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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Would like to hear stories from ladies who had cyntocinon drip and managed without epidural!

59 replies

bunny85 · 06/10/2015 19:22

Just that really! The more I read, the more I get convinced it's nearly impossible. Someone prove me wrong please! Have to be induced, but really would like to give birth naturally and preferably with no epidural.. Thanks!

OP posts:
Thelushinthepub · 06/10/2015 19:29

I didn't give birth- but went for about an hour on it without pain relief before being rushed in for c section under general which obviously meant I was unconscious and DH wasn't there for the birth.

The pain without an epidural was fine- I used hypnobirthing. But, choir chances for a c section are greatly increased by being induced and on syntoxinon, so I would absolutely consider the consequences of needing a c section without an epidural in.

As I say I didn't get to pushing but I see no reason why it would've been worse than a normal birth at that point. The pain was ok but not quite manageable in the sense that I was unable to converse and obey the obs and midwives at some points as I was so far in myself, if that makes sense

Epidurals are pretty great though. It wasn't offered to me (despite the anethetist being in the room!) which is ultimately why I didn't have one (I hadn't asked because I thought th pain levels were fine)

Thelushinthepub · 06/10/2015 19:29

Choir = your!

RomiiRoo · 06/10/2015 19:33

Yes, I was induced with both DC - no epidural, with DS nothing as morphine made me sick and gas and air made me hallucinate badly, so I said no drugs. The midwife basically laughed at meHmm.

I used a birth ball with DS in the first stage of labour (lots of sitting and hip swivelling) and pushed from a kneeling position for delivery; although crowning onwards, I was on my back.

3timesascrazy · 06/10/2015 19:35

I haven't been induced but in my first labour they gave me the drip to speed things up a bit, it didn't make things any more painful for me - If anything it helped my bodies natural pain relief take over and put me in 'the zone' a bit more. My second labour was completely natural and pain wise was easily comparable to my first. hope this helps!

originalmavis · 06/10/2015 19:35

I had the drip to 'get things moving' (on reflection, DS is a lazy bugger and probably must decided to have a nice little nap in the birth canal), but nothing else.

dementedpixie · 06/10/2015 19:35

I was on a drip with dd and needed no epidural thank goodness

knackerednora · 06/10/2015 19:36

Hi, I had the dreaded drip and still managed to give birth naturally. I was very against being induced as I had heard that it would be agony and I really did not want an epidural. The midwives were fantastic and increased the dose very gradually so there was no 'whoosh' of pain and they even decreased it once my contractions were established. Good luck!

dementedpixie · 06/10/2015 19:37

I did have diamorphine injections plus gas and air

Justmuddlingalong · 06/10/2015 19:39

I was induces 3 times. Waters popped on there own once, broken by midwife twice. Never had an epidural, although I asked demanded 1. I managed on gas and air. It can be done. Tell a lie, I did have an epidural after Ds3, because the placenta didn't come down. Confused. Good luck OP.

ACatCalledFang · 06/10/2015 20:31

I was induced with DS, first pregnancy so nothing to compare it with. I was offered an epidural before they started the drip (and was encouraged to think about pain relief options before they broke my waters). I didn't have it as I knew it would restrict movement and wanted to be upright (though I ended up being confined to the bed anyway thanks to the horrible midwife I had...).

I found the pain manageable, and was on the drip for 9 hours, with the drip at max dose for around 5 of those. I used gas and air, but didn't find it helped much with the pain (took the edge off a little), though it helped me to relax between contractions. I found hypnobirthing-style breathing exercises helped me to feel more in control. Although I was having four strong contractions in ten minutes, I failed to dilate beyond 2 cms so ended up with an emergency c-section (though we were both fine).

In hindsight, I wonder whether an epidural would have helped me to relax (and, therefore, dilate) more. Although my main issue was not the pain, but being confined to the bed - for which there was no clinical justification as I was allowed to sit on a birth ball as soon as the next midwife came on shift (who apologised for this). The pain was manageable.

If I were induced again, I'd think carefully about timings for epidural and find out when I could have one if I changed my mind once on the drip (possibly only once at 4 cms dilated and in established labour). I would also refuse to consent to the drip unless they agreed to at least try monitoring me in a more upright position.

BreeVDKamp · 06/10/2015 20:37

I didn't have the drip, was only induced with a pessary, but had no pain relief - and forceps! Was surprisingly fine.

