AIBU: to ask for positive epidural stories?

[Dontgetmewrong87]

I’m pregnant and the mental health nurse says I need to seek out some positive birth stories especially with epidurals. I’ve found the whole conversation around childbirth really frightening and negative, so if anyone wanted to share theirs I would be most grateful :)

Had epidurals with both of mine. Long labours and induced both times. Tried to avoid it the first time and wished I'd had it sooner! Second time around I asked for it much earlier!! I could still feel the contractions both times and knew when I needed to push but it made it a much better experience. One epidural was totally painless going in, the other was a bit uncomfortable but nothing too significant. Took a bit longer to be steady on my feet afterwards but would highly recommend them for pain relief

I did hypnobirthing and found the techniques helpful during early stages. After 2 days of v mild contractions and a stretch and sweep I was still only 3cm.

I was given induction drip and asked for epidural at same time. The half hour between drip and epidural was awful I really struggled. As soon as the epidural kicked in I was a different woman, I rested and snacked while my body did it's thing. Got to 10cm and was in a really good frame of mind to push and focus. Had it on a lower dose so it took the pain off but could still feel the urge to push

My epidural was great. It took straight away, wasn't that scary to put in at all. Massive relief and no pain. Blocking the pain definitly helps you feel in control of the situation

I would add that the only reason I even considered a water birth instead of epidural the second time around was in order to get home same day to reduce disruption for my toddler.
As it turned out, I would have been able to go home even with epidural as I could walk shortly after, but because of meconium in my waters they wanted baby to stay for observation.
So even if I'd gone through the pain of a natural birth it would have been for nothing. Glad I didn't!

I was in labour for 26 hours before I had my epidural, it was painful, tiring, stressful and not enjoyable at all, in fact most of our was a blur. Once I'd had the epidural until dd was born 4 hours later was amazing, I couldn't feel a thing and really enjoyed it, I can recall it all and it was so lovely to be present and focused on her from the second she was born.
I was up and in the shower within 30 minutes of her being born, my leg was a bit numb but I could walk and stand OK.

With dd2 I knew I wanted one straight away so asked as soon as I got to hospital, it took 6 hours though for them to get to me so it's definitely worth asking immediately and keep pushing for it.
Again I hated the pain until I had the epidural and enjoyed every minute afterwards.

I have no experience of an epidural for childbirth but I did have a spinal anaesthesia for my knee replacement. Wide awake , didn't feel a thing

I'd had a stressful labour and didn't progress very quickly at all. I had an epidural, fell asleep and when I woke I was fully dilated. Amazing.

Had a birth with one - amazing, not traumatic, calm, fond memories.

One without. Awful, traumatic, I think Iv blocked the worst out.

Epidural every damn time for me. (If I was mad enough to have more than 2 kids. Which I’m not.)

My second was with an epidural, it was magic, so calm and pain-free. The midwife was in the middle of filling the birth pool when I changed my mind, and asked for it, but they were lovely and more than happy to go with whatever I wanted. They had to do it twice as the first attempt wasn't sited properly, it didnt bother me at all though. I didn't feel any pain or contractions, but felt the baby coming and it was honestly wonderful. Spent the first 4 hours having cuddles & skin to skin, then straight on my feet to have a shower. As soon as I'd give birth I was immediately sad that I wouldn't be doing it again. The only discomfort I had was indigestion from the bagel I had forced myself to eat before we went into hospital! Don't be afraid OP, I would go for one every time given the choice and wish I'd opted for it with my first.

Epidural: one of mankind's best ever inventions.

Okay, if you're feeling overwhelmed I'm not telling you my full birth story. I'll sugarcoat it but it's honest. but the epidural was the best bit. I'd been in labour quite a while and not slept the night before when I asked for an epidural. The anathatist appeared what felt like straight away. They discussed whether to do it sitting or lying on my side. It numbed me completely to pain so I fell asleep for a few hours before waking up fully dilated and pushed my baby out. I did need an episiotomy but I didn't feel any pain just pressure. There was no pain with the stitching afterwards. The following morning I was raving about how epic the epidural was.

I was absolutely adamant I wasn't having any drugs.

Then the contractions started. And they got worse. And I decided Fuck That!

The nurses said I was a completely different person with the epidural. It was bloody amazing.

I felt nothing when they did it.

I ended up having an emergency section but because I'd already had the epidural they topped it up and wheeled me in.

