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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

VBAC -ers. Were you encouraged to have an epidural in case of intervention ?

52 replies

Wheelybug · 16/01/2009 18:07

Saw consultant today - Am 32 weeks. I was asking about CMF and everyone keeps telling me there is flexibility. However, the doctor I saw today (a registrar) said that I would need to be monitored once I was in established labour as 'I would have an epidural in by then'. When I questioned him on this he said it was because there was more chance of having intervention so they would want an epidural in just in case.

Now, I had a c-sec due to failed induction last time so haven't laboured properly so don't know at this point whether I'll be able to take the pain or not but I am hoping for an epidural free birth.

Also, I remember during my induction asking whether I should have an epidural as it was looking quite obvious I would need a c-sec and asked whether it would save the need for a general anaesthetic and being told they would prefer to do a spinal tap for a c-sec and could do it very quickly.

So, just wondered what people's experiences were.

Thanks !

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iwantitnow · 16/01/2009 19:02

One registrar told me the same that likely CFM + epidural and that I could not have a "natural birth". Waiting for my 34 week and the next consultant/registrar appointment. You can refuse it all - if I decide to go for a VBAC I'm insisting on intermittent monitoring, no candula (the thing in your hand) and I prefer to avoid epidural. However, they probably won't let me labour for long if baby doesn't descend into my pelvis and my first baby didn't as she was too big for my pelvis and this one is so far measuring even bigger.

Why did your induction fail? Could the reason happen again?

I'm worried about VBAC to be honest, safety of the baby more than anything else, and also ending up with a long labour and another emcs. Its a difficult choice.

surprisenumber3 · 16/01/2009 19:05

I had a lovely VBAC

Did have cannula in hand and did eventually go on a drip to speed things up as waters had broken 10 hours earlier but when I went in I was monitored, then free to walk around, have a bath etc and then monitored again, on and on like that but it was fine.

The MW just grabbed me to monitor when I was having a rest on/by the bed.

No epidural here.

Lulumama · 16/01/2009 19:07

no epidural, in fact was advised not to and research indicated an epi could slow things and make intervention more likely, and mask any scar pain

i had CFM, but encouraged to move, and no cannula

i also had a c.s after failed induction and was lot more clued up second time. and part of th problem first time was, I beleive the epidural

thisisyesterday · 16/01/2009 19:08

hi wheely, haven't had a vbac, as you know, but it sounds kind of dodgy to me.
i only say that as I know a reasonable number of people who have had them and not had CFM, several people I talk to on another forum had homebirths, so def not cfm! so it's not strictly necessary I don't think.

surely CFM if it means being strapped up and immobile is more likely to lead to intervention anyway?? and thus the higher need for epidural? whereas if you were free to labour as you wanted perhaps it would be different?

thisisyesterday · 16/01/2009 19:09

some interesting info here althoughh not specifically to your question lol

Original poster

Wheelybug · 16/01/2009 19:22

Thanks everyone -

My induction failed probably because I just wasn't ready to go into labour - I was induced at 37 weeks due to pre-eclapmsia and my dd having IUGR. There are no signs of IUGR this time round (dd was teeny from 22 weeks, this is measuring average-y) and if pre-eclampsia presents itself it will be a case of straight to c-sec.

Lulu - I was recently told that epidural slows things down (makes you wonder why they often try and convince you to have one if you are put on the syntocin drip).

Surpriseno3 - The MW did actually mention they would put a cannula in as a precaution. I guess I can live with that although she was at pains to say they really want to encourage people to ahve natural deliveries but their precaution seems to be at odds to this.

Thisisyesterday - Everyone i have spoken to at the hospital (not that many but a senior mw and a previous registrar I saw) said they didn't think I would have to be continuously monitored. This registrar agreed with this but then went on to say 'when you have an epidural'....

DH (who proved he actually listened at the active birth workshop we went to last week) said to me when he came out - that's why we need to write the birth plan and put this all in it.

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Original poster

Wheelybug · 16/01/2009 19:27

Thanks for the link Thisisyesterday -makes interesting reading.

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BirdyArms · 16/01/2009 19:48

I had a VBAC (with help from lovely marslady) and no mention was ever made of having an epidural. Like Lulu I had read the research about epidurals slowing things down and was determined not to have one.

The way I avoided CFM was to stay at home for as long as possible. I was 9cm dilated when I got to hospital and they did monitor me but by that stage I didn't care too much. I refused a canula on the basis that I was completely sure by then that I was going to push the baby out.

I had a doula for my VBAC because I wanted someone who was there for me who would help me to persuade the hospital staff that I didn't need CFM etc. I highly recommend if you think that your dh might not be great at this. The real benefit for me of having a doula was that it filled me with confidence that I could have a VBAC.

