Did you have an epidural? If so, would you again?

[firstimer30s]

Would very much like one as want the full whack on pain relief. Did anyone have and would recommend OR has any advice for things to watch out for?
Thanks!

Yes and yes. For me it was amazing (disclaimer, I am a wimp) Second time I had to be the rudest I had ever been in my life as one midwife was adamant that I didn't need one. My choice surely?
I think I was a bit scary as the anesthetist came with 10 minutes. No interventions each time.
See how it goes. Be strict or give permission for birth partner to be strict. A bit of luck with timings too.

Tried it first time; apparently my epidural cavity isn't in the normal place because it took an hour and a backup consultant to put it in, during which period I had to lie motionless while (it turned out when they eventually got the sodding thing in) dilating from 5cm to 10cm. So the first thing that happened when it was in was that they turned it off.

Strangely enough I wasn't keen with subsequent births (DC2 and DC3 I managed with just TENS and a bit of gas & air for transition). I probably would have had another if I'd had a really long labour with a subsequent birth, though, but for a within-normal-parameters birth it went onto my "avoid if possible" list.

I had one with DS after labouring for 24 hours to only get to 3cm, I just couldn't cope with the contractions anymore, felt like I was losing my mind. DS was back to back, 14 days over, it wasn't an induction but he just didn't want to come, I had every intervention, five top ups (it seeps down down your body apparently) and eventual episiotomy and forceps delivery 12 hours later after a two hour second stage. He was back to back, there was just no way I could have coped with the pain for such a long time without one. It might have been different had it been faster.

That said, this time I'd like to try but will be keeping an open mind. It wasn't a good experience (not the epidural) and I'd like to experience at least some of the joy of a natural labour if at all possible.

You don't get no medal for going without though....

I've had 3 spinal blocks for 2x ankle surgery during pregnanfy plus planned section. I had epidural when induced for vbac which was topped up for emcs. No problems except I tend to be sick afterwatds sometimes but that could be my body reacting to surgery/ stress? I would have another if I felt I needed it.

Yes I did, 3 times (2 labours - had to have one redone as it didn't work/wasn't sited correctly), but have also had 2 labours without.

I absolutely would NOT have one if I could manage it. It significantly increases the possibility of Forceps/Ventouse/ Episiotomy, and completely changes the way you labour. It also makes for a much longer recovery period and means it takes longer to get home. You have to have a catheter and this increases the chance of bladder problems in both the short term and long term. In fact after my last epidural/catheterisation my bladder is now damaged for ever. I knew the risks, my choice, my decision but it's never a decision without costs.

For some women they work in such a way that you can still feel the contractions and know how to push, but for most they don't. Most women with an epidural for pain relief will need forceps or ventouse delivery for the baby.

If you reach the point in labour where you absolutely can't carry on, and you're not in transition (close to pushing), then they can work brilliantly as a pain reliever, but don't underestimate the knock-on effects. For me - if I was doing it again - I would try everything I could to manage without.

My advice is to see how it goes. With DC1, I was nduced at +13 and was in agony within seconds of being put on the drip so the MW suggested an epidural and it was bliss. I didn't feel a thing, was able to nap (had been labouring for over 28 hours by this stage) and I would have needed one at some stage as I ended up in theatre. Yes, being in theatre could have been a consequence of having had the epidural but I think (and so did the MW and docs involved) that it was more to do with DD's head being so large it was off the charts.
With DC2, I turned up at hosp demanding an epidural as I'd learned from MN & friends that its better to ask early. The MW examined me & said she'd put me on the list although didn't think I'd need one as I was labouring effectively. Ten mins later, the anaethetist came in so I was re-examined & was 8cm so it was agreed (reluctantly by me)that I didn't need one. DS was born 10 mins after that & I'd had nothing but G&A.
I did recover a lot faster after DC2 which was, in part, due to not having had an epidural but also due to only having been in labour for 2 hours rather than 40, DC2 being born at a sensible time of day (9pm) rather than 4am and due to me having much more food in me as I only missed dinner rather than lunch, dinner, breakfast, lunch & dinner. And DC2 was a much smaller baby with a significantly smaller head so not as hard to actually push out.

