WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

Does Pushing Hurt With Epidural?

Childbirth
Delivery method
Does Pushing Hurt With Epidural?
Let's explore what to expect when pushing with an epidural.
Reduced Sensation of Pain
One of the main benefits of an epidural is that it numbs the lower half of your body, including the pelvic area, where you may feel intense pain during contractions.
This numbing effect significantly reduces the intensity of pain, allowing you to focus more on the pushing process.
Pressure and Sensations
While an epidural can provide pain relief, it doesn't completely eliminate all sensations.
Here's what you may experience when pushing with an epidural:
  • Pressure: You will still feel a sensation of pressure and fullness in your lower abdomen as your baby moves down the birth canal. This pressure can be intense but is generally more manageable than the pain experienced without an epidural.
  • Tightness and discomfort: You may feel tightness and discomfort in your pelvic area as the baby's head descends and puts pressure on your tissues and muscles.
  • Awareness of contractions: Although the pain associated with contractions is significantly reduced, you may still be aware of their occurrence as a sensation of pressure or tightening.
Empowered Pushing Techniques
To maximize your pushing efforts and work with the sensations you do feel, consider the following techniques:
  • Directed pushing: When it's time to push, focus your energy on pushing downward as directed by your healthcare provider. They will guide you on when to push during each contraction.
  • Breathing techniques: Utilize breathing techniques, such as taking deep breaths and exhaling with each push, to channel your efforts and maintain control during the process.
  • Positioning: Experiment with different positions, such as semi-sitting, side-lying, or using a birthing bar, to find the most comfortable and effective position for pushing.
Benefits Beyond Pain Relief
While pain relief is a significant benefit of the epidural, there are other advantages to consider:
  • Rest and energy conservation: The pain relief provided by the epidural allows you to conserve energy and rest during labor, which can be beneficial, especially if the labor is prolonged.
  • Increased relaxation: With reduced pain, you can experience a greater sense of relaxation and control during the pushing stage.
  • Reduced anxiety: Knowing that you have pain relief can help reduce anxiety and promote a more positive birth experience.
Personal Experiences May Vary
It's important to remember that each woman's experience with an epidural during the pushing stage can vary.
Factors such as the individual's pain tolerance, the effectiveness of the epidural, and the progress of labor can influence the level of sensation and discomfort experienced.
Learn more
Epidural: Making the Best Decision
3 min read
Epidural: All You Need To Know
5 min read
D
Danyiah
28 Oct 2023

I’m 31 weeks and 6 days today !!🥰🥰 I just wanted to know on a scale of 1 to 10 how bad does pushing hurt WITH epidural?😭 I’m scared and excited at the same time

Childbirth Delivery method
4 comments
S
Skylarr🩷 & Sedarrin’s💙 Muva👩‍👧‍...
With that epidural if it works for you honey you ain’t gone feel a thing because you numb I didn’t even feel myself pushing so I didn’t know if I was but I most definitely pushed 3times and my baby girl was out of there.. I don’t plan on getting the epidural this time tho
27 Mar 2024

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Shalonda
I didn’t feel anything with the epidural…thank God lol
27 Mar 2024

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Andrea Josel
25 Jun 2023

Did y'all feel the ring of fire with epidural? I'm not scared about the epidural insertion just the pushing part lol.

Childbirth Delivery method
6 comments
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Andrea Josel
How many cm dilated were you when you got the epidural?
27 Mar 2024

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tt
21 Jun 2023

Hey ladies with the epidural did it make pushing a baby out easier and more calm?

Childbirth Delivery method
2 comments
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Angela
For me it did until he was crowning. Coming out a lot of pressure
27 Mar 2024

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Judah's 💙 Momma 🧸🤞🏾
Yes but that epidural is very risky to use to me
27 Mar 2024

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Destiny
4 Jun 2023

so i have to know!!! which is worst pushing put the baby out or the placenta? and does the epidural hurt?

Childbirth Delivery method
4 comments
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Lacy
C-section no the epidural don't hurt
27 Mar 2024

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Kaitlin
Surprisingly the epidural didn’t hurt it was just a pinch it’s what happens afterwards that feels weird.
27 Mar 2024

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Shunnie
19 May 2023

I just got the epidural, it didn’t hurt at all I didn’t feel it at all 🙌🏼

Childbirth Delivery method
6 comments
L
Lbs
Well, whoever did it was gentle that shit hurt me
27 Mar 2024

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Sha
Do we have a baby yet ??
27 Mar 2024

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Katie
2 Mar 2023

I got a question for the moms who have already given birth and had a epidural. When your pushing your baby out is it still extremely painfully or is it not as painful,and does it just numb you or do you feel kind of drugged up. I don't want to be drugged up and completely out of it when I have my baby. I'm nervous about giving birth and being in a hospital I've had a traumatic experience in a hospital before. I guess what I'm also asking is what does it feel like to get a epidural while pushing the baby out.

Childbirth Delivery method
6 comments
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Margie
Hello! Everyone going to tell you different and how it was for them it’s all going to be different because it works on different people different ways I will tell you mine it hurt when they put it in you don’t feel drugged it just numb you from your waist down it is supposed to make you feel a little but not all that way you get the experience but for me I think the person did it wrong I felt everything from the contractions to having her and it post long my delivery I was at 10cm but didn’t have her until 4 hours later! After having her you can’t get up right away because you don’t have feeling in your feet or legs they will have to help you a couple times to the restroom because you would need to pee or it will turn bad after hours until it wears off your back will hurt and definitely when it is cold out your back hurts like crazy even after a year and a half I still feel it But again it’s different for everyone someone will tell you it works perfect some will tell you it doesn’t work every one body is different and can handle certain medications then what other can’t that there body is immune to it
27 Mar 2024

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Dani
9 Aug 2022

My mini was born today at 1:36pm.♥️❤️❤️🎉🙌 10 mins of pushing.No tearing.Labor for 4 1/2 hours. Only had 20 mins of contractions before an amazing epidural. No pain 🙌🙏🙏

Childbirth Delivery method
7 comments
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Liaha
Congratulations 🎊
27 Mar 2024

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Jessica
Welcome, little bitty man! 😍
27 Mar 2024

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Kiona
5 Jun 2022

which pain was worse for yall the contractions or pushing ? 😭 im in labor now but i got epidural so the contractions aren’t really bothering me .

Childbirth Delivery method
23 comments
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1Naaynaay
You won’t feel any of it
27 Mar 2024

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Kiona
only thing i am feeling is butt hole pressure .
27 Mar 2024

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shaneika
19 Nov 2021

how bad is contractions painful from scale of 1 to 10 ?? and is it more easy pushing with the epidural ?? Im so scared I got a month and a half left 😴😴

Childbirth Delivery method
2 comments
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Amanda
Everybody is different but for me the epidural help me a little bit I had a three times my last one I did it natural
27 Mar 2024

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Desiree
contractions without epidural is a 8 for me ! the pushing is EASY the contractions is what hurts most ! it’s a mind thing honestly
27 Mar 2024

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nakera
5 Nov 2021

does the epidural hurt? i’ve heard sometimes you don’t even notice they did it because the contractions distract you ..

Childbirth Delivery method
4 comments
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Mimi
No it didn't hurt but you will feel a very warm sensation once the medication is going through your body
27 Mar 2024

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