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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

epidural experiences

37 replies

Charlottethevet · 30/04/2020 08:16

Hello everyone :)
I was just wondering if any of you had any epidural birth stories.
I have been told that due to having a chest deformity that would inhibit my breathing, particularly if i was in a lot of pain / stressed, I have a couple of options for the birth, on e being an elective section OR I could have an epidural birth. The Dr said she would consider giving me an epidural early on and maintaining it throughout the birth

What were your experiences with epidurals?

(I'll be giving birth at the Derby Royal NHS hospital)

Thanks guys xx

OP posts:

twolittleboysonetiredmum · 30/04/2020 08:22

I had an epidural with my first child (of three). I’d be in labour for 12 hours and was exhausted so it was a great relief.
However - I couldn’t feel to push which made it very ineffective. It also meant I was lying down as I dilated from 7- fully dilated. All this meant I ended up nearly having a section but ultimately had a horrible forceps delivery which left me with lasting damage. I’ve had my other two without anything and no tears or stitches. Much preferred those!
If I could - I’d go for a section to avoid a long drawn out labour which could quite likely end in one anyway.
One thing you could ask for is a standing epidural (or similar) where it allows you to move around. I heard they existed once? Could be total myth.

WhoWants2Know · 30/04/2020 08:42

I had epidurals with both of my births after long labour.

The first time it was very straightforward and I was woozy because of pethidine. Actually I was so woozy that they had trouble rousing me to push and told me they would have to get the ventouse. But I could feel to push and the epidural was a lifesaver because the tearing was extensive.

I wasn't on it too long, so I had my sensation back and left the hospital within 12 hours.

The second time labour was very long and stalled once the epidural was in. I had a couple lots of pitocin to keep contractions coming, but I ended up on the epidural for a long time. I had been at 7cm for ages and the midwife was saying that if I hadn't progressed by my next examination we would need to discuss other options. I was joking that maybe the baby was peeking out and waving under the covers. It turned out that the sensation I had joked about was actually when I transitioned-- so when the registrar came in and lifted the sheet to examine me, I was already delivering! I didn't push or anything, and they caught DD2 just as she was coming out on her own. No tears, and everyone was amused, but I had been on the epidural so long that I couldn't walk or urinate and it took a lot longer to go home.

Useruseruserusee · 30/04/2020 13:49

Ah I loved my epidural. It was very straightforward and I had a push button to press to control whether I needed more (obviously within time limits and supervised use!). I still had some mobility and could go on hands and knees to push and change position.

ChelseaCat · 30/04/2020 13:52

I loved mine. Took the pain away but could feel how and when to push. I’d definitely have one next time

TheOrigBrave · 30/04/2020 13:54

I had an epidural with my first (of two). For no other reason than it was a (standard) long first labour and I wasn't coping well.
All went well. I couldn't feel when to push, but I think I avoided interventions due to having strong stomach muscles.

I was wobbly of leg afterwards, but that soon passed.

It was very hard to keep still when they gave the epidural.

I haven't had a c-section, but I would image an epidural would allow for a quicker, more smooth recovery post birth.

All the best

CaryStoppins · 30/04/2020 13:56

I've had three good epidurals. First birth baby was badly positioned and I needed forceps, so had an epidural and then a spinal block.
2nd & 3rd babies were fine, natural births but painless.

Tootletum · 30/04/2020 13:57

I was not a fan. It went down only one leg and could still feel the pain on the other side. I had a slight problem in that I was paralysed for nearly 24 hours. This was unusual, but doesn't seem to have caused any lasting issues. My baby was very drowsy and slow heartbeat, I have no idea if that is related to the epidural though. He was fine, they just did more checks on ward rounds.

Lu1u · 30/04/2020 14:04

I am glad I had one (I begged for it in fact!) as I was really struggling with the pain and being so tired from a very long early/first stage. The only issue I had was that they had to put it slightly higher than normal so I was numb from my armpits down and could hardly move. I needed to have the syntocin drip as well to keep contractions regular, but by the time I was 10 cm the epidural had worn off slightly so I was able to push and feel contractions but it wasn't painful (it felt more like pressure). Pushing stage took quite a long time and was hard work because I couldn't really feel anything but all in all it was fine and I don't regret having one at all.

India999 · 02/05/2020 04:37

Epidural was the best thing ever!!!!!

I was induced and had a really difficult few days. By the time I got to delivery, I was exhausted, dehydrated, and terrified!! My legs were literally shaking. Had the epidural and it changed everything. I had a pain free, lovely experience. No issues with recovery.

Honeybee85 · 02/05/2020 04:48

Induced labour last year.
After the contractions started to get really painful they 'switched on' the epidural. It was a very cold unpleasant feeling in my spine first but after that I soon started to feel nothing at all. It didn't interfere with pushing because my DS was born less then 1 hour after I started pushing. The anesthesist was a lovely woman who stayed in the room nearly during the whole birth to monitor everything and who was a great supporter at the last part (she was holding my hand during the pushing and still can hear her cheering: yeah!! Nice push!!). I felt very safe and it was a good experience.

pinksquash13 · 02/05/2020 05:19

I had one after a 3 night first stage of labour. I was exhausted. They accidentally went in too deep and it became a spinal block instead. They were worried about a subsequent rural tap (which I didnt get). Couldnt push effectively but the baby wasn't low enough anyway. Ended with c section.

pinksquash13 · 02/05/2020 05:20

Dural tap*

heyjoeyitsestelle · 02/05/2020 05:20

First one- loved initially but had worn off by the time I was pushing so that hurt ha. But SO welcome after 36 hours in labour. I slept, ate, it was bliss.

