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.

I didn't plan on having one, but I wasn't against it. In the end there wasn't time. I'm glad actually as although the crowning part was painful it was also the first moment when I could actually feel my daughter and that was pretty awesome. I'm sure that I would have got one without hesitation of things had been different though.

i begged for one, they refused then after me tearing from front to back and inside and them trying to stitch me up (i was drugged up to my eyeballs by this point) i told them if they touched me again i was going to kick him in the face there was around 5 people watching me get stitched up! that pain was worse than labour or tearing. they took me to theatre 8 hours later gave me an epidural then stitched me up again, ive had no problems with a bad back.

im not trying to scare anyone but they gave me too much diamorphine, i had one just trained and a trainee midwife, i kept telling them i was going to tear and they didnt believe me when it happened it was relief. i was in labour 18.5 hours gas and air didnt help and the diamorphine didnt work either for pain just made me tired, i didnt even feel the epidural. next morning my legs just felt a bit stiff when i first stood up to go for a shower and the toilet, to be fair i didnt even get so much as a sip of water or anything to eat whilst i was in there either after DD being born i got to go home 34 hours later

I saw the size of the needle on a tv programme years ago called Dersperate Midwives (anyone else remember watching that? It was basically the precursor to One Born Every Minute) and scared myself. I actually donate blood so I’m not totally needle phobic but I guess it stayed with me!

I wasn't against it, but thought I'd see how I went without it. With DD1 the labour bit wasn't too bad. I was able to manage the contractions until quite far on and then was coping with gas and air. Once I hit transition, I started struggling and asked for one. The anesthetist wouldn't do it until he'd checked how well my blood was coagulating and the results weren't back in time.

With DD2 the contractions were DREADFUL but I knew that there was a big possibility they'd slow down if I had an epidural and I just wanted it all over with. Again in transition I asked for one but the MW checked me and I was 8cm so I said to DH "fuck it, I'll just get on with it" 10 mins later our whirling dervish arrived, on three surges, with no help from me or anyone else. She delivered herself, and barely scratched me on the way out.

The notes to self if I were to have another (which I'm absolutely not) are, when in transition I a) demand an epidural and b) vomit but appear to be able to deliver a baby without a)!

What I really didn't want was pethadine/diamorphine. I don't do well on opiates. I loathe the feeling of being out of it and they make me really nauseous (I've had them after surgery). So I always knew it was gas and air and straight to epidural.

But it's all about what works for you. Just make sure you understand your choices.

The very best of luck to you - such an exciting time.

I watched my sister have an epidural when she was giving birth to my DN and it really freaked me out. No matter how much pain I was in with LO the fear and memory of it stopped me asking for one. Glad I didn't as I recovered much quicker than she did after hers

I don’t like not being in full control. I don’t like being touched.

I wanted to just use G&A with my first but between my induction and him being back to back the pain was unbearable. I had the epidural and it was great - or so I though. But then the epidural caused some side effects which mimicked sepsis, I was prepped for a C but ended up having an instrumental delivery. The whole thing was seriously traumatic and ended up with us spending a week in hospital and DS having a few (admittedly minor) complications. The pain relief was great but I've never felt like I had so little control of my own body and the consequences weren't worth it.

Second time I had just G&A and was home about an hour later. I'd definitely do it that way again if I had another.

I didn't have an epidural with my second baby as I had a bad experience first time round. Induction, back to back baby, epidural too early and hated not having sensation. Ended up with episiotomy and ventouse delivery and just detestes that total lack of control over everything. That could just me be though as I have to feel in control or I get very anxious.

It didn't hurt enough to ask for an epidural the second time around, plus it was a very fast labour so probably wouldn't have had time anyway!!

I had an epidural, it was taken out of my hands completely due to complications. It was very straight forward - worked first time, it allowed me to maintain a clear head and I was able to 'enjoy' the last few hours of labour. Things were so horrendous for the first 25 hours that I barely remember them. I didn't need any instruments, it didn't increase this risk for me. The reason I was given it was because my baby was back to back and my contractions weren't causing dilation. I was given induction drugs to speed things up which is known to cause more pain, the back to back issue was already causing mayhem for me so they decided an epidural was the best course of action.

