Epidural or no epidural?

[mmmmbopp]

Hello! I'm 7 months pregnant (first timer)... I've always thought I'd aim to have a natural birth with perhaps some gas and air/birthing pool, and have been going on a hypnobirthing course.

However, I've started to think more about epidurals, and why would we not use proper pain relief for such a traumatic event on our body?
You wouldn't have a wisdom tooth removed without anaesthetic, or your appendix removed with just gas and air...

What are the reasons against an epidural? Does anyone have experience of with or without, and what would you do if there was a next time? Are we just conditioned to think that we aren't being the best Mums if we aren't feeling every agonising moment? I know everyone has different pain thresholds.. but why feel pain at all?

Tia :)

[Melmam]

Ive had both first baby was overdue and induced contraction came every 2 mins very strong right away i got the epidural ended up he got stuck failed ventos i ended up needing a cut and forceps was very ill after my son also had damage to his face from foreceps when i found out i was pregnant with my 2nd i said i wanted a complete natural birth i was 27 hours in labour with just gas and air and i found the delivery was so much better being able to feel what my body needed to do if i had a 3rd id definitly go natural again. Its completely up to you and how you feel its your body and only you will know congrads hope all goes well

[Littleguggi]

I wasn't keen on an epidural but didn't rule it out completely. When it came to the birth, having an epidural didn't even cross my mind. I managed fine with some aromatherapy (to help with the sickness), gas and air, and water (but only for a short time). Ended up with a Kiwi delivery, episiotomy and 3rd degree tear but wouldn't have done anything differently. Perhaps if I had an epidural, I might have ended up with further damage as I wouldn't have been able to feel the pushing, who knows. I don't feel I have a high threshold at all btw!

[weegiemum]

I had 3 births with no epidural, 1) back-to-back, 37 hours, drip, ventouse delivery with big tear. Had diamorphine, gas and air and tens. Tried birthing pool - took ages to fill the bloody thing and I practically bounced out, I couldn't stand the feel of the water on my skin!
2) 10 hours from waters breaking 10 days early, bit of gas and air did it wee tear, 3 stitches.
3) induced at 36+6, 12 hours, only about half an hour in delivery as I went closed cervix to 1cm between 6am and 1pm (was feeling very disheartened.) was 2cm by 4pm, then I was 8cm and rushed into delivery, where I got the gas!!

I was warned by a medic to avoid emergency epidural as I'd reacted badly to a lumbar puncture a few years earlier

. I'm proud of what my body achieved. Everyone who gives birth in any way should be proud of themselves, from my ghastly back labour to a planned cs, it's all bringing life into the world and it's all beautiful. Believe in yourself!

[newmomof1]

I just had gas and air and it was incredible - I fell fast asleep about an hour before the baby was born.

Everyone reacts to things differently, and it did make me vomit once, but I wanted as natural a birth as possible and was so glad I didn't need further intervention.

My MW told me she couldn't abide the gas and air and needed drugs.
If you're happy to have an epidural, that's good. It always best to keep an open mind!

[anitagreen]

I've never had pain relief and I hope I don't with this one I love the pain as I know it's a countdown to the baby coming, I find gas and air does the job fine for me and I deliver quick and with both of mine I was up and in the shower within 15 minutes of delivering. However if I did need one or feel like I couldn't control the pain I'd give it a go but everyone I know who has had an epidural has suffered with back pain years down the line so that's put me off.

[happymummy12345]

I knew I wanted as natural a birth as possible, no drugs unless absolutely necessary.
I had 4 days of contractions and a sweep that I managed completely on my own. When I got to the hospital and was in the birth centre I started with my tens machine about 10pm, I also tried the ball to see if it would make my waters break, and to help with the pain, that's all I had until that point. It didn't so at 2am the midwife broke my waters. After that I got in the pool, I was in that until about half 4, by this time I was physically exhausted after 4 days in early labour, so the midwife suggested a pethidine injection so I could rest. Had that at 5am and gave birth at 6.58am.
But from the Tuesday afternoon until 5am early on the Saturday morning, I had contractions, a sweep and my waters broken, and no drugs. I never wanted gas and air, and definitely no epidural. I would hate not feeling in control or not being able to move after.
I have nothing against women who choose it, but for me I just didn't feel I needed it and I didn't want it.

