For those who opted for epidural - how "painless" is it really??

[purpleneon]

For those who had a VB + epidural, is it actually anywhere near "painless" (think I need to stop watching birthing videos & being horrified by the screams!) or still v painful, but just less so than gas & air

An epidural is Gods gift to medical science.

I had 2 and would 100% recommend them.

I had en epidural, and couldn't feel anything, even when they did an episiotomy and used forceps.

It was totally painless for me. I fell asleep and was woken only to go to theatre.

Oh yes, I was cut and had forceps. Didn't feel it at all. Miraculous.

I had a nap 10 hours into labour, before had it couldn't sit/stand/walk or relax for the pain. I could still feel the pressure of contracts and pushing but no pain. Was absolutely amazing and I do not understand why they are discouraged

I found it a bit unpleasant going in, but utterly and wonderfully painless once it was sorted.

My first ds 100% painless. I could still feel a sensation but not painful at all (the one I had you press a button to control how much medication it gives you)

Mine was a real positive experience so also had them for births 2 & 3

The epidural made it totally painless. I went from howling like a banshee (as I had been for about 4 hours at that point) to happily chatting with the anaesthetist that did it for me.

I went from screaming in agony to falling asleep within about 20 minutes, I think.

Totally. It’s amazing. You’re in control and press the button whenever. I hate that they seem to be discouraged. I don’t agree it always results in ‘intervention’. I’d never do it without.

Hi OP. We're going to move this one over to Childbirth for you now.

I had one, sadly I was having massive contractions while being injected and I think it caused it to go in wrong and I had a frozen arm instead... Gutted. Heard nothing but good things about them really!

Has anyone had an epidural that has scoliosis, by any chance?

I had an epidural & forsteps delivery. After 3-4 mins i felt like tightening if that explains it, for contractions, but they weren’t painful. Absolute godsend was the epidural, i was screaming bloody murder whilst i was in labour 🥴

It doesn't hurt going in, just a "normal" sensation of having an injection.

However... I was very unfortunate and was one of the rare cases of having a post dural puncture. I was bedbound for pretty much 3 weeks with a newborn, couldn't even lift my head, and it triggered PND! So just to be aware they're not without risk.

Second time around I had a spinal block which is a much lower risk to PDP, and was a dream in comparison to my first experience.

Has an epidural with DC1 wouldn't say it was painless but definitely much much more comfortable, barely felt the pushing!

Having had a VB since, without an epidural, I can definitely tell the difference between the levels of pain.

It was an absolute gift.
Induced both times, first one was turned down just prior to birth but minimal pain.
Second was a ventouse, blood taken from babies head, which I guess would be bloody painful without an epidural.
Epidural kept going whilst being stitched.

I had an epidural with my first. It didn't work. I needed potential c-section but they were going to try forceps in theatre first, so had to have a spinal block. Forceps successful and the spinal block was amazing, didn't feel a thing.
My second I only had gas and air at 8cm, that was a better labour and birth all round (less painful than my epidural birth). But I think all labours are different and it's not comparable really

Absolutely wonderful for me. I managed to have a sleep whil I was dilating from 2cm to about 5 or so. I had one where you could hit the button and obviously didn't while I was asleep so the base level was fine. Did hit the button a bit towards the end but they use a cold spray to check you've not over or underdone it really regularly. When we got to pushing stage they said to me if I stop using the button I'll be able to feel pressure to push but not pain and it was so true, I could feel my muscles doing the job and joined in, as it were, but it didn't hurt a bit. Had forceps and episiotomy to turn baby slightly, and stitches afterwards obviously, didn't feel a thing.
Got use of my legs back about 6 hours later I think but wouldn't swear to it. No lasting effects and would have another one without hesitation if I needed it (I'm likely going to be induced again- no epidural, no drip is my birth plan).

Because I wasn't in any pain the actual minutes of DD arriving were a pleasure and I was able to fully focus and enjoy the moment. I bet it's equally euphoric without one and I'd rather have not needed the induction in the first place but the epidural was the best part of it by far.

It was AMAZING.

I had an epidural and slept, magic

And yes I couldn't feel anything once it kicked in. It was blissful.

Best thing ever. Midwife had to tell me when to push though as I couldn't feel anything and I was dozing off between pushes, wish I'd been more alert, but it probably wasn't the epidural that made me drowsy. Also had forceps and stitched up after and felt nothing. In fact I did just have a nap on the operating table while they stitched me back together.

2 and a bit days of labour, I would have married the anesthesiologist if he's asked. I think DH would have let me as well.

Couldn't feel a thing which was what I needed after 24 hours of contractions.
Next day was he'll being unable to walk after forceps delivery and episiotomy.
2nd labour without epidural was a much easier experience.