Scared of epidural

[shinyblackgrape]

I'm omly 20 weeks pregnant so it's a bit early to be worying myself about things like this. However, I had to post as for the last week or so, I've been absolutely freaking myself out thinking about the birth - this is first DC.

It's not the pain per se, although I know that will be agony. But I'm really really worried about possibly needing an epidural. The thought of not being able to feel my legs or move properly when I will already be feeling quite out of control anyway, makes me feel absolutely terrified.

I'm worried that I'll need to be induced. My understanding is if they do that, an epidural is basically mandatory so I won't be able to refuse.

I haven't told anyone about this but I'm working myself up in to a right old state about it to the extent that I actually feel like I can't breathe properly thinking about it - which is really not like me.

I've tried asking people who've had them what it was like. They all say it was amazing as they were in agony before. I've asked how they felt about not being able to move and they said they didn't really notice as they were in so much pain before. That makes me feel slightly better but I'm still so worried about it and I'm scared of being in labour and being scared all through labour worrying about this damn epidural.

DH is a dentist and quite often talks about "difficult" patients that I know he is lovely and professional to their faces but he finds it difficult to understand why they won't have a particular treatment as it will help them. Which is the rationale thing to think of course. But I'm worried when I speak to him about this he won't get it because it won't be logical to him and I'm worried that the midwives and the doctors won't either and I'll be in labour and really frightened And I just won't know what to do.

Sorry for the huge post but I feel so much better for writing it down. I know that their is probably nothing anyone can say but any tips or advice would be very gratefully received.

I was a bit like you when i was pg. I did end up being induced and it wasn't half as bad as i'd been worrying about. When i got to the delivery suite (was on antenatal ward to start with) after my waters broke they offered me an epidural. I said i'd like to try gas and air first. Two minutes later " Can I have an epidural please!".

It was fine...it was what i needed. It took the pain right down (induced contractions are very painful) and let me get some much needed rest and even went to sleep for a bit! I was being monitored anyway so couldn't move around much anyway. I thought 'if i'm lying on my back anyway might as well have it'. I'm so glad i did and the team who sorted it for me were brilliant.

You have no idea what's going to happen or how the birth's going to be. I think the best thing to do is have a birth plan which states 'in an ideal world i'd like it like this but am open minded to whatever's necessary'. Really try to keep an open mind. I've found that it's the people who are fixated on a certain type of birth are the ones that struggle most if it doesn't go to plan.

Congratulations on your pregnancy btw!

Also meant to say at the point I said i didn't want an epidural they were fine with that and no-one tried to push me into it.

You don't know it's going to be agony, don't forget everyone has reacts differently with the pain, you may find your actually fine with just entenox or opioids.

If you do need a epidural, it may be you still feel your legs ok, depends how heavy the block is.

I'll come back to this later but I think you may find it helpful to read some childbirth books, and maybe even hypnobirthing ones?

Thank you for the quick response! How did it feel not being able to move? Was it like having a dead leg or you couldn't feel anything?

I hadnt thought about sleep either actually. I could go to sleep maybe for lots of the epidural bit too so that would make it go quicker.

empty - thank you. I'm actually seriously contemplating a hypnombirthing course. DH's aunt is a GP and she thinks they are excellent - just even for calming people down.

First of all congratulations!
I think you should tell your midwife your fears, then they should be able to arrange an appointment with the anaesthetist. I had one this time and last time. I also was not keen on an epidural first time round but after 36 hours the midwife persuaded me to have one. It completely numbed everything and I didn't even realise until afterwards that I couldn't move my legs. In the end I had an emcs so they were able to top the epidural up for this which saved precious time.
However, ideally I wouldn't have one again, as I really didn't like not knowing when I was having contractions etc (control freak me?!) I saw the anaethsetist this week and told her I didn't fancy one again and she told me about something called remifentanil. It is a very strong painkiller that you administer yourself, it's quick acting (20-30seconds) but only lasts about 2 mins so you're meant to be mobile between doses. I don't know anyone who has used it but will be happy to report back if I end up trying it out (currently 35 weeks).
Try not to worry too much.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I can understand your anxiety, during my first pregnancy I was very nervous at the thought of an epidural, it wasn't the loss of control so much for me as the thought of a needle going into my spine. In the end however I needed an emcs, and I therefore had no choice. Without wanting to scare you I was in so much pain by then (dd was back to back with her head the wrong way) that it was actually bliss, I barely felt the needle, the relief was instant and I had no complications. I had a spinal rather than an epidural (they are slightly different) and I couldn't move my legs for a few hours afterwards, but I was up and about by the next morning. I'm having an elcs in 6 weeks time so I'll be having another spinal, it really was fine.

