Epidural

[Rachel12551]

Hi, I'm 34 weeks and just thinking about my birth plan.

Did anyone opt for an epidural and would you do it again? I'm keen to go for one but hearing conflicting views about it.

Thanks!

I didn't opt for one as I'd heard that it can lead to an increased risk of instrumental delivery, as you're not as in touch with what's going on. They also wouldnt give it on the "home from home" ward, at my hospital - it meant going to labour ward.

However I got one anyway as I ended up in labour for 52 hrs with a stuck baby! It was welcome after all the time and pain to be honest.

Would I opt for one if labour was going well - no. But they have a time and place.

If it’s your first child then I would consider it, particularly if you have a long tiring labour. I had one for my first child with a 17 hour labour, but there was no time for my second who was born 1.5 hours after going to hospital.

I've had two, would recommend

With my first ds I had a long labour so I had 2 epidurals as the first wore off.

With my second, I had the epidural again and found it gave me a chance to focus more on what I was supposed to be doing (like the pushing) rather than the pain.

Both were instrumental deliveries in the end, but because they were big babies and I needed a little bit of help just to get through the last bit (9lb 6oz and 10lb 12oz).

I wasn’t going to until I had been in back to back labour for 48 hours and not progressing. I tried to do the hormone drip without one but it was so painful and I was shattered. It was bloody amazing I could get some rest before the pushing part while my labour progressed on the drip and they broke my waters. I pushed fine with it and although couldn’t feel much my body still knew what to do. I did end up with forceps/episiotomy but that was due to needing to get baby out quick and shoulder dystocia. I was very grateful for the epidural when that needed doing and due to position of baby/my pelvis I would have ended up needing an instrumental delivery epidural or not. Would totally have one again, had to have an elective section with my second on consultant advice and had a spinal which was great too. My plan: me and baby alive and well with anything that’s needed to get us there.

I didn't plan to but it was a long labour, I'd been transferred to labour ward anyway, and the doctor recommended it because I was exhausted. Requested one for my second but there wasn't time 😭 as such I will not be having a third 😂

Epidural meant I was far more in control and could focus on the task at hand (and nap). Mine was a natural delivery and I could still feel when I was having contractions, didn't get any side effects afterwards, but of course that's just anecdote and there are risks to be aware of.

Yes I had one first time round. I was 6cm and I could've carried on bug they asked and I thought if I left it longer it might he too late so said yes. Aneasthatist arrived in 10 mins and it was all done in 20 mins. Was amazing no pain at all and it meant I got to relax and read, listen to music have a snack and even a nap and I wasn't too tired to push when the time came. I did end up on the drip towards the end as things had stalled and I did need a vacuum delivery and episiotomy. It wore off pretty qyickly afyerwards, think i was up and about after an hour. 37 weeks with number 2 and I won't hesitate to get another if I can. My biggest fear is that I'll leave it too late to get to hospital in time and I won't be able to have one this time.

I had one but they let it wear off during the pushing stage I had a big baby and I couldn't get past the pressure on my bottom so I opted for one. X

I also had one for my first baby as it was a long labour - it took me 15 hours to get from 5cm dilated to 8cm dilated. It was amazing to have a relief from the pain and DC1 was born 6 hours later (I had heard that having an epidural could slow things down, but that didn't seem to be the case for me).

DC2 and DC3 were much quicker births so I didn't need an epidural.

I had one for both of mine. 12 hour labours for both, both inductions.

DS1 was induced at 35 weeks due to PROM, 6lbs 13ozs, did need vacuum as he was in distress.

DS2 planned induction at 38 weeks due to his size, 9lbs 11ozs, forceps and episiotomy due to his massive shoulders and head.

If I had had any more DC I’d probably have opted for another epidural. The doctor doing mine was ancient and I was a bit worried but he was fab and so gentle.

I had one for DC1 which got topped up for an EMCS and avoided a crash section (breech delivery that went a bit wrong) and requested one for DC2 because both births went from fucking agony to properly enjoyable experiences upon the epidural kicking in. They are awesome!

You should be able to request a mobile epidural these days.

I had one, always planned for one, gave gas and air and the pool a good try, but 15 hours in i got tired and a bit scared, and went for the epidural. It was excellent. I had a bit of a nap and a rest, i dialled the drip down so i could feel to push, DD got stuck so needed a kiwi cup but the whole way through i felt excited and in control, i was pushing for hours but i was feeling incredible, strong and powerful and infinitely feminine, i felt connected and empowered and exhilarated. The first thing my daughter heard was me laughing. I was in labour for nearly 30 hours, it was an instrumental delivery, i had an episiotomy, and it was the best, most exciting, most joyful day of my life. I credit most of that to the fact that i wasn't in pain.

