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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Induction without epidural

72 replies

Grimbles · 23/01/2019 19:46

I can't have an epidural for medical reasons. I'm booked in for an induction next week @39 weeks. Would I be mad to go ahead with it - I don't know what to do at the moment.

I'm having a sweep tomorrow which will hopefully work but need to decide if I want to go ahead with an induction if not, or ask to delay for another week.

Part of me wants it over and done with, the other is worried about the pain if I have the drip

OP posts:

elliejjtiny · 26/01/2019 00:33

I had the drip with no epidural. It was about as painful as my previous back to back labour but I only got to 5cm dilated before I had to have an emcs as the drip made the contractions more painful but it made the dilating go slower.

stolemyusername · 26/01/2019 00:38

I was induced at 37 weeks with my youngest. Took a while to get things going as drip was started at 8am, started contracting at 1.30 baby born at 3.15. No need for any pain relief, no more or less painful that previous births.

Chocolatedeficitdisorder · 26/01/2019 00:40

I had the drip put up butbaby decided to move down very quickly and I didn't get the opportunity for an epidural. He was delivered by mid-cavity forceps using a pudendal block.

I remember it being very nippy and I very much wished I had better pain relief on board. Baby is 22 now but I can still replay the experience in my head.

user1471426142 · 26/01/2019 13:48

I had the drip and in all honesty, I’ve decided that if I need it again, I’d have the epidural sited at the same time as the drip. For some people the drip might be quite speedy but I was on it for around 9-10 hours (with contractions ramping up immediately)I managed 4-5 hours on gas and air but they couldn’t get the intensity right and I never had any breaks between contractions so I reached a point where I couldn’t cope anymore. I remember such a sense of relief once the anaethnetist was called.

If I had the choice of a drip with no epidural or a section I’d pick the latter, just because of the unpredictability of the drip experience. I think the stats for epidural use are pretty high with the drip so while there have been positive experiences mentioned here, it would be worth asking your consultant about the statistics so you can make an informed decision.

Belleende · 26/01/2019 20:41

I had an induction, ended up on the drip. Got to about 4cms no problems, then I think they upped the dose and the contractions became constant, with no gap in between. I had diamorphine, it did nothing. Ended up with an epidural. Four years on and I still love that epidural lady.

If you can, take a real look at your risk factors and maybe think about hanging on to 40 weeks. I and a induction with my second, fought with them to hand on to 40 weeks and the pessary worked and I had a lovely birth.

Thecaravan · 26/01/2019 23:48

I was similar to you in that I was induced with the drip due to my age but can't have an epidural due to my very twisted spine. It was a tough labour on my back with constant monitoring and ended with a c section under general. Didn't care at that stage as was tired and in a lot of pain and just happy to have a little sleep. It was manageable with gas and air, just they think she was not able to descend properly because of my spine and pelvic issues. Good luck and hopefully you go into spontaneous labour!

Badgergirl123 · 30/01/2019 00:53

I've found with any preggo related question people will have the full spectrum of experiences as we all respond differently.

For my two-cents worth, I was induced five weeks ago as was a fortnight late - my nice waterbirth out the window! First pessary worked within an hour but still needed drip and was on it for 10 hours with midwife cranking it up to max by the end. I'm not good with physical pain at all but managed to full dilation and two hours of pushing on G&A (I found it the absolute bomb!!) and using hypnobirthing techniques. It really, really hurt but I still found it manageable, totally different frof other physical pain.

What might be worth considering is pain relief if you need assisted delivery - chance will be higher in induced birth. I ended up having to have epidural for forceps and don't think I could have managed without serious drugs. I'm glad I didn't have it earlier though as not being able to feel contractions or body was unpleasant and unhelpful.

Good luck whatever you choose ☺

AnguaUberwaldIronfoundersson · 30/01/2019 10:57

I was induced and it was the worst pain I’d ever felt in my life. Totally unrelenting and left me in a heap on the bed. Gas and air didn’t touch it and the epidural didn’t work. Took 13 hours of the drip before I begged for a section - only made it to 3cm dilated in all that time. Section was the best thing ever, I remember telling the anaesthetist who gave me the spinal block how much I loved him! Healing from the section - I’m day 8 now and it’s all good although I’m a bit tired.

