Opinions please

[sarahmia]

So... I have 2 DD's first I had epidural and a second deg tear she was 7.14lb.. Second I had g&a third deg tear she was 9.1lb. Didn't push efficiently at all...
13 months down the line, I' m about to do this again. And tbh I'm knackered. Although i did "enjoy" my labour with DD2 and would in theory do it again, I don't know if I could summon the energy to push her out efficiently... Which I'm worried would cause the tear to happen again or be worse. Have spoken to my consultant who has suggested a I have a controlled labour as possible. Protecting the perineum... Do you think I'm mad if I ask for an epidural. Feel like my pushing will be more controlled if I can't feel the pain. Do you know what I mean? Also I can save energy for the pushing... Opinions? I'm not hellbent on anything just considering my options

Go for the epi if I were you - that is if you can get one. Epis are good for reducing tearing caused by the uncontrolled pushing you get when you are in labour. There are a couple of good studies on it.

Trouble is they are trying to restrict epidurals - have you read the thread below on them trying to restrict epidurals....

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/1548209-New-guidance-to-reduce-epidurals-and-to-achieve-a-CS-target-rate-of-20

Good luck - I hope you get a good hospital where whatever you choose is respected

Sarahmia

For different reasons I might ask for an epidural for my second labour, and I discussed with my mw how I might make the pushing stage more efficient. Last time it was 2 hours and I ended up needing assistance.

I do agree that you would be less tired if you had less pain earlier in the labour. But remember you can't eat once you've had it. Stock up on food before hand and buy energy tablets?

Anyway, the mw suggested not topping up the epidural, so feeling some pain but not all of it.

This will make it easier to stay active in labour both established and the pushing stage, and also should help with feeling the urge to push clearer at the end. With my last epidural I sat on my backside for 12 hours. When it came to pushing I tried changing positions but it was so hard. I wished I'd done some practice at moving around whilst I had the time. It might have speeded things up for me too.

Anyway, I would say have a chat with your mw and see what other things they can recommend. You can't prepare for every eventuality, but there's no harm trying to prepare for situations you can foresee.

HTH

I've Been following that thread, tbh I know my rights and am pretty pushy, if I want an epi I will get one. Glad that I'm not talking complete nonsense my SIL always try to convince me epi will cause intervention. will have a chat with my midwife. Just wandering around a farm is making me shattered today!

You can't eat after you've had an epidural? I'm pretty sure I did...

Not the one I had at any rate!

I did too.

What position were you pushing in?

I started off on my knees like holding onto the back of the bed? And ended up on my back. Which is how I got her out eventually

Did you have pushing urges?

Felt like there was s Rocket up my bum! then there was nothing for ages. But I pushed then too. Think I felt it was the "right" thing to do.

I ended up with an epi as was fully dilated but she was in a bad position and contractions slowed so was put on the drip. My epi was great, I could still feel and move my legs (they just felt wobbly) and I felt the contractions so knew when to push. It still hurt quite a bit but was manageable iyswim.

Only a slight tear that could have been left but MW did a couple of stitches to avoid pain going to the loo. V quick recovery 2 wks later and don't seem to have had any probs with them so far. This was my first.

That was my experience anyway :)