Epidural - positive and negatives please

[lucybrad]

Hi All

I am currently pg 30 weeks, and previously had twins by elcs.

I am getting worried about labour now, but have been assured I can have an epidural if wanted.

Now I was wondering, if an epidural takes away all the pain, why doesnt everyone have one? I take paracetamol for a headache so why not get rid of the pain of this? Can anyone give me real life experience of the good and the bad points please...

I think a lot depends on the circumstances. I had an epidural with my first. After 28 hours of labour I was very tired and desperte. The epidural allowed me to rest. As the labour was 33 hours long the epidural had completely worn off by the push stage. I gave birth without any problems.

With my second I did not need gas and air. It was a very easy labour and lasted less than 3 hours.

No two labours are the same. I would keep an open mind and investiage all forms of pain relief. I found the natal hynotherpahy CDs helpful. Even if you plan an epidural you may well have to wait for an anestist.

The problem with an epidural is that it reduces your ablity to move. This can restort in a cascade of intervention. However there are times when the risk is justified.

Lucy - why did you have a section with the twins ?

This is my first pregnancy, so I can't speak from experience. However I do plan on having an epidural.

My sister has 3 kids. #1 was with an epidural - no problems at all. For #2, there was no time for an epidural. The first words she said to me afterwards was "There was a moment when I actually thought I was going to die". For #3, she had an epidural. No problems.

I am the eldest of 5 kids. My mother told me back then, she thought she was being a martyr doing it naturally. She told me I'd be crazy not to have one. My next 3 siblings were born via my stepmother, all with epidural, again with no problems.

My mother in law also thinks I'd be mad not to have one.

So clearly I'm biased towards having one now!

The way I see it, there are risks no matter what method I choose, so let's try the method that sounds most appealing, and hopefully it's not the end of the world if I choose wrong.

TransatlanticCityGirl In the late 1970's/1980's everyone had epidurals and then bottle fed so things have changed a lot since those days. You also stayed in longer after the birth, ideally they seem to want you out within 24 hours now.
They also took the baby to the nursery overnight to look after the baby for you to recover, that doesn't happen now and the medical staff are reluctant to hand out epidurals willy nilly.
I've had 1st one with and then 3 without.
I can honestly say if I could go back in time I would have had the first one without just to test my body and see what I was capable of.
Birth really isn't that bad in my experience.

Am just saying you can want an epidural all you like but don't bank on it, if they haven't got the staff or you progress really quickly it may not happen (that was the case with my 2nd baby) and if you aren't prepared for that because you "know" you're having an epidural it's not much fun.
I would certainly read up on other coping mechanisms as well.

Hiya,
Haven't read all posts so apologies if repeating someone else's point, but wanted to add that when you're looking at information on epidurals - the pros and the cons, it's very important to know whether you're talking about a first labour or a subsequent one. The outcomes for first labours with an epidural tend to be worse than with subsequent labours, in the sense that you're more likely to have an assisted delivery.

I had two long and difficult labours with posterior babies, one with an epidural and one without, but with the support of a very good midwife. I felt my recovery and breastfeeding were much much quicker after the non-epidural birth. That said - couldn't have done without an epidural in that labour if I hadn't had such a brilliant midwife.

Re: success rates - epidurals provide very good pain relief for about 8/9 out of ten women who opt for one. In other words, it's really unlucky if it doesn't work well for you because it's great for most people!

I had an epidural with my first, induced labour (I went in already at 4cm, they broke my waters, put me on the second highest dose of syntocinon and bang, contractions hit me like a bus). I lasted a couple of hours but I was not allowed to move around at all as this would disturb the monitor belts. Consequently I had a epidural about half way through my 6 hour labour. It was semi-effective, which in a way was good as it left me with a lot of sensation during contractions but slightly less pain so I could certainly feel when to push. Three pushes and DD1 was out. First stage was 5 hours, second stage was about 25 minutes. No ventouse, forceps etc. - she basically shot out.

I went into my next birth fully intending to have another epidural. Unfortunately I completely failed to notice I was in labour (I was only at 35 weeks and I thought it was a urinary tract infection) since it in no way felt as intense as my induced labour. By the time I realised something was up and I probably wouldn't be able to drive myself to the pregnancy assessment unit, there was just about time to blue light me to the hospital before DD2 arrived. First stage was just over an hour (from first twinge to pushing) and second stage was 10 minutes. Again, DD2 shot out.

So, what would I do again? Honestly, if I have another child I won't be getting the epidural if I can possibly avoid it. The sheer exhilaration I felt after giving birth the second time, the fact that I could walk around immediately afterwards, the incredible feeling of just doing exactly what my body told me to do ... all of these factor into my decision. Yes, I yelled the place down for ten minutes, but in retrospect I do not care a jot. I never imagined wanting a non-medicated birth but now I can't imagine not wanting it.

ive has 3 c/s and epidurals with all 3.no probs with first and third but with second had the most horrendous-and i mean excrutiating to the point i thought i was dying headache for a week afterwards that would go if i lay down very still. turned out to be something to do with spinal fluid from the epidural causing it, it did get better and have had no trouble at all since.

