Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Will I be ok getting an epidural?

132 replies

tellmyfriendsiminlove · 14/09/2017 09:30

Shamelessly posting for traffic.

I've been in hospital for around 9 days and I am exhausted. Been through the entire induction process and have been refused a c section.

Doctor said I can go down to have my waters broken and have an epidural beforehand so I don't feel any pain and can rest while the drip speeds up contractions.

Can anyone tell me if they've had the hormone drip and or epidural and if I'll be okay?

OP posts:
Original poster
tellmyfriendsiminlove · 14/09/2017 10:07

Does anyone know what the epidural feels like?

OP posts:
RapunzelsRealMom · 14/09/2017 10:09

An epidural feels like pushing on your lower back, not pain just pressure. Then you'll feel cold fluid spreading around the area. It usually doesn't take more than a minute or so, then they lie you down quickly as the effect is almost immediate.

It's a little scary but not painful. I've had 6!

RyanStartedTheFire · 14/09/2017 10:11

OP was it SPD they were inducing for? If it is an urgent induction they should section you, if not they could wait. You have the option to go home and wait for your planned section date. Have you seen another consultant at all during your stay or just the one? I'd be leaving and going to a different hospital.

sleepymama81 · 14/09/2017 10:11

Yes, I felt a scratch, pressure, then like someone was trickling cold water down my back. Pain stopped quickly after that.

I did get the shakes too, I was shivering hard constantly even though I wasn't cold. it's a common side effect.

kaytee87 · 14/09/2017 10:12

It might feel different for different people but for me the first time they tried it hit my spine in the wrong way so they took it out and tried again. I was having very regular, very painful contractions by this point and wanting to push so I didn't actually notice any pain from the needle but I can't imagine it being any worse than donating blood for example.
Once it was in it was like a gradual numbing feeling spreading, one side is usually number than the other.

PeabodyTheGreat · 14/09/2017 10:12

I had both- contractions were painful but not strong enough to get thing moving and after 36 hours I was exhausted. Had waters broken then the drip really intensified things. Did 2 hours with just gas and air but then begged for epidural and it was the best thing ever! Had a couple of hours of no pain, got some sleep and recuperated to be able to finally push baby out.
Something I don't understand was that I was pretty much 10cm when I had epidural (could feel baby pushing down). I'd always thought there was a certain "point" by when you could no longer get epidural - but I had one and as I say it was bliss. So I guess if helpful just remember that and ask them about if if they try and say it's too late for epidural? This wasn't in the UK though so maybe different procedures apply.

Original poster
tellmyfriendsiminlove · 14/09/2017 10:17

The induction was for unexplained abdominal pain but probably spd they just couldn't verify it.
I'm waiting now to be taken down to the labour ward but with no idea when they'll come for me.

It's very hard waiting around after 9 days of being left in pain and distress for 9 days. All the begging and pleading and just being told no.

Two nights ago I became hysterical with pain and exhaustion and refused any more monitoring and the next morning the consultant was awful to me. She made me feel an inch high saying I had pushed around staff.
I really didn't mean to, I just couldn't take any more monitoring and pain.

OP posts:
Twofishfingers · 14/09/2017 10:19

poor you! I had the drip and epidural but unfortunately the epidural only worked on one side of my body. However, my case was an emergency - the induction wasn't planned and I had to beg for an epidural and had to wait ages for it. Yours will be planned, and hopefully will be performed in a calm and controlled manner and the anaesthetist will have been booked in advance.

In my case, I didn't feel the needle at all and I had epidural for other DS too and didn't feel the epidural either. I tried to breath very calmly and slowly to control my nerves and it was fine.

kaytee87 · 14/09/2017 10:19

I'm sure your doctors will know this but have they checked your range of motion with your pelvis? There's a risk with spd as the epidural numbs you that they might manipulate your legs in a way that will aggravate your spd.

ElsaMars · 14/09/2017 10:22

I've had the drip and an epidural (though not at the same time - epidural about 9 hours after drip started).

Put it this way, if I was told for my next birth coming up in Jan that I could have the epidural at the same time as the drip started, I would be totally happy with that. A pain free labour, amazing. Plus you can just doze until the pushing needs to start.

CaptWentworth · 14/09/2017 10:24

I had my waters broken and was started on syntocin with gas and air initially. Despite being monitored, I moved as much as I could. Laboured for 13 hours before having epidural. Fell asleep after that for 3 hours and didn't progress any further since epidural was given. Ended in an EMCS as I couldn't get further than 5cm dilated. I believe that the epidural slowed things down, stopped them completely as I couldn't move. Could you try without first?