Second one- didn't work at all, god knows why, so I couldn't have anything else other than gas and air. 8 hour labour and it hurt like hell, I cried a lot saying I couldn't do it- but I did. And all was quickly forgotten.

beautifulmonument · 02/05/2020 05:36

I had an epidural with DS14. He was my first baby, I didn't know anything much about childbirth, was absolutely terrified and horrified by the pain of contractions. When I asked for an epidural it was around midnight and I'd been having contractions for 24 hours and been in hospital for about 4 hours. I remember I had to lie very still for the anesthetist. Every molecule of my body was focussed on staying still so he could do it as quickly as possible. I didn't feel anything. It was such a blessed relief. No more pain. I then lay in my hospital bed for several hours (night 2 of no sleep). They told me to sleep but of course I couldn't with all the excitement and fear and being in a strange place. When it was time to push the midwives told me what to do as I couldn't feel the contractions. Couldn't feel anything. Out came a 9lb 7oz baby with a 99th percentile head! At 7am.
Afterwards I tried to climb out of bed and collapsed straight onto the floor. They put me in a wheelchair and took me to the ward. I had a catheter, that was unpleasant coming out. And I had no appetite for food.
I wanted to go home the next day but they said I wasn't allowed until I'd eaten something and gone to the toilet! So I did and I did. For years afterwards I said I would never have another baby unless I knew I could have an epidural.

Elephantonascooter · 02/05/2020 05:40

I had an epidural at the start of my induced labour due to suffering a chronic pain disease. It worked wonders. It wasn't in my birth plan, I chose it on the day and the midwife was dubious but I insisted on having it before the induction started, and I'm so glad i did. I knew my own body and having the epidural meant I didn't exhaust myself with contractions and could feel enough and had enough strength in me to push. My labour was 3.5hrs from start to finish. I did have a 3rd degree tear though.
Just trust what you know about your own body, I'm so glad i did.

Powerplant · 02/05/2020 06:43

I had an epidural with my 3rd baby - absolutely brilliant and wondered why I hadn’t had one with my first 2 - I experienced no problems and could feel a slight tightening of contractions but no pain and knew when to push Good luck

Pegase · 02/05/2020 06:55

No problems for me with epidural. I had it part way through an awful induction. Then laboured asleep for next few hours. I was told to not top up as we got close to the pushing stage so I could feel the pressure. They put the bed into a sitting position so I pushed the baby out sitting up to get some help from gravity.

ChunkyButFunky87 · 03/05/2020 19:05

I was advised to have an epidural due to pre eclampsia as it's known known to reduce blood pressure. I was so bloody scared the whole of my pregnancy and honestly it was no where near as bad as I'd made it.

I was really glad I had it on board by the time I was pushing as babies shoulder got stuck so I had to go into theatre for forceps and episiotomy and was pretty much instantly ready to go, just topped up.

Made it so much more bearable

blankethog · 03/05/2020 19:08

Really enjoyed having an epidural, getting it out in was slightly scary at first but doesn't hurt or feel uncomfortable, I couldn't feel much after I had it, it was nice and relaxing.

nonicknameseemsavailable · 03/05/2020 22:59

first time I tried water birth, didn't help pain at all, gas and air didn't help, tried pethidine which did nothing so second time I tried water then rapidly decided an epidural was the way to go and it was amazing to be honest. My husband said he could tell almost immediately it was the right decision for me and said it was a lot less stressful all round even though our baby had problems (unrelated). Both my babies were huge. The only pain I had when I had had the epidural was feeling the baby's feet pushing high up which was most bizarre.

jfoyo26 · 04/05/2020 00:56

Loved my epidural birth! Had vacuum but that was due to baby's position not epidural. - only had 2nd degree tear. Up and about after 3 hrs with catheter removed. Could feel to push but took away most pain. In the pub on day 6 after birth. Due in a week - hoping for similar epidural experience again minus the over 3 hr pushing stage. Really hoping I do not need a section.

MummBraTheEverLeaking · 08/05/2020 10:59

Had one during my induction, there was a lot of shouty swearing beforehand, and typically they were ready to go just as another contraction came, so staying still was hard. Then they examined me and I was only 3cm No pain but I could feel pressure, I layed off it a bit more when time to push but still needed guidance on when to do it.

I did end up with forceps and episiotomy, but that was as they had to get her out quickly when she had her cord over her shoulder. Was sure glad of the epidural when they were stitching me up!

SoloMummy · 08/05/2020 11:43

Epidural is linked to greater intervention.

I had forceps, but it was a close run to an emergency csec.

Tbh I'd go for a planned csec.

Kinsters · 08/05/2020 14:45

Look into using a peanut ball, it helps your pelvis stay open even if you can't move.

shazzz1xx · 08/05/2020 15:57

epidural was amazing - no pain straight from 1cm to 10cm dilated while watch the chase :) never felt a thing then 5 mins 3pushes and she was out :)
couldn’t have asked for a better labour and it was my 1st

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