I would encourage you to have a chat with your mw about your concerns. I have a mild scoliosis so saw an anaesthetist antenatally to check my spine, maybe you could see one to go through exactly what an epidural entails to put your mind at ease a bit? And whilst I've never been induced, I'm fairly sure that if you don't want an epidural you don't have to have one.

I had epidural with both births and tbh the sense of relief from pain was so amazing that the fact I couldn't move my legs didn't even properly register.

Administering epi wasn't painful at all, despite the scary looking needle.

I had no problems pushing the DC out(as they reduce/withdraw epi for the pushing stage) and no labour slowing down etc.

In fact. it was lovely and I would have it again.

BUT as other poster said, you might not need it anyway.

Never heard of induction meaning you'll need an epidural. I was induced and didn't need an epidural. I had pethidine (that I loved makes you feel happy drunk) and gas and air. In fact I put on my birth plan that I def didn't want an epidural. I am sure others on here will reassure you but if you really don't want one you don't have to have one.

I didn't want an epidural for the same reasons so I didn't have one. I put on my birth plan that I'd like to avoid one if possible and the midwife supported me with that. When the pain was at its worst she just reminded me that this was as bad as it was going to get and if I could just hang on another hour it would start to subside and I could start pushing. She was right.

My sister was the opposite and wanted one as soon as labour was established she told the midwife and was supported in her wishes so I think it is a lot to do with communicating with medical staff.

Honestly, when I had an epidural I did not notice not feeling my legs. I know to the rational mind that makes no sense but at the time it just felt like nothing to be honest. There was no sense of numbness or anything. It felt exactly the same as sitting in bed reading a book. (The legs part anyway)

I had a mobile epidural so I could still move. Do your hospital do them? If i'm lucky enough to have another DC I definitely want another epidural!

I had a "spinal", which is like an epidural "light". I could still feel contractions but they did not hurt, I could not move my legs (I think? Don't even remember) but that did not freak me out. I had a warm pleasant feeling from the drugs, and I could have kissed my anaesthetist.

Still had a very quick birth, did not slow it down (did not get it until 8cm in though). it did wear off quickly (few hours)

"I've tried asking people who've had them what it was like. They all say it was amazing as they were in agony before. I've asked how they felt about not being able to move and they said they didn't really notice as they were in so much pain before."

This. Exactly.

I would have one every time.

I was induced twice and had epidurals both times because I had blood pressure problems. If I went again, I'd definitely do the same.

I had reduced sensation in my legs - they used a spray can of cold air to test if it was working, and when it kicked in the air didn't feel as cold as it had - but I could still feel if someone prodded my leg, for instance, so it wasn't too strange. And I was able to move my legs, so really it didn't feel too odd at all, just less painful! Plus it actually wore of pretty quickly, so within 4 hours or so of the births I was able to walk (though I was discouraged from doing so).

I'd discuss it with your DH. He may see it differently given that you're not a patient of his, and even if he doesn't, he really needs to know you feel this way. His only role in this from now until the baby arrives is to support you, no matter what.

I slept through a lot of my first labour as well, due to the epidural, and it was great - by the time DD arrived I wasn't exhausted. That makes a huge difference because you won't get much sleep after the birth, you'll be too delighted!

I didn't want one but after 12 hours I changed my mind. I had a 'light' one - I could still move my legs and I felt confident I could have walked but they wouldn't let me try. I could even feel the bearing down sensation when I needed to push (without the pain) which was great. I remember saying I didn't expect to feel so much. I'm not sure if it was attributed to a new version or a good anaesthetist.

I later had to go into surgery to be prepped for a EMCS. I had more epidural (the serious medicine they said) but it didn't take so well so I also had a spinal and I think after that I couldn't feel my legs - to be honest even the spinal didn't take super well although I couldn't feel much. I actually felt more relaxed there than I had in my room bizarrely. There were lots of people there to look after us. It did wear off fairly quickly but I don't know if that was my personal reaction to them.

Being away from the pain was blissful and I wanted to lie down and rest.

The thing I'd been scared of was rotational forceps and that's what I ended up having. At the time, I felt calm rather than the fear I'd felt about them beforehand. I think at that stage I just knew I'd have to deal with it so I wanted to get on with it and get the baby out safely! It was fine. I felt in control as I had a good team who talked things through with me. Brief your birth partner to ensure they tell the team to talk things through with you so you feel in control too.

And congratulations! :)

It might not be agony. You can say no to induction, or any treatment.

If you feel worried about them try to find ways to minimise the pain e.g. hypnobirthing, waterbirths, being encouraged to find positions which are comfortable.