I loved my epidural, as I have a disability and would be likely to have problems giving birth we chose a hospital with a specialist mother and baby unit and we went in beforehand with the consultant to see the anethetist who assured me "I've injected far worse spines than yours". The unit also guaranteed an anethetist would be available at all times.

I went into labour, my back muscles collapsed, I was in agony at 2cm dilation, they whacked me up with pethedine and the obstetrician looked in and he and the midwife said I needed more painkillers, I decided I wanted an epidural (I was utterly immobile by this time) the midwife rushed off, I had one more contraction then they did the injection and I was all pain free for the next 5 hours. Very restful, the actual pushing was a problem as I couldn't feel anything so the registrar came along and she put her hands on my stomach and told me when to push, then they saw merconium coming out and did a quick ventouse to get DD out. We were both fine.

That said, DH had read up on the childbirth stuff and hovered about making sure I got the best care and was a real help, he even stood over the poor registrar to check I was stitched up ok (I have a weird thing where I don't heal well so need loads of stitches).

So, if there are the required staff and your DH is assertive it can be great, my midwife was fantastic, the only real issue was the relief midwife covering while my midwife went to dinner didn't check my dilation often enough and I dilated very very quickly (epidurals normally slow dilation) and this was picked up by the registrar and she rocketed the midwife about it then mobilised the entire team.

I did have a very slight breakthrough pain in my tummy for a short time, but it wasn't much at all.

Looking back DH was more traumatised by the whole thing than I was, I found it very relaxing.

pros
Less likely to feel pain
more able to communicate

cons
spinal puncture leading to headaches, I too was stuck lying on my back until I had a blood patch repair the damage
it doesnt always work, mine worked long enough to lull me into a false sense of security then the contractions came hammering back without a build up
A sense of being dissociated after the birth, I took much longer to bond
No sensation to push
Babys heartrate dipping on each contraction and ventouse/forceps/section having to be used
Stuck in hospital for longer

Sorry for being so negative, everyone has different experiences mine were obviously bad and I would never opt for an epidural again.

Someone else made a good point about the experience being worse for first deliveries I think this is true so you maybe fine, subsequent 2 babies I delivered on gas and air and tens, I was amazed after 2 hours when the midwife told me I was fully dilated, I could cope with the gradual build up so much better than first time round.

Positive - its lovely and (for me) stops all pain - able to relax etc.

Negative - first time around I had to have a cathetar in for a couple of weeks afterwards. Though second time they took it out after a few hours.

I think they are amazing!

I wanted one before being hooked up to syntoconon drip (induction) and the consultant agreed. MW talked me out of it. By the time she thought it might be a good idea and put my name on the list (beware that they may be busy and have a 40 min wait) the contractions were so close together that it was hard to put in and only worked on one side. The MW thought that this was useful as I could feel something. I didn't agree as it was excruciating but no urge to push. Eventually she did get it fixed as it appeared that I would need an assisted delivery. So I would say get in there early.

They don't always work.

I had two individually sited epidurals with my son. They didn't work at all, so I ended up going through the agony of having an epidural (I found the whole process of having it put in awful) for absolutely nothing.

My subsequent 2 births on just G&A were a doddle compared to DS1's birth. I had full control and was not full of disappointment that the pain hadn't gone away.

Negative - first time around I had to have a cathetar in for a couple of weeks afterwards.

A couple of WEEKS ?
Is that a typo or else it's one hell of a negative

I had the first one after being induced and fairly early on in the labour. It worked for a while but then wore off and only worked on one side. It also slowed the whole labour right down, so had all the pain but couldn't move or push - for hours and hours. Forceps almost pulled me off the bed. Horrific.

Second one was much better. I had it later on when it was almost too late. It took longer to work but I had no pain AT ALL from the time it worked. I couldn't feel the contractions, but the midwife told me when to push and I could still push well. I did have a few problems with headaches and back pain afterwards though for a couple of weeks.

Interesting that an earlier poster mentioned bladder problems. I pee if I go on the trampoline. I just assumed that was down to the whole childbirth/forceps thing and me being lazy about Pelvic floor exercises.

I had epi when I went on the drip during induction.

It's def not pleasant having them put in. - You have to stay still, while in a lot of pain from contracting. I wouldnt say it is terribly painful - a sharp pain when they put the needle in, but there is a bit of a sort of grating feeling as if the needle is on your spine! It's more the ikky feeling and the worry about trying to stay still when you know another big contraction is on the way.

