If you came here wondering what a painless delivery actually feels like — and whether it’s truly as smooth as people claim — you’re in the right place. I’m sharing my real, honest experience with an epidural during labor — what it felt like, how it helped, what I didn’t expect, and what I’d tell every mom-to-be before she decides.
Before I start, let me just say — this blog is not about convincing you whether you should or shouldn’t go for a painless delivery. I’m simply sharing my real experience so that you can make your own choice confidently.
Quick Snapshot — What I Mean by Painless Delivery
When I say Painless Delivery, I mean using an epidural (a local anesthetic given through a small tube in your lower back) to dramatically reduce labor pain while still having a vaginal birth.
For me the change was immediate: intense contractions turned into something like heavy period cramps. I could text and breathe, stay calm, and focus on pushing when it was time. Medical authorities describe epidural analgesia the same way — a way to numb labor pain using medication delivered to the epidural space in your lower back.
My Painless Delivery Experience
I was already 6 cm dilated when the labor pains became too much to handle. It felt like my body was splitting open — every wave of contraction was stronger than the last. That’s when I asked for the painless delivery injection.
The anesthesiologist came and took me to the labor room from my private room. He told me to sit absolutely straight while he prepared the epidural injection — which goes in your lower back, around your spine (yes, the backbone area, just above the hips).
I was honestly scared — I’d heard that the injection itself can be painful. But in my case, it didn’t hurt much at all. It felt like a regular injection, maybe even less.
And the result?
Magical. Within minutes, the pain started fading. My contractions felt more like mild period cramps. I was literally chatting on WhatsApp while dilating from 7 cm to 10 cm. Within just 30 minutes after the injection, I was fully ready to deliver!
I delivered at Cloudnine Hospital, and honestly, the whole process felt smooth and calm after the epidural. But because I couldn’t feel much pain, I wasn’t able to push effectively during the final stage of labor. That’s quite common during painless delivery (epidural) — since the lower body feels numb, some women may struggle with pushing. So, in my case, the doctors used forceps to help my baby come out safely.
Everything happened very quickly after that. Once my baby was born, they didn’t remove the epidural immediately. They kept it in for a little while — just in case I needed extra pain relief after delivery. Once the doctors were sure I was fine, they gently removed it. Honestly, even that part wasn’t painful for me. It just felt like someone was taking out a small tape from my back.
After that, I was shifted back to my room with my baby. I could move my legs within an hour or two, and I didn’t feel dizzy or heavy. The best part? I was able to enjoy my first few hours with my baby without being completely exhausted from unbearable pain.
Though, I did prepare myself mentally for every possibility — including the fact that labor can be unpredictable. I had read enough to know that epidurals don’t always work the same for everyone, and sometimes the intensity of labor can still surprise you. But in my case, it went beautifully. I truly believe that being informed, staying calm, and trusting my doctors made all the difference.
What I Asked My Doctor Before Choosing Painless Delivery (Epidural)
I still remember my last prenatal visit before delivery — I was nervous but also curious. My friends and relatives told me so many mixed things about painless delivery that I decided to clear all my doubts directly with my doctor.
I told her,
“I’ve been reading about the epidural, but I want to know everything before I say yes.”
And honestly, that one conversation made me feel so much more confident. Here’s exactly what I asked her:
Question 1: “Will it really make my delivery painless?”
This was my first and most obvious question! My doctor smiled and said,
“It won’t make you completely numb — you’ll still feel pressure and mild contractions, but not the sharp pain.”
That sounded like a dream to me.
Question 2: “Is painless delivery safe or not?”
I wanted to be sure that it wouldn’t harm me or the baby. She explained that when given by an experienced anesthesiologist in a hospital, an epidural is generally very safe. The doctors monitor both mother and baby throughout the process. That gave me a lot of relief.
Question 3: “Will the injection hurt?”
I had heard so many scary stories about the injection being painful! My doctor said,
“You’ll feel a pinch, but it’s not worse than a regular injection.”
And honestly, she was right — when the time came, it barely hurt.
Question 4: “Will I have back pain afterward?”