Hello. I was almost phobic about having an epidural after a botched lumbar puncture a few years ago. I walked out of the ante natal class in tears when they were describing the procedure it was so bad. to cut a long story short I ended up being induced and with 23 hours of back to back labour. Although it was painful and uncomfortable I wouldn't describe it as agony, and managed on gas and air and opiates, until I was told I had to have an epidural.
Even at that point I resisted as I was so scared and asked about a general anaesthetic but couldn't have one. The anaesthetists came and chatted to me and put loads of local in before doing it so I couldn't feel anything, and the relief was instant. I was even having a laugh with the surgeons doing my EMCS! Even though I ended up with one of my biggest fears as to how my labour proceeded, I still think of it fairly positively so please don't be scared.

Epidurals are the best invention EVER!!!! I had a mobile epidural which was fab, could still have walked around if I wanted to but was too knackered. I was induced by syntocin drip and my contractions were immediately v strong and painful so I asked for and got epidural within minutes. Could still feel tightening of contractions but no pain. Ended up with EMCS as DD was too happy where she was and didn't want to come out!

Hiya,
I had my 1st baby just under 6 weeks ago. Had been convinced that I wouldn't be having an epidural as I wanted to "feel" the whole process and thought that I might somehow cheapen the experience by having one (not the same as being scared of one but still.)
As it turned out I lasted about 6 hours before deciding that I really really couldn't give a sh1t about the "experience"!
As others have said you're really not aware at all of having no feeling in your legs - mine took a long time for my legs to go numb anyway. You certainly don't have that horrible itchy pins and needles feeling at all.
There were a few things I was really not keen on/ scared of going into labour and sods law I ended up having most of them happen. (will not go into that on a pg woman's thread! )
However you honestly HONESTLY will not care once you're there and doing it. It's very primal, but your instincts kick in and you will do whatever needs doing to get your baby and you through the process as easily as possible.

And after all you may very well not need an epidural after all. My advice would be try the gas and air more than once... I thought I hated it to begin with and then discovered I could use it while waiting for the Epi to take effect!

Really really good luck... Whatever happens its totally totally worth it in the end xxx

I was induced, didn't want epidural, had gas and air and then some diamorphine, similar to pethadin, i wish i had managed without the diamorphine, as fell asleep, which i think slowed things down (obviously) but pain was managed. I suggest you go with the flow, bsee whet you feel you need and want at the time, but perhaps note your concerns with your midwife and again when you get to hospital. At the time i had the diamorphine, i was completely at the end of my tether, so probably couldn't have managed without it!
It became apparent baby was back to back which is more uncomfortable, and as i only have one dc, i can't compare what a non induced birth would be like?

Agree with GooseyGirl

I had mobile epi when I was induced with syntocin. Felt all my contractions but no pain. I didn't walk around but could feel my legs. Turning over in bed was easy etc.

Ended up having EMCS (not dilating) and when they did that epi top up I felt nothing.

My main problem was keeping still for the anaesthetist to site the epi in the first place. I jump at the slightest thing (DP only has to walk into kitchen sometimes and i jump out of my skin!) so it took all my focus to stop twinging when they put the local in. My MW and the anaesthetist thought I was nuts! DP was just embarrassed!

I felt similarly and was always adamant I didn't want an epidural. Made it though an induction with dd without one (and without gas and air as it made me feel sick).

Was induced again with ds and went in with a more open mind. Managed fine to begin with, love the gas and air that time around but thing started to get a bit hairy-decelerations, ds not moving down etc and I asked for an epidural in case it ended up being forceps etc.

It was amazing- couldn't feel anything-not like a dead leg or pins and needles (not that I was aware of legs anyway!)

It was weird not to be able to feel pushing but just did as I was told. Unfortunately all the pushing in the world didn't work as ds had got stuck sideways and needed a emcs. That was fine though and the fact I already had epidural meant that they could get on with it ASAP.

So I would recommend seeing how you get on- everything may go smoothly and quickly and you won't need one but don't suffer needlessly!

Please don't worry too much. I have a (now famous) needle phobia and a huge part of it is loss of control. I went to the doctor who got me therapy and I also got hypnotherapy too

The hypnotherapy was amazing and not just geared towards hypnobirthing but also to keep you calm and breathing and able to deal with your fears and issues.

When I was pregnant I posted so many times on here and other boards because I was so so afraid. Believe me, talking about this either here or a doctor or a hypnotherapist is better than dealing in silence.

If you want to go through my old
Posts feel free and also you can on me about this anytime. You can put in your birthplan that you want a GA instead if you need a csec etc.

I was in such a state but honestly the anxiety over the event and the what ifs were MUCH worse than the actual event.

I look back at it fondly now and I honestly hope you can talk about this. Don't bottle t up xxx

I would definitlyrecommend hypnosis. I did hypnobabies, and it really did help me. I was induced, and was 12 hours without painkillers. In the end i had an epdiural, but I was relaxed and chilled about the decision.
It sounds like you need some help with prebirth nerves and hypnobabies is brilliant for that. best of luck