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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

What is your experience of epidurals?

26 replies

Mandraki · 25/07/2017 10:32

I'm 29+4 so getting to the point where birth is becoming a real life near future event, rather than just this one day far off thing future me will have to do. I'm pretty set on having an epidural, but other than that am happy to see how things pan out. Done a lot of reading about it but the reality is always different than say the NHS website isn't it! Anyone any words of wisdom, how their epidural went/what the process of getting one is like/anything really! Good experiences and bad.

OP posts:

kshaw · 25/07/2017 10:35

I was determined I wasn't having one as heard it slows things down. I had to be induced and was getting no time between contractions. I last 6 hours without it and was in unbelievable pain - the worst of it was that no matter how I stood/sat/moved I could not get comfortable. Decided to have the epidural and within 10 mins I was having a nap. Without a doubt best decision I made. No back issues after. I could still move my legs, couldn't have stood but I could feel the contractions without pain. Pushing was one of hardest physical things ever done, cannot imagine having the pain with it at the same time!! Good luck

ElizabethShaw · 25/07/2017 10:38

I've had two and am planning on a third! It was fine going in despite having to stay still through contractions (I had gas and air), worked perfectly and I had no side effects. The only thing I would do next time is get one earlier - the first two I had the epi at about 8cm after many hours of pain. Next time I will ask for one asap.

Decsbetterhalf · 25/07/2017 10:45

Effing amazing after 20hrs of pain

katiegg · 25/07/2017 10:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DramaAlpaca · 25/07/2017 10:50

For me it was blessed relief after hours of labour with DC1.

The downside was that I couldn't feel to push and DC ended up being delivered with forceps, but I really needed the pain relief. I had a headache the following day for a very short while, but that was the only side effect.

I had two more DC subsequently, and didn't feel the need for an epidural with either of them.

LenGoodmansPetLlama · 25/07/2017 10:50

Mine didn't work

TeddyIsaHe · 25/07/2017 10:52

I LOVED mine. I begged for one at 4cm and the worst art was sitting still for the needle while contracting. After that it was total bliss. I could still walk to the loo (carefully) and when I was fully dilated they reduced it so I could feel contractions and where to push. I pushed for 35 mins, completely unassisted delivery so it doesn't always lead to forceps or ventouse. Tore quite badly, but didn't feel it and stitches were a breeze as was still numb. I will absolutely be having another when I have my next baby!

LadyFlangeWidget · 25/07/2017 10:53

Do it. Don't listen to all the crap about a natural birth, Believe me you will think you are dying, I did. It was the most frightening horrifying experiences of my life. That was no.1
No 2 I booked the epidural and was drinking tea through contractions. Then the head got stuck and it was a c-section but thats besides the by.
YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.( having the epi I mean) Good luck!

Original poster

Mandraki · 25/07/2017 10:55

The main reason I want one (at the moment while I'm not in pain haha!) is because I'm scared of tearing and of feeling a tear, makes me cringe!! So glad you couldn't feel a tear. Also being able to sleep would be really nice.

OP posts:

tankerdale · 25/07/2017 10:57

Loved it. It brought blessed relief, I was so exhausted with dc1 because I'd missed out on a whole night's sleep. It possibly slowed things down a bit but that wasn't an issue and I got some rest while my body laboured.

Dc2 & 3 were much much quicker so there wasn't time for an epidural and I managed fine, I found I could tolerate the intense pain for a short period and because it happened both times in the day I hadn't missed out on any nights sleep.

tankerdale · 25/07/2017 10:59

I had a 3rd degree tear with dc2 and wasn't aware of it initially, I think it goes sort of numb! It was then repaired in theatre with (ironically) an epidural/spinal block.

Dc3 had 2nd deg tear again wasn't aware of really at the time but did sting after then the mw stitched up.

MrsWooster · 25/07/2017 11:01

Wait and see! Back to back labour with ds and I wouldn't have managed without it and he wouldn't have made it. Tens with dd and, just as it was starting to smart a bit and I was entering negotiations for epidural, she flew out. Rule nothing out but do bear in mind it can take a while for the anaesthetic to come and then 20 minutes for it to work...

chickhonhoneybabe · 25/07/2017 11:02

I'd go in with an open mind, you might cope well with out one.

Have you thought about trying the birthing pool?

I had every pain relief going (ended up with spinal block for EMCS), however before this nothing touched the pain like being in the pool, it was bloody fantastic!

AlpacasPackOwls · 25/07/2017 11:05

I had one for my second as I was induced and had to be monitored on a bed. It was good while it lasted but it started wearing off. Luckily by that time I was fully dilated so it wasn't long. I could feel the full pain of contractions again at that point.

I preferred my labour for my first though where I didn't have an epidural.

Girty999 · 25/07/2017 11:09

After 42 hours of labour with no progression I had an emergency c section, epidural went in fine no problems seemed to wear off quickly when I was back on the ward, second was planned c section it took 90 mins to get the needle in, two anaesthetists and three different sized needles, the nurse counted 26 attempts, the bruising on my back was more painful than the scar, it wouldn't put me off should I lose all my marbles and get pregnant again, if you want an epidural go for it x .

