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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

When would you get offered an epidural?

31 replies

Jessybear90 · 13/07/2017 21:18

I'm pretty scared about childbirth as I don't have a very high pain threshold!

At what point would you be offered an epidural? Is it something anyone can request or only given in special circumstances?

And why do so many women prefer not to have them and just stick with gas an air?

Would love to hear opinions x

OP posts:

Eeeeek2 · 13/07/2017 21:31

I didn't want an epidural because it increases the chance of you needing intervention i.e. forceps, c section. My nhs trust don't do mobile epidurals either so you have to labour on your back. This didn't seem like the position to get a large baby out to me.

Didn't matter in the end as I progressed so quickly that I arrived at hospital fully dilated so too late for one.

My planned approach was that I'd start with a tense machine and see how I went from there.

To be honest the pain is manageable not because it doesn't hurt but because you know why you're in pain and it's nothing to worry about rather than you're sick with appendicitis say.

Patriciathestripper1 · 13/07/2017 21:35

They usually discuss pain relief at the antenatal appointments so it can go in your notes. But as soon as you are admitted would be a good time to ask, but you might suprise yourself and not need any.

daffo · 13/07/2017 21:38

I really didn't want an epidural but had one after I had an induction via hormone drip due to baby pooping in water. I too have a low pain threshold and lasted as long as I could without one, but I just got to the point where I couldn't cope. In the end I had one and then about 20 mins later wash pushing baby out. I didn't need any more interventions.

If I didn't have the hormone drip I think I could have managed without one, but they became so strong so quick I couldn't cope. Before that I was using tens machine and gas and air with no problem.

annlee3817 · 13/07/2017 21:41

I didn't want one as I wanted to stay on the midwife led unit, I'd nabbed the last room on there that night. I can recommend hypnobirthing, I used the Maggie Howell book and CD, kept me calm, still hurt but helped me focus and I knew that there would be an end to it.

You can put it on your notes and also make your birthing partner aware you want one, so that they can request it on your behalf if need be.

EccentricPickle · 13/07/2017 21:44

You can only get an epidural once you're in "established labour", so about 4-5cms dialated, I think.

Your pain threshold might not be as low as you think. You may well manage without one.

I've had two labours, one with an epidural (my first labour, OP baby, no gap in contractions) and one without (much easier labour, baby not OP).

Creatureofthenight · 13/07/2017 21:48

I was offered one when my diamorphine was close to wearing off. Epidural was suggested as if the next dose of diamorphine wore off too close to delivery then they wouldn't be able to give me another and it would be too late for epidural. I imagine if you say in your birth plan that you want one it would be offered earlier.
I ended up having EMCS so was good that the epidural was already in.
I had intended to use nothing but gas and air but had back to back labour, and couldn't cope without stronger pain relief.

EccentricPickle · 13/07/2017 22:00

Btw, some women prefer not to have them as you can't feel the contractions so can't feel the pressure to push. It can sometimes take a bit longer to recover after the birth of you have an epidural and it can sometimes slow down labour. Also there are health risks involved as it's a massive needle (e.g. You can get headache, a permanent itch afterwards or you can get paralysis from what I can remember).

With my second labour (no epidural) the pushing stage was so much easier as I felt the urge to push. I also felt like I had so much energy afterwards.

After my first labour (epidural) I felt like I had been hit by a bus, however because of her position I had a PPH and my iron was really low so it was possibly due to that rather than the epidural.

I actually loved the epidural at the time - it completely took the pain away.

Good luck for the birth .

daffo · 13/07/2017 22:05

Btw you don't always lose the sensation of when to push with an epidural, I could still feel clearly when I had contractions, they just didn't hurt. Also I could still move my legs.

BoraThirch · 13/07/2017 22:10

I wasn't offered, I asked for one as soon as I wanted it. Brilliant experience both times.

