Epidural first time, home birth second time?

[ViolaCrayola]

I was induced with DC1 and ended up having an epidural - I found labour to be excruciatingly painful, and felt it was really necessary. Was having non stop, very forceful contractions. Dilated very quickly and actually had epidural at about 9cm (although didn't know that until afterwards!). I ended up having complications due to the epidural and would really rather avoid one next time.

I am considering a home water birth this time, as my hospital experience was negative in various ways. BUT I often read about women feeling that they coped well in their first births, so felt confident having a second at home. I didn't cope very well, so am wondering if I am kidding myself thinking I might be able to cope this time with just G+A.

Has anyone had an epidural first time and then gone for a home birth next time? Or decided not to? TIA for any thoughts/experiences.

I had a shit first birth - badly positioned baby, contractions 5 mins apart for 48 hours before birth, cascade of intervention before epidural and ventose.

Second birth at home - I read Kitzingers' Birth Your Way and it brought it home how so many of the issues with that birth were created by being on the clock, having to follow procedure etc. Neither DC or I were in any danger at any point - except perhaps by some of the procedures they did to me- any how, staying at home brought some of the power back to me and I had a good second birth at home. Didn't even use gas and air!

I planned a hb for my second time after excrutiating first time - it didn't happen in the end as I was quite overdue and other complications but I would say go for it...

• A hb means that the first part of your labour is at home in your own environment with your own things around you. You can plan whether to sit and watch movies or make a cake (!) or go into the garden or a walk locally in early labour, all things I've heard friends do which you can't do in hospital.

• While planning for a hb you can read up on natural birth, calming techniques (I would recommend hypnotherapy, I'm not into all the woo or "magic" but it gave me some good coping techniques in labour. I just used a cd at night, and it helped me relax and sleep so a bonus.) Also Ina May books gave me a real confidence in my body and helped me relax in advance.

• If your first birth was traumatic for any reason it can be worth asking for a proper "debrief" with a MW to go through your notes.

• You would get one on one care from when you need it at home.

At the end of the day if you book a homebirth you can always change your mind and go in if you prefer or transfer part way if you find it is getting too much. It can be worth booking a hb for this reason alone.

On the other hand I planned a hb, definitely didn't want another epidural, terrified of the hospital environment and ended up overdue and induced, with an epidural and a PPH. BUT I felt so much more in control and like I had tried all I could and when I chose things it was a genuine choice. Very very different this time around.

Has anyone had an epidural first time and then gone for a home birth next time?

Yes, I did. The water was wonderful and in the end my son came so quickly that there was no need for G&A.

You can always start off at home and see how you get on with the option of transferring if you feel you need more pain relief that that available at home.

Yes. Horrid unecessary induced birth for DC1. 16hrs ending in epidural, forceps etc etc etc

DC2 home waterbirth, spontaneous labour lasting about 2.5hrs
DC3 home waterbirth, spontaneous labour lasting about 3.5hrs

I found hypnobirthing v helpful. It can be done. Good luck

I had hospital birth for ds1. On arrival found out I couldn't use the pool as not enough staff on. I felt I couldn't cope with the pain, mw told me I couldn't cope with pain so should have diamorphine whilst i waited for anaesthetist to come and administer epidural (4hour wait) then ventouse, awful! I felt unsupported and had no encouragement to try anything other than drugs.
This time I have planned a home birth, practiced natal hypnotherapy from 29 wks and am ready to give it my best shot with tens, gas and air and my pool. I am due tomorrow and feeling confident and in control which I think is the most important thing for me after feeling so out of control last time.

Thanks so much for all your comments - really helpful and encouraging. I am getting closer to making a final decision (I'm 28 weeks) and this has definitely helped me to feel more confident that I could manage without an epidural even though I didn't last time.

I am thinking about using hypnobirthing techniques again (I used the CDs last time) but I'm not sure I can be convinced by the idea of a pain free birth! Part of me just thinks I need to be aware that it IS very painful but that I can cope nonetheless. Would welcome any thoughts on that from anyone who used/is using hypnotherapy. Or any other book/CD recommendations - anyone read 'Birthing from Within'? Or any other experiences... :)

I liked the hypnobirthing stuff but no, I didn't go along with the idea it wouldn't be painful - it was bloody agony but repeating things to myself along the lines of it being a contraction closer to the birth and all that hippy stuff seemed to help somehow.

I'd also suggest thinking about a doula. Mine was invaluable and would have been even better had I been at home! Just gives you the confidence and is alongside you when you feel you are flagging and somehow having female support makes such a difference.

I had an epidural with my first then went on to have a 4 hr labour with my second - in hospital but no pain relief. Got to hospital pushing and had him about 30 mins later. He was nearly 2lbs bigger than my first. The experience was awesome. A home birth wasn't the right choice for me - I am in no way anti home birth - have delivered many at home - just not my choice. I was amazed how different my two experiences were and how empowered and strong I felt during the second birth.

I had a classic horrendous hospital birth first time. Two days of intense contractions at home. Augmented in hospital, spiral of intervention, drip, epidural, forceps. Was also, charmingly, repeatedly told I had a low pain threshold by my witch of a midwife.

Second time I had a homebirth in the pool, nothing, not even gas and air. I had hoped for a calm, quiet hypnotic birth (I used natal hypnotherapy, not hypnobirthing, which doesn't try to convince you it isn't painful, just how to let everything wash over you). Unfortunately it turned out I was more of a 'yell, grunt and get in undignified positions to help the back ache' type of labour. But it was amazing, I wouldn't change it for the world and, if there is ever a third, I would definitely have a homebirth again (unless I was high risk for some reason).

I read Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth. There's a bit of cringey hippy talk in the birth stories (one woman talks about her 'gates of life'). But otherwise it is really helpful. A mixture of birth stories and scientific discussion on why certain natural approaches can be helpful.

Also, to me, the pool was the stuff of the gods. As soon as I got in, the contractions went from intense to barely bothering me. Washing over me like I had hoped they would. Mind you, I found the epidural rather hellish (it somehow didn't give full pain relief despite supposedly working, and I couldn't move to take pressure off my back), so I was starting from the point of really, really not wanting one again.

I think you should plan a homebirth and if it's painful just transfer in for more pain relief.
I used hypnobirthing techniques and it was still painful, I never went along with the pain free message or the different language for everything. I still managed to get so relaxed I got to transition with just a Tens and did the rest in the pool. It was like the relaxation and endorphins built up over time so I actually found the early part the most distressing and it seemed to get more manageable as time went on. Planning a second homebirth in the next 5 weeks (am 37weeks now).