Kidneybean2016 · 30/01/2019 20:38

I had an induction for first pregnancy. Had 3 pessaries and was on the drop. Gas and air didn’t seem to help so had some dismorphinw which was amazing. No epidural - really didn’t want one though have to admit it did cross my mind. Currently 39 weeks and hoping won’t need an induction this time. Good luck - every pregnancy and person’s experiences are different xx

Original poster

Grimbles · 02/02/2019 00:59

I was booked to go in to be induced at 11am yesterday. Spontaneous labour started yesterday morning so they just broke my waters for me at 3.30pm and I gave birth to a gorgeous girl 3 hours later. I managed with gas and air and a shot of morphine in the end. Still not pleasant but at least it was quick!

OP posts:

RCohle · 02/02/2019 02:04

Congratulations!

northernsouljunket · 02/02/2019 03:01

My understanding is that it’s the drip that really affects pain level, not the pessary ao much. Some thoughts:

Yes. I would seek clear advice on why you cannot wait until 40 weeks or more. Don’t let the midwife rolling her eyes put you off having that conversation. I went against their advice to induce early as I felt their stance was just their standard approach and actually had no bearing on my situation. Seek advice on this. Ask to speak to a consultant.
you can have a pessary and not need to have the drip depending on your progression. If your body takes over and you dilate fast enough they might leave you to labour alone. I was very clear in asking what those guidelines were. I think I needed to get to 4/5cm in 4hrs. The medics were all there saying ‘let’s get the drip’ and I had to really fight my corner and ask them to leave me alone. The drip means increased chance of epidural which means increased chance of instrumental delivery/emergence caesarean. The less interference the better statistically.
if you are being induced ask if you will need to be strapped up a heartbeat monitor machine. Make sure you can have a wireless one and move around. Do not let them put you on a fixed one and be trapped to the bed.
also ask what the parameters are around emergency section. You cannot control it of the baby gets stuck or is breech or something but lots of emcs are due to ‘failure to progress.’ You might decide to have some cuts offs where you say ‘if it gets this far and the baby isn’t here I want a EMCS.
I was heavily advised bu the consultants that I should have the epidural before the drip. They all said it is very painful. But remember all drugs can slow contractions down. Luckily I dilated enough and o stuck to gas and air so nothing was at risk of slowing down too much.
my tens machine was invaluable. I would recommend. They are easy to pick up second hand

northernsouljunket · 02/02/2019 03:02

Oh! I missed the uodate!!! DOH

Congratulations!!!

Angelmiracle · 02/02/2019 04:39

Congratulations on your new baby girl 🌸

Birdie6 · 02/02/2019 05:26

I had the drip twice - no epidural . They say that the drip intensifies the labour pains, but since I never had any other kind of labour I wouldn't know. It was certainly painful but nothing I couldn't handle. I just had gas and air. You'll be fine.

Wallywobbles · 02/02/2019 07:57

I've done it with and without. With was less painful than a leg wax. Without was no fun st all.

ItsClemFandangoCanYouHearMe · 02/02/2019 08:12

2 inductions with only G&A. I managed ok. Couple of moments I wanted an epidural but all in all it's manageable.

AveEldon · 02/02/2019 08:16

Grimbles - I had Remifentanil instead of an epidural
It is very fast acting and wears off quickly

The constant monitoring was a bit annoying but as a high risk induction they were doing that anyway

AveEldon · 02/02/2019 08:16

also missed the update!

AdoreTheBeach · 02/02/2019 08:17

I was induced twice. First time because of pre eclampsia - sweep, then pitocin drip. Didn’t progress so started to wheel me into surgery for c section when contraction started fast and furious. No time for epidural. Second time was because over due. Similar happened second time( but was going to have a rest overnight first). Both times I very much wanted epidural by wasn’t enough time. My last child was normal labour starting at home but served at hospital 15 minutes before birth so again no time (no time for anything other than my name and passing them my notes). That car journey to the hospital is a story in itself.

You’ll get through fine.

chickhonhoneybabe · 02/02/2019 08:19

Congratulations! Glad everything went well and you managed to avoid being induced.

Starlight456 · 02/02/2019 11:00

Congratulations

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