BreeVDKamp · 06/10/2015 20:40

Although I must add that I had a spinal for stitching up afterwards (took an hour) and the pain relief was incredible and total. Lush!

Pinotgrigioplease · 06/10/2015 20:41

I've done it twice and would do it again. Both times could move about & used birthing ball, I just couldn't move too far away from the bed/drip stand.

1st time round induction lasted 9 hours and I used gas & air mostly with one injection of diamorphine to help me relax near the start. 2nd labour I used gas & air only.

Good luck, hope all goes well x

FlankShaftMcWap · 06/10/2015 20:43

I was induced with DC3,4 and 5 but only needed the drip with DC3. I did have gas and air but no epidural or morphine type things. Same for the subsequent two births but they were pessary only.

Clstow · 07/10/2015 04:05

I was induced and did request an epidural but it failed. I was told this happens in 1 in 8 cases. I couldn't have diamorphine so just used gas and air. It was painful but I think it would have been easier if I hadn't had the epidural put in as then I could have moved around, used birthing ball, etc.

Hypotenuse · 07/10/2015 04:15

I was induced and was put on the drip. I didn't have an epidural and I couldn't get the gas and air to work, it was not a good labour as the draconian midwife kept me on my back. I tore badly. It was the main reason I insisted on a home birth second time around.

The first midwife I had was all for keeping me upright, birth ball, but the shift change meant I was stuck with a bossy matron type. Its possible to have the drip with little pain relief. What's more important is birthing position and movement.

Original poster
bunny85 · 07/10/2015 11:20

Thank you everyone. Wow, lots of you who had it done with no epi! How nice to hear Smile

How awful some of you had horrible midwifes who didn't allow to move! Can't believe just how nasty people can be! Shock They are definitely in the wrong profession..

OP posts:
PosterEh · 07/10/2015 11:29

In both my labours I wasn't able to move easily as had too many drips in so had syntocin and laboured on my back (both times had back-to-back babies who turned during labour).
First labour I had an epidural and had a really calm, peaceful birth. Second labour I didn't ask for the epidural early enough and ended up passing out from the pain. Came round, was examined and was fully dilated so able to push. It was definitely better with the epidural but maybe it was particularly painful because I couldn't move much beforehand.

In my first labour I had a patient controlled epidural which I was able to boost myself. I found it to be total pain relief but I still felt the pressure to push. I wasn't catheterised and could walk immediately afterwards (and maybe during - I didn't try).

Bubbletree4 · 07/10/2015 11:32

I've had syntocinon drip with epidural for dc1 and syntocinon drip without epidural for dc2. For dc2, my birth plan stated epidural. The hospital were short staffed so I didn't get one. I had no pain relief with my syntocinon whatsoever due to the fact that nobody was taking care of me. Not even gas and air. Bluntly I was traumatised by it and i was shaking with shock, couldnt control my hands to hold dd for over an hour. It was 100x better with the epidural. The upside is that the recovery is easier after no epi.

stolemyusername · 07/10/2015 12:10

I had ds 4 weeks ago, 2 days on the drip no pain relief at all (not even gas and air). In fairness, the contractions didn't really ramp up until 1.30 on the second day and baby was born at 3.15 but I didn't once feel like I couldn't cope, if the pains get too intense the midwife can turn it down again.

Original poster
bunny85 · 07/10/2015 12:48

Stolemyusername, that's amazing! May I ask, was it because the pain was manageable on its own, or you used some special coping technique (hypnobirthing/Juju Sundin book/etc)? Also, was it your first birth?

OP posts:
Original poster
bunny85 · 07/10/2015 12:48

Oh and congratulations on the birth of your DS!

OP posts:
5madthings · 07/10/2015 12:57

I have been induced for all five and needed syntocinon twice and done without epidural. I did insist on staying mobile, restricted a bit by monitoring but used birth ball, stood u leaning over bed or knelt on bed and had lots of gas and air.

wonkylegs · 07/10/2015 13:06

I was induced, I had a very long labour (3.5days) which ended up in a c-section. I coped with G&A up til the last half day when they gave me an epidural mainly because I was knackered and they knew then I was going to then have a c- section but still had to wait as there was a queue and baby & I weren't in distress. I think if it had gone to plan I would have coped without.

outputgap · 07/10/2015 13:07

Not only did I have syntocinon and no epidural with dc1, it was actually less painful than dc2's birth which wasn't induced. So I'm a big fan!

Did use hypnobirthing, tens machine and lovely lovely gas and air. Yum.