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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 18:42

when you speak to consultant you also need to say " By the way you are writing it on my notes that i have been constantly requesting my section and that I have said I am in distress" if you dont belive her ask to see them.

This will rattle her, please make sure your requests are being noted.

Its your choice op, women are served wonderfully well all the time in hospital, I was - however for all too many women at the most vulnerable time in their lives they are failed.

You are being failed, your in a tough position right now - but your needs are not being met, your not being listened too and your being let down.

Like i said if i was by your side i would have dragged in senior staff by now and kicked up a HUGE FUSS.

Arealhumanbeing · 14/09/2017 18:59

I am so sick of hearing stories like this. 20 of my friends have babies and every single one was treated like shit during the birth.

I thought that under the NICE guidelines you couldn't be refused a C section. Do you or your partner feel able to insist?

Also, 'pushing the staff around'. Hmm Ok then.

Wishingonajetplane · 14/09/2017 19:02

Great advice to request and ask to see it documented you are unhappy , in distress and been refused your planned section .

Your induction is so similar to mine i wouldnt be suprised if you end up with an emergency section which isnt a bad thing but so frustrating when all of this could have been avoided!

PocketNiffler · 14/09/2017 19:35

I had epidural before drip, labour was calm and quiet.

TheLegendOfBeans · 14/09/2017 19:39

@ARealHumanBeing

This week has been fucking shocking for this kinda thing on these boards. It makes me utterly despair that the gulf between the talk about woman centred care in labour and the reality played out all too often on here is actually widening, not narrowing.

It's honestly like the moment you step onto the maternity pathway you lose all rights to question, choose, ask, decide and disagree.

Fucking hell, i can only wish someone with some influence is reading this.

Muddlinalong · 14/09/2017 19:46

I've had both twice, first time I had the drip then asked for an epidural later. Second time I asked for ah epidural as soon as it was clear the drip was necessary. It was absolutely fine.

Use the epidural as a chance to catch up on some rest if you can. Good luck!

Spuddington · 14/09/2017 19:52

Please complain afterwards if you feel you can. You're being treated shockingly and it's not fair. You deserve better.

Original poster
tellmyfriendsiminlove · 14/09/2017 19:57

Epidural didn't work
I've had another one put in

Midwives are amazing now

It's the consultant care I am unhappy with.
9 days in agony? Exhausted, feel bullied

OP posts:
TheLegendOfBeans · 14/09/2017 20:01

Have your waters been broken yet?

Original poster
tellmyfriendsiminlove · 14/09/2017 20:04

I have begged for a section during the last 9 days and have been refused because my pain and distress have not put the baby in danger and apparently it would engager her lung function capability.

I think that 9 days without sleep or a meal should surely say something.

OP posts:
TheLegendOfBeans · 14/09/2017 20:04

But have your waters been broken yet?

Original poster
tellmyfriendsiminlove · 14/09/2017 20:05

My waters have been broken and I'm having mild contractions and they are just adding the hormone drip now. They had to turn it off to re apply the epidural

OP posts:
TheLegendOfBeans · 14/09/2017 20:07

Ok, good. Your waters being broken put you at a higher chance of this baby being born tonight rather than you having to wait again until 6/7am for next steps to happen.

You're "on your way" as you have the drip on the go as opposed to being at a red light until someone elsewhere makes a decision somewhere.

I am rooting for you.

purpledonkey · 14/09/2017 20:12

If you get the chance, write down everything in the order it happened. Once you are gone home with baby you may be more inclined to let it go and not complain. But you should. So don't forget a thing. They need to learn from this. Good luck OP. You'll meet your baby soon!! Flowers

YellowFlower201 · 14/09/2017 20:16

I hope it goes well for you OP. A c section can be risky business for baby and mum if it goes wrong (trust me!) so maybe that's why they have refused...
Anyway be kind to yourself. You are allowed to feel tired and distressed. Some medical staff treat birthing women like shite. You are pregnant, vulnerable and tired. Nobody should tell you off for refusing treatment without proper discussion. Don't feel like you should just 'put up and shut up'.

Cadenza1818 · 14/09/2017 20:39

I've seen this post a bit too late to say what I want to say which is put your foot down and refuse to be induced. Your story is near identical to mine. Tried inducing top early, ended up with c section after all. Also felt traumatised. Was supposedly consultant care but never actually saw a consultant. This was across the bridge from you but I wish I'd put my foot down. Hoping your labour goes well and you meet your lo soon! Flowers

QuackDuckQuack · 14/09/2017 20:46

Could you ask for a second consultant opinion? I'm pretty sure they have to get you one if you ask and not all consultants are the same.

QuackDuckQuack · 14/09/2017 20:47

I also had consultant led care and didn't see a consultant in the 4 days of induction. I'd make so much more fuss and be more demanding than I was then.

Redken24 · 14/09/2017 21:04

Hi - they are not allowed to refuse a section. You might not be able to complain straight away (when recovering) but definitely do! My after care was terrible I wish I had complained. Definitely do! Good luck xx

mirime · 14/09/2017 21:06

@Cadenza1818

I never saw mine either, was never even told his name! I now think that was shocking - hell, when I was in hospital for two nights with abdominal pain I knew the consultants name and got to meet him. But pre-eclampsia and induction? Why bother - and why bother actually keeping the patient informed of decisions being made about her.

Silly35 · 14/09/2017 21:17

Try an epidural again as it might work this time. For me, it was brilliant during my very long labour. It allowed me to actually sleep (after being on the drip induction for 9 hours with very intense contractions from the beginning).

I was able to sleep so well as I was so exhausted and the epidural just took away all pain. It only lasted 5 hours but it was gold.

Oraiste · 14/09/2017 21:19

Good luck. I second what a previous poster said about photographing notes. In fact if not much is happening at this stage, I'd ask DP to start the process and photograph the notes thus far. You're on your way now. Good luck.

Oraiste · 14/09/2017 21:22

Oh and don't feel guilty about complaining about the consultant. I bet that others have complained or wanted to or the staff want to. Obviously you should only complain if you want too.

Spuddington · 14/09/2017 21:29

Now you've got the synto drip things will happen. One way or another your baby is coming, they cannot refuse a section if this fails. Try to rest with the epidural. You'll be there soon.

PassiveAgressiveQueen · 14/09/2017 21:45

I had both, get the epidural early, whilst you can stay still for it.

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