Is an epidural worth it?

[ttbren]

I am being induced on Friday and I'm looking into all of my pain relief options.

• What was it like having a catheter?

-How long after birth were you able to walk around? -Did you have to have intervention? -Did you give birth on your back?

Thank you!!

I never got my epidural when I was induced as baby was born too quickly however the advantage of me asking for one was that they put a monitor on my baby's head so I could go into more positions when giving birth. I had decided to give birth on my side and that's what I was allowed to do. If I hadn't asked for one I would have only been allowed to give birth on my back and being static on my back was the most painful position for me.

Hello,

• What was it like having a catheter?

Couldn't feel a thing.

-How long after birth were you able to walk around?
About 5 hours.

-Did you have to have intervention?
No, pushed her out.

-Did you give birth on your back?
Yes, my Epi was very dense. I couldn't even hold my legs in the stirrups.

Happy answer any more !

I couldn't stand the pain anymore so got an epi. It was an amazing relief. I ended up needing an emergency section, so I'm so glad I had one already in and they could just 'top it up'

Before it was topped up I could still walk around so would have been able to walk straight away, but they up it so much for the CS that it was probably about 3/4 hours.

No idea catheter was even in before they had to take it out, which was uncomfortable, but only for a second, like pulling a plaster off.

I'm pregnant again and will be getting on next time. It was a god send

Oh and good luck for Friday!

• What was it like having a catheter?

> No idea, I didn't even notice it! And it was taken out before I realised.

-How long after birth were you able to walk around?

Immediately - I had a so-called "walking epidural" so it was quite mild

-Did you have to have intervention?

• No

-Did you give birth on your back?

• Yes but was semi-upright really.

I was induced and had an epidural would definitely recommend. I could feel enough to push and to move myself by pushing with my feet on the end of the bed. Catheter felt nothing.

Midwife told me (tertiary centre so specialists) that most women have an epidural because the labour is induced so pain is greater than it would be if natural birth. Can't recommend enough. Can't actually remember how quickly I could walk again so obv not a worry. Good luck for this week

The only thing written in my birth plans for all three of my children was the word EPIDURAL in massive capital letters! Best thing ever.

I had one with my first induction (and would of had it in the next two births too but they were too fast).
I got mine quite late in labour and didn’t need a catheter.
Delivered on my back but no longer felt any pain so it didn’t matter. Often with a drip induction you are on your back regardless because of monitoring, drips etc.

Could feel to push and delivered in first push with no intervention.

I was able to walk as soon as I wanted which I think was about 30mins-1hr after when I got up to take a shower.

EPIDURAL. Honestly. I've had them twice. First time for an induction (trust me I NEEDED it for that), second time for a normal birth and probably could have done without it but I wanted it, knew the procedure etc and it allowed me a little rest before baby arrived.
If I get pregnant again I will definitely have it in my birth plan

I didn't want an epidural with my first but I changed my mind during labour.

• What was it like having a catheter?

Didn't even notice I had one.

-How long after birth were you able to walk around?
About 1 hour but I fell over - thankfully DH caught me - and then I was fine to walk.

-Did you have to have intervention?
No none.

-Did you give birth on your back?
Yes.

Incidentally I asked for one with my second and it didn't work at all. I cannot put into words how upsetting that was. Am being open minded about my impending labour.

• What was it like having a catheter?

I refused a proper one, I just had the in and out type done once.

• How long after birth were you able to walk around?

About an hour or so.

• Did you have to have intervention?

None at all.

• Did you give birth on your back?

Yes, but pushed her out within an hour.

I was induced but did end up with a section as they couldn't get me going despite a few days on pessaries, the section was much better than I expected BTW, I had a catheter placed during the epidural at around 2pm and I was up and about at 8pm and had a wander to the tea room, I asked for the catheter to be removed at midnight as I didn't like the sensation of it when I was moving about, they tried getting me to have it in overnight but removed it in the end.

Yes! Definitely. I hated the idea of a catheter but u can't feel it at all. Can't remember about walking after but was in shock post delivery so wouldn't have wanted to walk anywhere! Good luck, hope it all goes smoothly.

Epidural didn’t work for me. I have back issues so was in severe pain and nothing much did work to be fair. In the end, I was part of a trial and had success. I had Remifentanil for a short period on a button and it was a godsend. Good luck and enjoy your little one very soon ❤️

1. didn’t notice it
2. baby born just after 3am I was walking no where at that time did get up later in morning all fine, went home also that morning.
3. baby had to keep being turned, ventouse delivery in end as baby getting stressed & I was scared of having c-section
4. yes on back as had lots of wires and stuff attached to me and baby, max epidural so legs dead weight. Long labour

Next labour I was refused epidural not enough time.

Good luck, do what’s best for you and baby there are no prizes for how you give birth except for lovely squishy baby.

