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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Will I be denied an epidural for a 'likely to be quick' 4th baby?

47 replies

Worriedthistimearound · 17/12/2013 21:00

That's it really.
4th baby, first girl and I have this overwhelming desire for it to be calm and enjoyable.
Other 3 have been quick and straightforward and I've never had more than G&A. Even with no1 I got to hospital just an hour before he was born.
I want to get there and request an epidural straight away. I do understand that the anaesthetist may be tied up in theatre so that may be that but I don't want to face a midwife telling me that if it's not true simply because she thinks I can do it without. I'm sure I can but I really don't want to. I guess I don't want to be fobbed off. I did ask for one with my first and was told it was too late as I was 8cm on arrival but I've since been told by an obstetrician that this is nonsense.
Just want to know my chances really.

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MrsUptight · 17/12/2013 21:50

I don't think anyone CAN deny you one. I was told by my midwife that if I wanted one to ask sooner rather than later...so I did...I was ready for one mind you...hadn't asked too early....and they said "ooh...maybe wait a bit..." and I said "NO!" politely but firmly...."NO....request it now please....immediately."

And it came.

LydiaLunches · 17/12/2013 22:01

They won't site an epidural without recent blood results so I honestly can't see how they would achieve it? Even requesting, consenting, siting, test dose, time to take effect, is nearly an hour so with the best will in the worlds cansee it happening.

MrsUptight · 17/12/2013 22:07

Can't see what happening Lydia? An epidural? Why? Thousands have them daily!

Original poster

Worriedthistimearound · 17/12/2013 22:09

Oh I didn't know it was dependent on blood tests! I was hoping I could arrive and have one within about 20minutes. Bugger!

OP posts:

LydiaLunches · 17/12/2013 22:10

In that kind of timeframe I mean.

bumpybumps · 17/12/2013 22:11

I think you do have to be quite insistent and firm that you want one. I requested one as I was being helped to delivery and the midwives were trying to talk me out of it saying they liked people to build up with other pain relief first, and that bouncing on a ball would help, I was probably quite rudely insistant and listed all the drugs I had already had and how many times I had bounced on a ball over the past 12 hours and she went off to get the anaesthetist.

I think you definitely have to be firm with what you want.

RandomMess · 17/12/2013 22:11

Worried - I'd be surprised if you did have time for one if you turn up well dilated again??? Yes you can ask/demand. With my 4th I went from 8cm to delivered in 1 minute...

They need to get you a bed, assess you, call the aneathetist, get epidural in that is 20 minutes minimum more like 30 minutes tbh.

Ask and see what happens?

LydiaLunches · 17/12/2013 22:13

Ask your midwife, may be hospital dependent? I can just imagine the stress of getting it in, sitting up and delivering with no drugs in it!

Original poster

Worriedthistimearound · 17/12/2013 22:17

Thanks everyone. I've spoken to my midwife who looked at me like I was mad. She said it was unlikely I'd have time and that they don't give them when they aren't necessary. It doesn't help that my last birth was a HB with no issues.
The thing is, although they've all been quick and straightforward, I have felt incredibly stressed and out of it with pain and delirium. I'm overwhelmed at finally having a daughter and I just want it to start with calm.

OP posts:

RandomMess · 17/12/2013 22:20

I had epidurals with my first 3 and it really isn't calm, they want continuous monitoring you can't push in the same way etc. Please don't feel like you've missed some calm wonderful experience if you don't get one.

My 4th birth was by far far far the best experience - the only one I didn't have an epidural for!

Original poster

Worriedthistimearound · 17/12/2013 22:24

Thing is, random, my last labour was only 3hours start to finish and I was only pushing for 3minutes but I still felt out of control. I also seem to go into dome kind of shock each time and gave uncontrollable shivering which takes a while to calm down. They always tell me it's the speed of my labours but I think it's my body's response to the pain.

OP posts:

LydiaLunches · 17/12/2013 22:24

I know how you feel, I have very quick labours and although I don't fancy an epidural, I would love to be able to make it to the pool one time! I have tried to get an epidural for suturing after my second born at home too! I hope your birth goes well

LydiaLunches · 17/12/2013 22:25

Hypnobirthing?

SoonToBeSix · 17/12/2013 22:27

Lydia you don't need recent blood tests, I take it you are not in the UK?

Original poster

Worriedthistimearound · 17/12/2013 22:27

Thanks, Lydia. I will look into hypnobirthing.

OP posts:

RandomMess · 17/12/2013 22:33

I've always been induced so AGES to get anything happening like 10 hours, official labour 3 minutes! TBH I think it is just your body responding to giving birth it is a huge physicial exertion - I don't think an epidural will really change that?

