To ask why you didn't have an epidural?

[sachabloom]

Currently 17 weeks and up until today has made the decision I wasn't getting an epidural, until someone asked me why I wasn't and to be honest I was a bit stumped! I guess my main reason is the fear of a bad back after... but I don't even know if that's a myth or truth?!

I haven't had a pain relief discussion with my midwife and as this is my first child, I'll be honest I'm quite in the dark.

Just curious really to hear of people's experiences as most people I've spoke to say no to epidural but I've never really asked why.

FWIW, absolutely no judgements from me, I think we're all fabulous however we do it.

Because no bugger was sticking a needle in my bad back. Having been threatened with an epidural and a caesarean, neither of which I wanted, I was determined to have neither. Luckily, my lovely consultant haematologist was on my side, so I had a vaginal delivery with gas and air.

First baby : Had to have one as they were going to do an emergency section but I am bloody glad I did because they decided to do one last "try" with a venthouse and got her out. I had to have a surgical repair though. I remember the relief of it being immense. I didn't feel a thing when it was done, it didn't hurt and I had no side effects at all.

Second baby : Had a much quicker and easier labour and decided to just get on with it. So I did. Much better experience and glad I didn't need one.

You really can't decide until you're "in it". Just see how you go. Some people cope better than others with the pain, sometimes it's unavoidable. Hopefully you won't need it. However, my advice is never to dismiss anything because it's your first baby and first labour and you can't predict how it's going to go. Wishing you lots of luck!

Didn’t like the idea of being stuck to a bed while it wore off and worried about effect on baby and breastfeeding. Kept an open mind though, never said I definitely wasn’t going to have one, wanted to see how it went and avoid if possible.

In the end it went bam, three hour labour and not even allowed gas and air as they didn’t believe I was in labour yet. It bloody hurt but I managed with tens. Know I can do it without so going for home birth for my second in a few weeks. Although I’ll be a lot more insistent about them giving me the bloody gas and air this time!

Keep an open mind, you might be fine without but if you decide you want it then make sure they listen to you.