Good luck wheelybug!

Lulumama · 16/01/2009 19:56

can oyu have a doula, wheely?

i think that if you have the knowledge and the support, you can really go for it, and even if things do not go to plan, you know you gave it your best shot

Original poster

Wheelybug · 16/01/2009 19:58

Thanks Birdy - Actually I was probably a bit unfair on DH. He pretends to be not listening etc but will be v. supportive. I have seriously considered a doula but was put off spending £750 when it might end in c-sec (probably the wrong way of looking at it I know).

DH is pretty clued up by now about what I want and once I've done my birth plan he'll be even more so.

I am attending a weekly active birth yoga course which is run by someone who is very positive (actually had a HBAC) and gets you into believing it is possible !

Most of the time I believe it is although like Iwantitnow I do worry about labouring and ending in c-sec but guess you have to try !

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Original poster

Wheelybug · 16/01/2009 19:59

Have just been googling and have read some other sites where people have been told they wouldn't be allowed epidural during VBAC due to the fact it masks symptoms of scar rupture. Just shows its a lottery.....

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Lulumama · 16/01/2009 20:00

a doula can support you before, during and after a birth, whetehr c.s or VBAC

however, if DH is clued up and you feel like you have enough support, thne that is fantastic !

Original poster

Wheelybug · 16/01/2009 20:00

BTW - cross post with Lulu - I know doulas are worth their money and we could afford it if I really wanted to but it just makes you think a bit more about it.

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Lulumama · 16/01/2009 20:02

for me, i think if i had had an elective, i would have regretted forever , the not trying for a VBAC. and i would certainly not be doing what i do now! even if i had ended up with an em. c.s i would have known i had given it my all, and would have been less painful emotionally

Original poster

Wheelybug · 16/01/2009 20:04

cross post again Lulu - I guess what I mean about spending the money and it ending in c-sec is that I am still at risk of not being able to trial labour (if pre-eclampsia appears) and I feel ok about c-sec in this case. I had a v. good recovery last time and feel if I have a c-sec (particularly an elective) I do not need a doula in the same way.

(am hoping I am not offending the doula in you as I do see the benefits of having one)

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Lulumama · 16/01/2009 20:05

not at all! it is such a personal decision , there are pros and cons to it, like everyhting

Original poster

Wheelybug · 16/01/2009 20:06

Yes I agree - I think I need to try it for myself even though I have no regrets/angst about my previous c-sec as it was (probably) life saving (possibly both me and dd). However, a large part of me wants to see if I can do it and I generally feel v. positively about the whole thing except when I come across idiots well meaning doctors like the one today.

The last registrar I met 4 weeks ago was great and so I guess I just need to get hold of the shift rota and go into labour at the right time !

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thisisyesterday · 16/01/2009 20:10

you'll be fine wheely ooh i can't wait for your birth announcement!!!
i can't remember if you already told me or not but did you find out what you're having?

Original poster

Wheelybug · 16/01/2009 20:14

No we don't know Thisisyesterday. All old wives tales and just about everyone reckons its a boy but then everyone thought dd was a boy so we'll have to wait and see. Do you know what you're having ??

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EachPeachPearMum · 16/01/2009 20:30

Wheelybug- we were advised not to have epidural, as there is a risk you won't feel breakthrough pain between contractions in cases of scar rupture.

Am 39 weeks, so not tested it yet!

NewAmazingBeginning · 16/01/2009 20:33

I was being prepped for a c-section but not with an epidural. They gave me a tablet but I managed to get the baby out.

thisisyesterday · 16/01/2009 20:34

nope, have got 20 week scan next fri but have decided not to find out.
well, unless I change my mind again! lol

Jas · 16/01/2009 20:42

I had the cannula and CFM (but was fully mobile and unplugged the monitors when I needed/wanted to move further than the wires reached), which was a good balance for me, as my CS was a crash under GA, so I knew how quickly things could change, and wanted to be prepared.

I went on to have my vbac....no one suggested an epidural at all.

Good luck.

snickersnack · 16/01/2009 20:44

Rubbish...no-one ever suggested I'd need an epidural. In fact everyone was keen to persuade me not to have one.

I did agree to a canula. My veins aren't good and I didn't want them fussing if they needed to get a line in.

I had a calm and drug free VBAC. Was very cathartic.

Original poster

Wheelybug · 16/01/2009 22:10

Thanks everyone - that's really positive. I will just accept that this guy was talking out of his bottom !

I am seeing MW in two weeks and back at hospital 2 weeks after that and will no doubt see yet another registrar and I will ask about this policy to check it was just this one doctor.

Good luck EachPeach ! Will look out for details v. soon.

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