Epidural experiences

[Gjals]

Hi, I noticed a few of you have mentioned planned epidurals and c sections on various threads.

I'm 35 weeks and no one has discussed any of this with me. I have brought it up at midwives a couple of times and it's sort of brushed over like they don't have time.

I am really hoping for an epidural but I've heard so many horror stories about women being refused them in labour for sketchy reasons. I am already really anxious about it all.

For those of you that have given birth and had an epidural, did you find you had to demand one or was it fairly straightforward? When you got to hospital, did you feel comfortable and confident that it was available to you if needed, were you told about it/offered it?

I had an epidural with my first, I was induced and it was a fairly medically managed birth. I got the epidural 17 hours in snd it was amazing as until that point I’d been having non stop contractions without breaks due to the syntocin. However it did mean I couldn’t feel anything when it came to pushing so ended up with a forceps delivery. Just given birth to my second with just gas and air and it was amazing! Yes it was painful at the pushing stage but it didn’t last long snd felt empowering to know I did it myself

Just to add - I’d written in my birth plan that I didn’t want to be offered any drugs or a epidural but once I’d asked for one I think they were relieved, it took a while to arrange as the anaesthetist was in surgery but fine once they arrived.

I was aware of the epidural, I started with contractions in the night and when I got to the hospital the only rooms available were for non epidural (equipment needed not in those rooms). They ran me a pool and I refused mid contractions I waddled down the corridor to a room with epidural access. No one seemed to care at that point as I was adamant I wanted one and I was having one!! Ha.
The midwife was amazing and she pretty much said whatever I need!!
Epidural is great but as previous poster said you can't feel much, but I was able to deliver naturally all the same...
I could feel the contractions but not on the same level...
You will be absolutely fine and it's so normal to feel anxious, I remember getting to your stage and just thinking I absolutely cannot do it, but your body is amazing and takes over like 'right the babies coming' roll on contractions.
Sending hugs x

It's absolutely a valid choice to ask for an epidural. You should make sure you're on a labour ward not in a midwife led birth centre as they don't provide epidural. You'll also need to be clear immediately that's what you want. The anaesthetists need to prioritise emergencies so you may need to wait and there is a chance you won't get one especially if you're not admitted until late on. It's barbaric to refuse once asked especially when early in labour but the system is under significant pressure. I've had an epidural, a water and a c section birth. All lovely, all different

I've had two. First labour made no difference what so ever. Like they'd done nothing.
Second labour only worked half sided but after being readjusted it was bliss. But they'd put too much on one side and I was totally numb down one side for several days. Needed an mri. Not pleasant. I'm hoping to avoid one this time as I've not had the best experiences.

And just to add. I had to wait for ages to get mine as there was only one anaesthetist on. I was induced and it was awful waiting. Over 2hrs I think.

I was induced and I had read on here that people suggested getting the epidural before being put on the drip because I was nervous about the pain. I mentioned this to the midwife and she said they would prefer not to, so they could monitor how I was progressing.

I managed on gas and air til I was around 7cm dilated, then had a failed epidural because I couldn't stay still enough. They offered diamorphine which I had initially been against, but after discussing the pros and cons with the midwives I went ahead with it. It really helped and a few hours later when the effects were due to wear off, they offered to try an epidural again which worked as the diamorphine kept me from squirming too much.

Honestly, despite the failed first epidural, I had a fab labour

I had initially said no drugs etc.

Then I got contractions and immediately changed my mind (they eventually found my uterus had torn, hence the immense pain).

There was no delay and I got my epidural quite quickly. The midwives commented how I was a completely different person on drugs

I ended up having an emergency C-section but because I'd already had the epidural I didn't have to wait to go to theatre, they topped it up and wheeled me right in.

No side effects from it after, no back pain etc, and I would absolutely have one again.

Just go in with the knowledge that whatever you have planned to happen probably won't work out that way. You might decide you don't need it x

I believe the main reasons for not giving an epidural would be because the anaesthetist is unavailable/in theatre. Or, when labor has progressed too far.

