Epidural or not?

[MommaBee97]

I'm pregnant with my third child and I am currently 29 weeks.. After 2 girls I'm finally having a boy! Wahoo! Anyway, with my 2 labour's I went through both of them without any pain relief, and my last labour was pretty traumatic to me. Although I've had 2 quick labour's they were both very different. My first baby was only 6lb 5oz, and my second was 9lb 5oz! My baby boy is currently measuring bigger than average so I'm worried he's going to be huge! (my poor vagina!) As I'm approaching my due date I'm thinking about my birthing plan and pain relief etc. And I'm definitely considering having an epidural this time! What are people opinions with the epidural and has anybody ever had any complications?

The epidural worked wonders for me for DD. I really couldn't feel any pain however it meant I couldn't move my legs for quite a long time after they were completely numb. I am rubbish with pain though so was definitely really helpful

I'm terrified of the idea of an epidural 😂 the needle give me the jeebies

I had one with both and it was amazing - I had long labours and could sleep between the 4 hour checks. I could also walk and by the time it came to push I could feel when I was having contractions but they didn’t hurt that much.

Everyone’s different but I would go for it based on my experience.

I've had my first baby in Ireland. The midwife advised me on the epidural since I felt like pushing way too early in the labour. The doctor came, administered the thing and.... Nothing happened! I still felt pretty much everything so I got a top up. That didn't work either. In the end I could still move my legs and I needed a local anaesthetic so the midwife could stitch me up. Everyone was pretty puzzled as to why it didn't work for me. I ended up with a hole in my spine and a catheter for absolutely nothing. I was wondering if anyone else had this issue? My second baby is due in February and I don't think I will be asking for for an epidural this time.

@Avigeth not me personally but the epidural didn't work for my mum either 🤨

Epidurals are amazing now, everyone should have one! I had one about 10 years ago which was the old type where you get one massive dose and it wore off/failed to cover the whole area and was generally shit. In the last few years they have brought in a newer type of epidural and fucking hell the difference is just amazing! It's 100% pain relief, you don't have to feel any pain, you get to top it up yourself every 15 minutes, you are totally in control. I totally recommend an epidural now. Don't give too much weight to anyone who tells you about their epidural if it was more than about 5 years ago. Good luck.

A thousand times yes. 4 day labour and yes, the first epidural failed, the second one wore off and I had to have a spinal back but they are amazing!!!

Also - the needle in the back? Hurts way way less than labour 😂

Loved mine - not only during the actual labour but needed episiotomy, catheter etc and didn’t feel a thing. I just feel it made the whole thing so calm and also meant I started off feeling a lot better mentally than I think I would have been had an not had it.

I had one. It was great! Induced as my waters went and I had strep B so they needed to get DS out ASAP. I lasted until about 7cm and then asked if I could have one. No issues, ended up with a ventouse delivery and episiotomy which i couldn't feel l, and I recovered well. Definitely considering it again for this labour.

I never had an epidural but just wanted to say size doesn't necessarily make labour harder. My hardest was my second labour. Easiest by a long shot was my fourth. He was 2lbs heavier than second.

i had an epidural then a spinal (surgery). My lad was almost 10lb

The epidual wore off about 30 mins before i was pushing and i wasnt offered a top up. I also had foreceps and felt absolutely everything.

Please make sure they top it up!! mine started off beautifully and i actualy got rest!!

I had one and it was amazing. Totally life changing to me in that moment. My sister had one ten years earlier than me that didn't quite take. Not sure if that's common or not, or if the technology has improved in ten years. I'd definitely go for it if I was in the same situation again.

I had one for my first birth and decided not to for the next two as I didn't find it particularly amazing and for me the disadvantages definitely outweighed the advantages.

I was in so much pain that I begged to have one, when the nurses finally agreed, whilst I was waiting for it I got so terrified of having it my contractions stopped completely and they refused to give me one and actually sent me home. Cue me screaming my town down whilst waiting until I was pretty much giving birth at home.
My god I wish I’d gone for the epidural. Ended up with no pain relief and to this day (6 years later ) I would go back and tell myself stop being such a pansy, have the epidural, giving birth is too blimmin painful to go without it...

The needle in the back was a pleasant moment of relief from the agony of labouring my back to back baby. It's not like they give it to you when you're sat there normally, in the heat of the moment you really won't notice or remember the sharp scratch bit.

Seriously, don't over think it. I wrote on my notes to not even offer me one 😳, because I had negative preconceptions. But it was amazing. I knew when to push despite not being able to physically feel contractions.

You've done it before TWICE without any drugs. You may sail through it. But if you decide you want some pain relief, an epidural is nothing to be scared about IMO.

I am pregnant with my first baby and due in January so I still have ages! but I have always said that I plan on having an epidural.

My fear of needles isn't as big as the fear of being in agony.

But I have also said I would like the opportunity to labour for a while so not have the epidural straight away.

it all depends on how the labour goes on the day really.. flex & flow!

I loved my epidural! I laboured on my side with no pain but could still feel the movement of contractions so didn't feel I was "missing out" on anything. I was in bloody agony until then so practically kissed the anaesthetist when he came round! He numbed my back so I didn't feel the big needle and once it was in it wasn't uncomfortable. Good luck whatever you decide 😊

I didn't want one and am terrified of needles - ended up with a long painful induction and got one around 6cm. Absolutely amazing! Didn't feel the needle as was away with fairies on gas and air, had a nice 4 hour sleep, woke up fully dilated and could feel enough to push effectively. Up for a shower straight after delivery.

I'm going to see how things go with baby number two, but would be very open to having one again if I was struggling.

I was against an epidural for my first and it was way down on my birth plan. (I blame NCT brain washing).

I have a fairly low pain threshold and started panicking when the contractions got more frequent, longer and stronger. It was amazing- all pain gone. Such a relief and I’ll definitely be getting another for my next child all being well.

I had one and it was glorious, best decision ever. I didn’t see or feel the needle. I was finding it very hard to catch my breath and was being sick (I think from the pain, a common reaction for me, before kids period pain would quite often make me throw up) and as soon as the epidural kicked in everything was so calm. I felt the contractions and could feel the baby coming out but without any pain, a really weird sensation but it meant I was so calm, laughing and chatting with the midwife in between pushes. I was up, walking, showered within an hour of baby arriving.

I didn't want any needles near my back, they are not risk free too. I had mine without pain relief but they weren't that big!