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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Epidural or not

59 replies

LolaBumble · 24/09/2023 18:59

Hi all,

I am a way off giving birth yet, only 24 weeks, but just wondering what people’s experiences have been!

On one hand like the idea of a water birth, and on the other hand I think I’d rather have an epidural. First baby and really have no idea what to expect!

OP posts:
Greybeardy · 24/09/2023 20:02

If you’ve not already heard of it, the website labourpains.org is worth a look. It’s run by the obstetric anaesthetics association and includes loads of info about the different options.

Cdoc · 25/09/2023 11:16

It’s definitely personal choice, but I had one and don’t regret it. I was induced through ARM and my contractions came thick and fast, lasting 90 seconds with a 15 second break (I did a hypnobirthing course that I remember said you can do anything for 45 seconds for a contraction, nowhere did she mention contractions could be double that length with virtually no break). I lasted 4 hours before asking for an epidural (had pethidine first and it did absolutely nothing). I had a lovely birth after the epidural, baby as born 3.5 hours after having it! It was a mobile one as that’s all my hospital do, but I could still feel my legs, move and feel the contractions, just a lot less painfully. It did only work on on side, but still brilliant. Also meant when being stitched up after I didn’t feel a thing. I was never for or against them. Just open to whatever might happen at the time. Nothing could have prepared me for how painful those contractions were so I did what felt like the best solution for me at the time. I think it’s best to do some research into the options and have an open mind really

Kinsters · 26/09/2023 05:03

Epidural all the way for me! Although both times it did fail so I felt some pain (especially so with DD where the anaesthetist wasn't available to adjust it). There's things I don't like about the epidural but it's the best of a bad bunch of choices imo. My friend had her baby induced recently and she asked for an epidural before they started and the Dr said "you can but it will length labour by a few hours" so she went without. Personally I chose 8 hours lying in bed resting rather than 5 hours of pain. I do have a lot of respect for women who do it without the epidural though.

Goldencup · 26/09/2023 05:12

Don't discount gas and air, I found it really effective. No needles, able to move around and up straight afterwards. I also used the pool for DC1.

AmandasFleckerl · 26/09/2023 06:14

Have an open mind and see how you go. You might be ok with just gas and air. I had both of mine with only that and beforehand I was thinking I’d be having all the pain relief available.

Summer2424 · 26/09/2023 06:15

Hi @LolaBumble
It would be an Epidural for me too hun! x

Londonscallingme · 26/09/2023 06:21

I was against the idea before my first as I really didn’t want a cs and I’d read how painkillers / anaesthetics can make it more likely you end up having one. Ultimately my baby was in distress and in a slightly odd position and I was losing consciousness pushing so they gave me an epidural and used forceps to pull him out. It was fine, I was just pleased to get it over with and the recovery was no problem. I’d play it by ear but it certainly wasn’t a bad experience. I’m about to have my next one and I’m not planning on asking for an epidural but if needed then I’d have one again.

Brbreeze · 26/09/2023 06:25

Keep an open mind, everyone is different.
I was fine with gas and air, as it happened there wasn't any point at which it crossed my mind to have an epidural. I did need an episiotomy as baby was starting to get distressed towards the end but on the whole it was a positive experience!

mummy21blueeyed · 26/09/2023 07:24

I knew i didn’t want one so I got my waters broke at 3:30/4. Just gas and air till 8pm and had pethidine at 8pm and gave birth at 9:46pm. It really is personal choice but I knew before I we ever even pregnant that I’d never want the epidural. I mean I was once a HCA on labour ward and watched one go in. No thank you!

Original poster
LolaBumble · 26/09/2023 10:32

Thank you so much for all the replies!! Really useful to hear others experiences. Think I’ll just try and keep an open mind and see how it goes

OP posts:
TheBirdintheCave · 26/09/2023 10:37

It was always an absolutely last resort for me as I did not want any needles near my back. In the end it turned out I didn't need any pain relief at all. As everyone above has said, it's a very personal thing as every labour is different. I think maybe rank your pain relief options and see how you cope with each one then build up to an epidural if you really feel like you need it.