Raisinbrain · 14/09/2017 10:26

I've had both - epidural for my first birth and induced for my second.
I wasn't aware of the epidural going in, only the blessed relief once it started working. After the birth it took a while before I could stand/walk. I thought it was great though and vowed to have one for my next baby.
Next baby was ten years later and I changed my mind. Had to be induced with a drip at 37 weeks due to cholestasis. I didn't have any pain relief, just used the techniques I'd learnt during the pregnancy to cope with the pain. It was fine.
I think that after the ordeal you've been through the epidural is a good option for you. Good luck.

CaptWentworth · 14/09/2017 10:27

Just to add, I remember nothing about the actual epidural other than stopping the anaesthetist to have a contraction before he started. It was honestly fine. And the relief...

lazyarse123 · 14/09/2017 10:35

Not been induced but I had an epidural with my first (breech birth), it was brilliant specially as I had a tear and stitches. I was up and about after 3hours. Good luck with your birth.

hells456 · 14/09/2017 10:41

I was in a similar situation with my second. At 36 weeks they wanted me to stay in and induce me when I got to 37 weeks (they actually told me the wait was mostly for their prem stats, I needed the baby out). I flat out refused and said either I was having my planned c section early or was going home and would continue to come in for my daily monitoring. Either the pre-eclampsia was so bad I needed the section now, or it was safe enough to wait so I could go home. When I asked for the release form they gave me steroids and I had the c section the next morning.

I'm sorry you are going through this, you must be so stressed and exhausted. Either way it will all be over soon and you will have your baby.

moreismore · 14/09/2017 10:42

Thanks for the explanations re: vaginal delivery.

Wouldn't it have been nice if someone could have explained that to you instead of just saying 'no'.

It sounds like you are having a horrible time. Is there anyone who can advocate for you with the staff? As a minimum you should have support from staff in hospital and a right to a full explanation of your options so that you don't have to ask strangers on the internet!!

whichwaynow82 · 14/09/2017 10:47

Both my section babies had breathing problems. Both 37 weeks. Both did have steroid injections. There is point blank higher risk of a baby having respiratory distress at birth with a c-section. It's not bullshit.

The reason given for my babies respiratory distress was attributed to the sections.

I also had an epidural and complications called a post- Dural puncture headache. And had to have that resolved in theatre - just google it too much to write. That was only with my second though.

Both failed inductions and both emergency c-sections. Both spent time in special care.

Personally I would continue to try birth naturally and take the epidural and drip. Good luck

Amanduh · 14/09/2017 10:52

I was induced with no epidural. After a full labour they gave me the epidural for the last bit (and then a spinal block for theatre in the end but baby played nicely and came out with forceps so no csection needed) and I almost cried in relief. The induced labour without it was awful. It was very painful very quickly but lasted a long time (only because baby wasn't happy to come out)
Have the epidural.
Sorry you're having a rubbish time but sounds like they're minimising risks to the baby and surely that's what matters.
The epidural obviously sometimes doesnt work etc but believe me you'll be glad of it!

INeedToEat · 14/09/2017 11:28

I was induced for 3 days and nothing happened (at 37 +1). On the 4th day I had the epidural, waters broken and the drip. Labour lasted 5 hours.

Epidural didn't hurt at all, it's just more scary in your head than reality.

Good luck !

YouCantArgueWithStupid · 14/09/2017 11:31

I can't comment on the epidural side of things but I had the hormone drip and it was ok. Not that I have anything to compare it to.

TenForward82 · 14/09/2017 11:32

It's disgusting they expect you to go through labour this exhausted. It may not affect the baby now but it could later and I'm SICK of mothers being ignored in this process. I developed pnd mostly for this reason. They cannot refuse you a C-section. Are you in the UK?

user1494409994 · 14/09/2017 11:35

Had a epidural after 27 hours of labour. Promptly fell asleep and woke a couple of hours later at 10 and was told to push.

SunSeptember · 14/09/2017 11:39

i cant se why you were planned with a section anyway.

I am not sure its the consultants call is it - can you ask to speak to someone else about it?

SunSeptember · 14/09/2017 11:40

Sorry you're having a rubbish time but sounds like they're minimising risks to the baby and surely that's what matters
Hmm by possibly having to drag a baby out with forceps?

The minimal risk is a section.

ILoveMillhousesDad · 14/09/2017 11:43

I had an epidural after about 14hours of labour.

The blessed, blessed relief.

I wouldn't hesitate in booking one in advance if I were to have another.