I gave birth to my first 16 days ago and would 100% recommend the epidural. I was induced and after 4 hours of contractions I asked for the epidural, however it failed. They gave me diamorphine (which throughout labour I had explicitly said I didn't want but I knew at the time I needed something more than the gas and air) which was wonderful. After another 3/4 hours it started to wear off and we discussed trying another epidural. Luckily it worked this time. From my experience, both types of pain relief were effective, but the diamorphine had me away with it and I still felt the contractions, it was more that the pain didn't matter as much, if that makes sense? The epidural, once it kicked in completely took away the pain away, but I was mentally with it and able to understand what was going on. I was even able to get a quick kip before the pushing stage. I was worried about feeling disconnected during the pushing stage as that was what I'd been told previously by friends, but I was able to push no problem. I felt what was happening down there while pushing, I felt his head come out, as well as everything else. It was around an hour of pushing, but didn't feel like it. There was no disconnection when they put him on my chest, shock yes, but i still knew that he was mine and he's just come from me.

I was induced and begged for one.

It was brilliant, I dozed on and off through about 12 hours of my labour

I've had 3 children, epidural all 3 times and it's bloody amazing. All 3 labours were very different, the first was very long, I got exhausted and it ended in a c-section as I didn't progress and baby was in distress. Second one was faster but still 24 hours, I got tired and again baby was in distress but had a episiotomy and forceps. Last one was quick and the worst pain wise. I was almost delirious, I seriously don't know what I would have done without it. I ended up having a vaginal birth with no interventions but a second degree tear.

I learnt from the first time that you can control the amount you have with the clicker they gave you and not to click it every time I could so I could retain some sensation of pressure rather than pain.

I'd do it again everytime, I think it literally saved me!

Back to back 10lb baby and on syntocin drip, didn't feel a thing yet was still able to push and barely tore. One of the best decisions I have made and originally wanted a totally 'natural' birth.

Make sure you get fluids before epidural. My blood pressure dropped and baby got distressed which ended in a EMCS. I have since been told by a midwife I should have recieved at 3litres of fluids to lessen the chance of my blood pressure dropping. It was upsetting as I felt I could have managed without it. The pain was bearable I was just so tired and wanted to conserve energy for pushing.
Having said that the experience most women have is overwhelming positive so dont let my experience put you off. Knowledge is power and if I had known I would have requested fluids

Had 2, best thing ever. Both my babies were back to back and needed forceps and episiotomy. Spinal was even better (had one with my second when it was a toss up between forceps or emergency c section).

I had a long labour, especially the early bit (had contractions for 4 days but the news wasn't engaged so wouldn't progress). I knew I didn't want one unless it was an absolute last resort. (No offence to those who do want it, it was just something I wanted to avoid if possible). I wanted minimal or no drugs during labour, not even gas and air. I made it clear any drugs would be a last resort, only if I'd tried everything else and was still struggling.

I was given some brilliant advice when pregnant by a consultant obstetrician who was a mother of 4

Your birth plan is pointless, and at best should only outline your preferences.

Each birth will be different and if not to set great expectations about the perfect birth. A perfect birth is one where the mum and baby are well and healthy.

Hospitals will always aim to give you a natural birth work minimum intervention.

Personally I did not plan to have an epidural but after a long labour the baby was in distress and they gave me a epidural to prepare for a caesarean. I ended up not having the caesarean but I had forceps (which I really didn't want) but accept it was better for me and the baby than a caesarean.

My hospital didn't do them so it wasn't an option unfortunately.

I had epidural for both my DC. I'd recommend.

Also - fuck anybody who tries to make you think it's better if you don't use pain relief.

If you need it, you need it. End of story.

I started off not wanting an epidural but after being induced on the hormone drip I begged for one haha. 3 failed attempts. So I gave up on it & delivered with no pain relief.

@babbafett I’m an anaesthetist and your midwife is totally wrong about needing 3 litres of fluid before having an epidural. Blood pressure drop is one of the known side effects of having an epidural and that is why all women having one need a cannula and fluids running slowly in case it does drop and we need to give them quickly. We monitor blood pressure regularly after a dose of the epidural mix to check it doesn’t go low. But there definitely is no need to have 3 litres of fluid before having one and actually that could be very harmful!!!