anyone had an epidural?

[musicmomma]

I have a disability which means I get very exhausted very quickly and it takes a long time for me to recover. I think I'm going to go for an epidural, any ladies on mumsnet had one? Would you recommend? What were the down sides? Just looking for some advice and support, this is my first baby I'm not sure what to do!

I had one with dd2, didn't in dd1. Make a lot of different. After dd1 i was terrified of the idea of giving birth. I used to cry if i hear that someone is in labour.it took me 7 and a half years to get pregnant for the second time and even after all this time i spent last trimester seeking help as the idea of giving birth was freaking me out.
So yes I definitely recommend it, even though i could still feel something during contractions so i was one of the few that didn't get completely numb.

I had one with my first and swore I would never have another. I ended up with an instrumental birth (forceps) as her heart rate was not responding as it should through the contractions (I can't say forceps wouldn't have been needed without epidural as I just don't know what would have happened). I also reacted very badly afterwards needing a nebuliser as I couldn't breath /had severe asthma attack (again can't for definite say that was the epidural but have never had an attack before or since) and was unable to feel much from the chest down for quite sometime which was scary.

With my second child, I opted for tens, paracetamol and then later on pethidine. She was bigger than the first (almost 10 lb) and again she became distressed like her sister but we managed without epidural and without anymore intervention than a few extra medics in the room. I wouldn't have an epidural again (unless I was having a c section as I have a fear of being put under). My first labour lasted longer my second was over in 14 hours and I was much more mobile (ever with severe SPD and crutches) and only went in at 7 cm, four hours before she was born. To be fair for comparison I was induced with first.

I adored mine, it worked perfectly first time and I am not aware of any side effects apart from a mild skin rash I got from the plasters they used to hold some tubing in place - but I always react to sticky bandages like that. As someone else said, it allowed me regain control of my thoughts and engage with the process rather than be focused only on the pain I was experiencing. I disagree with whoever said it won't let you rest - I took lovely nap once mine was sited and while your uterus will still be contracting away, you definitely won't be fatigued in the same way as if you were unmedicated.

Definitely speak to your doctor and if you have particular needs, your anaesthetist and the doctor that leads on any treatment your require for your disability. I always recommend a blogger anaesthetist who blogs under The Adequate Mother, I think she is Canadian or American but she explains very well and clearly how epidurals work, any impact they have, addresses misconceptions etc.

Oh and I just checked my back, definitely no scar or trace there.

I had one. It worked well. Baby was born with forceps which may have not happened without an epidural, but the forceps caused no problems. The only down side for me was having to have a catheter, which I found uncomfortable and meant I was stuck in bed, but that's not a major issue. I'm glad I had the epidural.

I suggest you read up on active birth. No active birth not doing aerobics during labour, it's the ablity to adopt a range of positions to help the baby out. A drawback of an epidural is that you will end up giving birth on your back. If you are able to give birth in a kneeling position then gravity will help you deliver your baby. Learning to breathe effectively helps your uterus to get enough oxygen to work well at contracting. I would suggest you try one of the software hypnotherapy cds on the market. Managing anxiety helps to make the pain of childbirth more bearable.

Having said that epidural are wonderful. I had one with my first baby, but I didn't need one the second time.

Some hospitals offer mobile epidural. Pain relief is not as comprensive, but there us still some mobility and no need for a catheter. Often hospitals allow the equidural to wear off for the second stage so you can get into a better position and feel the pushing. (Ouch)

I had one and it was amazing. Started with plans for a water birth so was in the pool and coped fine with gas and air in there until I had to move to the consultant led bit and be monitored when there was meconium in my waters. I couldn't cope with the pain once I was out of the water (had spd) so screamed (hysterically) for an epidural and once it was in it was just blissful! I napped while I dilated (had been hooked up to syntocin drip by then) and it was the type of epidural that I could top up as and when I needed more which meant it could wear off a bit by the time I was near to pushing.
This meant I felt the contractions at the end and could push effectively and felt very much part of the process as she came out (had been worried that an epidural would make it more of a passive process!)
Because of subsequent complications I am likely to need a more monitored and medicalised birth next time so am planning to go straight for the epidural. Like pp say there are no medals for doing it without pain relief!

