Epidural experiences with 2nd+ births only

[Crazyoldmaurice]

1st baby was an awful excruciating back labour after PROM that lasted 3 days. Had an epidural at 8cm because I had completely lost it and was incredibly distressed.

2nd labour was 15 days overdue and waters broken to start things. Whole thing lasted 6 hours. All pain in my back and horrific. Begged for an epidural at 5cms, but went to have it done and baby started coming and was born minutes later. Most traumatic experience just due to how out of control I was due to the agonising back labour.

3rd baby is causing me to worry a lot. Wondering whether to go for an early epidural to avoid the horrific back labours I seem to have but have read early epidurals can slow things down. Problem is I dont want to get to the point of being so out of control before I get one which seems to be what happens. Just looking for peoples experiences of epidurals on 2nd births and beyond.

I have only had one child but I can share some information with you that I was told , the Anesthetist at the appointment I went to assured me that it wouldn’t slow the labour down and in fact if you are in agony and really stressed out that will be more likely to slow it down. He said things have come a long way in the last ten years, He was speaking about walking epidurals specifically for my case but I’m sure someone else with more experience and knowledge will come along and add their personal experience! I just didn’t want to not share what I was told as I too was worried! Unfortunately I didn’t get mine early though, baby also came fast meaning I got mine near the finish line!

I had two children first with pethidine, second gas and air both Labour's were awful back to back contractions, vomiting. Just a ball of pain really. Then I had twins early epidural and it was a lovely calm birth. No vomiting, I felt in control. I wish I'd had epidural with them all tbh

I had 2 back to back labours, similar experiences to yours.

With my 3rd I marched in and demanded an epidural, they said no, as it happened he wasn’t back to back and I had him 45 mins later. I found that the non-back to back labour was fine even with no pain relief.

I've had 4 births, 3 epidurals.

1, induced at 42wks, pessary, followed by drip. I had an epidural, she was back to back, and ventoused out. I had a 3rd degree tear and episiotomy. Established labour was 13hrs.

1. Spontaneous at 41+2. Back to back but turned herself. Epidural about 2hrs in. She came 4hrs later. Total established labour 6hrs.

1. Induced at 42wks, by waters being broken wanted epidural but was told anaethetist was busy she was out in 2hrs. There wasn't time. I also had her standing up which helped.

4th. Induced at 40wks by waters being broken. Nothing happened at all so they wanted me on the drip. I said no drip until epidural is in, so we waited about 5hrs for an anaethetist to be free (totally fine I was not contracting regularly) they got me into established labour by 2am and he was born at 6. So labour was 4hrs. Also unlike my first where there was a number of internals they were very hands off, so my waters were broken at 4.30pmish, drip and epidural in at 11.30pmish. Didn't check me until gone 5.30am, when she said oh he's nearly out. Not only was I fully dilated but he had moved down and nearly out without any pushes.

She got another MW, I pushed twice, he was born.

First was accidentally just a paracetamol labour haha, arrived at hospital at 10cms. But because I knew what to expect I asked for a epidural at 5cm the 2nd time, they tried to talk me out of it because at that point I was coping fine, but I knew I wouldn’t be soon 😂

It was lush! I thoroughly recommend them! Could feel the contractions but they didn’t hurt, was wonderful.

Fast birth with first no pain relief. Second had waters broken at 5cm, asked for epidural an hour later by which time I was 7cm. Baby born 2 hr after epidural. Was great, asked for a smaller dose so I could feel baby coming & knew when to push.
This was all between 6-10am, delivery suite was v quiet. Anaesthetist came right away which was super helpful & lucky.
I would go for it, I asked the same (as I just wanted baby here) & was told theres a small chance it could slow it down but if your body labours quickly & is already well on its way to delivering, it justs removes your pain.

3rd one I went in early and asked for an epidural straight away. It was my quickest labour, no issues not even a tear.

I’m currently pregnant with DC2 I’m going to insist on an early epidural if I need to be induced and/or baby is back to back again. I was induced for my first labour and baby was back to back. The pain was excruitaning throughout and I was refused any pain relief I honestly thought I was going to die. There is no way I am taking that risk with my mental health again.