Epidural vs Remifentanil

[Tango500]

Hi there, I'm due in September and have been thinking about labour etc. Several friends have had epidurals and said how good it was, but midwife didn't seem so convinced and said recovery was slower. She recommended Remifentanil. I'm a real wimp with pain so I'm interested to get your opinions please? Thanks 😊

I'm an absolute wimp with pain but I ended up with only paracetamol. I went from 2cm to fully dilated in an hour so pretty painful ... until I sent to theatre for forceps when I had a spinal (similar to epidural) and recovered just fine, was walking about 2-3 hours later and no problems.

I'd read up on pros and cons of all pain relief but just decide at the time based on how you're feeling

Good luck xx

I would have a good read up about different options. I personally opted for the epidural and found it to be amazing, recovery from it after was fine no complications at all.

I had an epidural during my drip induction. Totally fine and recovery unaffected.

I was in so much pain and as soon as I got the epidural it completly went and I actually enjoyed Labour from that point onwards- the epidural was amazing and I personally recommend it but it's all personal choice. It's good to be informed about all your options!

From what I recall, remifentanil is a tier lower than epidural and you can have an epidural even if you've already tried remifentanil. So instead of going from gas and air straight to epidural, this (& other opioids) are a kind of intermediate step, I think. It's not offered in all hospitals (pethidine was the only one in mine) but it could be worth trying if you don't want to go straight for an epidural.

I didn't want an epidural as I didn't like the idea of not being able to feel anything. My labour was very short and I just had gas and air from 7cm to delivery about 90 mins later. However, if I'd been in labour for days and days then I might have wanted something stronger so would likely have tried remifentanil if it were available at my hospital, but you don't know until the moment so all you can do is educate yourself on the pain relief available at your hospital in case you want to take it.

I was induced by drip and had remifentanil. Lots of people like it but I wouldn't have it again. It made me continuously sick which I believe is common and I needed 3 types of anti emetic to control it. It made me so out of it I kept forgetting to breathe and having to be reminded (weirdest feeling ever), like 100 times drunker than the drunkest I've ever been. Also it didn't kill the pain, I think it just makes you so off your face you don't care as much.

I didn't like any of these feelings but I have heard others say they didn't mind so I think it's personal. I'm currently 41+11 and if I end up induced on the drip again I'll be opting for epidural despite the fact I have always had a bit of a fear of them!

I’ve had two epidurals. Both brilliant. You can ask for a ‘walking epidural’ so you can still feel contractions just not the pain that goes with them.
I requested my epidurals as soon as I arrived at hospital. It gave me an opportunity to have a nap and I was well rested for pushing so no further interventions were needed.

I would have a look into options and also let your birthing partner know what they are so they can support you. My birth plan was to have no plan as long as I knew the options of what I could have. All labours are different, you may want gas and air, you might hate it, you might want some pain relief to take the edge off or you might want an epidural all options are there for you to use x