Notlostjustexploring · 13/07/2017 22:19

I don't think I was ever technically offered one...think the first thing I did when I got to the delivery unit was to ask about the availability of anaesthetist for an epidural. I was assured that two of them were cooling their heels and that it was a quiet night and I could get one when I wanted. So I had a go on the ball, had my tens on, had a shot of the gas and air, did some nice breathing and groaning. Had four hours of "active labour" then thought, "fuck this shit, might as well use the drugs available".

I was always very upfront that I wanted an epidural as I didn't see the point in being in pain. I did go in with an open mind, just in case I was lucky enough to be one of those women who have a, "stings a bit, but only needed a couple of puffs of g&a" type birth (wasn't!).

Ask! They're lovely. It meant I actually got some sleep during my extensive induction. You don't have to be in "enough" pain to earn one or to need one, you just need to want one. My midwife told me I was coping well with my contractions, but still didn't see the point in being in unnecessary pain.

Also worth noting - epidurals don't necessarily cause interventions, rather there may be a correlation, the suggestion being that labours where epidural was requested were more painful because there was something suboptimal going on, such as a baby positioned baby, therefore intervention was always going to happen iyswim?

CrowOnTheBroom · 13/07/2017 22:26

I had an epidural and thought it was totally worth it - i was exhausted and it allowed to me rest before the pushing stage. No interventions were needed and I could still feel my legs throughout.
They also need topping up - my midwife actually let mine wear off towards the end so that I would know when to push without her telling me.

bootsmealdeal · 13/07/2017 22:32

I didn't want one purely because I heard it could slow things down and cause interventions. I was induced and asked for one but by the time they got ready to give me one I was fully dilated. TBH I found the contraction pain manageable anyway but I think you ALWAYS get to a point where you consider one. I'm kind of glad I didn't have on because I never felt the urge to push very much anyway and with an epidural im pretty sure I wouldn't have felt anything!

PerspicaciaTick · 13/07/2017 22:33

Epidurals are usually requested by the woman at the point at which she needs it. MWs don't routinely offer unsolicited epidurals to women.
I was offered one when I was put on a syntocinon drip as I was warned the contactions would be very intense. I said no. Then changed my mind after a couple of hours.

FuzzyOwl · 13/07/2017 22:41

Check with your midwife because I think they are certain timescales (4 to 7cm?) when it has to be administered and it does mean going into hospital rather than using a pool or a midwife led unit.

Just make sure it is in your notes and you remind the midwife when you arrive at hospital and any new midwives if you are worried it might have been missed. Good luck with your labour.

OrangeJulius · 13/07/2017 22:44

I just asked for one when I needed it. Was being induced, it wasn't going well, I was only a few cms but in a lot of pain and wasnt allowed to move around due to monitoring. It worked very well, but I'm still going into my next birth hoping not to have one, for reasons PP listed above.

troodiedoo · 13/07/2017 22:47

I begged for one many times, kept being told it was coming. When they finally got it sorted just about to stick the needle in and I feel a strong urge to push

Weebitty · 13/07/2017 22:52

I was offered one when I arrived at labour ward. a previous section meant I was keen. the doc tried3 times to site tbd large needle... was getting flustered and calling for his superior. my waters broke and I delivered in less than 15 mins...so epidural for me even though I was begging by that point. no other pain relief as it was too late and the gas wasn't working for me.
just be aware that it's not always as simple as wanting it and it happening.

squishysquirmy · 13/07/2017 23:06

I was offered one very, very early on in my labour (before I was even in real pain) as I had v. high blood pressure and was being induced. Apparently a side effect of the epidural is that it lowers your blood pressure. Also, they wanted to get the line into my back, in case I needed a crash caesarian. I was very reluctant, as initially I had wanted a more relaxed birth in a MLU. But, thank to my blood pressure that was out of the question anyway, and they "convinced" me that my bp had to come down or I would be whisked off for a caesarian anyway.

