Epidural + induction

[Doubleespresso33]

Hi all,

im due to be induced in two weeks with my 3rd baby (second induction).

previous one was at a different hospital and they didn’t give me any pain relief for ages until I begged them for an epidural and they literally did it as I was about to push and it was abit awful and traumatic for me and baby For some other reasons also.

im being induced again this time for various (necessary reasons) at a different hospital which so far has provided a positive experience. My midwife said I can ask for my epidural to be done around the same time as the induction so it’s already working when the pain kicks in (my labours happen really really fast). Has anyone had this or have I misunderstood? Assuming epidurals are still the same as I had before where you have the button to top it up?

im getting myself abit worked up about giving birth due to the issues caused for me and baby last time so just looking for abit of clarity on what might happen!

thanks all

I was induced on the drip and was offered all pain relief as soon as the drip went in and before I could feel anything. I declined initially but then I was struggling with the back to back contractions and soon asked for gas and air, after several hours of very little dilation I agreed to epidural. Baby born just over 4 hours later so no top up needed. Best of luck

That’s a huge relief thank you! Hopefully it was all just down to the previous hospital being bad then!

glad you had a positive experience! X

there are a few variables to think about…. Firstly not all inductions are the same - being induced doesn’t always mean it’s more painful (the synto drip definitely can be more painful but isn’t always needed). Your MW/obstetrician should be able to explain what they think is likely to happen (esp as they’ll know your past history too).

Secondly there may be things about you/your medical history that might make an epidural harder/easier - if you’d be anticipated to be a tricky one it may be better to have an early epidural so there’s more time to get it in & working.

Lots of women do ask for them before it gets painful/ they go on synto & that’s fine, but it doesn’t guarantee that it’s going to work and it’ll only become obvious after some time. It’s worth having a think about what your back-up plan might be too.

Lastly, there may be factors about the labour that make it a good/bad idea (inc the reason for the induction). If there are concerns about progress/the baby it needs a conversation re. the likelihood of needing a section quickly before an epidural is sited as it can make things more complicated if you suddenly need theatre.

There are probably more, but that’s a few things to think about if you’ve not already. HTH.

I was offered it when they broke my waters as was going straight on the drip, I declined, but the offer was there

Yes I refused to let them put the drip in without an epidural. I'd been in back to back labour for 15 hours by that point, I wasn't going to wait and see how I felt.

When the anaesthetist arrived, he said it was better (from the anaesthetists' point of view) to get it put in before the drip took effect as when you're contracting hard, it's really hard to stay still while they site the epidural properly.