What is an epidural like?

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Can I hear your experiences on pain relief? Those who have multiple children how do your experiences compare?

With dd1 it was recommended as my bp was sky high and it was amazing. My labour was 22 hours and I ended up having forceps & episiotomy, but didn't feel a thing and it brought my bp back down.

Dd2 and I was only in labour for 6 hours, but it was again recommended following my first labour and high bp once again only during labour. It had to be increased twice and then didn't end up taking effect until 10 mins before dd arrived!

Recovery was fine from both and if I was to have another, I would again choose an epidural as my choice of pain relief

The best thing since sliced bread. I had an epidural and managed to convince my midwife to leave the G&A with me so I was in a little bubble enjoying the process of giving birth. The epidural has given me long term pain where it was sited by that’s only because the anaesthetist placed it incorrectly first. I will 100% have another one next time

I totally recommend, I have had two!

Amazing, loved it. 3 natural births and no side effects for me.

It was bliss after I got over the fact the person putting it in was one of the dads at the parentcraft classes we went to, and I managed to stay still despite having constant contractions. I remember after my baby was born, it was my first, when my gran came to visit, she was telling me off for walking about

I've been induced twice, had epidural with first baby and gas and air only for second baby (but begged for an epidural for an hour to be told anaesthetist was in theatre). Honestly, the labour with epidural was like a dream and without was a nightmare. Delivery was much much harder with epidural as I couldn't feel when to push (it took an hour of major effort). Without, my body literally pushed the baby out in 2 contractions, I didn't push at all.

Recovery was night and day despite similar tears. First baby I couldn't walk without help for nearly a month. Second I was fine within a couple of days. Not sure if epidural impacted this or not.

I went from vomiting with every contraction due to the pain, to being able to push and concentrate on birthing my child without the mind altering levels of agony that I previously had. It’s a crime that an epidural is not available on demand. It certainly would be if men gave birth.

Heavenly.

It was amazing. I was completely exhausted by a labour that kept stopping and starting over 20 hours. Once I had the epidural all the pain just disappeared. I was sitting happily in bed chatting away. I couldn't feel the contractions but the midwife could feel them by placing her hand on my tummy. She told me when to push.

I had an epidural with both of my girls. 1st one induced, 2nd one not. It made a horrific experience more bearable is all I'd say - neither of mine got rid of the pain completely, particularly towards the end, but it was just about bearable. I didn't care that I could get up for a few hours afterwards as I stayed in bed cuddling my babies, but with my first I did get really nauseous and was vomiting a lot just before and for a while after she was born which was horrible.

Brilliant, and a good thing I had it with DS1 because he ended up emergency c-section and without being able to top up my epidural to create a spinal block I'd have needed general anaesthetic.

Incredible. I slept until it was time to push.

I’ve had 2 babies, epidural with 1st and just gas & air with 2nd.

my first labour was 16 hours and baby was back to back. I was exhausted and had nothing left to give. The epidural was great, I was able to focus and have conversations and even a rest. It didn’t work very well for me though and within 4 hours it had moved and no longer worked. I did feel pressure the whole time which I wasn’t expecting! I think I would have ended up having more intervention if I hadn’t had it as it really helped give me a rest to push on through. It was completely out of my system by the time I was pushing which helped as I was able to change position.

my 2nd was a much quicker easier birth and I just didn’t need it.

Pure relief !

Mine was given to me after the actual birth. The injection itself didn't hurt. It was an odd feeling not to be able to feel my legs for a few hours, but it quickly wore off.

Bliss. I was one of these that didn't think I'd need one. After 14 hours of back to back contractions it was absolute bliss and much needed. I was stupid to resist one for so long.

Really slowed down my labour so it was a long drawn out affair. Hated lying flat.

Didn't have one on my 2nd dc and it was much easier. My contractions were always very weak so I was better upright.

Awful. Slowed my labour down and meant I couldn't feel a thing when pushing - no urge to push and not really knowing how to when they told me. Resulted in 3 hours pushing, ventouse delivery, episiotomy and haemorrhage, which I think the epidural contributed greatly to.

Deliveries 2 and 3 were with G&A. Yes, more painful but much shorter and I didn't need to be told to push - the urge was so strong it was almost involuntary.

I'm not having any more dc but if I was I'd do anything to avoid another epidural.

Love the first response

I agree with most. SUCH relief.
Didn't have time for one with either dc2 or 3, but for dc1, I just wish I'd had it earlier.

I had a 5 day labour with no sleep with my first, as soon as I was allowed I had an epidural so I could rest! Was fine going in and worked. Pushing was 45 mins and was in pain after with the stitches.

Quicker labour second time so didn't have one - I had time, was 12 hours in the hospital in established labour, but progressed well and I felt ok. Pushing was much quicker, 5 mins, but was a second labour, and less painful recovery as pushing was more instinctive so didn't push so hard and damage myself so much!

If I had another I'd be open to having one, would see how it went!

Amazing! I wanted whale music and candles in my birth plan. Once the contractions really kicked in I was begging for one and am so grateful I was able to have it. It took away all the pain and made the experience actually enjoyable.

Brilliant. I went from sheer, abject agony to chatting to the midwife eating Haribo. No pain at all. It also sped up my labour hugely. I'd been at less than 1cm for 20 hours, and went to 10cm in less than four hours after the epidural. The only side effect was a slightly shaky leg while I had it on, which went away straight after. No issues walking etc. after a few hours.

Amazing, I had a lovely 40 minute nap after I had my epidural, I felt more rested than my OH by the time I'd given birth!

First baby didn't have one, but really didn't want one. Had diamorphine instead. Second baby didn't want one, but needed one in the end, as I was dilating extremely slowly. Came in handy for the caesarean too. I was grateful for it, and I don't regret having it. But should I go on to have a third, I'll only have one if I get to the point where I don't think opioids will cover the remaining amount of dilation.

I should have had one with my first two! Absolute bliss with my third labour no pain but I could still feel the contractions to push. Go for it.