I didn't have a catheter with my epidural.

I had one with my first when they put me on a drip to speed up contractions & a monitor so wanted me to lay still on the bed. I had a catheter. I couldn't feel anything at all & ended up wth forceps delivery as a result. I couldn't move my legs either & even a few hours after birth tried to stand up to reach my crying newborn & couldn't weight bear on my legs. I didn't enjoy it. Had a unmedicated homebirth with my second.

I had the exact same situation as minniemousey except went on to have forceps, episiotomy and severe hemmorrage i place a lot of the blame on the epidural as i couldn't feel what was happening with my body. I will have one again this time as i am having a c section but if i was going natural again i would try and avoid an epidural.

I had one first time - it was good, it worked and I was exhausted and desperately needed an hour's sleep so I needed it at the time.

However, the birth was difficult, I couldn't feel the contractions/when to push, I ended up with a spinal block and forceps and DS was injured.

I'm 32 weeks with my second now and will avoid another epidural if I can. However, if I need one, I need one.

Had an epidural with both labors. TBH, never contemplated delivering without pain relief.

First labor was an induction due to going overdue. Had the pitocin then an epidural after only a few contractions. Probably jumped the gun on that one. Did have a nice afternoon nap though. DS1 was delivered a few hours later with no interventions and only a slight tear.

Second time, I labored at home for a few hours. Took about an hour to get to the hospital. By the time I arrived, I was definitely ready for an epidural. Requested it immediately and had it placed about 30 minutes after arriving. DS2 was born about 3 hours later, also without any interventions.

In both instances, the epidurals were dialed-down so that I could feel to push. Can't compare to a delivery without pain relief, but I was up and walking about 2 hours afterwards, so I don't think my recovery was overly long.

My impression from MN is that there seems to be a difference in what sort of epidurals people receive? I'm probably wrong, but maybe you could ask ahead what to expect.

Personally, I think epidurals are marvelous.

I had one after about 30 hours of contractions, couldn't take it anymore. At the time it was pure bliss, it worked perfectly but I could still feel, and according to the midwives I pushed really well - but baby was stuck in an awkward position and just couldn't come out. Cue forceps, third-degree tear and difficult recovery.

Would it have been different if I had gone without the epidural? No idea. I guess there's an argument to be made that I could have moved around and the baby's position would have been better. Even when I was without pain relief I really didn't want to move around though, seemed to make everything worse. And I honestly don't know if I would've had any strength left to push after 40 hours of contractions and no sleep.

Next time I plan to try without the epidural and pray for a shorter labour.

My advice is to start without, and see how your labour goes.

Yes I had an epidural and damn right I would have another!

My one regret is that I tried so long without it....Iooking back I genuinely do not understand why women wouldn't have the pain relief they need! It f*cking well hurts!!! X

Yes the relief was immediate, ds was back to back had been in labour for 12 hours and was exhausted, had to start the drip and couldn't stand the thought of the pain increasing even more, made the labour a much better experience and helped get me through the next 9 hours! Wore off quickly too, had no birth plan purposely as I had no idea what to expect, would definitely have another one!

My first 3 births I had epidurals. All 3 of them were inductions with pessaries and ARM (no drips). This was before compulsary catheters at my hospital, all of them were allowed to wear off partially/weren't fully effective for the whole time.

With my middle birth I was still in a lot of pain despite the epidural and gas & air so I can't imagine what it would have been like without!!!!

I delivered all 3 without assistance and didn't have any problems afterwards just chronic backache.

With my 4th induction I didn't every need an epidural I coped fine with tens and gas & air which I just hadn't with the other 3 (I was far far far more chilled with this one though). I discovered after the birth that the chronic backache was nothing to do with the epidural as it hurt just as much/even more that time around afterwards!!!!