I'd read about people ending up with back pain after it etc. I had nothing at all.

If I'm lucky enough to have another baby, EPIDURAL will be written across the top of my notes in huge block letters. And also across my forehead 😁

My son got stuck & he started getting distressed so I was given an epidural for an emergency c-section. Oh sweet Jesus, the blissful relief from the contractions by that point was amazing! If I'd known, I'd have asked for one much earlier, before it got to that stage!! I had pins & needles for a few hours when it was wearing off but I was pretty much immobile with a catheter in so it made no difference anyway!

Epidural for both of mine.
Absolutely bliss.
The most wonderful, calm, relaxing experiences. Literally perfect births.

I was induced after waters broke. Anaesthetist said they would give me just enough to numb the pain but allow me to feel the contraction waves. Gave birth v quickly. No pain. Felt a little faint afterwards but that wasn't necessarily the epidural.

Best of luck OP!

I was very naive when I fell pregnant in so much as no one had ever spoken to me about the labour process. I really got myself worked up into a frenzy after doing some research - particularly because I have a low pain threshold.

During one of my pregnancy checks the gynaecologist produced an ear bud type swab (but longer) to send off for standard tests and I was genuinely terrified. She laughed and said, "You do realise you're going to have a baby in a few months?" I was beyond anxious about it all - I had recurring nightmares about labour.

However, as I previously posted, I had absolutely nothing to worry about - the epidural was bliss. I genuinely felt nothing - not even low level pain - genuinely nothing.

You'll do what I did - look back and laugh about how worried you are!

Requested an epidural on baby #2 from first midwife appointment onwards. It was my one condition for attempting a VBAC. I was 6cms when I arrived at the hospital and was firm when the midwives tried fobbing me off, ‘but you’re doing so well’ etc. Be aware that epidurals are not always 100% immediately effective. Mine took a while to kick in after three attempts to place. The anaesthetist said that the smaller the woman is the harder it can be to insert. It still offered a lot of relief, I was more ‘with it’ than when I was given Remifentanil the first time around and I successfully delivered DS vaginally. No adverse effects and I recovered far more easily and quickly that I did from my previous emergency caesarean.

Thanks everyone who responded to this. I actually went quiet because as I was reading them my waters broke spectacularly at 35 weeks and I went into labour. The early part was agony but as promised the epidural was fantastic and I think it’s one of the greatest inventions ever!! The birth wasn’t simple and my baby has needed a bit of special care but I was able to stay calm through the majority of it and the aftermath and I think your stories played a big part in this. Thank you again - it really means a lot.

Wow! Congratulations!

I’m so pleased for you @Dontgetmewrong87.

Welcome to the joys of motherhood!

Ive had both an emergency one in theatre and a planned one at 7 cm. Felt neither go in both immediate full pain relief. Ask early as aesthetist can be busy with emergencies (I was the emergency the first time had to wait a bit the second as it was pain relief but he came just as I starting asking again and said I'd had enough) only thing was tender on sight in back for a day or two after felt like bruising. Amazing invention

I had an epidural. I had decided long before the birth that I wanted one. I was 4cm dilated by the time I went to hospital, still 4 many hours later. Had an IV of something to speed things along. Epidural did not hurt, got a little tinge in my knee, which is a good thing apparently. When it came to pushing, I looked at my mam and said nothings happening? She said I couldn't feel it i was numb.
Was a brilliant experience all round, painful at first yes, but I was laid in bed all day with a bunch of lovely women catering to my every need! Best of luck with everything!

Congratulations @Dontgetmewrong87 Hope you and baby are doing well x

I struggled on for too long with my first child's birth. I don't know why really, but I had convinced myself somehow that the done thing was to see how it went and only get an epidural if I felt I really needed it. So I waited until I was in absolute agony and utterly miserable, which was really silly for me personally as I know I don't deal well with pain. Gas and air did fuck all for me, it was a tiny distraction to begin with but just absolutely useless. So I eventually had the epidural and it was such a blessed relief. The actual birth was pain free and fine.

With my second baby I didn't mess around, got the epidural as soon as I got to the hospital. I then had a lovely little nap and when I woke up very calmly and with no pain just pushed him out. I could feel what was happening, but it didn't hurt at all. It was wonderful.

Both my labours took about 6 hours and spending the first bit comfortable and asleep was a vast improvement on spending it writhing and screaming.

Oh I see you've had your baby (and the epidural). Congratulations!