To epidural or not?

[NotSoThinLizzy]

This is my 3rd baby. My 2 labours where pretty straight forward both around 6 hours. minimal tears. This pregnacy I've been told it's not a good idea to go over my due date due to low pappA. Now depending on how growth goes I may be induced early anyway.

I've read that induction can be more painfull and lead to other interventions anyways so is it worth getting done as soon as? I've not had one before I know theres no medals for no pain relief. But if I'm more likely to need intervention because of induction I'd like it to already be in place if that makes sense.

I've had two inductions, ome early one and a late one.

The early induction I tried with out epidural. That was a mistake. Because I was only 36 weeks my body wasn't ready for labour. So the pessaries did nothing. I went on the drip and it was intense. I had to have it turned of after 30 mins to be given an epidural.

My second induction was 42 weeks. Pessary brought on normal labour and I had baby on just gas and air a few hours later.

I would say if you have the drip, get the epidural first. You have to stay in it having a contraction every 5 mins for like 4 hours and the contractions are like full blown ones, not the little at the start of labour one.

That sounds rough. Did you end up needing any medical intervention with your inductions?

I had an induction but don’t have anything to compare it to. I didn’t find it particularly painful. I had put on my birth plan that I was open to any and all pain relief depending on how it went, which I think just helped them know which women might need an anaesthetist. I didn’t have an epidural and had remefentalin which was good as it was like an opiate gas and air - I pressed the button when I needed it and then it would wear off between contractions. I could still feel the tightening/contractions but they were manageable pain wise. I’d recommend that stuff for many situations in life!!

I'm not gonna lie the thought of an epidural terrifies me 😂

I’ve had two inductions, my first birth and my 6th.

My first I had the peasant and it worked within an hour and I gave birth a couple of hours later, with my 6th baby they jus thrill my waters as once you've given birth a couple of times your cervix is open enough for them to do not without a peasant. I went into labour within an hour and gave birth 3 hours later.

I’m like you on that my births were straightforward with no tears, and relatively quick ( longest was 5 hours shortest was hour and a half)

I didn’t personally find induction any more painful, it’s just that you don’t get that natural build up in the contractions, last time mine started they were every 3 minutes and quite strong. I was fine with just gas and air and the birthing pool though ( I would’ve had more pain relief if I’d needed or wanted it).

I would say seeing as you’ve managed without one before then to just see how it goes, start with gas and air and work your way up, if your previous births were ok then chances are you will manage.

Pessary! Not peasant!

I was always terrified of an epidural but they're not actually that bad (having one done)

I think the reason inductions are supposed to be more painful is because they ramp up to proper contractions without the usual build up, but they're not actually more painful than your usual last stage ones.

How did you manage pain last time?

As a heads up, my epidural didn't work- in that I couldn't walk around but the pain was still there. I ended up on gas and air which was fine but then it ended in c section

I had a drip induction, was a high risk of c section so they kept my nil by mouth (38 hours by the time baby arrived). I managed 7 hours with no pain relief, but I had no energy and felt so ill. I had an epidural.

We’re now thinking of ttc again and I really don’t want an induction. It makes me anxious. I’m hoping if I do, the pessaries will be sufficient. First time around the pessaries done absolutely nothing.

Every labour is different, and every woman’s reaction to labour is different. I was adamant that I didn’t want an epidural, but baby was in distress so I had to lie on the bed so she could be monitored. Cue epidural. I have no doubt that if I hadn’t have had the epidural she would have been born via c section.
Discuss it with your midwife, write your birth plan and be open to change. Hope all goes well. 😊

Last two births where just gas and air. I'm also worried a bit about my youngest still dosent sleep through so I'm a fair bit tired.

Also it all may be in vain may end up with a home birth as nearest hosp is 2 and half hours away without any roadworks or accidents. Consultant is on about me staying near the hosp before due date just in case.