Original poster

Mandraki · 25/07/2017 11:30

chickenhoneybabe I have thought about the birthing pool, I love baths for back pain now so I appreciate it would probably be amazing. If I'm not allowed an epidural (you read all sorts of stories about midwives fobbing women off, or there not being an available anaesthetist) then birth Pool is definitely my second choice.

MrsWooster defo not ruling anything out, like I say just see what happens. I was originally set on only an epidural, nothing else, no negotiations, but I know now (from talking to midwife and reading on here) that it isn't always as cut and dry as that. Hard to get my head round at first but I've made peace with that now, that epi is just an option. An option I would reeeeaaaaallllllly really like though!

OP posts:

penguinpurple · 25/07/2017 12:04

Mine was amazing! I'd been up all night as started with contractions literally as soon as I went to bed. Went into hospital about 3am and it got gradually more painful. However when they tried to examine me they couldn't tell if I was dilated. I got offered epidural anyway when it was obvious the contractions were getting more painful. Getting it put in was unpleasant but not terrible.
It then literally took away all my pain so as above I could have a rest which turned out to be a good thing as I was only 3cm so had a while to go. Don't underestimate how bloody knackering the whole process is in addition to being painful!

Things continued to be slow and I ended up on hormone drip then went from 5-10cm in a couple of hours which I suspect would have been horrific without the epidural .

Notsure1234 · 25/07/2017 16:37

I loved mine, didn't feel it go in at all. The worst part was getting the cannula in my hand before I could have it. Took 3 attempts as I have crappy veins!

I was surprised though that the pain didn't go away immediately. With mine it took away the very beginning and very end of each contraction and I just felt the most painful middle bit. Then that gradually got shorter and shorter until about 45 mins in I couldn't feel any of the contraction at all

NurseMama · 25/07/2017 17:49

I had a mixed experience. It was definitely a huge relief from the pain, however, I suffered a few complications from it. Firstly, my labour ground to a halt and I needed pitocin to get contractions going again. Secondly, the epidural + pitocin caused iatrogenic pyrexia and pulmonary oedema, which was terrifying. I needed IV antibiotics furosemide to offload the fluid from my chest. Couldn't breathe. Just be aware the some people can be at risk of a cascade of complications from epidurals, but most have no trouble at all.

FartnissEverbeans · 26/07/2017 00:55

Don't worry, you won't feel any tearing. It'll all merge into one rich tapestry of pain and fear and exhaustion.

Mine is a cautionary tale. I missed my chance for an episiotomy so was subjected to the medieval torture of labour with only pethidine (pethidine is a LIE. If offered, tell them to fuck off). I cried as the anaesthetist left the room. Next time I'm getting an epidural before I even go into labour please

Chloris33 · 29/07/2017 13:53

It made an induced labour with baby in back to back position manageable for me. I had it half way through, and would definitely choose it if induced again. It was the biggest moment of relief ever. I even managed to sleep a bit with it. However, it did slow my contractions meaning that I had to be put on a hormone drip. And I did have forceps delivery, which is statistically more likely with epidural, although there's no knowing whether I would have had forceps without epidural. Back to back babies also result in more forceps deliveries. See how you feel. My top is to ask for one earlier rather than later once you feel you want one as there can be a long queue of patients waiting for the anaesthetist. Mine arrived 2 hours after I requested it. Good luck X

chump1066 · 30/07/2017 14:19

I had one, held out as long as I could before hand though but I would definitely have one again it was amazing. I had a long induction labour and had already been at the hospital 16 hours or so before they even broke my waters and started the drip so I was very tired and managed to sleep after the epidural until the pushing stage.
I ended up needing episiotomy and forceps so I'm glad I had an epidural as they just topped it up. That would have been hella painful!

Perfectly1mperfect · 30/07/2017 14:49

I had an epidural with my first child after about being stuck at 5cm dilated for hours and being put on a drip to speed up contractions. This is when the pain really got worse so I asked for an epidural. Having the epidural done was fine on the whole, other than having to wait about 2 hours for an anaesthetist. You have to stay still even with contractions but they try to do it as much as possible in between the pains. The anaesthetist was very kind and I felt so much better after having it done. Towards the end of my labour I could still feel a lot of pressure which isn't the nicest feeling but it wasn't painful. I think it probably slowed labour down a bit as well as I had to stay in bed. Much of it had wore off by the pushing stage so I still felt most of that bit but not as intense as with my second baby which I didn't have an epidural for.

I thought I would have an epidural with my second and made it clear when I went into hospital that if I was put on a drip to speed up contractions that I wanted an epidural at the same time, not hours later like last time. However my second birth was much quicker so I didn't end up having one.

I think you are right to keep a open mind. Hopefully you will have an 'easy' birth but if not an epidural in my opinion is a great option.

It's weird how writing this takes me straight back into the labour suite, it's something you never forget. Good luck and just remember as the cliche says, it's all worth it in the end. It really is. xx

VeryPunny · 30/07/2017 14:52

Bloody amazing. Transformed both my labours into enjoyable experiences. Hypbobirthing and pools did fuck all for me, my labours were excruciating.

I thought the most recent research showed that an increased epidural rate not causative of interventions?

VeryPunny · 30/07/2017 14:53

Also ask for a mobile epidural. I could feel exactly when to push and all that.

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