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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Epidural - side effects

40 replies

newmamaP · 26/05/2019 21:25

Hello mummies!! I’m having my first baby and thinking of epidural. Any temporary or permanent side effects from epidural?

OP posts:

bluerememberedhills · 27/05/2019 01:54

no side effects - didn't work 100% in labour (I suspect slightly similar to @CharminglyGawky) but fine for CS I would not worry based on my experience( but I accept only one experience )

Newyearsameoldshit · 27/05/2019 09:41

I had a lovely epidural with no side effects.
I had a button to press to top it up.
I had a good sleep and it had worn off slightly for the pushing stage which was ideal as I could feel contractions but no pain.
Was able to get up and have a shower straight after delivery.

BlueMerchant · 27/05/2019 09:50

Had epidurals when having both my DC.
Worked well, I felt fine and had no bad side-effects.Personally both times I was up and walking around an hour or two after delivery.

Original poster

newmamaP · 27/05/2019 11:58

Thank you for your replies. I was waiting to read more terrifying experiences. You gave me hope! Is there any specific cm of dilation that they give you the epidural or I could have anytime?

OP posts:

MissT2095 · 27/05/2019 12:04

I loved mine!!! I was so adamant I didn't want one in my birth plan but ended up with no choice. The first one didn't work but as soon as the second one kicked in it was bliss!!! I was fully dilated at this point though! Seemed like too little too late.

Newyearsameoldshit · 27/05/2019 13:24

Policy probably varies but I think you can have one once in 'active labour' - 4cms.

MrsT1983 · 28/05/2019 12:58

I’ve just had an epidural this weekend for my 2nd baby. He was back to back and I’d been in labour a long time and was getting exhausted on gas and air, otherwise I would have preferred not to have one. It didn’t work well for me unfortunately- it wore off on one side almost immediately, so I could still feel everything including them putting the catheter in. I had to lie on the non-numbed side to try and distribute the anaesthetic better, which was agony, and I hated not being able to move about. I’ve also still got one numb foot so I’m struggling to walk, but i’ve been assured this won’t last long. I’m not sure if my experience is that common, but I certainly wouldn’t rush into another one!

Mikewazowskismrs · 29/05/2019 07:06

I had one just last week and couldn’t have got through birth without it.

I was induced on the hormone drip and he was back to back so the pain was horrific. Lasted about 1/2 hours before I had to get it.

Initially only worked on left so had to get more but it was great when I did and could top it up 3 times per hour.

Couldn’t get off the bed till the next day and was very swollen afterwards but other than that no side effects and would do it again if I had a labour like that again!

HoustonBess · 29/05/2019 09:14

I had one 24 hours into labour, after 12 more hours I had EMCS. DD's head got wedged in a weird position and though I was just about fully dilated she wasn't coming down at all.

I wonder if she might have shifted if I'd have been able to move around more without the epidural. Long labour then CS was a pretty shitty start to motherhood tbh!

There's definitely a place for epidurals but not being active can make labour last longer and being on your back can cause more damage, make intervention with forceps etc more likely. It's a matter of weighing up risks.

xJune88 · 29/05/2019 09:17

Was great at first but pain came through it even with top ups. Ended up having emcs and spinal. Back is really sore but I only gave birth 12 days ago x

Tinekittie2 · 30/05/2019 14:11

My epidural was the best thing ever. They go through the probability of side effects before you consent to it and honestly the risks are really tiny!!

Also people who say it causes back pain are incorrect - this is not caused by the epidural and this is explained in hospital too.

If you have a fast labour it's probably not worth it since you then need to have a catheter in for 12 hours after they take it off. But if it's very painful/prolonged, there's no reason to put up with it when we have this amazing method of pain relief. Would 100% get another one!

Good luck!

modgepodge · 30/05/2019 21:48

I had one, despite being keen to avoid one as I really didn’t want forceps or ventouse and you have an increased chance if you have an epidural. Unfortunately my baby went back to back and they told me the only thing that really helps with that pain is an epidural. I was delirious with pain - there’s 4 hour sleep of my labour I don’t really remember as I was in so much pain - as soon as the epidural went in I almost fell asleep!! I ended up with forceps (because baby got stuck - midwife said it wasn’t because of the epidural) prepped for a section if it went wrong, with an epidural, so was glad I’d had one earlier - I’d have been well miffed if I’d struggled through the pain only to end up with an epidural and forceps anyway!!

When they first put the epidural in it numbed the pain but I could still move positions on the bed with help and hubby helped me to the loo. Later they topped it up so I was totally numb and I had to have a catheter. I’d do the same again in the same situation though.

PerfectPeony2 · 30/05/2019 21:53

Nope I loved it!

Back to back baby and very long early stages of labour.

Got it in as soon as I could. Had a button to press when I wanted to top up. Lovely and relaxing birth, 20 mins of pushing with no serious tearing or side effects. I didn’t press the button in the last bit so I knew when to push (felt a tiny sting but didn’t hurt). Could still move my legs and walk soon after.

If there ever is a next time ( unlikely!) I will get the epidural ASAP so I can put my feet up, read magazines and wait for the baby to arrive!

Saying that, keep your options open as if it’s a shorter labour you honestly may just be fine with gas and air.

PerfectPeony2 · 30/05/2019 21:57

R.e dilation I think I was only 3/4cm and not getting anywhere (and went on drip to speed things along!) and had pethidine prior to that which is also really good. I’m definitely a medical, more drugs the better kind of person! May have been different if DD wasn’t back to back but I have no way of knowing.

Gigis · 30/05/2019 22:06

I had an epidural fairly early on. If you want one, make sure you tell them early on because otherwise it could be too late and they wont let you have it. I had to have a catheter with mine, which I wasnt bothered about and because i couldn't feel my contractions i couldn't push properly so ended up with forceps and ventouse. No lasting side effects, some soreness like backache at the site of the epidural for a week or so and some stabbing pains down my leg for a few days. But nothing now! It was bliss and I dont regret it at all.

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