not get me wrong, I am grateful for the relief from pitocin pain my epidural brought me, and it was still better than the surreal-to-me c-section experience of pregnant then suddenly not (my baby went to the NICU, so there was no getting to know baby during the surgery, just worry), but I did not like the disconnect between mind and body. I have been diagnosed with PTSD (unrelated and prior to birth) Anyone else? Suggestions to be more "in it" as I anticipate pitocin again in a few weeks and do not imagine that I can get through without an epi.

And I will have Jeff remove anything that tries to inflame one way or the other; I am not rehashing the old medicated-unmedicated debate. I can't be the only one who had this gratefulness for the relief but wish that I didn't feel so physically separate from the experience.