How painful / traumatic is vaginal birth with epidural?

[User7567]

Giving birth vaginally without epidural is out of question for me due to too many negative experiences among my friends and family, and I know that I’d panic (even with all the hypnobirthing I’ve been doing). I’m booked for an elective c section due to my fears, but I start thinking about what I should do if I go into labour before that date.
If I arrive at the hospital in early labour and ask for an epidural instead of the section, and if this epidural works well for me, could I just roll with it? I’m aware that this might lead to further interventions, but presumably if the epidural takes the pain away, would forceps, episiotomy etc still be painful and traumatic? And if it doesn’t progress as it should or if there are any signs of complications, could they just top up my epidural and take me for a c section as I had planned it anyway?

I had both DC without pain relief, except gas and air (not my choice) but have had 4 joints replaced with a spinal! If I had another dc, (not likely) I'd insist on an epidural

It was fine having the epidural and I didn't feel any pain until pushing. Even then it was just pressure rather than pain.

I had one birth without and the second one with. I won’t have more children but would never consider giving birth without again. Apart from the pain (and there is a HUGE difference), I felt so so much better after birth 2, was not as exhausted and felt fresher and recovered much much quicker. No brainer for me

I had epidurals with mine, the best one was when they put it in before they induced me as I didn't feel a thing despite having a back to back labour and dd being delivered face up. Once in place I never felt a thing, before they were in place the pain was bearable but I wouldn't have wanted it to get worse and last for any length of time either. Never had any difficulty pushing them out, no instrumental deliveries and no after effects of the epidurals either.

I didn't feel any pain after the epidural but I couldn't give birth very well as I couldn't feel anything and had to have the forceps wihich was really brutal for the baby and she was born In a lot of pain and really badly bruised.

Don't mean to give a scare story, but since you have c-section booked - I wanted to give an idea of how it can go with forceps / episiotomy- since you mentioned...

I finally had an epidural after a very long active labour; lip in my cervix at 9.5cm. If it wasn't for the epidural calming me down - not sure they'd have spotted the dangerous infection I contracted. Chorioamniotitis I think. I was rushed to forceps episiotomy, they gave me a spinal block. I was Able to move with the epidural so not sure that's normal? Anyway - did not feel it at the time, but I didn't heal correctly and ended up needing flesh burnt off with silver nitrate at the opening of my vagina - that hurt like a motherf*vker!

So yes - if you're booked for c-section - I'd absolutely take it. Those I know who had them found it super chilled.

I'd take your age into consideration, and pain threshold which is different for us all. In my experience - it takes hours after asking to actually get the epidural in labour - so be prepared. Best of luck!

Same for me with my second born! With my first born they refused me an epidural (36hr labour!!!) every time I asked for one they just said no you're doing so well. 36 fricking hours later MEs even took the gas and air away saying I'd had enough!!! Baby arrived with some help from ventuouse and episiotomy. Neither of those hurt. At least I don't remember.....🫣 I didn't find the birth traumatic, I found the experience after that traumatic as baby ended up in NICU. Maybe if that hadn't happenrd then I'd have found the birth traumatic, who knows.

Oh and I found it all extremely traumatic - GP suggested I have ptsd as a result

Epidural was great. I was mobile, could feel the pushing a little, no pain. The difficult part was the recovery - stitches which took 10+ weeks to heal properly, bum problems post-pushing, going home with a catheter for a week...

I was advised to have an epidural by the consultant but it didn't work properly. I was left with tearing pain in my back at every contraction. It was a long labour. I was completely unable to push and DS was born with forceps (and a major haemorrhage).

UnPushyParents
“I had an epidural and literally ate a full meal and then slept for several hours during established labour”.

I was under the impression you weren’t allowed to eat when you have an epidural! I wasn’t allowed when I had mine (16yrs ago) 🤔.

edited to add: apologies, I meant to delete the full quote before posting, but forgot (and now I can’t do it!).

Had a drip induction, took ages to fit in the epidural and it wasn't 100% effective but... I was glad of it, it took the edge off and I managed it!

Had a huge huge fear of vaginal birth, I have anxiety & it just seemed like there was no way on earth I'd handle it. In fact my family agreed! But a little voice kept pushing me to try it. I almost chickened out in the delivery room before they broke my waters.

It was so empowering, I'd hugely recommend KJs Hypnobirthing and positive affirmations. The down phase wasn't a lot more intense- maybe because of the epidural - and you're glad to be there because it's nearing the end of the labour - it was the pushing that was exhausting.

The episeostomy was fine, trust me, you don't care at that point! Particularly if you've inhaled enough gas and air.

A few points:

• people love a dramatic birth story, and the tales do generally get taller with the telling. Most births go just fine.
• your NHS midwife is quite right about elective CS. It is major surgery which will leave you with (at the very least) a scar on your uterus for your whole life, which will have implications for future pregnancies or abdominal surgeries.
• your NHS midwives and consultants have NO interest in cost because they don’t pay or earn any differently according to what you have.
• the independent consultant will have almost no experience of natural birth, and will earn a large sum from selling you a section. Of course they’ll recommend it.

In answer to your last question, yes women can have an epidural then have it topped up for section.