I’d heard from friends that epidurals cause lifelong back pain, so I had to ask. She clarified that some women feel mild soreness for a few days, but it usually goes away quickly. It’s not the kind of back pain that lasts forever — that’s just a myth.
Question 5: “Can it affect my baby?”
She explained that the medicine stays mostly around my spinal area and doesn’t go directly to the baby. However, because it can make pushing harder, sometimes assisted delivery (like using forceps or a vacuum) might be needed. That did happen in my case, so I was glad I knew it beforehand.
Question 6: “What are the side effects?”
I asked her to be honest about this part. She said that possible side effects include low blood pressure, mild itching, drowsiness, or difficulty urinating for a few hours. Very rarely, it can cause headaches or nerve irritation, but those cases are extremely uncommon.
Question 7: “How long does it last?”
She said that once the medicine is given, it can be topped up as needed during labor — so I wouldn’t have to worry about it wearing off too soon.
Question 8: “How much does painless delivery cost?”
This was an important one for me. She explained that the painless delivery injection would cost around 10K if you do your delivery in Cloudnine Hospital. Because she has done a lot of painless deliveries before, she knew the exact price.
How Does an Epidural (Painless Delivery Injection) Actually Work?
In plain words: the anesthesiologist places a small catheter into the epidural space of your lower back and gives medicines (local anesthetic, sometimes combined with low-dose opioid) through it.
The drugs block pain signals from the uterus and birth canal to your brain, so you still feel pressure and movement but not the sharp pain of contractions. You stay awake and can push when it’s time. Medical organizations like ACOG explain this as the standard technique for labor analgesia.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Epidural?
Epidural Pros (Why I Liked Painless Delivery)
Let me be honest — the epidural changed my entire labor experience. I went from crying through every contraction to actually smiling while waiting for my baby. Here’s what I personally loved and what many moms feel too:
1. You Can Stay Calm and Relaxed During Labor
The biggest benefit of a painless delivery (epidural) is how much calmer you feel. Once the pain fades, your body naturally relaxes, which can actually help labor progress smoothly. You’re not screaming or tensing up — you’re just breathing, waiting, and mentally present.
2. You Still Feel Pressure, But Not Pain
A lot of women think that an epidural means you feel nothing, but that’s not true. You still feel a gentle pressure or tightness when it’s time to push — just not the sharp, unbearable pain. It’s like your body knows what to do, but without making you suffer.
3. The Experience Becomes Less Scary
Labor pain can be terrifying — even if you’ve prepared yourself mentally. With an epidural, the fear factor reduces drastically. You can actually enjoy the process, talk to your partner, take photos, or focus on your breathing instead of just surviving the pain.
4. You Stay Alert and Aware
Unlike general anesthesia, the epidural doesn’t knock you out. You’re awake the whole time, hearing your doctor, watching your baby being born, and soaking in every emotion. For me, that was everything.
Epidural Cons (Things You Should Know Before Deciding)
Now, every good thing has its flipside — and it’s important to know what to expect so you’re not caught off guard. My goal isn’t to scare you, just to help you make an informed choice.
1. You Might Have Mild Back Pain Afterward
I did feel a little soreness in my back for a few days after delivery. It wasn’t severe — more like the kind of ache you get after sitting too long and it usually goes away on its own.
2. Doesn’t Always Work the Same for Everyone
Sometimes, the painless delivery injection may not work fully — a few women say one side of their body feels more numb than the other. Doctors can usually fix this by adjusting the dose, but it’s something to be aware of.
3. You May Not be Able to Push Properly
Because the epidural numbs your lower body, it can make pushing tricky. That’s exactly what happened to me — I couldn’t feel when or how hard to push, so my doctor had to use forceps to help my baby come out safely. It’s quite common, so don’t panic if your doctor suggests it.
4. There’s a Slightly Higher Chance of Assisted Delivery or C-section
Since you might not feel contractions strongly, it can take longer to push the baby out. This can sometimes lead to doctors using tools like vacuum or forceps, or even opting for a C-section if labor slows down.