Worst thing about not having an epidural was the back pain afterwards that I'd not experienced before! Also I've not ever had a fully effective epidural - they've helped but I've never been pain free when in established labour.

4athomeand1cooking · 18/12/2013 07:34

I also have quick labours and expecting 5th. I have only ever had an epidural with my first.

This time round th consultant is encouraging an induction as statistically they think number 5 is higher risk.

As I have damage near my ribs that has been irritated by quick labours and forceful pushing, I am considering an epidural if I am induced. The consultant will only break my waters but not use pessaries or drip to ensure they do not overstimulate my uterus.

Would an induction be an option for you on the basis of quick labours? You could then demand an epidural before they even do anything else.

ZuluWarrior · 18/12/2013 07:43

Hi Worried. Anaesthetist here. Congrats on your baby . As others have said, it sounds like you may not have time to get an epidural in. I tend to do a very quick abridged version of chat and consent for a distressed woman in labour but it still needs to be done, a quick look at notes, chat with the midwife then scrubbing etc. That's if I'm in immediately and not held up in theatre or doing another epidural.

The shaking and shocked feelings you are describing sound like they are very much due to the huge amounts of adrenaline going about. From my personal experience of 3 labours (one with epidural, 2 with G+A) and from seeing hundreds, this happens whatever.

Appreciate that you want this labour to be calmer. Quick labours can be very shocking. I think in your position I would explore hypnobirthing so you can feel in control (if that's possible!) without relying on external factors.

HTH - give me a shout if I can help any more.

ZuluWarrior · 18/12/2013 08:04

The other thing I meant to say is that even if an epidural is in at the late stages, it can be difficult to get it established and working properly if you're already at the pushing stage. It can take up to half an hour to get it working properly.

Pooka · 18/12/2013 08:16

I had an epidural with my first - was a 6 hour labour. I wasn't calm at all's even when the epidural was in. Was a long scary experience which felt worse IMO for being stationary on the bed, catheterised.

Of course, being a first labour it was stressful - this is your 4th so it may be that the prior knowledge you have would make you more relaxed with an epidural.

Was pretty panicky with second - but that was because arrived at hospital fully dilated! Thnk I asked for an epidural but there really wasn't the time.

With third, at home, was under 2 hours from start to finish. Obv at home somnonepidural and actually no g and a because midwife arrived 10 mins before ds2.

With firsts think it took about 30 mins for the anaesthetist to be free and then 15mins for for the consent and then the siting and catheter etc. I then laboured and then pushed for about 2 hours afterwards. Was about 5cm when asked for epidural.

stepmooster · 18/12/2013 08:29

I sympathise, I've had 2 fast labours. I don't think midwives understand how painful and quick those contractions are. More than anything I just wish the midwives would have listened to me when I told them my baby was going to be born before they could do any monitoring of him/me, going through check list bollocks and making me try and take ant-acid tablets.

They fannied about trying to put a canula in my hand, so they could put some kind of drug in me (no idea to this day what it was) I was out of it with the contractions. Once they did that, I completely lost it, I had no flow I was out of the zone, out of control. I managed to get on all 4s and pushed baby out in under 7 minutes. I kept telling them he was coming and they were trying to get me to do god knows what. Once they cleaned up the baby, me etc they realised they'd not even switched the drip on, it was a waste of time and I had had to lie in agony on my back whilst they tried to find a vein.

What do you need to say to midwives if you just want them leave you alone and just catch the baby. "get the fuck off me," didnt seem to work! No idea how anyone can hypno birth with a fast labour when all midwives want to do, is shove their hand up your fanny and try and monitor baby.

4athomeand1cooking · 18/12/2013 08:30

Zulu can I hijack and ask a question?

I hear so many things about epidurals and their risks etc. In your experience what are the main reasons for not choosing one? What are the main risks that you have seen that would concern you enough as a good reason not to have one?

My agreement to induce is largely considering the option of epidural.

stepmooster · 18/12/2013 08:32

btw I was supposed to be induced, I had gone for the sweep in the morning, and that triggered things off for me. I am just guessing here but if you labour quickly just having a sweep is probably enough. I even told the midwive who did the sweep that I thought it had kicked things off, but she didn't believe me and sent me home (for me to come right back in again anyway and try not to labour in triage waiting room).

LaundryLegoLunch · 18/12/2013 08:35

Can't post at length but I've had three births; one epidural and two with g&a. I would do everything to avoid an epidural, it was my most difficult birth and immediately afterwards the most uncomfortable (catheter/can't move easily etc).

But as always, my experience is just that. But don't think it's blissful, pain free labour.

ZuluWarrior · 18/12/2013 08:40

4 at home, I am off on mondo nursery drop off and dog walk session but will answer later. Promise i'm not ignoring you!

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