epidural

[MrsRV]

...does the baby actually coming out still hurt? cringe... like the tearing/stretching/stinging bit!?!

[RoseberryTopping]

I felt 'the ring of fire' when he crowned but it was obviously dulled down a lot. It only lasts a short time though so try not to worry.

[DorothyBastard]

I didn't feel a thing, and I had an episiotomy and two labial cuts as well (DD was born with the help of ventouse).

[NutellaLawson]

water birth here and crowning wasn't the ring of fire I expected. After a huge involuntary push during a contraction I felt something really solid and large between my thighs. I remember remarking that it stung a bit but we're talking about a 3 out of 10 in pain. Another push and the rest of head popped out (I guess the chin). Then I had a contraction without a push. a minute rest then another almighty have and the body wooshed out.

I had a 2nd deg tear but it really didn't hurt all that much. What hurt more was afterwards when they midwife kept shoving swabs into the tear to try and stop a persistent bleed. that bloody well smarted.

[weatherall]

I think in the past epidurals left the woman completely numb. But this caused problems as she couldn't feel to push etc. so now most epidurals seem to be given so that they wear off a bit at the end so you can push more easily.

But I've never had one so I don't know personally.

[mudpiesfortea]

I had one with DS and I could feel the sensation of having to push (felt like taking a huge poo) but no pain. I think the epidural helped me with the pushing stage as I was really paranoid about the "ring of fire" and any tearing that would have occurred because I was too afraid to push through the pain

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

I just had gas and air and felt the whole 'ring of fire' thing. I didn't tear though so that was a bonus.

[Pregnantagain7]

Yes I could feel pressure but no pain until the ring of fire moment which I could feel, when I had my second epidural I mentioned this to the anaesthetist who said an epidural was analgesia not an anaesthetic.
Could feel more pain with the second but he was 10lb 8 so not surprising really!

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

I am so having an epidural next time.

Can my birth plan just say the words 'epidural please'?

[NutellaLawson]

I had (and damn well needed) an epidural with my first labour. second labour wasn't so painful so I had a water birth instead.

so you may think you're so going to have another epidural but you might not want it. I didn't and my second (drug free) birth was by FAR the more enjoyable experience.

This is why it is always so pointless when some women brag about how they did it without pain relief and what heroes this makes them compared to others who had an epidural. rubbish. my first labour I had an epidural but it was SO much harder than my second. The epidural didn't work fully but the nerves squashed by baby's head made that labour bloody well deserving of an epidural. The second was nothing in comparison so I didn't need it. I wasn't any braver or stronger second time around. It was just a lot less painful.

[VinoTime]

Didn't feel a thing. Was fabulous

[Figster]

I had an episiotomy and forceps it didn't hurt it did feel like my bottom half was tied to a car going 60mph in the opposite direction but strangely it wasn't pain!!

[Pregnantagain7]

Pobble- my birth plan only has two words on it epidural ASAP, I am panicking that as it's my fourth there won't be time!

[Pregnantagain7]

The ring of fire is the stretching tearing pain as the head crowns, maybe not ever one gets it but I could just hear this animal screaming and then realised it was me!
Not sure if there's restrictions on an epidural I did see an episode of obem where they struggled to get it in to a very overweight lady but once it was in was fine. It took them a couple of attempts to get mine in and I'm not overweight so no guarantee whatever your weight.

[Pregnantagain7]

Ella- oh god sorry I didn't mean to suggest you were massively overweight not at all. What I was trying to say in a very cack handed way was I don't think that a few extra pounds should be an issue at all. I said I'm not overweight however I do gain an average of four stone so by the end I probably am! ;)

[ithoughtofitfirst]

I just remember the mechanics of labour but not the pain. I think the pain was basically so awful I just sort of blacked out!

Would love an epidural this time but I don't want to give them the satisfaction of refusing... which they will.

[ImBrian]

Didn't feel a thing but also couldn't push and ended up with a ventouse.

[MrsRV]

LET THEM FUCKING TRY & TELL ME NO.

[squishysquirmy]

Mine was perfect - no ring of fire, and no real pain but I could still feel enough to know when to push. Felt like a big poo!

[flymo79]

mrsRV

why do they tell people no? because it's too late?? I'm only 25 weeks so haven't explored the whole birth plan thing.... am I in denial??!

[MetalLaLa]

I had the ring of fire, but then again throughout my pregnancy I insisted I wasn't having an epidural, but I ended up being induced with a back to back baby so my plans went out the window Had pethidine twice, TENS machine on, bouncing on the gym ball - midwife told my husband out of the room that I was going to have an epidural whether I liked it or not, she was forceful but it was much appreciated as I had quite an easy recovery and speak positively of an epidural from my experience, but I understand every woman's experience is different.

[MrsRV]

I was told no with DD1 as they were just so busy... I think I was lucky to even make it round to delivery before giving birth!!!! I may just refuse to be induced until I can have an epi this time. I'm liking the stories of feeling nothing. keep em coming ladies. 1.5 weeks to go.