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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Could you ask for an epidural AFTER you've given birth?

44 replies

morningpaper · 21/03/2006 19:26

After giving birth drug-free, could you ask for an epidural AFTERWARDS before they start on the Bayeux Tapestry?

I've spoken to several people who have had drug-free births and horrendous experiences of being stitched up. Would you be given an epidural if you asked for it AFTER you've given birth?

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Twiglett · 21/03/2006 19:28

why not ask for a local

Whizzz · 21/03/2006 19:28

I'm no expert but imagine it would take too long to set & kick in after the birth.

WigWamBam · 21/03/2006 19:28

As I had to wait several hours for mine, and then it took the best part of an hour to fit it, I'd probably not bother to be honest! In my experience, having the epidrual put in was painful and unpleasant, and I can't see there being any benefit to having one just for the stitches.

pepperrabbit · 21/03/2006 19:40

I had an epidural after giving birth but that was to get the placenta out - I knew nothing about my stitches and have always been very very grateful for that!
I have to say I was wondering the same thing about this time - not sure they'd let you - far too frivolous a reason I expect Smile. They should give you some more gas n air surely?

Original poster
morningpaper · 21/03/2006 19:46

pepperrabbit: I know what you mean about "too frivolous" but it's all relative isn't it? I mean under 'normal circumstances' having your fanny stitched up would require a little more than a puff of gas and air eh? If it was a chap's scrotum being ripped in two I think they would offer a little more in the way of anaesthesia.

I was in so much pain after having my second - I deffo needed something a little stronger than the g&a I was offered.

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hunkermunker · 21/03/2006 19:47

I had local anaesthetic for stitches with DS1 and 2 and gas and air as well with DS2 - having had nothing for either birth! Was hilarious after gas and air, let me tell you Grin Blush

Enid · 21/03/2006 19:48

i had a local and didnt feel anything

cant have an epi anyway as have such low blood pressure

Original poster
morningpaper · 21/03/2006 19:48

why does low blood pressure affect it enid? mine is usually around 90/60 but no one mentioned that

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 21/03/2006 19:50

It never ceases to amaze me that they wouldn't dream of stiching up a cut presented to them in A&E w/o offering an anaesthic, but they'll stich one of hte most sensitive part of someone's body w/FA.

That's just dead wrong to me.

Original poster
morningpaper · 21/03/2006 19:50

agree

OP posts:
Enid · 21/03/2006 19:50

an epidural lowers your bp

so if you have a pressure of 80/60 you are likely to pass out

milward · 21/03/2006 19:51

I had an epidural for retained placenta - had to wait for the anaesthetist while I had a pph - nearly had the removalwith no pain relief as was urgent. Anyhow had the epidural & it took effect right away. Had to wait to be able to move around afterwards. Best wishes xxx

tribpot · 21/03/2006 19:53

I do know someone who had an epidural for her stitches, so it can be done!

Wallace · 21/03/2006 19:53

I know someone who had an epidural for being stitched up.

hana · 21/03/2006 19:54

but you might not even need stitches

I didn't with either dd

beep · 21/03/2006 19:56

my dd(11) had an epidural in for 4 days after a n operation last month!

Original poster
morningpaper · 21/03/2006 19:59

I am asking because of my grim experience with my second

gave birth without drugs but then was in agony and required stitching - midwife didn't offer any pain relief and said that it wouldn't matter if I didn't have stitches - to cut a long story short it DID matter and I would like to know that NEXT time if I give birth drug-free I could have some serious drugs afterwards

OP posts:
milward · 21/03/2006 20:02

mp - for ds4 I needed some stitching afterwards. I'd had a drug free labour. I had an injection of pain relief & felt nothing.

lanismum · 21/03/2006 20:06

i had a 3rd degree tear, and it was too bad to stitch with no pain relief so i had a spinal block, did the same thing as an epidural, i was very grateful for it Grin

Laura032004 · 21/03/2006 20:13

A friend of mine had her baby at a birthing centre, but tore badly, so transferred to hospital for an epidural and stitching. Suppose it depends how bad the tear is? And how insistent you are maybe?

alexsmum · 21/03/2006 20:13

i have no idea what happened with regards to local anasthetic for my stitches.I had a completely drug free labour, a natural 3rd stage and then i had 7 stitches but i don't remember what happened.i assume they gave me a local? bizzarre. no idea! too busy staring at ds!

SoupDragon · 21/03/2006 20:30

I had local anaesthetic and g&A to be stitched after my homebirth.

TuttiFrutti · 21/03/2006 20:46

You can have an epidural afterwards, but I think they only bother if the tearing/stitching is particularly bad. A friend of mine recently had a drug-free birth (was told to avoid epidurals because it was a VBAC), tore badly and was given an epidural straight after the birth so they could stitch her up in theatre.

robinpud · 21/03/2006 20:49

I wouldn''t recommend an epidural unless the medical bods really recommend. I had a drug free delivery 2nd time around and used gas and air and chocolate digestives(taken orally) for the pain relief during stitches. Was actually in deep shock but didn't really realise.

SoupDragon · 21/03/2006 20:51

Thinking about it, I'm not sure an epidural for most repairs is a proper use of resources actually. I had one for the major repair work after DS1 but only locals for DS2 and DD. The most painful bit was the injection of local anaesthetic actually. Even in A&E they wouldn't offer an epidural to stitch something would they?? Just a local.