Epidurals - tell me your stories

[Ididivfama]

I’ve been reading another thread about natural birth and now my interest has been piqued by the whole topic and the reality of them in the uk.

Does anyone regret getting one and if so, why?

Alternatively do tell me if it saved you too!

I hadn't planned to have one but my labour wasn't progressing so I had an epidural (section imminent) and it was great. Took the pain away but I still could feel and move my legs. Topped up for surgery.
Recovered well and DD was born healthy and alert.

One with
one without

not a big deal at all. The one with was less painful, and that’s… about it

Do you remember at what time you had it?

Slowed my Labour down but stopped me feeling the pain, although I could still feel the baby crowning but it was a less intense pain than my first birth when I had no epidural.

i’ve had one with and one without and I’d have one again in a heartbeat.

After midnight. Can't remember exact time. DD born about 6am

I had to really fight to get one for my first (which I still feel so resentful about). I was having an incredibly painful back to back labour. I was vomiting from the pain. They did everything to put me off having one but after over 12 hours of extremely painful contraction and only being 5cm I finally got one. It did slow things down but only a bit. I ended up having an episiotomy and forceps, but I believe that was mainly because I was running on zero energy after being so long in pain and being so sick. I can't even remember pushing, it was a blur.

Second time around I was induced and opted for an epidural early on before the contractions really kicked in. It was wonderful, i laboured without pain, slept a bit and then when I was ready to push I felt present, alert and energised and baby came after 20 minutes of pushing. I remember every second and it was wonderful. I felt like superwoman! I wish I'd been able to have a similar birth for my first. We shouldn't have to fight for pain relief.

I had two natural births without any drugs or gas and air. My last birth I was given an induction because of my age. The induction contractions felt unnatural and the head of the contraction lasted longer. Being wired up to monitors and drip limited my movement for pain relief. I got an epidural and it was delightful. Had three midwife ‘cheerleading’ my pushing and giving guidance. Baby was born about hour and half after having the epidural and was without pain. No regrets about having an epidural.

I hadn't intended to get one but both my labours took forever and failed to progress so I was exhausted and couldn't handle any of it any more.

Both times the epidural was amazing, I was so relieved to not be in pain any more!

I have no idea if timings with my first one but second one was active labour (cervix 6cms, constant contractions) for 14 hours, missed a whole night's sleep, I was delirious and exhausted but completely silent.

I loved the anaesthetist, I could have kissed her!

Actually just remembered the first one, I had it in surgery as they were going to try forceps and then straight to c section if that didn't work so I think it was a spinal block instead. I was very glad of it as I retained some of the placenta, haemorrhaged, required quite violent treatment to get it out and then it took them ages to stitch me up after the episiotomy, took 2 hours after the birth.

Basically I love epidurals and anaesthetists!

Loved my epidural. I had terrible labour pains - they were all in my bum and I thought I was going to die. Took 3 hours from asking to get the epidural and pain completely vanished and I even dozed a bit. They did think it slowed down the labour but they then put the drip in which helped. I ended up having an episiotomy too and don't know if that was due to having the epidural or if I would have ended up with that either way. I'm due my second soon and will ask for an epidural to be administered asap!

One with - actually quite enjoyed it but it made me feel a bit sick but I think it probably slowed my labour down.

One without - very quick labour and no time for the epidural. Was, to say the least, very painful.

I am pro epidurals, magic stuff!

Love, loved it. I was all about hynobirrhing but after recurrent episodes of RFM, I had a failed induction and just couldn't hack the pain of contractions- I was sick with each one. Epidurals saved my sanity. If they sold them in the streets, I'd be first in line!

The only side effect was coming out in hives for 2 weeks after baby arrived. It was horrible.

Loved mine! I’d hoped to just rely on gas and air but, like a pp, I had excruciating labour pains in my bum due to a back to back baby and thought I would die. Epidural took the pain away completely but I still felt my contractions and knew when to push. It didn’t slow down labour at all! The epidural also meant that I didn’t need to go to theatre for pain relief when I had a major PPH and they could start controlling the bleeding very quickly. I’d definitely have another!

