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Avatar universal

The epidural needle

I have 6 days left until my due date and I was considering the epidural but I still have so many questions and concerns.
I've heard that the epidural needle STAYS in your back and you won't be able to move,
And then I've heard that it's just in there until the numbing medicine is injected.
I have a HUGE phobia of needles and was just wondering because this is my first kid and I'm already scared pit of my mind about delivery, help!
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Avatar universal
The needle doesn't stay in. They use the needle to thread in something called a catheter, which is a really thin, flexible tube that they put the medicine in through. The catheter does stay in until the end.
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Oh, and having the epidural does limit the amount you can move around.
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Exactly what Corralynn said.
And i would add that with the epidural, your lower body is numb, so your legs also. That is why you won't be able to move around as much. No more walking around, even for a bathroom visit. And after giving birth, you have to wait till the nurses tell you you can walk again before you can get out of bed.
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The needle was my biggest fear with my first child. Honestly the simplest of all the process. Not big. Only thi g bothersome to me is being still while they place it, witch if you wait further into your labor contractions are stronger therfore harder to be still.
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Exactly what the first comment said, you can move around not a bunch but your not stuck in a position and they take it out right after birth
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I'm also terrified of needles! Even in active labor I was scared of the needle but they did it as fast as they could and honestly the relief was so worth it. I'm having my 2nd baby in December and plan on doing it again and it still makes me nervous but now I know that's the least of my worries.
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I had the epidural, they put this brown liquid to wipe my back and told me to stay still bevause if you make a bad movement you can get paralised ( not trying to freak you out) im also terrified of needles lol anyways they leave the needle inside you and just lay back and in no matter of 5-10 min everything from waist down goes dumb and once the baby is out they take it out and your pretty much still numb, all you will feel is a pinch thats it to be honest
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Truely it depends on the person giving it to you. My first hurt horrible and i seriously was having a panic attack on my second child bec it hurt so bad to get put in with my first three years ago i cryed and everything and my second child thr nurse reasured me this person was good everyone likes her etc so i trusted the nurses word and she was right it webt a thousand times easier and hardly paonful to have put in and she was super fast i was so happy. No you cant get up etc when u get it your legs will be numb to funny feeling no pain is great. I was able to feel when need to pusb and all that with both my kids with no pain some people cant feel at all. Mine when i was put on one side my other side would be less numb but it all works put in the end. Im on baby three due feb and i still feel panicy about getting it one last time but if i get that lady i had with the second child ill just cry bec i am scared but i know it only takes a few seconds for her to get it done and all that. I wish you luck.
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Oh and im horrified of needles lol
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Trust me. When you are having horrible labor pains, you will welcome that huge needle. I know i did. The pains of labor was the only thing i could think about. So when the anesthesiologist came in with it i was so relieved.
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Avatar universal
They do not leave the needle inside of you.  It's just used to guide the catheter in place which is then tapped down.  You can't move afterwards because you are numb from the waist down, not because of the catheter in your back.  
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Avatar universal
The kept the catheter in my back the entire first night after I had her o_O they said it was there in case I needed surgery that night.

Believe me, once you're having the terrible contractions..the fear of needles goes riiight out the door. I told the anesthesiologist that she should be wearing a cape haha. I was giggling up until I started pushing, and even after an hour of pushing. Then they took epidural away and I was ready to kick the doctor in the face. Baby was face up so I pushed for 2.5 hours. 14.5 weeks later...still hurts.
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The only difference with me is I'm not afraid of needles xD in could've watched them put it in my back and I would have been fine and they probably could have gotten it in the first time instead of the 5th or 6th time
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I got  it, I never even saw the needle
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I never saw the needle! The insert the needle to insert a catheter into your spine that will continuously release the anethestics until youre through with labor, its not the needle ghat stays in your back, its like an IV which is also a catheter... you wont feel it and all you feel when you get it is just slight pressure, it doesnt hurt and its a whole hell of a lot better than the contraction pains! Lol
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