What is an epidural like?

[Dfghy678]

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

[MrsB902]

Like heaven on earth after being in on/off labour for 3 days. I wasn’t against epidurals prior to giving birth and was open minded in terms of pain relief. Personally, I found having an epidural invaluable in terms of allowing me to get some much needed rest when I arrived at the hospital after labouring at home for what felt like years!

I should add that I did need an episiotomy and the ventouse (having an epidural does slightly increase your risk of needing intervention) although it’s not possible to say whether this was because of the epidural or whether it would have happened anyway.

I would 100% recommend being open to having an epidural, it made my birth so much calmer than I feel it would have been if I’d done it without.

[AntarcticTern]

I loved mine - DC1 was a long labour, and the relief from pain was amazing.

DC2 and DC3 were much shorter labours so I didn't need an epidural.

I consider all three to be positive birth experiences, because I was able to make the decisions I needed at the time and was listened to.

[flowergirl2020]

Bliss! Wasn't part of our birth plan - but after being induced we ended up having an epidural... I did end up having an emergency c section due to him being sideways stuck behind a full bladder which in hindsight explains why I couldn't manage the pain any longer and asked for an epidural. As other ladies have mentioned you can feel the surges so have to be told when to push and I believe some ladies struggle with that. We had done a Daisy antenatal class which had helped 'train' me to push as although I couldn't feel anything they told me when they asked I was pushing in the correct way (as if you're having a poo ). I would recommend the classes as they go through all eventualities so we felt prepared xx good luck lovely xx

[BearBibble]

Awful. Took the pain away but also numbed every other sensation so that I couldn't feel to push. Ended up trying and failing to push adequately for 2.5 hours, then needing an episiotomy+forceps, which has left me with long-term (not clinically severe, but definitely inconvenient) problems with sex and continence. I would take the hours / days of labour over the potential long-term impact of an instrumental birth next time. At least you know the labour will end eventually.

[Loulou1712]

I had an epidural with my first, it wasn't in my birth plan but after 26hours of labour and then being put on the drip I begged for one....but it only worked in patches so I still had all the pain AND the inconvenience of limited movement and catheter etc
No time for one with my second and I found it much easier as I was free to move, however the labour was much shorter and without the god awful pitocin drip.
Personally I wouldnt choose one again, as I liked being discharged super quickly agter my second but if I were to get one, I'd get it asap and enjoy and relax into the labour so hopefully feel less exhausted x

[FT96]

I had a good experience. They set it all up and I was able to 'self dose' when needed.