I was walking about a few hours after my DS was born, I've had no back pain, headaches and it didn't affect my ability to breastfeed. As I said, I didn't need instruments and so the recovery was the same as if I'd had a natural labour.

Before it was taken out of my hands I was probably quite 'against' having one because of the side effects I'd heard about. Once I was in labour I quickly realised that they don't just dish out epidurals because it's a bit painful. If the anaesthetist is in surgery or elsewhere then it's not even an option.

I pretty much demanded one in my birth plan for DS2, when I arrived at the hospital I didn't have time for one. Afterwards I felt exactly the same as the first time.

The side effects most people are scared of can be side effects of labour anyway, I wouldn't give it too much thought as if you need something at the time then you pretty much need to get it. Instruments can be required anyway and not everyone can breastfeed successfully.

2 times there simply wasn't time, I'm sure I shouted for one.

I did have one. I think you need them more when the birth takes longer so the times I didn't have time I didn't need it as such

During Labour I didn't even feel the needle, the feeling of it going in was just amazing.

Wanted one on second (after fairly traumatic first birth) no anaethetist was available.

Ok I was induced both times but first I had one it was awful. Wore off 3 times but rendered me immobile. I felt every contraction but just couldn't feel my legs. Had backpain afterwards. For my second 7 years later they told me epidural shouldnt wear off and they shouldnt make you immobile. Unfortunately needed emcs before I got my epidural. The spinal block was fine and amazing pain relief afterwards, up and about within hours of op. If you need one have it, apparently they've come a long way in recent years!

I didn't want over medicalisation or unnecessary intervention

The gas and air and pool helped enough so I didn't need it

I hated the idea of being stuck on my back in one position

No-one offered one anyway

They aren't without their side effects/ risks

Was offered one but questioned it and decided to have more diamorphine instead. Still ended up in theatre with a spinal for a forceps delivery.

I went into my first labour very open minded and happy to see how I got on, start off with paracetamol and work my way up rather than go straight for the big guns so to speak. I actually did ask for an epidural and the ‘epidural man’ (I honestly called him that) did try to place one but in the end ran out of time, I went from 4cm to baby out in just over an hour, I was pushing with the needle in my back!

With my second I was looking forward to the gas and air (I was crying with laughter while getting stitches for a 2nd degree tear after my first because I was so high from it) and I knew I could do it without so I never asked.

Because i wasnt given the choice - twice!! Both naturals births developed far too quickly for one.

I planned a hypnobirthing water birth on MLU, def didn't want any medical intervention what so ever. Ended up with a very long labour (a week!) that culminated in an induction - they broke my waters and had a syntocin drip. At that point I asked for an epidural because I couldn't have my longed for water birth, so in for a penny.and all that. Many hours later, for a number of reasons, baby still wasn't coming so I had to have an EMCS and they just upped the epidural using the original line. The whole thing was a bit of a shock but lovely and pain free. Skin to skin immediately afterwards, exclusively breast fed from beginning and straightforward recovery (even though my EMCS wasn't totally straightforward). I can't honestly say now looking back why I was so anti an epidural. I've tried hard to figure it out. I think I felt an immense societal/peer/internal pressure to 'do it naturally'. I think we should all just do what works best for us as an individual - whatever that ends up being on the day (birth plan is such a misnomer, it should be called birth preferences in the event that anything goes how you'd like it to!). I don't feel any less for giving birth how I did and pain-free at the end, I just marvel at the science that meant my baby and I made it through safely and in such a calm and happy way. If I hadn't had an epidural, I would've had hours of painful contractions (after a week of painful contractions), and then still had to have an EMCS anyway, what would've been the point of that :) x

Wanted as natural a birth as poss, did not want a needle in spine or catheter, the thought of being stuck on a bed not being able to move made me feel a bit panicky. I was lucky to manage with a tens for first bit then rest no pain relief. However - there are no badges for women who go drug free. Whatever choice you make on the day is up to you and right for you.