Wow thanks all for the amazing response levels - really good to get your opinions. It's my first but I do want one. I have heard a lot of people say the midwives try to dissuade from having it, which is disturbing. Does anyone know at what point it's "too late?" so that if they try to fob me off I'm armed with the right info?

I had a very similar first birth experience to you and yes I was very very keen on having one again....but worried I would miss the 3-7cm dilation window of opportunity! But I managed to get to the hospital at bang on 5cm.....demanded the epidural man....it was bliss!

I had a back to back delivery with my DD and the epidural was amazing! I have written it at the stop of my birth plan for this one.

Yes I did and no I wouldn't (and didn't) have it again.

Not because of the epidural itself, I'm not a martyr, but because of how it became medicalised and I didn't know what my body was telling me to do.

Ended up with episiotomy and forceps. Second time around I made sure I was in a midwife led unit so as to avoid too much intervention.

had one with ds1 and wouldn't / didn't again, (had two more dc) owing entirely to the resulting downhill successive interventioms. Not wishing to scare first timers, will leave it at that

One to be avoided if at all posible. my logic for having it was to avoid GA, as I had placenta praevia which had only moved 4mm from the os and was still borderline c section, although i wanted VB. Went for it but when difficulties arose, I thought an epidural was preferable as I wanted to be awake for my baby's arrival regardless. Simply a case of priorities and bees in the bonnet iyswim.
My dc2&3 were slow labour for 36hrs then very fast active labour and birth. Very different and just shows that your circumstances dictate the whole process. The most important thing imho is to stay open minded and make sure your partner is with you in making your choices heard.

Mine was horrendous,8 attempts for section and I have horrible back pain now

I had a 'walking' epidural and it was A-MA-ZING. Numbed me in all the right places but I was still able to walk around the room, sit on a birthing ball, go to the loo etc.

One thing to watch out for when midwives harp on about the 'cascade of interventions' is that many women who elect to have an epidural tend to either be in process of being intervened already (e.g. induction) or be suffering from very long and painful labours therefore the chances of needing an intervention is already increased (e.g. perhaps the baby is large, not positioned well, etc). Higher risk women also tend to be looked after on labour ward where epidurals are more readily available than MLUs or home births which are reserved for the lower risk pregnancies only. All these factors tend to increase chances of intervention whether or not you have an epidural, therefore the stats re epidural leading to intervention are quite skewed.

I fit into the 'already being induced' category. Failed gels, ARM, and syntocin drip resulting in CS. If you ask me the later interventions were 100% caused by earlier interventions, NOT the epidural.

Hoping for a VBAC this time around and definitely intend on having the epidural again.

Mine didn't work.

I wasn't told that there was a possibility it wouldn't work!

So probably not. But very unlikely I'll be in that situation tbh!

I had one both times and would definitely have one again. In both cases, I ended up with forceps delivery in theatre so did need more interventions but I probably would have needed the interventions anyway as both babies were big and in the wrong position. I consider myself to have quite a high pain threshold but the strength of the contractions floored me and the relief once the epidural was working was amazing. For my second birth, I really wanted to do things as naturally as possible and even took hypnobirthing classes but a badly positioned very big baby and a long labour meant that I was soon begging for an epidural again. Having said that, while I was waiting for the epidural with DD2, I was given diamorphine, and that combined with the gas and air worked well. But not enough for me to cancel the epidural. In both births, once the epidural kicked in, I went from writhing around to sitting up laughing and joking. I doubt I will have any more children now, but if I do, I will definitely be requesting an epidural as soon as I enter the building. It can take a couple of hours to get blood results back, get an anaesthetist to you etc so if you want one, request it early. And yes, some MWs will try to talk you out of it. I had this in my first birth and had to get quite shirty with the MW before she said I could have one.