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.

Didn’t have the chance. I got to hospital and Bub came like 12 mins later, otherwise I would’ve done it. Had one for my first and it only worked on one half of my body but it took the edge off mildly.

First time I did. Was having an awful, long labour and I was desperate for more relief because the gas and air wasn't making a blind bit of difference (had preeclampsia and was very poorly). It helped so much with that, but I'm sure it made the birth worse in the end. DD was a ventouse/episiotomy baby, well over 12 hours.

Second time I didn't because there was no time! Got to hosp at 12:45, DS was born at 13:05. All I had was gas and air, and I felt it actually helped that time. I didn't have preeclampsia with him though, so felt better and more able to cope overall.

I've never given birth but if I do I'm not planning to have one.

I know there is a correlation between epidurals and increased need for instrumental delivery as others have said.

If I'm asked for advice I always tell women that if you want an epidural that's fine, but you need to prepare for the possibility you won't be able to have one. Sometimes there isn't enough time. I cared for a FTM once. She was in labour and wanted an epidural. This was about 4 a.m. or so. Rural hospital. The doctor had said he would be in at 6 to check her and then we would see about getting her one. Wouldn't you know, by the time he got there and checked her she was fully dilated! No time! It is also possible, especially if you are in a rural area, that they simply will not have any doctors who can do an epidural. (Likely less common in the UK but I live in Canada. I've worked in communities where an epidural wasn't available. We used spinals for C-sections - they are different from an epidural.)

I had an epidural and it resulted in me being unable to push sufficiently so had to get forceps. Forceps absolutely destroyed me and I didn't recover for about 5 years ☹️ I wish I had known about the possible risks before getting one

I had one with my first. It was an induction, baby was back to back and the pain was horrendous so I begged for it! Was absolutely magical! Took me two hours of pushing though, they gave me ten minutes to have her out else they'd get her out with forceps. Never pushed so hard in my life! Didn't need the forceps.

Second I was again induced, labour was much faster, asked for the epidural again but by the time they came to see me I was starting to push. Only pushing for about half an hour that time.

I have no lasting problems, no back pain.

I didn't need one either time, pain was manageable.

I had one after DS1 was born because I had a 3rd degree tear and needed to be stitched up.

Because the pain is there for a reason - numbing your body means you can’t read what your body is telling you to do. You can’t feel the contractions so don’t know when to push.

I came very close to having an epidural on number one delivery but the midwife (who was amazing) said I was doing okay and to try and manage without.

I’m so glad I didn’t - as others have said, when I spoke to other new mums afterwards, all those who’d had epidurals had also had to have forceps or other instrumental interventions.

I didn’t even ask for one on my second.

Almost had one with my first but got freaked out by the consent form with all the risks on!
Anyway by the time they got round to sorting it out I was ready to push anyway.

With my second I half heartedly asked for one but kind of knew I didn't really need it.

I didn’t because they told me to stay home until ‘I couldn’t bear it any longer’
Arrived 10 dilated. Baby came very quickly after I arrived at hospital !
So was too late basically - I do have a very high pain threshold tho

I didn’t want one.

The two women on my ward who’d had them both had forceps deliveries, but I didn’t know about that until afterwards, so that wasn’t the reason.

I had gas and air and was absolutely fine (long delivery though), but I realise that it’s not always that simple.

I planned to have one and would 100% make the same choice!
I genuinely can’t understand why you’d choose not to and MW at the hospital said most people change their minds and end up asking for one.
I was completely pain free but could still feel sensation. It was calm, relaxing, it meant I was in complete control and was able to push effectively. Baby was delivered with no interventions at all, and also no tears/cuts. I was up walking about within the hour (sensation back within 30mins). I also managed to sleep until it was actually time to push. The birth was probably the best experience of my life.

Bertie that sounds awful

We all just need to do what we nees to do to get through

Needles, events being out of my control, limited movement, higher likelihood of intervention.

Also 2 of my births were home births so not an option.

I have to confess with my first I did ask for an epidural but that was during transition which was obviously way too late but I handled everything up until then so I obviously didn't need one!

I'll also add that although my first labour was 9 hrs from waters breaking I only had about 4 hours of real pain! The subsequent 2 labours were longer.

