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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tell me your epidural experiences please please please.

39 replies

GoodnessG · 20/02/2020 15:18

I'm probably being overdramatic.

I am having a surgical management of miscarriage tomorrow and went for my pre op today.

Unfortunately I have a low grade fever and a swollen sore throat and so they won't put me to sleep with GA and have said I'll need an epidural instead. They have said I'll be at risk of sepsis if I leave this until I'm better.

I am petrified, I suffer badly from anxiety anyway and the thought of being awake / having the needle etc... Is really getting to me.

Can anyone reassure me please? Does it hurt? I'm not allowed my husband in with me either which I understand but is also making me panic.

OP posts:
Treaclepie19 · 20/02/2020 15:19

I don't have any experience but I'm so sorry you're going through this. I hope all goes as well as possible and I'm sorry for your loss Flowers

SVRT19674 · 20/02/2020 15:22

My experience was great. They give you a local anesthetic first on the area. When that's kicked in they give you epidural. Doesn't hurt at all.

SVRT19674 · 20/02/2020 15:24

Also you can request a sedative and that will send you to sleep.

PooWillyBumBum · 20/02/2020 15:25

I hated having an epidural but mostly because I really disliked not being able to move around immediately after. I felt pinned to the bed until they came and removed the catheter. That is the only negative thing I can think of, you’ll be absolutely fine.

Anyoed · 20/02/2020 15:27

HI I'm so sorry your going through this. I had an epidural whilst havingyou son. I was petrified and still am of needles to the point I pass out . But with the epidural I was OK I couldn't see it which helped , you don't really feel it going in as they give a small needle to nbe the area. This is just a small scratch. Then when they put the stuff in might feel.a bit of a funny sensation but that soon goes away. Please no they will test to ensure u don't feel anything before they start. And they will contuine to check up r OK and not feeling pain. It's a awful thing for you to go through. So sorry you are having to go through this is . I hope this helps ease this worry at least. Good luck

lyingwanker · 20/02/2020 15:27

I've had 2 before in the throes of Labour. It was fine, local anaesthetic in the back and then the epidural inserted.

Good luck

summeryet · 20/02/2020 15:32

They're brilliant things and will save the fogginess of a general.

Sorry that you're experiencing this.

TheGirlWhoLived · 20/02/2020 15:34

I've had an epidural during labour and have also had a medically managed miscarriage (for a MMC).

Please don't work yourself up too much about it, it really isn't that horrendous of a process in my opinion... the epidural in particular is quick and fairly painless, it is much much less painful to have put in than an IV for example, and I assume you have one already? As a PP posted, the anaethesist will numb the area first, the one thing I would prepare yourself for is that they WILL ask you to sign a couple of forms, and they WILL verbally tell you that there is a risk of being permanently paralysed after having the epidural. The risk is very low but they have to legally tell you before you agree.

You will need a catheter put in whilst the epidural is in place, but this will be removed afterwards. Also it will obviously take a while for the epidural to wear off, so be ready for that too.

I8toys · 20/02/2020 15:43

I've had two before when in labour and both fine.

sofiathe2nd · 20/02/2020 15:43

So sorry you’re going through this.

I had an epidural in labour, they numbed the area first so I didn’t feel the needle go in or anything. The pain relief was lovely and they monitor it very regularly to keep it at appropriate levels.

The catheter was a bit of a pain as I had to wait 24 hours after labour to have it removed when u really wanted to be up and about but on balance the epi was a positive experience and I’d consider one again

Sparklybanana · 20/02/2020 16:01

I had a spinal for a mc and whilst I personally thought it was a bit scary getting it done, I actually preferred knowing what was going on. The surgery staff were very good and kept me entertained. I didn’t feel pain but I did feel ‘stuff going on’. It was far better than I thought it would be.

Nowayorhighway · 20/02/2020 16:12

Oh my, how awful for you Sad. I was gracefully put to sleep after my MMC, not sure how I’d have coped if awake. I have had an epidural during birth and three spinals at this stage too, they’re absolutely fine and you can’t physically feel anything below your breasts.

Ask to be sedated, I’m sorry you have to go through this.

Bagofoldbones · 20/02/2020 16:15

Mine went on a nerve and paralysed me down my left side for 48 hours.

I actually thought I’d had a stoke.

ilovedjerrymore · 20/02/2020 16:15

I had 2 epidurals having my son, both didn’t workSad

Hope everything goes well opFlowers

Original poster
GoodnessG · 20/02/2020 16:42

They've said they'll try and give me some form of sedation so that will help hopefully. I don't want to be properly and fully conscious knowing what they are doing Sad

OP posts:
Yummymummy2020 · 20/02/2020 16:45

I had one and I didn’t even feel it go in!!! It was totally painless even when they said you will feel a pinch I didn’t! They sprayed my back with something to numb it and I think I maybe got a local too? Either way I have no idea what wizardry they used but I had no idea it went in! I am nervous of needles too but it was totally fine and I would have no issue getting another!!!

Yummymummy2020 · 20/02/2020 16:46

Oh and just to add it worked beautifully for me and very fast! I also got a walking one so could move my legs reasonably well! But still felt no pain at all!

madcatladyforever · 20/02/2020 16:48

I'm sorry you are going through this. I had an epidural for my first son and it was great, no pain and no feeling whatsoever.
You can just lie there with your eyes shut, or talking or reading a book if you want.
The needle was fine.

Original poster
GoodnessG · 20/02/2020 16:50

I guess another part of it is because of the reason for the procedure. I'm already distressed and upset about that. The thought of being awake whilst they do it is making me feel horrible Sad I just wish my husband could be there.

OP posts:
gingerbiscuits · 20/02/2020 17:08

My experience of an epidural was totally fine - didn't feel it going in at all, legs & lower body 100% no feeling whatsoever & just a bit tingly & slightly wobbly/heavy legs when it wore off but nothing unpleasant.

So sorry to hear what you're going through- I've been there myself but was able to have a GA. You'll be a bit sore & feel 'periody' afterwards but otherwise fine. Hope all goes well. X

WhoWants2Know · 20/02/2020 17:14

I've had 2. The first time I was off my face on Pethidine and remember very little.

The second was easy peasy, fully conscious and barely felt a thing.

Original poster
GoodnessG · 20/02/2020 17:29

Thanks. I'd definitely prefer to be off my face! I'm hoping they will give me something.

OP posts:
MagicKingdomDizzy · 20/02/2020 18:00

So sorry you're going through this.

I've had 2 epidurals. My experience of them both was very good. They worked well and I had no pain or side effects afterwards.

Hope it goes well for you Flowers

sheepysheep · 20/02/2020 18:18

Sorry you’re going through this.

I had surgical management of a missed miscarriage and didn’t want to stop breastfeeding my son so they couldn’t use GA or epidural.

I had local anaesthetic plus gas and air.... And lots of kind nurses holding my hands and giving me gas and air. If it’s any consolation the consultant said that they are much more gentle / mindful of you in these circumstances as you are witnessing the procedure. I won’t lie to you, it hurt. But it was quick and they were kind and recovery was quicker than the natural miscarriages I have had.

Good luck Flowers

NotQuiteUsual · 20/02/2020 18:29

I've had two epidurals and they were fantastic, I didn't feel them be put in or taken out. They took a few minutes to become effective which surprised me at the time. My left shoulder became slightly numb for a couple months after the second one, but it fully recovered.

I'm so sorry you're going through this.