I do think it probably delayed my labour, which took ages and I was so close to needing a caesarian, but I was lucky in that the epidural worked perfectly in terms of pain relief - I could still feel when to push, but the pain was completely manageable. Closer to discomfort than pain. When I transitioned, I was convinced that I needed to do a huge poo . The mid wife had to work hard to convince me that it wasn't a poo, but was in fact my daughter...

squishysquirmy · 13/07/2017 23:11

Meant to say... They gave me the button to control how much I wanted, which felt good to be in control of something, iyswim.
I was only 2cm dilated when they gave me the epidural, so I have no experience of childbirth pain at all. Over 2 days of no food, restricted water, numerous needles and a sphygmomanometer going off every five minutes was pretty crap, but I know that I got off lightly.

Tootsiepops · 13/07/2017 23:15

I was induced and had been in the early stages of labour for two fucking days by the time I was dilated enough to move to the delivery suite. I asked for pethidine straight away, then when that didn't work, I asked for an epidural. I could still feel my contractions (although not the pain) and still knew when to push. I'm not having anymore children (one and done ) but I'd have an epidural again without hesitation.

snoopyokay · 13/07/2017 23:20

I asked for one as soon as I got to the ward and was given one about 4cm dilated. I knew I didn't want to be in pain and had the induction drip so contractions were more painful. I'm glad I had it but definitely felt like I'd been run over by a bus afterwards and couldn't feel one of my legs for a day which freaked me out!

Tchoutchou · 14/07/2017 11:25

Sometimes healthcare professionals might recommend it if they think you're getting too tired (some women are in labour for days rather than hours). If you're induced the pain is usually stronger than if labour is spontaneous (not always though, some women are OK with induction without the need for an epidural) so you may want an epidural.
Otherwise you're the one who decides whether you want one. You need to be 4 cm dilated (threshold for active labour-mooing like a cow). If you are very close to 10 cm, midwives will probably ask you to try and do without. It takes 20 min to take effect + the anaestheti might not be able to come straight away because they're doing emergencies (instruments and c-section).
1 in 8 epidural does not work or works only partially (ie only one side numb).
The other thing you need to know is that epidurals raise the risk of an instrumental delivery or EMCS and instruments carry a risk of serious injury to you and EMCS carries risk of blood loss and may impact future pregnancies and deliveries.
Look up the NHS website about epidurals, instruments and c-section.
Childbirth is unpredictable so you may decide you don't want one but depending on your circumstances, you may have one in the end. It's very difficult to plan for all eventualities. Good luck 🍀

Brummiegirl15 · 15/07/2017 20:44

I loved my epidural. I just asked for it when I felt my contractions were too close together to cope with the G&A. I was worried about knowing when to ask for it, but trust me you know.

Mine was also a self administered one so you pushed a button to get a top up and you could only do every 10 minutes. But I could still feel and move my legs and I could sort of feel the sensation of a contraction but it didn't hurt, which meant I knew when to push. But they are magic!

The only thing I would say is that just bear in mind leaving enough time to get one. First you have to get an anaesthetist to see you (they could be with someone else and have someone waiting) and then it takes about 20- 30 mins to take effect, it's not instant. I waited for about 15 mins for the anaesthetist to get to me, plus with waiting for it to take effect, was probably a good 45 minutes from my initial request until it was working - but it was worth it!!

But you do only get them in the delivery suite and if midwife led, water birth is your thing, then an epidural isn't available. I'm currently 24 weeks and I'll be asking for one this time. There are no medals for being in pain!

ememem84 · 15/07/2017 20:48

In baby class the other day we had a chat about pain relief during labour.

I was all for epidurals but i was told to have one will automatically make you high risk because it drops your (and babies) blood pressure. I have low blood pressure anyway - nothing to worry about it's always low. But for it to be lowered it could make things more dangerous for me.

I'm swaying towards just gas and air but on the day who knows.

Bear in mind that depending on how quickly your labour goes on for you may not have time for epidural.

Good luck x

kshaw · 15/07/2017 20:52

I didn't get offered one. I was told as I went into labour (was induced) that it would be an option and I just have to ask for it whenever I want it. I didn't want one but 6.5 hours in I asked-best decision I made!! Was bliss. I needed no intervention and was definitely worth it!

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