If you really don't fancy an epi I can highly recommend hypnobirthing and yoga for labour along with low level pain management like entinox and tens.

Start practising pain management techniques now so you're an expert come dday!

‘If you really don't fancy an epi I can highly recommend hypnobirthing and yoga for labour along with low level pain management like entinox and tens.’

Hypnobirthing can only do so much if you’re in too much pain. This sort of statement perpetuates the myth that if someone tries harder etc they can manage without pain relief. Different births are all different. I am still am a huge advocate of hypnobirthing and I practiced so hard but I had a complicated birth and no amount of positive thinking was going to touch the sides. I still hope that my next birth can be the lovely, calm hypnobirthing one that I wanted. However, I’m realistic that it may not be enough if I have complications again.

I didn't want to be in hospital and to be honest, all the associated risks didn't seem worth it to me. Obviously if I'd needed one to receive some sort of intervention then the benefits would have outweighed the risks, but I didn't feel it was worth it just for pain relief.
DD1 was back-to-back for the first 6 or so hours of labour and it hurt like fuck but then she spun around and I was arguably in less pain for the second half.

I wanted a water birth, to be more mobile, to have less drugs in my system, no wires or cables etc running from me. Was concerned about needing more intervention and any side effects after.

I have three children. For each one, I wanted an epidural. I never had one. First was induced due to pte eclampsia. He popped out before they could get someone to give it to me. Second was induced as late. My birthing plan was drugs, yes please (joke). It was there, DH knee and I asked him to fight for me. EVENTUALLY someone came (they’re assigned to A&E so come to delivery only if available), I got into position, which was excruciating, and was told I was clearly too far along, that it wouldn’t have time to take effect y before birth and they left. I’d been in hospital since early morning, that was evening. On a Monday so can’t believe A& E was so busy.

Third, I told DH my labour started but he could go drop DS st rugby, come home and we’d go to hospital. Stupid guy got so nervous he decided to have a cup of tea, bacon sandwich and a chat with other parents. Meanwhile I’m at home with DD1 together with my DM who came to stay to help with DC but who doesn’t drive) and going into hard labour. When DH finally got home, we set off immediately - me with bin liners on the seat! I thought the baby would be delivered in the car, but we did make it and DD born @15 minutes after arrival at hospital.

Never got my epidural. (When it comes up, DH must always hear that story too and NOT complain).

I didn't need one and wanted to be able to feel pushing the baby out.

I also delivered on the midwife led unit so would have to have moved to have one but found gas and air plus pethidine was fine. Had a fairly straightforward delivery so may have changed my mind if I needed forceps or induction

Didn't want to lose use of my legs. Ended up with 3rd degree tears so had spinal anaesthetic anyway. Gutted!!

DC1 didn’t need it, very quick labour. DC2 did need it & had one, so glad I did.

Judt go with your instinct

No time, was already 10 cm by the time I got to hospital.

I didn't want one, it was in my notes that I didn't want one, but when things started going pear shaped the midwife strongly advised me to have one. To be honest, by that point I didn't need much persuading!

My advice is to just approach labour with a very open mind, do not have any expectations of what will happen.

I think for most people it's because it often increases the risk of intervention. I ran out of time so didn't get one.

Expecting DC2 now and after DC1 I said I'd definitely be having one next time, but having thought about it more recently, maybe if I'd had one last time I wouldn't have got DS out on my own. He was 9lb 6oz and the consultant said that if he wasn't out on the next push they'd have to intervene as his heart rate was dropping. Thankfully he then popped out, but I was one push away from it being very different.

I didn’t say a definite ‘no’, but I preferred not to have one due to the risk of further interventions and because you have to stay in hospital longer following an epidural. In the end I didn’t need one with either, and was home within 4 hours of giving birth with both DC so it worked out well for me.
Due my third in December and again will keep an open mind but with a preference to not have one if possible.

I gave birth on an MLU and would have had to transfer to the main labour ward if I'd wanted an epidural. I really didn't want to have one anyway unless I needed a Caesarean as I wanted to avoid forceps or ventouse. In the event, I didn't need one, it was all textbook and very straightforward. I managed with a pool and gas and air.