[LimpLettice]

Similar story here. First labour a decade ago was straightforward 6 hours, no pain relief. It hurt, but was fast and progressing and I felt I could manage.

Second time last year, back to back labour, premature rupture of membranes, slow progression and searing pain. 14 hours in and at 5cm I was offered the epi and it was wonderful. Walking, changing position, no catheter (the midwife used a temp catheter before pushing) and I was able to control it enough to let it wear off just enough to feel when to push. Progressed another 5 Cm in an hour. No tearing because it was so calm and out in 40 mins pushing as opposed to 2.5 hours the first time. If I'm ever mad enough to do it again I won't hesitate!

[sotired2]

Think you have to go with the flow. I had to give in 1st Labour as after 18 hours was exhausted and the end wasnt in sight. 2nd yes was painful but quick so no time.
My advice have a plan but don't be ashamed to deviate before you go into labour no way of knowing how you will cope etc.

[firstimemamma]

"My worry is that I'll ask for it and I'll be too far gone and then regret not asking for it from the start/earlier! Has that happened to anyone, and did you wish you'd just gone for the epi right at the beginning?"

At some stage during the last hour of my 16-hour labour, I panicked and asked a couple of times for an epidural. It was of course too late for one so i just stuck with my gas and air.

Looking back now, I'm happy I managed without one (zero judgement towards women who have had one though!). I don't think I really needed one, I was just having a wobble and to be honest by that stage in labour I was saying all sorts of things. The transition stage in labour is notorious for this.

By all means have one if you want but if you ask for one when it's too late like I did, you may not necessarily look back with regret.

[Poppy1774]

Sorry I should add to point 2) - you might not be in unbearable pain for a long time - labours really vary!

Labour is normally painful, no getting away from that, but I think a lot of it comes down to length. A friend of mine had a six hour labour, no pain relief. Said it was very painful but because she was progressing quickly she could do it.

The moment I had an epidural was when I was put on the drip (ouch) and after two hours asked the midwife how much longer I had left. She said 'at least twelve hours.' I asked for some pethidine. My husband said something to the effect of: fuck this. Get an epidural. He was right!

[Poppy1774]

As other posters have said, if you want an epidural, you'll want one. If you don't need one, you won't want one.

Also I wouldn't worry about the link between epidurals and further intervention too much, for two reasons:

1. You are more likely to want an epidural if your labour turns out to be long/difficult etc. If you are having a long labour you are also more likely to need assisted delivery.
   
   
2. Yes epidurals do make it a bit more difficult to push. However being in unbearable pain for a long time is very traumatising, far more traumatising than ending up with a ventouse.
   
   Good luck, you sound like you have absolutely the right attitude! Open mind all the way. The best thing about my epidural was that I got some sleep after being awake for over 24 hours, and without that there is no way I would have been able to push my very large baby out at the end. He did need a final tug with forceps but that was because he was distressed at the very end and they were worried about him.
   
   GOOD LUCK!

[fizzpopbang]

Get a tens machine, or rent one, really helps during the first stages!

[Bwekfusth]

@bert3400 and sometimes it doesn't. Forceps with my first, horrific birth with no epidural, no intervention with the other with epidural.

[Bwekfusth]

I had a 48 hour labour with my first and I was stuck at 7cm for 8 hours towards the end. For some reason they kept refusing me an epidural, he was back to back as well, by the time he was born I was so delirious with the agony and exhaustion that I literally don't remember his birth. Second time round I said fuck this and I had an epidural at the earliest available opportunity and it was wonderful. Watched tv and had a chat and a laugh till someone said you need to push now and I was amazed as I couldn't feel a single thing. Perfect!