Had one vaginal with gas nd air in a pool and one section.
Feel massively conned about the push towards 'as natural as possible' as first left me never the same again, everything dropped not quite to prolapse but certainly not the same and going to the loo 8 years later still requires putting self back together after, ( sorry for tmi but think it should be talked about) and with bonding issues due to how horrible it was but second left me with no issues and not traumatised at all. Neat scar, helpful partner while I recovered, all fine.

I was induced and labour progressed quicker than expected. After a couple hours I went from wanting to be au natural to asking for anything.

My epidural worked really well and I had the best nap/sleep I’d had in months after. I woke up to some gentle contractions but not painful. I got to top it up so felt very little and could’ve handled more discomfort without topping it up.

Took a little while longer to move my legs and get mobile than expected but was great. Didn’t feel too much discomfort or pain after delivery either which I think was the residual effects. The end of pregnancy and very early labour was worse than delivery and post birth. Would very highly recommend.

What’s RFM?

First DC born with gas and air. Yes it was sore but I honestly wondered why everyone made such a fuss about the pain.

Second DC totally different. I was in excruciating pain. Morphine didn't even touch the sides. I had to scream for an epidural for 5 hours but they kept trying to put me off. I kept telling them something was wrong but they wouldn't listen. By the time they let me have it four nurses had to hold me in position because I was so exhausted I kept falling asleep during the twenty seconds of calm I'd get between the pain.

After it kicked in it took away the stabbing pain in my pelvis and the sledgehammer to my back. But I could still feel the contractions, the episiotomy and the baby coming out even though they kept telling me I couldn't. DC2 was back to back but they didn't tell me until after it

It's been a few months but I'm still not over the trauma of not being listened to or lack of communication during it to tell me what was happening.

Another one with horrific pains due to back to back baby. Felt like it was ripping me apart. Started contracting at about 8pm and they came on quick (about a minute apart from the beginning) but it was 3am before I could have an epidural because apparently there was a queue! I had to have morphine to tide me over until I could have the epidural.

Once the epidural kicked in, the pain virtually disappeared and I was able to rest for a bit. It did slow things down though. I let it wear off as it approached time to push but baby didn't turn so it was topped up before an EMCS.

I had hoped to go without but the pain was too excruciating and I wouldn't hesitate to have one again.

I hadn't planned on one but couldn't take the pain anymore and I thought it was bloody great

I had an epidural and it was great. I was induced early due to baby’s slow growth and my kidney stones / Hydronephrosis.

I initially opted for no epidural but said I had an open mind and would tell them sooner rather than later if I needed one, but after being put on the drip. I had 4 contractions in the space of 20 minutes and the pain was too much so I had an epidural about 3.30pm/4pm. Baby came at 7.30pm. I was up and walking around / in shower at about 10:30pm and on the ward at Midnight.

I had 2nd degree tearing but no issues with recovery from that.

I had it with both births and will have it again with my third. Absolutely loved it and no issues after

Wasn't planned but the pain was kicking my ass so was God sent.

Epidural slowed down my labour considerably but pain free birth, ill take it.

I still think it jacked up my back 4 years on but doctors will say "it wasn't the epidural as studies shows etc etc....".

Next time I'll try to do it without.

Had one after being in labour for a long time (24 hours or so). It was good to have the pain stop and be able to sleep, but I found it really unsettling being in bed with loads of tubes and wires and bleeping, I was so exhausted by that point that I'd come to briefly, see DH and a midwife watching me, not really know what was happening and doze off again. I had a CS after 12 hours or so of that.

The needle going in etc was fine. Given that my labour stalled, I don't regret having one, but it was a thoroughly disempowering experience and took me a while to recover from the whole thing mentally because I felt distanced from my body when I'd built labour up to be an ABC process and it seemed more like a KLGHSYSOGCZZZ process!

Second time I would have had an epidural if I could because it hurt, but there was no time. In hindsight I'm glad I didn't because it was great being able to get up straight after and out of hospital fast, but if it had been an option, I would have taken it.

@Ididivfama RFM= Reduced Foetal Movements