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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:
SunSeptember · 14/09/2017 11:44

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

WOW. Ok op - can your DH not stand up for you here this sounds appalling!
I would start to kick up a fuss but it seems your being bullied and no one on the staff is on your side.

If I had a patient in your condition I would manage to understand if that patient was shitty with me! Your scared and in pain for crying out loud.

its not good enough and here you are vulnerable.

If I was your DH I would be going beserk behind the scenes and talking and contacting everyone I could including PALS - PATIENT ADVISORY SERVICE, they are only as good as the person working there - so hit and miss but they should be able to help in some way.

So bloody sorry you are going through this op. Flowers

HermioneKipper · 14/09/2017 12:09

I was induced and had the epidural before starting the drip. Would absolutely recommend it. Injection didn't hurt - just a slight scratch. If anything the cannula was worse. Managed to get some sleep beforehand and had no interventions during the birth. Go for it, I would prefer to have another of those next time! Good luck!

SatelliteCity · 14/09/2017 13:24

I also had an EMCS baby with breathing problems, quite possibly tied to the CS (though they couldn't be sure). This was after a failed induction. Statistically CS babies really do have a higher incidence of fluid in the lungs.

That said, while it's obviously scary and distressing at the time, in the vast majority of cases, it's a condition that resolves quickly with treatment and no long term ill-effects. My baby spent a few days in the NICU but was then totally fine. Don't get me wrong it was bloody awful at the time but since your induction has a fairly high chance of ending in a CS anyway I thought it might be worth passing on that even if that does all happen, in the long view it's probably going to be all right.

And don't feel guilty. Breathing difficulties are an increased risk with a section but everything's a balance and if you're offered a section it'll be to avoid the risk of something else.

As to the epidural mine hurt somewhat going in. Took a while to get the positioning correct. But it was ace once it was there and they reused it with more powerful drugs for my section. I'd recommend it definitely.

I'm really sorry the staff are treating you poorly though. That's terrible. I hope you have someone with you now to be your advocate.

Lana1234 · 14/09/2017 13:33

Hello hope your doing okay OP. Sorry your having such a rough time. I had a spinal epidural 12 days ago on the Saturday morning (needed forceps delivery) and after a 16 hour labour it was the best thing ever. Small amount of pressure on the lower back then the effects were pretty much immediate, didn't feel a thing when I pushed my baby out. Had the shivering side effect as someone previously stated but it's very common. I was able to get up and walk around a bit that night. I had a course of fragmin for 10 days to inject athe home to prevent any clots but everything has been fine. I hope it all goes well for you Flowers

Original poster
tellmyfriendsiminlove · 14/09/2017 15:59

Hi everyone.
I'm in the labour ward now, I've had the epidural and it was easy as anything. Nothing to worry about.
Just waiting for my waters to be broken.

The truth is, I am very unhappy with my medical care here. I wouldn't recommend the hospital nor the consultant. I'm in Bristol.

OP posts:
steff13 · 14/09/2017 16:07

I'm glad things are finally moving forward. And I wouldn't be happy with the care you've received, either. It sounds terrible.

pigletpie29 · 14/09/2017 16:10

I posted on your other thread. Hope it all goes smoothly for you from now on.

pigletpie29 · 14/09/2017 16:14

I find the whole thing about them not being able to refuse a c section quite interesting -they can and do refuse. So while it may be in the nice guidelines I'm not sure how committed doctors are to following them. My own experience after a 5 day induction ended in forceps after I was begging for a section from about day 3. My baby was in scbu for two days afterwards. They said 'we don't do sections in your cirsumtances' and of course I ended up in theatre anyway.

TheLegendOfBeans · 14/09/2017 16:44

I can't believe you're still posting about being in the same position as you were days ago.

You need to hammer the total absence of mother-centred care home when you tell PALS. If it's the hospital I'm thinking of they can add it to the already trembling pile of similar complaints.

SunSeptember · 14/09/2017 16:46

Op I am appalled on your behalf as I said if you have family or a partner they need to be kicking up a stink talk about not listening to your needs and wants.

Its disgraceful.

SunSeptember · 14/09/2017 16:47

some hospitals have feed back on line you could post right now your in hospital and your experience

hellsbellsmelons · 14/09/2017 16:50

So glad you have the epidural in now and it was easy.
I was posting to say it's easy and the best thing ever!
Good luck.
Keep hounding them until you what you want.

TheEdgeOfGlory266 · 14/09/2017 16:54

Just seen that you've taken the epidural. You won't regret it. I was put on the hormonal drip at 37+5. They told me to have an epidural before hand but I thought they were being silly. Thought I could cope. I was wrong. Was quite difficult to put on during forced contractions. Good luck OP

ineedwine99 · 14/09/2017 16:57

All the best OP Flowers

EmmaGrundyForPM · 14/09/2017 17:04

Good luck OP. Hopefully your baby will be here soon.

ScoobyDoosTinklyLaugh · 14/09/2017 17:06

Fucking hell that is awful treatment OP.

Glad you feel okay with the epidural. Wtf though. FlowersFlowersFlowers

ScoobyDoosTinklyLaugh · 14/09/2017 17:06

Fucking hell that is awful treatment OP.

Glad you feel okay with the epidural. Wtf though. FlowersFlowersFlowers

ElsaMars · 14/09/2017 17:11

I had my DD in Bristol too. They were really busy and didn't have much time for me even though it was my first and I'd been induced. Is it Southmead or St Michael's? Mine was Southmead.

Good luck, epidurals are amazing. Couldn't of cared less where she came out of after having it!

sourpatchkid · 14/09/2017 17:16

Thinking of you.

I was induced, drop, epidural and finally c section . The midwives were amazing. The doctors were useless pricks. Ignore your twat of a consultant .

Hope baby comes soon Flowers

Runningpear · 14/09/2017 17:19

Good luck Op, hope everything goes ok for you

TwoBlueFish · 14/09/2017 17:44

I had both with both my kids. DS1 was due to my waters breaking but no contractions and DS2 was planned induction due to his size. Both took about 12 hours from start of drip to the birth.

Spuddington · 14/09/2017 17:51

I have been exactly where you are. I had a thread about it. I'll give you the advice I got - when this is over and you're holding your beautiful baby take photos of your notes. Then contact PALS.

It is not reasonable to expect an exhausted woman to go through labour when things haven't progressed for days.

Wishingonajetplane · 14/09/2017 18:26

OP that is terrible they are refusing to bring forward your planned section. Can you ask for a 2nd consultant opnion / more senior person? I would make it clear you are not happy and want to start a formal complaint now.

I am thinking of you and hope all goes well & quickly now

Original poster
tellmyfriendsiminlove · 14/09/2017 18:39

I feel guilty to complain about the consultant but I honestly feel failed and quite traumatised.

OP posts: