Epidural ? Yay or Nay?

[louiserachael]

I've been told the pain of having the epidural administered is so painful ?? Any ladies had one with some advice ??

I desperately want an epidural for my birth but I've heard so many stories of women begging for them and being told "not now" or the anaesthetist not being available. It's my biggest fear.

Had one, didn’t feel a thing, would definitely have it again!

What fresh hell is this, who the fuck told you that?!? I get so angry about the amount of fear women seem to like to instill in each other about how childbirth is going to be awful, too painful to stand etc etc. I'm not saying we should be sugar coating it but when I was pregnant with my first all I got told was horror stories and I was absolutely petrified, so much so that my labour stalled totally when I got to hospital and was told it was really happening then I almost passed out when the said I'd need the drip.

Anyway rant over, I didn't have one with any labour so I can't comment on your actual question but please trust in yourself to make the right decision at the time, if you need an epidural you need it - don't put an extra hurdle in place before you even get there.

Best of luck, you'll be a champ however it ends up!

@Hobbitch what did you need a cannula for ? Will I need one?

If you have an epidural, yes, you will need a cannula. The epidural can drop your blood pressure so you need a cannula for fluids and medications if needed.

@HaveTeaWillSurvive a certain sort of friend has taken great pleasure in telling me how bad it was and how much everything hurts she's not really a friend but I have to tolerate her although I won't be going to her for advice anymore she can be a right b*tch also my partner has a 6 year old from a previous relationship and seems to think he knows it all after that although he wasn't even in the room for her birth he's going to get a talking to when he gets home tho he needs to pull his finger out !

@Piewraith I've been told the same however I think the trick is to tell them on arrival you will be wanting an epidural and that's the end of it I've found I've had to be quite firm with my midwives they want me to give birth in the delivery suites and I want to be in a hospital

in comparison to labour pains my epidural was fine :) you might not need one but if you do they can be wonderful :)

Had two epidurals - so pleased I did. First time I had no choice as I was induced (I got stuck at 7cm dilated and couldn't progress) and I think having an epidural is part and parcel of being induced.

Second time I got all the way to 10cm on gas and air and then the full on contractions started and (having not felt them in my first labour due to epidural). I screamed at the Midwife and freaked out until she gave me one although I wonder whether technically I was a bit too late to be asking for one really at that stage.

... can't remember any pain actually associated to having the epidural inserted/administered - don't think I felt anything much.

They are wonderful. I accept they're not for everyone, however mine didn't hurt at all as it was administered and made my birth so easy. It is my belief that one should have one for more of life's discomforts: flying economy for example would be made marvellous!

Don't let the canula insertion pain put you off. In the wider scheme of pains during childbirth it is really nothing - a bit uncomfortable.

And remember when thinking about epidurals that you can get too far into labour to have one. I think lots of people either find labour progresses fast and they are too late when they want one, or it is slow and they battle on and on with the pain, to then find it is too late. The other thing that can happen, is you decide you want one, but the anaesthetist is in theatre or with someone else and can't get to you.....and by the time they do, it is too late. Just worth bearing in mind that there isn't a totally open window with this.

Personally, I said frequently that I wanted an epidural as soon as possible. I know this isn't what everyone wants to say and that lots want to wait and see and just be prepared to have an epidural as a last resort. Well I knew I wanted one and I frequently said and I'm sure this helped me get one.
Great if you want to play it by ear and see if you can get by without.....but if there's a chance you might want one, do t leave it to the very last minute to say or you may have missed the chance.

Yay, Yay and thrice Yay! I had an epidural on my third dc after two ' natural' births and it was bloody marvellous. I don't remember any pain on insertion and had no after effects. Bloody marvellous I tell you.

I did actually tell the anaesthetist when they checked up on me the next day that I would have sold my soul to the devil to get that epidural, and that was after I had slight complications with it.

