Epidural??? Opinions

[Babymumma01]

Hi mums,
Would like your opinions on epidural. Is it as bad and scary as people make out? Or is it complete heaven once given the shot? Being induced & midwife told me the contractions usually hit harder So I’m considering this as pain meds as I’m not good with pain.

Thank you

I have one word for epidurals - bliss.

The injection is a bit uncomfortable, but once it's in it's great. Just be aware that having an epidural can lead to further intervention. I ended up with a forceps delivery because I couldn't feel to push.

I only had one with DC1, didn't need it with the next two.

@FirstTM2020 how is everything going? Hope all is well on your side! X

@Babymumma01 thats me just arrived 3pm so just on the monitor... hows it going for you xx

Best thing ever! My waters had broken at 6am and the contractions kicked in around lunchtime but I didn't go into hospital until 11pm as they didn't believe my waters had gone! After an examination where I was proved right (not bitter haha) they decided I was not progressing fast enough and I was told that I would be induced in the morning as it would have been 24 hours since the waters had gone and we were at risk of infection. I was advised by a midwife to have an epidural as the drip can cause horrible contractions and having been awake for over 24 hours I was getting really tired. The relief was instant bliss and when they checked me 40 mins later before starting the drip they found I had gone from 4-10cm and my body was already pushing. I did need a ventouse delivery and episiotomy but as the epidural was already in I didn't feel the pain and ds was born safely shortly after! I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

@FirstTM2020 been in since 12! No signs of anything yet! X

@MrFlibblesEyes am I right? The epidural only
Numbs from the waist down?

I was induced with the drip as I'd already got to 3cm myself but stopped at 4. Went from 4 to 10 in three hours. Had the epidural as the drip kicked in. Best thing ever. Mine didn't fully work and I had some pain on one side but it was totally manageable.

@Babymumma01 mine just numbed the middle bit so I could still feel and move my lower legs and I could feel from my bump upwards. It started wearing off as they were stitching me up (so had some gas and air which in my opinion does nothing!) and after the initial baby cuddling in the delivery suite I was able to walk through to the ward unassisted. Also while we are getting the the nitty gritty I had no problems passing urine soon after either 😊

@Babymumma01 oooh I just read it properly that you are being induced today! Good luck, hope everything goes smoothly and uneventfully 🤞🏼

I didn't plan on an epidural or any analgesia, went in at 1am as waters broke, meconium in the waters, had to start on oxytocin drip which would make the whole thing much more painful, then got told he was back to back.

Still didn't want opiates (I'm intolerant and they make me sick) opted for epidural, contractions started about half hour before I got it and due to him being back to back were very painful yet not remotely strong yet.

It was bliss, all the back and hip pain from pregnancy went, I was eating snacks and reading magazines/napping right up until 9cm, gave birth with zero pain to a nearly 10lb boy.

There is an increased risk of intervention with epidural and very small risks of complications (as with anything) but I would without doubt choose one again, the whole experience was painless and calm, I felt totally in control and could really concentrate on pushing.

Epidurals are great! Def get one if they mention putting you on the drip. The drip is horrifically painfully. Why suffer if you don’t need to?

I was induced and the contractions were so so intense, I can still remember the pain.
What I can also remember is the wonderful, amazing, magical epidural I screamed for 🤣
Honestly I genuinely count it as one of the best decisions of my life.
I still can't understand why women choose the experience the pain.

Most amazing thing on earth. Back to back baby, had been in rolling labour with no gaps between contractions for 24 hrs and only at 3cm. Worst bit of the epidural going in was having to sit still through the contractions whilst they inserted it. Relief was instant and I turned to Dr and told him I loved him. He laughed and said he got that a lot! Honestly I nearly kissed him.

I’ve had 3 epidurals, 1 emergency c section. Then 2 planned c sections.
Epidurals are good when regularly topped up but painful when there’s not an available nurse around to do the top up.

I didn’t find them particularly painful, looking back now I’m glad that I did have them. My first Labour was long and I Don’t think that I could have coped without it. The other labours I would have had to have a general anaesthetic for the C sections so it was nice to have the epidural option.

In my experience there is a massive difference in how contractions feel when they are natural compared to the drip. I got to 6 cm naturally. Got stuck and got the drip and epidural. I found natural contractions manageable but the induced ones not manageable.
The epidural was much better than pethidene which made me feel very out of it

I will most probably be put on the drip knowing my luck!!! I’m just nervous of the thought of my body being so numb.. not being able to move anything!! But i guess when i feel these contractions ill cry for it. I have the epidural on my plan regardless. Thank you mums x

I had an epidural and was able to give birth on my knees, I didn’t go completely numb but was pain-free. Good luck!

@TwilightPeace

Epidurals are great! Def get one if they mention putting you on the drip. The drip is horrifically painfully. Why suffer if you don’t need to?

I agree they're great, but one wouldn't have been right for me for a few reasons.

1. I know every single member of the anaesthetic team and I didn't want them to see me in the throes of labour.

1. Being induced at 37 weeks with a high BMI, I was already at a higher risk of interventions. I didn't want to increase it and wind up in theatre. Where I would know every single person. I love my colleagues, and I'm not particularly shy about my body. But giving birth is a pretty memorable thing for everyone involved... And I didn't need them having that memory of my vagina when I returned to work.

1. Pain relief was about the only thing left I had control over. I wanted to escalate pain relief in my birth plan, so that is what I was going to do.

1. Pain was something to strive against. I consider myself to have quite a high pain tolerance. If I could endure the drip without an epidural, then I was winning. And I really like winning.

1. I've literally seen hundreds of spinals and epidurals administered. Imaging one being done on me? Nope. No way. Nuh uh. No thank you. And then being numb? And immobile? Count me right out.

100% I would have gotten an epidural if I felt I had needed one. But it was important to me to try without one first.

I've had two epidurals and 5 spinal anaesthetics for various types of surgery over the years. I can't say I enjoy the process but it isn't hideous. I find the worse bits are the antiseptic they clean your back with first as it is absolutely freezing, and the local anaesthetic that they put in your skin before the needle goes in. That stings quite a lot, but only for about 20 seconds and then after that its more of a pressure than a sharp pain as the needle goes in. I don't really enjoy the numb feeling but I like feeling clear headed throughout. Most other kinds of painkillers and anaesthetic drugs make me feel really woozy and unable to think clearly so I much prefer spinals and epidurals from that point of view.
I haven't had any problems or complications with any of mine. When the anaesthetist comes to see you they reel off a long list of possible side effects that can make it all sound rather scary, but the serious problems are all quite rare. They have to tell us of course but its hard to take it all in when you are in labour! I think its a good idea to read the facts beforehand. I got given a leaflet but its a long time ago now so I've thrown it out, but I found something that looks similar on the internet. Hope it helps you a bit and good luck!
www.labourpains.com/Epidural-Information-Card

I had my waters broken and on a drip as was 2 weeks late. Had epidural was brilliant.

2nd time around went into labour naturally 3 days early and asked for epidural as soon as I arrived at hospital. Was bliss.

Epidural all the way. I could move my legs with it and it took the pain away. It was win win for me

Thank you mummas! Ended up with epidural and it is literally heaven once it kicks in!! So amazing!!! I was panicking over nothing :)