I had one with each - 7 and half hours from first twinge to final,push with the first, 5 and a half with the second. No idea if it slowed things down - it was quite fast enough for me. I loved it both times - no downside at all that I can think of. Could feel the contractions, but had no,pain so was able to push no problem. Was up and about having a shower a few hours afterwards. I would highly recommend it.

I would never have an epidural again and feel wronged that no one mentioned that they can go wrong. Has anyone else suffered from a post epidural headache? Apart from the needle coming out half way through and having to be inserted again and a 24 hour birth.
A post epidural headache came on a day or so after the birth and was so painful and quite depressing. It feels like your head and neck are trapped in a vice and the tiniest movement hurts so much. It lasted three days or so and I had to lie flat as much as possible in my hospital bed. I was told it was a 1 in 100 chance of happening. However now I read on the internet that Asian women have higher chance of getting it. I have Asian grandparent. Also a friend of mine had epidural and had even worse experience. I struggled to fight off feeling low from continuing to get pain once home. Since then I have suffered tinitus on and off. Don't know if related. I would like to know if anyone else has suffered long term effects on mum and baby? Not enough information was given 20 years ago to me or to my partner or even to the nurses to help support me and sounds like things haven't changed. Honestly epidural was just not worth the pain and stress.

My sister and I both have epidurals and both loved them!

My sister had no problems with hers, I had a mobile epi so I could stay upright and walk about - it was fantastic! No pain on the needle going in, no pain in back after.

I would have had it again with my DS2 a few weeks ago had he not been in a hurry to be born!

All throughout my pregnancy, I was saying I wouldn't have an epidural. I was going to do gas and air, at last resort I would have pethidine (?).

Well, I had to be induced, which increases your chances of having an epidural anyway.

Then I was hyper stimulated, which meant I had 8 contractions in 10 minutes within hours of being induced. They took the pessary out but things didn't slow down much. I managed to hold on for a while though.

A few hours later, they told me they wouldn't give me pethidine as I was close to giving birth, and it would end up in the baby's system, but I could have an epidural.

In the end, I was in labour for another 15 hours so i could have fricking had it!

Anyway, I loved the epidural lol, and would have another one. The only downside was the catheter and them needing to check you can pee before you leave. If you have an epidural, you generally need to stay in the hospital for longer.

I had epidurals with two out of my 3 labours (only because the doctor wasn't available to do the third) and they were amazing!

I had one and this was the best decision as I was so apprehensive about this and side effects but once I was in Labor I just wanted to be pain free. I had an epidural and was able to rest before pushing phase, focus on pushing and then enjoying he baby without any traumatic experience.
The doctor administered it so quickly I baldly felt a thing, I was able to feel my legs and also top it up.

I went in for the water birth experience and ended up on a drip so opted for one- painless going in and stopped all the pain of the contractions.

I ended up with a ventouse delivery but to be honest this was inevitable as I had such a big baby and I’m so tiny - I wouldn’t have liked to get to that stage without an epidural.

As for numbing, it completely numbed me - I had some local for the episiotomy but labour wise I was pain free and there was no ring of fire - and I knew when to push.

Next time (If there’s a next time!) I would definitely have another one, although the midwife said on the second baby they don’t let you have it for a while - does anyone know why? I’d be worried going in that I would miss the opportunity if they left it too long.

Ended up having an epidural as labour was very long for me and with the 48 hour mark approaching for how long my water had been broke for they were keen to speed things up with an oxytocin drip.
Epidural was quick and easy to be put in for me. Painless too. Didn't fully work for me, could still feel pain on one side of my body but only feeling it on one side meant the edge was just taken off the contractions and I knew when to push too. I was rather relived I could still feel the contractions to some extent. Didn't manage to push DS out quick enough though, after 2 hours of pushing DS had to be assisted with forceps. Recovery afterwards was pretty quick in terms of having my use of my legs back (within an hour) but the catheter they had to put in (because of epidural) left me with serious pain afterwards in that area still 4 months later.
Would I have one again? Not sure. My plan with #2 is to have a home birth so epidural would be out of question then. But if I had to be put on drip again in hospital I might consider it.
Good luck with it all lovely xx