What statement is most likely to be made by a mother in the fourth stage of labor who received an epidural?

In the context of the fourth stage of labor, which is the period immediately following the delivery of the placenta, it is common for a mother who has received an epidural to report a lack of sensations related to bladder fullness. One of the effects of an epidural is temporary loss of feeling in the lower part of the body, which includes the pelvic region. As a result, many mothers may not feel normal urges, such as the need to empty their bladder, due to the anesthesia affecting nerve sensations.

The absence of urges to void is particularly relevant in understanding how epidurals influence physical sensations postpartum. In contrast, feeling tired and sleepy may be due to other factors such as exhaustion from labor rather than a direct result of the epidural. Experiencing unbearable pain or feeling contractions more intensely would be contrary to the expected effects of an epidural, which is designed to alleviate pain during labor and delivery. Thus, recognizing the unique sensory changes due to the epidural is significant in the recovery phase for the mother.