Epidural

[rosyedith]

Why is there such a stigma around having an epidural? I am 37 wks preg with my first so have no experience of labour at all. I've been watching a lot of videos on YouTube & people seem you be celebrating the fact they didn't have an epidural. A close relative has even told me to 'never have an epidural no matter what' I find this quite insulting to those who have. I have no idea what labour I will have and of corse would prefer to have as little pain relief as I can but that may not be possible. If I have to or want an epidural I will damn well have one and I shouldn't be made to feel less of a women due to that. What are people's honest opinions on this? Not looking for a row before anyone starts just genuinely interested in why..

I don't think there's a stigma about epidurals or a feeling that you're "less of a woman" for having one.

There is I think a common belief in the UK that epidurals lead to a cascade of interventions and make it much more likely you'll need forceps or a c-section, which many women want to avoid.

I don't actually know the stats on that and I know epidurals are much more common in some other countries.

I've done both versions and for me the epidural with my second was flipping marvelous.

There's no prize for doing it without!

I think there is a lot worries that an epidural will lead to further interventions (forceps etc) and makes its very restrictive when giving birth.

Personally I've had epidurals at both my births and think they're the best. Takes the pain away but I was still in a position to know when I needed to push and recovered well

I was a very smug "I'm doing it naturally" type when I was pregnant, thought I had a high pain threshold, and got very offended by anyone who said things like "you don't get a medal for doing it naturally" etc. Turned out I needed a planned c section but went into labour prior to it, thus experiencing contractions. And well let's just say if I'd had to continue with labour id have been having every drug possible, there was no way could I have handled that pain continuing more than the 12 hours or so I experienced it.

So now when I hear people bragging about their natural birth it gets right on my nerves. The baby arriving safely is all that really matters, if you can do it without pain relief then good for you but if not, just take the epidural and sod what anyone thinks.

Epidurals are amazing (as long as they work properly). I would 100% have another if I ever had another baby. Why suffer if you don’t need to?

38 weeks here, defo having an epidural if I can. Had one last time but it was recommended as I had a long induction. Nobody asks about the birth of my DS, I don't see the issue with having an epidural if you want or need one. Good luck and take care.

No woman needs an epidural in the same way nobody needs any pain relief to have their teeth removed but why suffer when you don’t have to?

I agree that sometimes the epidurals means more interventions but sometimes some of those interventions could happen regardless.

I’ve never had one but it was top of my birth plan with DD1 and I remember feeling most annoyed that I was too far along when examined to be able to have one.

I’ve had two babies, didn’t want epidural for either, for various reasons including avoiding cascade of interventions, not wanting a catheter, wanting to be able to move as freely as possible. Mainly just didn’t want one. I’m a midwife also. Was a last resort for me. I had one both times however mostly because I was so exhausted (both Inductions started at night time, first CS at 10cm and 2nd normal birth). My epidural didn’t work properly second time round and that pain was worse than before the epidural!!
When I have no3 and again will be trying to avoid an epidural.
It’s a personal decision. Growing a human and getting it out of your body in whatever way deserves every medal, regardless of how they come out

There's no stigma about having an epidural or if there is, I've never heard of it. If a woman needs an epidural, she should have one. The important thing is to have an experienced anaesthetist, one who has given plenty of epidurals.

DO IT!
I had a beautiful 'natural' labour with no pain relief first time. All good..but after I think why did I push for that (pun )?!

Second time had an epidural. Bloody brilliant

I did it (on Saturday ) but I had no choice in pain relief, my contractions came on so suddenly and strongly after induction that in the hour it took my midwife to do anything, I was 9cm and being sent to Labour ward!!Gas and Air was all I was allowed.
I ended up having a spinal (not an epidural) anyway to fix a 3rd degree tear.
Sometimes you end up not having a choice but I was going to be midwife led for pain relief anyway, going on their suggestions!

Thanks for your comments. I am going to see how I get on but would never rule anything out and would be more than happy to have an epidural.

For those commenting 'there is no stigma attached' the reason I posted was because if you look on YouTube you'll see many videos titled similar to the pic attached. To me they suggest having an epidural is unnatural?

