I frequently visit the website www.babycenter.com to learn about different pregnancy items and whatnot. I also have the Baby Center app on my phone, which gives me a little pregnancy checklist. It's funny how similar this is to when I was counting down to my wedding. Same type of checklist with WAY different items on it. Each week starts out with a summary of what the baby looks like, what's developed, how my body may be changing, and little tips. On the app I also get some type of video to watch. Last week it was a video animation of the babies' growth in weeks 10-14. This week it was a video of the anesthesiologist giving a woman in labor her epidural. I thought, "Cool. I'll watch this." I'm curious of all things medical and have heard about what an epidural consists of so I thought I was pretty prepared to watch the 3 minute video. Wrong.
At this point in the pregnancy I think I would like to attempt a natural birth. Remember, I am only a quarter of the way through here. After watching that video I'm even more set on it. Let me walk you through. If I can post the video on here I'm going to. The world needs an education.
1) anesthesiologist finds the spot on your back where he'd like to insert the needle.
2) he sticks you with Litocaine to numb the skin
3) he inserts a hollow needle, kind of similar to one you'd get pierced with but thicker and longer, in between two vertebra (yikes!)
4) he shoots in a "trial" solution to see if he's got it in the right place (the epidural space) if he does he then slips a tube (catheter) through the hollow needle and into your spine!!
This is what I did not know -- he then leaves the tube IN YOUR BACK!! WHAT!? They tape it down and leave it in. Oh my goodness! I don't know why that bothers me so much but man it does. Needles didn't bother me but the small tube hanging out of my back does. I am truly a freak of nature. At this point I'm going to deal with the pain. No one better print this out and bring it to the hospital on delivery day either. Don't forget - I'm only 11 weeks along at this point. I still know nothing :) but I am learning more and more every day.
Watch the video if you dare.
I will tell you this, I have seen them with and with out. Once you have it you are not allowed out of bed. Several people have told me, that movement moves it along much quicker. However, the day of, it's what ever you feel your body needs!!!!! Don't let the catheter freak you out, same Idea as an IV and those are nothing :D Love ya!
ReplyDeleteI have natural childbirths because I'm afraid of the epidural. A lot of people think I'm trying to be brave or holier than thou or something, but no, it's because I'm a big needle wimp. :) I have had five completely medication-free births (no epidural, no IV, no HEP-lock) and one emergency c-section. The worst part of the c-section: getting the spinal block. I cried and cried. While they were actually doing the surgery I was cracking jokes. Oh, how I hate needles!
ReplyDeleteHowever you end up doing it, the end result is awfully cute and cuddly. :) Good luck!