I hope you have a lovely delivery, whichever mode you choose 💐

I had an epidural with my one and only DS. I was induced and in a hell of a lot of pain. It was brilliant to have a break but then couldn't feel to push, so they let it wear off a bit. I do have some nerve damage in my hands/lower arms. They sometimes go numb and they don't have as much feeling in them as they once did.
The site where they put the needle in was sore for years, the Doc told me that wasn't possible (cheers twat). Went to an Osteopath who sorted me out.

I loved my three epidural births, and wouldn't describe any of them as traumatic, despite some complications with the first one. Would definitely opt for that over a C section, all else being equal.

Have just Googled and nerve damage is very rare. Lucky me! Wasn't telling you to scare you OP, just give another perspective. I wouldn't have not had my epidural, it gave me space to breathe.

Dont think op needs to hear more traumatic stories, they really are in the minority @User7567, otherwise nobody would have more than one child and human race would have gone out of existence!

I had three, first was induced with a drip so did use gas and air although don't think very effective for pain just makes you not care as much. Second two I didn't use anything as found my natural inclination was to keep upright and moving about which helped reduce the pain. First was episitomy, second two i tore but you really don't care at that point, I'd say tears healed quicker but fine after a week or so. I can't comment on c sections but would imagine they take longer to heal.

You literally cannot feel anything with an epidural. No pain.

I had my first vaginally with absolutely no pain relief. Entirely doable and manageable. But why should you manage? There are no prizes here. I had my second on the drip again with zero pain relief. That was a different kettle of fish entirely and I’d have cheerfully offered my husband up for ritual sacrifice to get an epidural but the bastards wouldn’t give me one. I would definitely get the epidural if you have the choice but if you’re having a normal labour and for whatever reason can’t get an epidural don’t panic. It isn’t that bad ( as long as you’re not on a drip that is),

I had an epidural with DC1 - it was great and a really positive experience. No pain relief with DC2 or DC3 as they arrived too quickly!

If you are planning a section anyway I would stick to the plan if you go into labour early.

I've had 3 labours. First vaginal eventually having an epidural. It was horrible because they had to check vitals something like every 15 minutes (I did not have a strait forward labour though) it was like torture I hadn't slept for two nights and they kept waking me. I could feel the need to push but I wasn't able to do it efficiently. Forceps delivery. Higher reduction in pain from the epidural but the recovery from that labour was hell. The stress and the epidural definitely slowed the labour down. They stitched my episiotomy up wonky, I got a haemotoma. I was in pain for weeks. Sex hurt for a full year.

Second labour much shorter and not even gas and air. Hurt but not as bad as first labour. When it was time to push it hurt a lot but my body literally pushed I couldn't stop it and because of that it wasn't hard. Recovery was by far the easiest Ive had. I did tear but that was nothing compared to the pain of an episiotomy.

Third labour was emergency c section. Horrible experience all round but the recovery was not bad at all compared to the recovery from my first.

No fucking way would I ever consent to an epidural again if it wasn't a c section. I would do it naturally with gas and air if that wasn't enough I'd want a c section. The damage done to my body from botched care in my first and third deliveries will never leave me nor will the trauma. Care was shit with my second too but my body knew what to do so it wasn't so bad. If you plan epidural then just go for the section would be my choice.

Not sure I can comment on the bonding. Personally I do t think it was the labour that affected me but the pregnancy and how my ex treated me that made bonding harder.

Milk production can be harder after a section. I expressed colostrum and had a good amount coming before I had the section and no issues with mill production.

Is this your first? I had an epidural with my first and managed to sleep during contractions. Midwife had to tell me when I was having one, based on the monitor! I felt that it did prolong labour and I did struggle to push. It didn't feel any urge to push. I ended up having forceps and episiotomy delivery but me and baby both fine afterwards. I had a waterbirth in a birthing centre with my 2nd on just gas and air and honestly much preferred that experience. I felt far more in control of my body and just went with it. Recovery was also far easier. Everyone's experiences are different though. My mum had all 4 of us on epidural and breezed through it! I say do what you feel is right for you. If you are having anxiety about the pain or your tolerance to it, opt for the epidural.

I would just be wary that they can't always give you an epidural.
For some reason they told me I was either too far dilated or not enough dilated (sorry it's a long time ago and I was in a bit of a daze anyway). At some point they also said the anaesthetist was either another patient . I had gas and air.

Eventually after several hours they said I needed further intervention (forceps but I had to sign the form for caesarean in case) and at that point they gave me the epidural. And it was fairly painless and easy.

But presumably if the birth had been quicker they wouldn't have given it to me ? Never quite understood why they couldn't have given it to me when I first asked. It was in my 'birth plan'.

I had 5 vaginal births without epidural. For me the loss of control of being numb from the waist down and unable to move around was much more scary than labour pain! I have friends who've had epidurals and would definitely recommend them. The thing is, every birth is different and every woman's needs are different. Sometimes though, if labour progresses quickly, you might be told it's too late for an epidural. So if you want one, get to the hospital as soon as your labour starts and request an epidural straight away!

I had an epidural about 15 minutes before i got the urge to push, only in labour three hours before it was sited so i wasnt examined so im not sure they would have put it in if they knew ao was almost fully dilated. It was incredible, wish i had done it for my first. No pain just pressure, 2nd degree tear which was absolutely fine.

I was a nervous wreck after an instrumental delivery with my first and awful recovery so it was the the perfect birth for what will be my last child. Definitely go for it