Maybe those on Youtube didn't have very long and painful labours, it's easy to speak against epidurals in that case.

I didn't have an epidural but my labour wasn't long nor very painful. I was lucky! I'd certainly feel differently if it had been dreadful and it's nice to know help is available if needed.

Hope all goes well, rosyedith.

Well having an epidural is "unnatural". So are any of the medical interventions that save millions of lives every year - that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them.

I absolutely think women get criticised for using pain relief in labour and there is often an implication that having a "natural" birth makes you better/braver/stronger, but I think if you're finding insult in the use of the word "natural" alone you're going to find the whole process unnecessarily distressing.

I don't think there is a stigma either - or never came across it myself.
People who take the effort to post something on You Tube obviously feel strongly about something. That doesn't reflect society as a whole.
It would be like reading the relationships board on here and extrapolating from that all relationships are awful. Of course they aren't, but people post when they have issues, not when everything is trotting along nicely.

Hi op.

Epidurals (like any medical procedure) carry risks, including back problems that last for years after the birth.

However, there is a very obvious benefit - the pain relief.

You have to weigh up the pros and cons and make your own decision. I didn't have one but zero judgement towards anyone who has. Everyone has different pain thresholds

Good luck with having your baby, you'll be brilliant!

Thank you @firstimemamma and everyone else for your comments. Maybe there isn't a stigma? Personally I think every labour is natural whether it be induced, medicated, c section etc so didn't understand the title of some of the YouTube videos. X

Definitely a stigma where I'm from 🤔 I don't want one because of the catheter, if timed wrong can cause issues, and not being able to move freely. I've already been told I'm not allowed a water birth and have to go into hospital as soon as labour starts so I want to at least be able to move if possible. But if it gets too much or they recommend one I'm taking it - no point trying to push on through if I can't as that will cause more issues than the epidural

Also I know someone who had epidurals with their births and developed fibromyalgia after the first and it gradually got worse with the next two. Not saying they're linked but who knows

I think there can be a stigma in some circles. There was definitely a 'who had the least drugs in labour' competition at some of the baby groups I went to. I mean who even cares once the baby is born?

I also wonder if this might be a thing in the US as my American sister in law has posted on social media about being proud of her natural births'.

I don’t believe there is a stigma, if your looking at videos about people praising themselves for having an all natural birth then they will be stating that they haven’t had an epidural!

It’s a personal choice, I chose not too as there is a risk of interventions, and then the thought of catheter, and I hate hospitals and wanted to get out as soon as I could, turned out my waters went early, I had high blood pressure, baby was small & struggling to maintain blood sugar levels and stay warm so I was in for 3 looooong days anyway. Childbirth is one of those things, no 2 births are the same and everyone has an opinion o even if they have never given birth before

I gave birth in France where over 90% have epidurals so no stigma.
They assume you will have one so there is a dedicated anesthetist on call.
Mine were wonderful. No catheter either. Once it's all over they empty your bladder then disconnect everything and up to your room walking around.
The nurse then comes a few hours later to tell you to do a wee.

Epidurals DO NOT cause back pain. Pregnancy does. For actual evidence back information the obstetric anaesthetic association does a patient information site: www.labourpains.com.

Just had dc4. 1-3 were dream easy natural births and I felt proud of having no drugs, albeit very lucky. Then no4 turned back to back, turned around the long way and took 24 hours to arrive. The pain was something else and I was very glad to take all drugs offered. I got the epidural as they were threatening Pitocin but the little blighter arrived before it took effect. I wish I'd had it earlier! The pain of no4 is quite fresh in my memory and quite unlike normal labour pain. I could categorically not cope this time. The consultant warned it was likely to lead to further interventions but I reckon the relief of being given drugs allowed me to relax and have the baby. Do what you need to get through. I'm very jealous of those YouTubers having epidural births with beautiful make up and chatting away! My hospital offers "good standard" mobile epidurals so you can move about, bounce on your ball etc and give yourself a top up when needed. Sounds fab, if they work.

And no catheter either, just a line in the hand for fluids and something to do with the epidural.