I did however have to have a spinal block to be repaired in theatre afterwards so ended up with needles in my back anyway, four in fact, as the anaeasthetist couldn't place it🙄

Cotswoldmama · 26/09/2023 10:45

The thought of the epidural has always scared me more than the thought of pain! I just had gas and air both times, the first time my son was premmie and I could have had one but didn't feel I needed it. The second time I got to full term and I really wanted to go to my local midwife led unit where it's not possible to have an epidural even if I wanted one. Both times it did cross my mind that the pain was bad enough to need anything more. I think it's one of those things that you just don't know until your experiencing it.

flawless29 · 26/09/2023 10:50

I've got this niggling pain in my lower back and a bit of an ache in my right bum cheek. It started after my C-section about 7 months ago. I had an epidural, and some of my friends who've had one mentioned similar back issues. I've spoken to a few people, and opinions in MN vary, but I do wonder if there's a link between the epidural and this back pain. Still, it's up to you to decide. If I had to do it again, I might think twice about the epidural.

jannier · 26/09/2023 11:01

I didn't like the after effects such as not being able to get out of bed or reach my own baby ...but mine didn't work properly I could still feel contractions. Had gas and air with second and home the same day.

Broodywuz · 26/09/2023 11:09

I wouldn't set your heart on either, keep an open mind. I think if you're too focused on what you want then you feel like you've failed if it doesn't go to plan. My birth plan was to be as natural as possible but not rule anything out. I gave birth twice with no pain relief at all. Just bear in mind an epidural massively increases your chance of intervention, forceps/c-section.

fearfuloffluff · 26/09/2023 11:12

I don't think you need to go into it with a definite plan. Just like periods are very painful for some women but not all, labour is different for different people. And even for the same woman, two labours might be different due to positioning etc.

First labour I found hard, ended up having pethidine and epidural then CS. The epidural was a wonderful relief but I hated being on my back with loads of wires and tubes. I think you get walking ones now.

Second time the contractions were manageable until transition, then there was no time for an epidural (I'd have had one if I could) so just had gas and air. The experience of being able to get up and about as soon as the baby was out was really great, compared to being stuck in bed post C-section and epidural.

Find out the pros and cons and see how you go! Some places like midwife led centres will mean an epidural isn't an option, so that might influence your choice of hospital etc.

Sunshineclouds11 · 26/09/2023 11:17

Couldn't of done it without one!!

Cowlover89 · 26/09/2023 11:29

flawless29 · 26/09/2023 10:50

I've got this niggling pain in my lower back and a bit of an ache in my right bum cheek. It started after my C-section about 7 months ago. I had an epidural, and some of my friends who've had one mentioned similar back issues. I've spoken to a few people, and opinions in MN vary, but I do wonder if there's a link between the epidural and this back pain. Still, it's up to you to decide. If I had to do it again, I might think twice about the epidural.

I've thank fully never had any issues from the epidural and would definitely get it again but I'm just going to see how I go this time

reallyfedup12 · 26/09/2023 11:43

Just see how you go and be aware they aren't always available. It's really nice to be able to get up and around after childbirth

flawless29 · 26/09/2023 11:55

Good for you!

AlltheFs · 26/09/2023 11:58

I wanted an epidural, it was in my plan and I told absolutely every professional I wanted one. Didn’t get one, labour progressed too fast. I was still screaming for it as I was pushing. Pain was horrific but it ended well and I recovered very fast.

I’m not having another but if I did I’m not sure if I would have try and have one again.

Cowlover89 · 26/09/2023 11:59

flawless29 · 26/09/2023 11:55

Good for you!

Got to love mumsnet for the sarky replies

BarnacleBeasley · 26/09/2023 11:59

When we were in the labour ward, the anaesthetist said in a meaningful voice 'most first time mums who get induced end up having the epidural'. With hindsight, I think she meant 'you probably should have an epidural', which she was not allowed to say. You absolutely may not need it, but it's maybe something to bear in mind if you end up needing an induction.

RuthW · 26/09/2023 11:59

I don't think you can make that choice until the time comes

AlltheFs · 26/09/2023 12:03

BarnacleBeasley · 26/09/2023 11:59

When we were in the labour ward, the anaesthetist said in a meaningful voice 'most first time mums who get induced end up having the epidural'. With hindsight, I think she meant 'you probably should have an epidural', which she was not allowed to say. You absolutely may not need it, but it's maybe something to bear in mind if you end up needing an induction.

Sadly for me the anaesthetists were nowhere to be found when I was induced. Didn’t answer a single bleep and then it was too late. Bastards.

I’m sure they were doing something important and necessary but it seems to be luck of the draw as to whether they actually show up when needed!

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