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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Are contractions more painful after the oxytocin drip?

31 replies

Keepingbusyeating · 13/06/2025 13:27

I’m pregnant with my second and with my first I was induced and had the oxytocin drip and an epidural with ended up failing on one side after a few hours. I am scared of experiencing that level of pain again (probably about 1 hour before the pushing stage so fairly far on).

If anyone’s experienced both, is it fair to say the contractions are more intense after the drip? Or is that how they’d feel if I wasn’t to have the drip this time?

OP posts:
ZippyKoala · 13/06/2025 14:04

Following the thread to hear other people's experiences.

I was augmented with my first (so waters broke without going into labour, labour started 12hrs later, 12hrs after that no progress so on the drip) and found it very painful. Feeling stuck on the bed with all the tubes, wires etc. didn't help either. So then had an epidural and third degree tear (which I'm blaming on the epidural!). Been offered the choice this time, and currently opting for vaginal birth but desperate not to end up with oxytocin/epidural again.

Juiceinacup · 13/06/2025 13:41

I was induced with my 1st, contractions were horrific for hours. I think part of the problem was my body just wasn’t ready to deliver the baby, my waters broke but then nothing else happened so on day 3 they induced me and it felt like the drug was forcing my body into it. I didn’t have an epidural.
2nd baby I went into natural labour and the whole labour was a piece of cake in comparison.
Actually neither labour was the worst pain I have ever had gall stones and broken ribs were way worse and more prolonged.

lnks · 13/06/2025 13:38

Keepingbusyeating · 13/06/2025 13:33

Oh really.. that’s really good to hear as I’m scared about another failed epidural and was induced last time due to GD which I’m likely to get again this time

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That's understandable. I was really scared too. But it was such a beautiful experience.

Original poster
Keepingbusyeating · 13/06/2025 13:33

lnks · 13/06/2025 13:31

I had a similar experience to you with my first pregnancy. With DC2 I was induced again and had the drip, but it was actually an amazing experience. I didn't even need an epidural with him because they were much more manageable.

Oh really.. that’s really good to hear as I’m scared about another failed epidural and was induced last time due to GD which I’m likely to get again this time

OP posts:
lnks · 13/06/2025 13:31

I had a similar experience to you with my first pregnancy. With DC2 I was induced again and had the drip, but it was actually an amazing experience. I didn't even need an epidural with him because they were much more manageable.

Original poster
Keepingbusyeating · 13/06/2025 13:28

*Which ended up failing

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