I was quite a few hours into labour and my midwife commented on how well I was managing and said I must have a high pain threshold. Literally 5 mins later I was begging for an epidural! They administered it pretty quickly and without me asking twice. I did have a tricky delivery which I think was due to me pressing the button when I should have been feeling contractions. So I think if they say it's too late, don't push them. They should know best. I'm sure if you explain your concerns with your midwife she will keep you updated on when it's looking close to the cut off

I gave birth vaginally on Wednesday (it’s now Friday) I had an epidural and it was the best thing I’ve ever had. The anaesthetist came and put it in quickly when I decide they wanted one at 4cm. It was the first time I have ever given birth and I didn’t know if I wanted one or not because I didn’t know what the pain would be like. When I said I wanted an epidural the anaesthetist Came And explained the risks to my husband because I was too high on gas in it although I knew the risks before asking for it as I researched. She then came with her assistant and they put the epidural in The pain went within minutes. Although I did feel a little electric shocks in my legs and nerves. No one Tried to challenge my decision. I was very supported by all midwives and other staff. One thing I will say is that it took awhile for the epidural to wear off and I was unable to move my legs for a while after. Since having it my back has been absolutely fine. But I also found when they were doing the stitches I didn’t feel that either so that was great.

I had it with my first. I didn't have much choice as we were about 18 hours in and things weren't going brilliantly. Yes it takes rhe pain away but it makes the end more difficult. I ended up with a ventouse and episiotomy. The epi still aches sometimes now four years on and my immediate recovery took absolutely ages.
My second birth I did on just gas and air. It was quicker which helped. It hurt a lot more of course but when it was over I felt fine within a couple of hours and could walk and look after my baby immediately. It was a massive revaluation

*revalation

Could not praise the epidural enough.

I have four kids and it's made each birth go from unbearable to almost...I say almost.... enjoyable.

I check there's one available straight away and make it clear to put me on the list.

I take my hat off to woman who manage to do it without... I just couldn't

Had an epidural after 30 hours labour and going back and forth due to covid, when I did finally get it it was amazing. My plan was a water birth but I'd been in labour without progression for too long.,,

Also, Think it was a mobile epidural as they turned it down towards the end about 6 hours later and I was able to labour and feel the contractions and push myself without guiding. I could feel everything i needed to and the end was lovely, pushing phase was great, no tears and no damage.

Congratulations novrainbow5 , I hope you are settling nicely into your new life as a mam, happy it went smoothly for you 😊 really good to hear everyone's stories. It is comforting to know that if I can't handle it, that's an option. Prior to this thread it felt like an epidural was just one of those mystical things that were advertised but rarely available! I can totally understand not getting one right away and the need to be flexible if its too late on or things don't go to plan. It's just pleasant to know that it is a real option if needed. Settles my nerves a little. Who knows though, I could be one of the odd ones that enjoys it and can tolerate child birth 🤔 nah....

I was induced with my first. I did need the epidural and as soon as I was far enough along (and when the anesthetist was available), they did it. It was magic

Second child, labour was progressing very quickly. I was 8cm by the time I got to the ward. They said it was too late to administer any pain relief, which I later found out wasn't strictly true, but actually it was good being mobile, and DD was born not long after on just gas and air. And paracetamol

I've had 2 the first one was useless didn't work at all secondone much better but you can't feel a thing to push which has its negatives

Epidural was amazing!!!! Unfortunately I had to wait 8 hours to get it as there was no room on the delivery suite (fortunately my labour progressed very slowly, otherwise I may have given birth without one!). That’s just bad luck, but it’s really important that whatever your plans, you prepare yourself mentally for the possibility of giving birth without an epidural. That means hynobirthing, tens machine, gas and air and realising that you can only have one shot of pethidine, not too close to delivery. I had my shot of pethidine too early - was in agony for hours once it had worn off and then had to wait ages for epidural.

The midwives will tell you you’re doing great with the pain early on/why don’t you try water birth instead of waiting for epidural - they did that to me, because ideally they want you to have a midwife led birth and not go on the delivery suite. How can they tell your pain threshold/how you’re going to cope later on just because you’re not screaming? They can be quite bolshie because they think they know best. But you know your body best. Stand your ground. And remember - you can have an epidural up until you’re 10cm dilated. If they start staying it’s too late, ask to speak to the anaesthetist- that will shut them up.