Definitely not so painful as to negate the positives though! The minute it is in, it is great.

They don't always work - my was bliss for a while but then stopped working on one side. So they topped up, which meant that it worked better, but still had a fair amount of pain on that side (could feel contractions), but it was manageable and not agony.

With the top up, though, I had totally dead legs - couldn't move a muscle. Which meant no walking round, gave birth on my back, no urge to push, episiotomy and forceps (Of course didn't feel any pain with those, though).

Definitely would have epi again if was induced. It does make things quite full on, but mine was an OK experience.

PS be aware once you have decided to have it, you may have to wait! I waited 90 mins for mine as there was a neonatal emergency and the anaesthetist was involved with that. I just tried to grit my teeth and think about that poor little newborn and how his/her need was greater than mine.

PPS

Also back pain for a few weeks after - quite unpleasant "neural" type pain at the site of the epi, if I slumped or sat in a poor position.

mamatomany I had a CS with the twins, presumably because they were breech at 35 weeks, the consultant decided to get them out. Wasnt really ever discussed that I would do it 'naturally'. So I suppose this means this would be my first proper labour, so I expect it o go the way manyothers first labours appear to have gone. I dont want to be blaming the epidural for normal first labour problems.

Only have one child and had an epidural and would definitely have one again. Labour was very fast (first contraction to DS out in 5 hours), I felt the contractions, but no pain and I was able to concentrate on pushing. Beside the bliss of being pain-free, I loved giving birth in a very calm, quiet environment. Absolutely no intervention was necessary and I didn't have an episiotomy either. No back pain or any other problems post-natally.

Obviously, this is just my experience - basically, if it works for you it's wonderful.

It's a great big fuck off needle.

Enough of a negative for me

I've had 2 - an epidural and a combi. It wasn't exactly pleasant having them put in, but it was wonderful - first time round I'd been in labour for 19 hours but wasn't progressing so I asked for one, which they later topped up slightly when I had an emergency section. It was great - I could feel the contractions, move my legs etc but without the pain. 2nd time round I was more aware of it hurting when they put it in (because it was a planned section) but again it worked well. They may have given me slightly too high a dose for such a small person as the anaesthetist kept having to remind me to breathe, and they eventually put tubes up my nose for a bit as I was too relaxed and was forgetting to breathe . Would do it again.

I want to know what epidurals people were having to make the experience totally pain free!!

They gave me and epidural after I had been in labour for 30+ hours and awake for over 2 days (DD was back to back). I was so tired I honestly don't remember it being done (that and the fact they had given me a stoopid amount of pethedine - something I really didn't want but was talked into).

I know I fell asleep for an hour, so something must have worked, but when I woke up I was really 'out of it', I was given a top up button, but it made me really sick (I still think it was the bloody pethedine that was to blame)

The Epidural definately took the 'edge' off my contractions, but I could feel EVERYTHING and had no troubles pushing at all (Midwife remarked that the pushing stage took less than 20 minutes, something that she'd usually expect from someone who had had 'quite a few' babies)

I didn't have to have a catheter, but because I couldn't feel my back when I was pushing I ended up slipping 2 disks which left me in agony for 9 months until the NHS finally kindly agreed to fix them.

I had an epi after my SPD got so bad in labour I was screaming from it and not noticing the contractions (been in labour for about 15 hours, mostly in the bath or pool and with g+a it was not bad at all). I can't take pethidine so there weren't many options - my birth plan said 'I'm terrified of a needle in my spine but realise if g+a doesn't cut it I may change my mind!'

Couldn't feel a thing below my waist after 30 seconds, except every couple hours when it wore off. People were waving my feet around and prodding thighs - no feeling at all.

One common side effect though is throwing up. So after ds popped out with ventouse (to everyone's surprise - they only tried it so I could say I'd tried everything before a cs), about 20 min later we were about to leave theatre when I had to yell at the guys to get me upright (couldn't sit up by myself), and they hauled me and I threw up all over them. And then spewed twice more just as they cleaned that up.

I also had to stay on a catheter with some drug for the next 12 hours for some reason that I never quite figured out. I think it was so the disabled woman didn't have to get to the loo, missing the fact that epis can also cause diarrhoea, and not being able to move... NOT FUN!

But I'd do it again if I had to, just insist on getting the catheter out ASAP, warn staff about the vomit, and point out I've got a wheelchair (if my pelvis falls apart again)

I've had two babies and no edpidurals - first time round was painful but I used tens and then a birthing pool and found it helped me cope, second time was so fast it never really felt too bad (hour and a half labour). I was lucky to be quick both times (first labour was 5 hours, 21 hours total), if I had gone on for days it's much more likely I would have asked for one.

I was happy to have the pain - it felt productive, but then as I said I didn't have to experience it for days. My brother runs marathons, I always think of it like that. Except with a baby at the end.