I didn't want a cascade of interventions.

Mind you, I didn't completely rule it out. If I'd wanted or needed one during labour I'd have gone for it.

As it happened I didn't even need the gas and air. A pool, hypnobirthing and good luck saw me through.

Birth plans are often a bit silly imo. Don't go ruling things out completely. There's an appropriate time for any intervention.

My birth plan said no episiotomy but when the baby was stuck, in trouble and the midwife asked me for permission I didn't hesitate a split second in saying yes. Never regretted it. I could imagine a epidural experience where I'd change my mind too.

Didn’t have time. Nit because my labour was so quick but becaue after hours of telling me I wasn’t in labour whilst I was in agony in dark outpatient hospital corridors, my waters went with meconium in and I was 10cm and ready to push.
Next time I want that epidural!!

There’s a fair amount of misinformation on this thread.

I had 2 births, 2 epidurals. Both fantastic.

Benefit of epidurals - best pain relief we have available. They decrease the levels of circulating stress hormones and help prevent some of the blood pressure issues in pre eclampsia. For people at risk of a Caesar, they can usually be topped up for surgery allowing you to avoid a general anaesthetic.

Risks:

1. not all epidurals work. It’s a technique we do by feel - when we feel the needle in the right place, we thread the catheter through it. Sometimes even though it’s felt right, it’s not where it should be so the local anaesthetic doesn’t get to the nerve roots. Occasionally with one sided or patchy block we can fiddle with it to improve things, and about 1:10 will need to be redone.

2. headache, about 1:100. This happens if the needle accidentally punctures the tough membrane next to the epidural space (the dura) and allows spinal fluid to lean out. You have around a 50-60% chance of developing the headache with a dural puncture. Treatment involves painkillers, fluids, rest and another epidural injection of your own blood to seal the hole. Not all blood patches work and there is a tiny percentage of people who still have headaches a year later.

3. increases second stage slightly and increases the risk of needing instrumental delivery. DOES NOT increase the chances of a caesarean delivery.

4. nerve damage. Very very rare, about 1:15,000. Severe nerve damage resulting in inability to walk rarer still. Two documented cases worldwide of this, related to the skin prep used rather than the procedure. Most places have changed their skin prep following them to remove that potential issue.

5. lowers blood pressure which can make you feel sick or dizzy. Can also cause some changes in the baby’s heart rate but these are usually short lived and easily treated. Probably related to the opioid in the mix which is now low dose, so this is seen less and less.

6. bleeding / bruising / infection. Any procedure that punctures the skin has these risks.

Your Labour Your Way has good info on epidurals, tens, drug free etc births, check it out. The epidural video is very well presented.

Epidurals DO NOT increase the risk of caesars or cause long term back pain. Carrying a baby for 9 months can cause long term back pain. Caesar in labour will either be fetal distress (not epidural related), failure to dilate (not epidural related) or malpositioned baby (again not epidural related).

(Obstetric anaesthetist)

I didn't want a Needle near my spine, I wanted a water birth and then I wanted to get home as soon as possible! I was home within 6 hrs with first and 3 hrs with the second.

I didn't have an epidural because when I had my dc I felt I could manage, I did use gas and air and pethidine.
I did however have the mindset that nobody will give you a medal for suffering unduly so would have happily had one if it was needed.

It doesn't matter how baby arrives, as long as it's what is best for mum and baby.

Although there is some evidence that there are more interventions in births involving epidurals, I think it's impossible to be sure that it was down to the epidural itself. Epidurals may be used more in labours that are longer because of position with the baby's position etc.

I should add that I ended up needing an EMCS in one delivery and ventouse in the other despite not having had any pain relief during my labours so it doesn't go without saying that avoiding the epidural will mean avoiding any intervention.

I didn't want an epidural but everything during labour was going down hill including my ability to make rational descisions. It calmed the situation down so I was in a place to think clearly about what was happening. I had been induced and had a bad experience with the midwife in the induction suite so was in a bad place mentally when the contractions kicked in.