5. Possible Side Effects (though usually mild).
Here are a few things some women experience after an epidural:
- Mild itching or drowsiness from the medication.
- Low blood pressure, which doctors manage with fluids or medicine.
- Difficulty peeing for a few hours — you might need a small tube (catheter).
- Fever during labor in some cases.
- Mild headache if the needle accidentally touches a certain nerve layer (this is very rare).
- Temporary leg weakness or numbness for a little while after delivery.
6. The Baby Might Feel a Little Sleepy at Birth
Because the medicine can slightly affect the baby, some newborns may seem a little drowsy right after birth. But don’t worry — they perk up soon and it doesn’t cause long-term effects.
7. You’ll Have Limited Mobility
Once you get an epidural, you usually can’t walk around because your legs will feel numb. You’ll need to stay in bed, and your medical team will monitor both you and your baby closely.
8. Very Rare But Serious Risks
In extremely rare cases, some women might get an infection at the injection site, severe headaches, or nerve-related issues. But these are very uncommon — especially when a skilled anesthesiologist gives the injection in a good hospital.
Effects on Labor and Delivery — What to Expect
With a painless delivery, things might move a little differently compared to a natural one. Here’s how it can affect your labor process:
- Reduced mobility: Since you can’t walk around, you’ll have to stay on the bed until it’s time to deliver.
- Difficulty knowing when to push: You’ll need your doctor or nurse to guide you because you can’t always feel the contractions strongly.
- More monitoring: Your baby’s heartbeat and your blood pressure will be checked regularly to make sure everything stays normal.
- Slightly longer recovery: You might take a bit more time to fully feel your legs again or to get up and move, but it’s temporary.
My Honest Take
For me, the painless delivery (epidural) was 100% worth it. Yes, I had to go through a forceps delivery, and yes, I had some mild back pain later — but I was calm, aware, and emotionally present when I met my baby.
Every woman’s body and pain tolerance are different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But if your hospital has experienced doctors and you’re scared of labor pain, an epidural can truly make your delivery peaceful and memorable.
Painless Delivery Cost & Injection Price in India
The painless delivery injection cost in India varies from hospital to hospital. On average, it costs around ₹5,000–₹15,000. Some hospitals include it in the delivery package, while others charge separately. So, mine was separate and they charged me 10,000 separately for this.
If you’re searching online for “painless delivery near me”, you can ask the hospital directly whether they provide epidural services and what the package includes.
Painless Delivery vs Normal Delivery
The main difference is the pain management part. In a normal delivery, you experience full labor pain. In a painless delivery, the pain is controlled with an epidural, so you can stay comfortable while still going through a normal vaginal birth. Both ways, the baby is born naturally — just the experience feels different.
Here’s a simple comparison:
| Aspect | Normal Delivery (No Epidural) | Painless Delivery (With Epidural) |
| Pain | Intense, natural contractions | Mild pain or pressure only |
| Medication | No anesthesia | Epidural anesthesia used |
| Experience | Raw and natural | Calm and controlled |
| Mobility | Can move around | Limited movement during labor |
| Pushing | May get tired easily | Easier since energy is conserved |
| Recovery | Similar in both | Similar recovery time |
So the difference is mainly in pain management — both are still normal vaginal deliveries.
Is It Possible to Have Painless Labor Contractions?
Yes, that’s what an epidural does — it reduces the intensity of your labor contractions. You’ll still feel mild pressure, but it’s completely manageable.
How to Labor Without an Epidural?
If you’re planning a natural delivery without any pain relief, you can try:
- Breathing and relaxation techniques
- Walking or changing positions
- Using a birthing ball
- Having your partner or doula support you
But again, if the pain becomes too intense, there’s no harm in asking for help. Every mom’s journey is different — and every choice is valid.
My Honest Thoughts
For me, painless delivery was a blessing. I could stay calm, talk, breathe, and experience childbirth without fear. It didn’t make me feel less of a mother — it just made the process easier and more peaceful.
If you’re considering it, talk to your doctor about whether it’s right for you. And if you’re reading this while pregnant — trust me, you’re already doing amazing.
