My Only Option For Pain Relief Is Epidural - Who Had One & Willing To Share Experience

[tigerbump]

In France there is no pain relief except an epidural. With the language barrier here I was hoping someone could talk me through exactly what happens with an epidural e.g. when needle goes in, at what point you felt you needed it, what stays in your back, how often you get drugs etc etc

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

I love them too - and there is certainly no better country in the world in which to fall ill.

thanks all. it is all very nerve racking especially with no family around us and it being my 1st.

we are booked into a normal hospital - i have private insurance so did look at the american hospital in Paris but not really an option as its a long old drive from where we are in burgundy. the hospital is only 5 years old so it did feel like a hotel, so calm and tranquil and we have a room booked overlooking the countryside! single room with ensuite wetroom. they will even let me have my iPod and speakers in the delivery suite the young midwife said "please english music not french" - which made me laugh.

i know about registering the birth, we are deciding on names now and have finding the mairie on the list of things to do on our next visit to the hospital as hubby will have to do it on his own.

i have a breastfeeding DVD from advent and bought a UK pregnancy book which I will take into Hospital with me (has pictures and information to help breastfeed). the midwife seemed happy for me to breastfeed and said they will help and make sure my boobs are o.k (presume they are referring to mastitus etc).

so does the cathetar mean no going to toilet once it's in? the midwifes were saying once I start dilating I am pretty much in the bed until delivery - did any of you who had babies in France find this? i've seen the beds and stirrups - not really bothered about that although its been giving me nightmares of the midwife dropping the baby on the floor - or falling in the plastic bag at the end of the bed which is presumably for the placenta etc.

xxx

Tiger, I was on the bed from 3cms onwards, but I had a drip in and just assumed I wasn't allowed to get up and wander with it I really don't know though, I guess if you want to walk around and manage the contractions that way try it?

Best of Luck! Did you find out the babys' sex?

claire2009 so glad you said about the weight thing. i've put on 15.5kg by 34 weeks and the Dr was outraged, really got me and hubby scared and started ordering diabetes checks etc. all my bloods and urines have come back normal, scans all showing good health and development. there are a few pregnant women around me who are french and I must say they are smaller.

Once my epidural was in, I was in bed until the delivery - though up and about quite quickly after that. As I recall the registrar came to the hospital so you probably won't have to worry about finding the Mairie. The hospital sounds lovely - I would go for the French option every time. I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time - I quite envy you. I wish I'd looked forward to it a bit more instead of being so apprehensive - wish I'd had mumsnet! Good luck.

i had to have epidural ds stuck with cord round his neck (lucky to have him)
it was done by a surgeon and i have never had any back problems after
the only pain relief in france

15.5kg is perfect! I myself had to have the diabetes checks, bloods, urines done every month, all was clear, I was just putting on weight instantly, unreal I wouldn't worry, just enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and meeting your new baby

From what I saw the French carried quite, petite like, I was more like an elephant compared

Hi just to give my 2p worth! Lived in Belgium for 10 years but had my children in England. I know people who've had their dcs in belgium though which is a fairly similar system to france as far as i know. The healthcare I experienced was fab. The hospitals always lovely and clean and they don't waste time if they think you need to see a specialist for anything (unlike here where you have to see your GP 1000 times before they believe you!). The stay in hospital is longer post birth than here but as it's your first that probably isn't a bad thing!
Referring to epidurals I had one with dd1 as I got too tired to push (i have MS) and they wanted to avoid the c section option. The anaesthetist was busy though (v much doubt you'd have that issue in France) so by the time I had it I went to 10cm as needle going in. It didn't really work I could still feel everything but the needle going in didn't hurt as they put numbing stuff on. Also had stirrups which look prehistoric but were fine actually helped. I didn't have a catheter and could get up and have a shower straight after. With dd2 I did the 3 hour labour with gas and air and pethidine at the end. G&A is luvverly- they came anywhere near me and I sucked it in!! As dd2 was 9lb I was v proud of myself that I could push and avoid epidural but oh no placenta got stuck and had to be removed in theatre. They gave me a spinal block which as far as I know is a full epidural not a mobile one (check which sort they want to give you in France) Anyway I couldn't feel anything just a tugging feeling but they did put a catheter in and I couldn't walk or move my legs or lift the baby for ages. Probably nearly 2 days- but this could also be due to blood loss don't want to scare you!! Ending this ramblethon now- If I had to have another epidural I'd want a mobile one. If (when) I have another baby I'd hope to only use gas and air. If you need help with language issues my French is pretty good and I can ask my friend who is Belgian and had both her DS's there for specific words if you get stuck. Good luck x

Haven't got time to read the other posts so not sure if it's been said already - if you do have an epidural (I did it was a relief after 20 or so hours - 10 stuck at 5cm) and you find problems pushing - get someone to put your foot on their chest. They kept telling me to push and I kept thinking 'push what?' because I'd lost most of the feeling below. Was really struggling until another MW (Ivy - will never forget her) came in the room, grabbed by foot and said 'push on that' - suddenly everything clicked and I could focus on where to push and 10 mins later dd was born...

I had an epidural - it was fantastic. Pain horrible, gas and air not much good then epidural in and I slept while the rest of the dilating happened (it was nighttime). The catheter was fine - kept it in for 24h and didn't have to move from the bed. Brilliant. I intend to have the same for the next one in a couple of months.

second the positive experiences - had one realtively late on in second stage -it was fantastic as was having high blood pressure vomiting etc and it sorted that . Sorted the pain but had enough sensation to manage to push dd out. I ended up with a ventouse delivery and had an epistomy (apologies for spelling after long day) and assisted third stage so actually epidural would have been required anyway.

re pushing I had a mw helping squeeze my hand when she could see contractions coming so I pushed at right time but actually you cold still feel the twitches.

Re needles etc that was not a problem - apart from making sure timed it between contractions but doctor was fine about that as done it many times before.

Would have one earlier for next one -in fact its the only part of my birth plan that I would put down.

good luck - and am fascinated that stories re doctors etc going on about weight indicate that its not an urban myth (have home in france and did get some funny looks at end of my pregnancy as I was what I'd consider normal for term but clearly in france its classed as hippo size).

and re catheter it really wasn't an issue.

poppy34 you should see the looks i get in the supermarket, even though at that time I had 8 weeks to go you should see the panic on peoples faces as if I was going to 'drop down' and have the baby in the aisles! i consider myself a normal for a pregnant brit , the locals think I am carrying a small 'charolais' (cow!).

Tigerbump,I had the same, and when they asked how long I had left and I told them 10-11wks I got "Oh la vache!"

Claire2009, based on your comment it seems i am right in the french humour is very limited LOL!!!

Oh dear Claire and tiger- but this is a country that makes interville prime time viewing in 2009.the look of pity on the model who lives next door and had her baby about six months before me had to be seen to be believed.