[Pearlfish]

I had an epidural with DC1 - it was a long labour (28 hours from 5cm dilated to birth), I was exhausted and the epidural was a godsend.

DC2 and DC3 were much shorter labours (3.5 hours from first contraction) and I was absolutely fine with gas and air.

[mmmmbopp]

That link doesn't seem to work now, but it was this article www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.self.com/story/epidural-pros-and-cons/amp

[mmmmbopp]

Not so terrified*

[mmmmbopp]

Thank you everyone for your responses!

I've had a look at the potential risks, but there also seems to be some pros (I think there's a good balance being argued in this article: www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.self.com/story/epidural-pros-and-cons/amp)

I agree that the best thing to do is go in with an open mind and see how it goes. My worry is that I'll ask for it and I'll be too far gone and then regret not asking for it from the start/earlier! Has that happened to anyone, and did you wish you'd just gone for the epi right at the beginning?

I am going to a very large hospital/maternity ward, so I don't think having to get transferred anywhere will be an issue. However I'll have a chat to my MW at my 31 wk appt and see what she says. I agree just knowing your options and feeling supported whatever you want is really important to feeling relaxed and not so ferried!

[ICJump]

I’ve given birth 3 times and wouldn’t have had time to get an epidural with any of them. I do bloody love the gas however

[jackio2205]

Go in, ask for epidural straight away, there'll be no waiting, no change of minds mid way through pain, u'll be pain free and calm all the way through! X

[Inniu]

I have 4 children, 3 pregnancies one was twins. I always said I would have an epi if I felt I needed one.
First Labour after 5 hours walking round I felt it was starting to get painful, asked to be checked, fully dilated, baby born soon after,
Second pregnancy, twins definitely planning epi if not caesarean. Very quick Labour at 35 weeks hardly time to get the doctor in the room never mind an epi.
Third pregnancy definitely decided I was having an epi. Was induced, waters broke, told midwifeI was having epi, she said I didn’t need one, told her I wanted one anyway, baby crowned when anesthesist was saying he could have me set up in 30 seconds.

Sometimes the reason not to have an epi is simply because I have had more pain with an ear infection or a strep throat than in Labour.

[Whatdoyouwanttobewhenyougrowup]

I can't offer any scientific argument for or against having one but from my personal experience I wish I had been able to have the option.
I gave birth in a midwife led unit and if I had wanted an epidural I would have had to be transported around 20 minutes away to a different hospital. I didn't really have much of a birth plan, more of a what will be will be sort of approach. Every thing was so quick (first baby aswell) I wouldn't have made it to the further hospital so possibly wouldn't have had time for an epidural anyway (They switched off the taps for the birthing pool as I was being stitched up sort of quick)
I managed perfectly fine with out an epidural. Perhaps look into what options different hospitals near you offer and decide which offers the right 'backup' plan for you?

[NewAndImprovedNorks]

Epidural...from conception onwards really

[Strokethefurrywall]

DS1 = hypnobirth - amazing, 4 hours from first contraction to baby

DS2 = epidural and heavily monitored birth - amazing, 7 hours from contractions to baby, slept thru most of it until time to push.

The key to both labors being amazing was the fact that my OBGYN listened to me and I knew that if I wanted pain relief I could have it whenever I wanted.

The fear surrounding childbirth stems so much from the unknown and not knowing if you'll get pain relief or not.

With my hypnobirth, I went in with a "see how it goes" attitude. I was lucky that the pain never escalated from "pain" to "suffering". For me it was manageable.

With DS2, I was having the same pain at 4cm as I was at 8cm with DS1 and I knew I had a while to go. Got the epidural so I could sleep, which I did. Epidural was sited within 45 mins of me requesting it.

There is a massive difference between fear, pain and suffering but I'd hazard a guess that dismissive attitude from healthcare professionals will largely contribute to fear and pain levels increasing.

Knowing you're listened to will go such a long way to a supportive birthing environment regardless of whether you choose pain relief or not.