I had an epidural on my last birth (7 weeks ago) after two natural drug free births. Best thing ever.

Didn't feel the catheter and having it taken out was a breeze. Labour was amazing (I slept through most of it and had her out in two pushes). I had the epidural and catheter out immediately wanting to walk around after an hour however that was not to be due to further complications (massive PPH so I needed a spinal and another catheter in theatre). No interventions in the birth and I felt nothing.

After two hard, natural and pain free labours, I am officially an advocate of the epidural!

What was it like having a catheter?
Barely noticed it.

How long after birth were you able to walk around?
Not long. A couple of hours I think. To be honest after three days of labour I was bloody knackered anyway so wasn't exactly in a rush.

Did you have to have intervention?
No. I was never completely numb so I could feel the urge to push and a sort of pressure. Pushed the baby out in about 10 minutes.

Did you give birth on your back?
Sort of. I was sat up with DH holding one leg and a student midwife holding the other.

Is an epidural worth it?
God yes! Will definitely be asking for one earlier this time around as with my first birth mine it didn't work first time so I had to wait for the anesthetist to come back and re-site it.

Induced twice early for medical reasons.
Catheter. Wasn’t even aware I had it so not a problem, it’s the last thing you be worried about.
Was up and walking immediately, straight into a bath. had an epidural that I controlled myself so was able to take it back towards the end.
No intervention and gave birth upright over back of the bed.
Done twice and marvellous things are epidurals, don’t understand why they get such bad press.

Couldn’t feel the catheter & didn’t hurt when removed.
I had a mobile epidural so could move the whole time. I could feel the contractions and had urge to push but wasn’t in pain. It definitely allowed me to rest between contractions.
Had episiotomy & ventouse delivery, 90% knew this would happen due to previous birth.
So glad I had the epi.

Good luck x

Like a PP I had a "walking" epidural. Very light, I could move about a bit and still feel to push. DD was back to back and it just took the stabbibess out of the pain in my hips. I also had monitoring in baby's head and delivered on all fours. Could walk immediately after. No issues with catheter - came out immediately after birth

I loved my epidural. I remember being out of control before I had it (30 hours into back to back labour). I was only 4cm!

My birth ended in a calm, perfect way. I got to be the first person to touch my baby to while she was still inside.

The catheder gets put in after so you won’t feel a thing.

Mine had a button you press when you want to top up (most hospitals have this) so you can know when to push.

No intervention needed, pushed her out in 25 minutes when I finally got to 10cm. No serious tearing. Do your pelvic floor exercises so you know which muscles to use.

It didn’t take long to wear off so I could walk around again within about 30 mins- 1 hour. You can still kind of move your legs anyway. And yes I was on my back with stirrups.

If I ever give birth again I would get one, I don’t see the point in going through the pushing stage pain free.

Catheter was fine, bit annoying afterwards as DD went to the neo natal and I had to go there with my catheter bag.

Managed to walk to the shower with DP’s help an hour or so after the epidural but probably 2-3 hours to walk properly.

No intervention, pushing stage very quick.

Yes on back but not lying down fully.

I would definitely recommend it, particularly for induction.

What was it like having a catheter?
Didn't really feel it or notice it. Baby was born at 3:48am, they took the catheter out when I was on the maternity ward around 9 am and they had to make sure I pee'd enough within 6 hrs after.
-How long after birth were you able to walk around? I walked to get a shower about 1hr after. They were cautious of me falling or something but I was fine, had complete feeling back.
-Did you have to have intervention?
Nothing
-Did you give birth on your back?
Yes

I must say, I got it because I was high risk and they said they'd have more issues siting it the further into labour I got and if I needed a emergency c section then they'd have to give me a general if I didn't have an epidural.
I had it at 4cms and dilation proceeded as expected while I slept pretty much until 10cms and then 1hr later went to pushing. I could feel the pressure but no pain like the contractions at the beginning which were making me throw up uncontrollably.

I forgot to say, whilst I pushed DD out, I could not feel if I was pushing or not. It was bizarre. I had to imagine pushing in a very abstract way. I obviously was pushing as out she came !!

What was it like having a catheter?
Didn’t notice

How long after birth were you able to walk arouNd?
Got out of bed a Couple hours after delivery I think.

Did you have to have intervention?
No, 8lbs 6 baby came out in 5 pushes. Could still feel contractions but no pain.

Did you give birth on your back?
Yes

Is an epidural worth it?
Totally. I put off being induced as I was so scared I’d need an epidural, actually it was brilliant. Only once I had the epidural in did I start to dialate, so for me it actually sped things up I think because I could relax and get in a better position for baby to move down. I would advise anyone being induced by drip to have one put in. It’s not everyone’s experience but my god for me being induced was complete agony, and that’s compared to a very long back to back labour I had 1st time around. Good luck!