If you didn’t have an epidural by choice

[KirstenRaymonde]

Would you mind talking to me about why you made that choice? The main by of advice I’ve had from my DM my whole life about childbirth is ‘just get the epidural’ so I’ve never questioned that obviously I would do that, it didn’t really occur to me until reading these boards that anyone wouldn’t choose one!

Wanted to be mobile & avoid a catheter if at all possible.

Don't find childbirth that painful.

I'd originally planned a water birth, but as soon as labour started, I really struggled.

I then had an epidural and it didn't work. My recollection of labour now is one big 36 hour blur. I ended up needing a ventouse and an episiotomy. Awful.

I really wish I'd looked up pain relief options in more detail. I'd always thought that an epidural would leave me entirely pain free - how wrong I was!

I wanted to avoid all medical interventions as far as possible. Partly because they can come with risks to maternal and infant health, but also because I don't like being touched.

Have had 2 babies with just gas and air, minimal monitoring and no stitches (I did tear with one birth but refused to be stitched).

I really wanted a water birth or at least labour.
If I’d needed an induction with a drop then water would not have been possible so I’d have been open to the idea of epidural but as it was I didn’t need induced so was able to Labour in water and birth with no needles or cannula or catheter.

I was terrified of episiotomy and forceps delivery, so wanted to avoid the increased risk of that if possible.

As it was went for MLU and waterbirth with G&A. Once I was in the pool on the gas I was so out of it I couldn't really change my mind!

I didn't really cope well with the pain (I usually have quite a high threshold) and I felt like I was in there for days (actually about four hours) and became a bit delusional. But I did avoid intervention (extensive second degree tear aside).

Lots of my NCT group ended up with emergency sections, so mine was actually the 'easy' birth of the lot. I think the whole thing is just bloody dangerous!

Let's just say I'm not doing it again.

SIL had a similar waterbirth without the G&A and coped much better - so maybe I'm just a wuss!

because I had remifentanil which was brilliant.

I was terrified of needing an interventions like forceps or a c section so I did all I could to avoid that and I had read that an epidural was slightly more likely to lead to a need for assistance. Also I wanted to give birth on all fours and be in the birthing pool for contractions

I read up and didn’t like the fact that it slows down the Birth process and I didn’t want it lasting any longer than necessary. I also didn’t like the fact that it increases the risk of having to have other forms of interference with the Birth like forceps or a section. In the end I had 2 fairly quick and straightforward births so I guess I was lucky. IThe first Birth was around 8 hours after being admitted and the second was around 2 hours after being admitted. Plus I recovered from the Birth much more quickly than my friends who’d had epidurals and had all ended up having emergency c-sections.

Yes, it is painful but if I was to do it again I still wouldn’t choose an epidural.

I'm an anaesthetist, so had put in hundreds of epidurals/spinals before I had my own labour. I was completely open to the idea of having one if needed, but I wanted to see how I managed without it. Although they give fantastic pain relief most of the time, they are not totally benign procedures and I didn't want to risk the complications if I didn't need it.

As it turned out, I was induced and got to 6-7cm on the antenatal ward before anyone even realised I was in labour (including myself!) and within 2 hours of arriving on delivery suite and getting on the gas & air, I started to feel like I wanted to poo, so I knew that I was progressing quickly. If it had taken longer I think I would have needed more pain relief but I'm glad I didn't go for one automatically. I'm well aware that every woman's labour is different though, and some are definitely more painful than others so if you need an epidural, don't be afraid to get one!

As silly as it sounds, I just couldn't cope with the thought of the needle.

I had an epidural for DC1 (here in France, it is the norm). It was perfectly dosed, no secondary effects.
For DC2 I arrived at the hospital too late and gave birth without any pain relief. Only then did I realise that I felt "robbed" of DC1's birth. I did not give birth - the MW and anaesthesist did (it sounds clearer in French : je n'ai pas accouché, on m'a accouchée).
I refused pain relief for DC3. The anaesthesist sniggered at me at the 8-month appointment ("I'll see you at birth when you beg for an epidural") but it was my favourite birth by far.

agentcooper

Its not you at all, syntocin is extremely painful. One of the midwives i had said she had only seen 1 person in 30 years not need an epidural with syntocin. I started off without and once i got to 90ml of the drug was in anguish. The epidural i had was scary and painful but much needed!

I wanted home quicker! That said I ended up with an emergency section and was in longer!

Had one with my first. It made me vomit. Alot. The pushing stage was very protracted and I ended up with ventouse delivery.

It was not a good choice for me.

This has been tremendously helpful, thanks for sharing ladies

I didn't want one for the sake of it, knowing that the chance of complications would increase. I was open to it if I really really needed it but luckily got by on G&A and diamorphine.

And now, after knowing about a friends experience (spinal damage - not trying to scare anyone) I wouldn't have one unless I felt like I was going to die from the pain.

I chose not to have an epidural during labour because:

• I wanted to be in control
• I was a bit freaked out by having a needle put into my spine
• I was frightened of slowing labour down and increasing the risk of an instrumental / assisted Birth / c section
• I wanted to be able to move around

Got through labour with gas and air, but baby was a bit distressed and they were telling me I had to push her out quickly. I took their advice a little too seriously and pushed her out all in one go - she flew out like a rugby ball to be caught by MW! But that meant I had a 3rd degree tear, so I then had to have an epidural to be stitched up in theatre.

Anyway I’m telling you all this because I’m in the perhaps unusual position of both having chosen not to have an epidural and then having one after the birth.

It didn’t make me wish I’d had one during labour. It made me all shivery and you really truly can’t feel anything below waist level. They also struggled to get it in my spine so it took about 45 mins trying. Sitting still hunched over like that would have been excruciating while I was in labour and with a massive bump.

BUT i can see why people have them. Lots say in a long labour the opportunity to rest and sleep helps when it comes to the pushing stage.

I didn't want my legs to be paralysed and labour takes longer.

I wanted to have as natural a labour and birth as possible, for my own long term good health and that of my child.

I had epidurals with my births (due to medical stuff i HAVE to have them).

Birth one (many moons ago) was much like people describe here - catheter, assisted birth etc (but quick - ish).

Birth two (less moons ago and 13 years after the first birth) was compleatly different. Quick, moved about, went to the toilet when I needed to, no intervention and was home first thing the next morning.

Oh the feeling of relief when the epidural went in - I'm glad I had it! I could think again and I could speak.

The side effect profile of epidurals is fairly terrifying. Labour only last for 12 hours and only really hurts for the last 2 or 3. I felt like I could cope with anything for that long. I went home 2 hours after having dd having run my own bath first. Would do exactly the same again 😀

Labour only last for 12 hours and only really hurts for the last 2 or 3

Well... some. My first labour lasted for 48 hours of which 14 were extremely painful (back to back). I didn’t have an epidural but I think it’s a bit of a generalisation to say it only hurts for 2-3 hours!

Lol. Yes. Speak for yourself...