Epidural for 2nd birth after waterbirth for 1st?

[chummymummy7]

Would love to hear your thoughts/experiences...

First birth was at a birth centre...typical long latent labour (contractions stopped/started over one week) - so was exhausted by the time actual labour kicked off.

Actual labour was around 7/8 hours - inc 1 hour pushing. Had gas and air and a shot of meptid, which eased things a bit for a short time. TBH, I found the whole thing painful, difficult, exhausting and quite traumatic - esp the latter stages, crowning and pushing.

I remember at one point during the labour making a solemn vow to myself not to do it again. However, I had no tearing, interventions or stitches - DD was born alert and healthy, and I felt pretty great after the job was done.

It's now 7 days until the EDD of DC2. Am booked into a birth centre within a hospital, but am getting nervous 'reliving' the 1st time - despite doing a Hypnobirthing course.

Part of me feels I want an easier ride and an epidural. Am I mad to want drugs this time? Or would I be mad not to? Should I just go into it knowing I've done it once and can do it 'natural' again - or quell my nerves by planning to have an epidural if it all gets too much?

Hey, I am all for natural, waterbirth for my 2nd time round! After premature labour, an induction and drugs last minute for the 1st... Baby came out not breathing due to drugs which was very scary so not doing that again! I've heard lots of great reports about having epidurals, so it may be worth considering. I have also heard that it can slow the labour process down, but it would be worth hearing from those who've had epidurals rather than me! Personally, I kind of like going through all the pain and like the feeling of overcoming (maybe that's weird) :)

Funny, I think 2nd time round we look back and think, what could I have done differently? I do think it will be hard to get away completely from the painful and traumatic altogether... It's great you didn't need any stitches or interventions first time - nice one!

All the best for your birth (and either way, it sounds like you'll be just fine)!

I think everyone gets nervous as birth is drawing near, no matter what their previous experiences so feeling a bit wobbly about it all is entirely normal.
It's impossible to say if things would have gone so well (after the long latent phase) last time if you had had an epidural. Your chances of needing instrumental assistance would have been more likely, amongst other things, but perhaps you wouldn't have felt so traumatised. But you do say you 'felt pretty good after the job was done.'
You have done it once before, and you'll most likely not have the exhausting latent phase of last time, and a far quicker pushing stage.
But only you can decide. Could you not leave it until during the labour to see how it goes, or do the logistics of transferring from the birth centre for an epidural make it impossible?

Really useful responses here, thanks ladies and do keep 'em coming.

I think the fact that 'only I can decide' is what adds to the pressure, lou4791. It almost feels unfair on this baby to risk a potential intervention when dd1 came out of her own free will!

But the birth centre is just one floor below the delivery suite, so transferring should be easy enough if I decide in time.

I have heard very mixed reports from friends who've had epidurals - from "amazing, wouldn't do it without" to 3rd degree tears and epidural only working down one side etc.

If transferring is easy , you don't have to decide. After doing it all before, you're highly likely to have a quicker and smoother time for this baby. Try to grasp something from the hypnobirthing so you can have some positive thoughts as you're riding those contraction waves. Over the next few days you may find that you're desire to meet your baby overrides the nerves a bit. I reckon you'll be absolutely fine.

Agree with Lou - see what happens on the day! If everything is much quicker this time, then you likely won't need the Epi. If it's a nightmare then you can opt for it! No need for any decisions at this stage, and asking for an epinis in no way a 'failure'. I would not have coped without mine first time round due to sheer length of process, but am hopeful that #2 will be so much quicker that this time maybe I can do without.

Hi I would just say don't rule it out and see how you feel when you are in labour. I didn't have an epidural with ds1 but did with ds2 as it was so much more painful for some reason (was back to back so maybe that?).

I was determined to do without until they examined me and told me I was only 6cm dilated. I thought I can't carry on for hours like this, so had an epidural. The relief was instant, I even managed to have a bit of a sleep. It wore off after a few hours so I could feel to push and used gas and air at the end. It just took the edge off the pain though and would definately have one if there was a next time.

Did you know you are less likely to have a serious tear with an epidural? There was a big research study and it surprised everyone especially as the epidural births were the ones with more complications to start. Possibly because you are less likely to push violently or may be less tense. I don't know the reason.

I'd agree with the advice to wait and see and make your decision in labour. There's no need to decide this now, but also no need to rule anything out at this stage. I expect you will probably be fine given that second births are easier and shorter, and the fact that you had such a good, quick recovery bodes very well for this time. But, there's nothing wrong with going for an epidural this time if you feel you need it. Best of luck!

Ushy- do you know what the epidural/tear study was called? Would really like to have a read as it's completely the opposite to my experience.

First time, home water birth only four hours no stitches/tears.
Now at 34 weeks I can't sleep anticipating that combination of pain, fear and panic. And I know I had it straight forward. I'm listening to the hypno-birthing cd but unfortunately this time round I'm not in an "ignorance is bliss" state of mind.
I would be tempted to opt for a hospital birth with an epidural but I suspect this second birth would be faster and I have no faith the staff would honour my request speedily.
If I could afford an elective section I would snatch the opportunity.
My birth experience was so much better than so many women it feels churlish to post. My mantra is "It will be quicker, I will have an IUD, and (fist raised to sky, Scarlet O'Hara style) as God as my witness I'll never be pregnant again"!

So yes OP I can well understand an epidural after a waterbirth :)

Feel bit of a bastard now to first timers after above rant.
To qualify I have very low pain threshold, take half an hour to recover after knocking a toe and will moan at any opportunity....

lou4791 - Are you speaking about a personal experience? ie did you tear with your epidural but not with other birth/s?

at brices Can you try and replace the negative anticipation with excitement about meeting the baby? I know, I know, so much easier said than done - especially at 3am when you're going loopy on sleep deprivation and feeling weird sensations in your cervix!

I was like you Brices I DID snatch at the opp of an elective c section next time and it was a much much better experience. Don't apologise to first timers - I wish I had met someone like you who was honest!

Chummymummy- Not personal, more professional experience. Would really like to know what study Ushy has seen, as I haven't heard of it.

J Obstet Gynaecol. 2009 Feb;29(2):119-22 Lou

Lou actually, I have realised that one is not on line - there is another study - same conclusion with an online abstract
fn.bmj.com/content/96/Suppl_1/Fa75.2.abstract

Thanks Ushy.
Really interesting. I can see how epidural anaesthesia would reduce the tears due to an uncontrolled urge to push. Non directive pushing, good midwifery support and communication, and waterbirth all play a positive role in reducing perineal trauma too.