I've had 3, OP. Two for childbirth and one for knee surgery - it's been fine - brilliant recovery period compared to a ga.
Epidurals can drop your blood pressure, nobody told me not to take my anti-hypertensive before my knee surgery - that made for an interesting night

I had a spinal block which is a similar injection. I don't remember feeling the needle going in, but I was in full blown labour at the time. I do remember the anaesthetist trying to get me to keep still, which was really, really hard for me as contractions make me want to move around.

Personally I didn't like the feeling of the spinal block, as I felt very helpless being unable to move. It is stronger than an epidural though. Also, having an epidural puts you at a higher risk of other interventions. Personally I hated the recovery from forceps and episiotomy much more than the pain of labour itself, so second time around I wanted to avoid an epidural and I had gas and air only.

However, each to their own, and if you definitely want an epidural then the pain of having it inserted shouldn't put you off. You could write on your birth plan that you want one, and hopefully the midwife will try to make sure you are able to have one.

I had a very similar experience to Watto. An inexperienced anaesthetist spent what felt like hours trying to insert mine and I had to wait for another person to come from another ward to do it. It was not fun. DH found it very stressful to watch, I found it stressful. The pain relief was worth it.

I was unfortunate to have what they call an epidural headache - undiagnosed for a week because I also lost a lot of blood.

It was fixed very quickly with a blood patch, but because that involves more needles to my back my BP sky rocketed again because I was scared and I had to stay in longer!

Like @Watto, when it came to my next child, an elcs, I was absolutely shorting bricks about the spinal - and it was perfect! Easier to admister from what I understand, especially as I wasn't labouring.

I was really scared about a needle in my spine, but it was fine.

Was bruised afterwards and my left leg dragged behind me when I walked around the ward, but I was so so tired I didn't really notice.

Ive never have one and don't plan on again but only because I hate being messed with, wanted to stay mobile and go straight home! I would if I had to thought. Your friend shouldn't be freaking you out its inconsiderate! I do know loads of people who've had them and loved them. My best friend describes it as the best thing that's ever happened to her! Given she's just got a new baby that's quite high praise!

My spinal for my ELCS did hurt but I think only because I have a ridiculously high tolerance for local anaesthetic so the numbing injection didn't really work. Even then it wasn't terrible and was very short lived. Please don't worry yourself about it and all the best for the birth and your new baby

I had an epidural, the best decision I ever made. I didn't have any problem when it was inserted, slight discomfort but nothing compared with the contraction pain. I had a lovely birthing experience rather than pain and trauma.

My ex best friend did take great pride in telling everyone how I had not really given birth, because it wasn't a natural birth like she had. Until I put her straight about her choice of pain relief being no different, only mine was more effective.

My ex best friend did take great pride in telling everyone how I had not really given birth, because it wasn't a natural birth like she had. Until I put her straight about her choice of pain relief being no different, only mine was more effective.

This is so annoying, I had a completely natural birth- did I get a blue peter badge, medal, prize?? Who cares how baby comes out as long as it comes out safely!

I had one as I had to have a forceps delivery when my baby became stuck and his heart rate dropped, there was a very slight sting and that was it. My sons birth was quite traumatic, didn't get to hospital until 9cm dilated, pushed for 5 hours, had a failed ventous which was inserted with only gas and air (most painful thing that happened) and the first one came flying off which was very painful, I was too exhausted to push anymore by the time the forceps decision was made. The epidural completely took all the pain away. If I were to have another child I think I may request an epidural in the hope of avoiding what I went through this time, or at least not having the pain whilst having an attempted instrumental delivery

YAY from me.

YAY from me too. Bit of pressure on you back, but nothing memorably painful (possibly my definition of pain was somewhat skewered by the contractions). Most difficult thing was keeping still. Was pleasantly surprised you get to control the dose/top-ups and that a little went a long way. I always thought you would not be able to move your legs but I retained control over legs to some extent, although contractions were no longer painful. Not having any more, but would do it again.