QuestionQUESTION: Hi, I am 8 months pregnant with my first child and am starting to look into pain relief. I take childbirth classes at the hospital, and after the last class on pain relief where they showed us the epidural catheter, I realized there is no way I can do that. They also told us about an intrathecal I think it's called? The shot that they give you in your spine, that lasts only about 2 hours or so. I was wondering, have you ever had experience with intrathecals? What I am wanting to do is get the regular IV put in for pain, then when I am dialated around 7 or 8 cm. get the intrathecal. Im just wondering someones opinion I realize its not medical advice, but it would really help me to have an opinion.
ANSWER: hi brandy,
seriously you will not feel **the difference** between getting an epidural catheter placed or the intrathecal dose..its the same, you will feel the numbing medication into your back, that is the worse part. it is not as bad as the contraction pain..as most of my patients have vocalized..
just my opinion--id go for the epidural, that way if you needed the pain relief longer than 1.5-2 hours, <especially during pushing which can last 2 hours itself> you would be covered with the epidural, as its on a syringe pump and you continuely receive the medication as long as you need it!! also, just my opinion, the iv medication will effect how you feel, and also makes the baby sleepy..the epidural does not effect (usually) how the mom feels, and doesnt usually effect the baby either..as long as the RN positions you correctly..and you are properly hydrated before catheter placement..etc..
ok hopes this helps you..
blessings,
kristenRN
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: See i realize that too, but the CRNA won't let anyone in the room with you while they do the epidural. I'm so scared of this already, then telling me that my husband cant be there making me feel better will make me just fall to pieces. I want him there the entire time, and that means no epidural :( I wish I knew what to expect with the pain, like is it limb from limb being ripped off pain? It's not the pain that scares me, it's that I don't know the pain that scares me.
ANSWER: hi- i am completely shocked that this crna will not let your husband be in the room with you, that is not standard procedure, are you sure she meant, no one "else" except your husband? because i have never heard of an anesthesiologist not allowing the significant other in the room.
also, the pain is not going to be so aweful! the pain of the contractions are going to be much worse. the pain of the epidural is just like getting an iv placed, which you will have this placed on admission. you will do great!! please ask again re: your husband. i would also talk to the manager of the labor and delivery unit, because this is not right.
you will do awesome!!!!
blessings,
kristenRN
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: No , we asked about husbands...Nope. Not even husbands, they say it distracts them. Lol i wasnt talking about the pain of the epidural that I'm scared of, I'm scared of the pain of childbirth haha! I mean come on everyone has their war story lol I just dont want a war story...lol
Answerhi! maybe you should consider getting the epidural, that way you wont have barely any pain!! (lots of pressure, but the sharp, shooting pain will be gone)
i would recommend the epidural anyday, especially over the iv meds, which makes the mom loopy and the baby sleepy..
be strong!!
much kindness,
kristenRN
