Epidurals

[anythingwithagiraffeonit]

Hi all,

please excuse my lack of info, but i'm wondering about epidurals...

When during labour would you usually get one? And then are you completely immobile? Also, how much of the pain do they actually block out, is it the contractions, and then the pushing, or do you usually push without an epidural?

Also (Sorry for sooo many questions!) Would people recommend planning to have one? What would be the plus of going through it with all that pain when you don't have to? :p I'm not against trying to do that, just wondering

Thanks! x

I had one 3 hours into induction, couldn't feel contractions but did feel pushing as allowed it wear off a little bit by then. I do think it increases intervention and had ventouse delivery but couldn't have done the next 12 hours of labour without it. I am very much a 'wait and see how it goes' but if I was ever induced again I would have epidural before syntocin drip came anywhere near me!

I had an epidural also and was very very glad of it at the time.
Had a very long labour at least 18 hours in established labour (but had been having painful contractions for nearly 24 hours prior to that, so was totally exhausted)

Labour 'stalled' at 8cm, tried everything to get it going again but to no avail, in the end had the syntocinin drip. Couldn't cope with the contractions at all after this and there was no way i could have been 'sensible' enough to listen to the midwives etc when I needed to push etc.

Had epi, no problems at the time or after. Took pain away completely, but I was still able to feel my legs (they felt very heavy though and i wouldnt have chanced walking around). They turned it down a bit for the pushing, again no pain but did feel a lot of pressure and was able to push my DS out with no assistance.

My advice is simply to see how well you feel/get on, obviously no one 'wants' any kind of anaesthetic but sometimes you 'know' it is the right thing for you.

Good luck!

Similar experience for me too. Had syntocinin drip after only dilating 4cm in 12 hours. Was in excrutiating pain for 2 hours, still no dilation, got epi - no more pain.

Eventually had c-section the next morning but I couldn't have survived so long without the epi.

I agree with Guilty, its best to see how it goes and don't feel guilty if you don't want to feel the pain.

I have had a labour with and one without and would highly recommend one. I was able to feel the contractions, and able to push with the guidance of the MW. Only had 18 sessions of pushing/ contractions and baby came out(husband was counting). I really think it helped me watching loads of birth programmes on tv because I got the nack of how to push or how not to push and that helped.

I had one after 12 hours of labour without any pain killers. It gave me a chance to relax and have a comfy sleep before I was ready to push my baby out.

I could feel the contractions, but without any pain.

It did make me immobile, but I couldn't care less after walking up and down the corridor, screaming and moaning for 12 long hours!

I tried to put myself on all fours when I was ready to push, but I couldn't. I ended up pushing my baby out lying on my back, which was more comfy for me at the time as my legs were knackered after a long labour.

I had my baby without any interventions and was able to breast feed immediately after birth. I didn't need any stitches either.

I got up and had a shower shortly after the birth all by myself.

I'd have an epidural again!

And I was planning a water birth )

This leaflet is produced by the obstetric anaesthetist association about pain relief in labour. It's got a good section about epidurals so may give you some background info to help make a decision.

You can have an epidural at any time once in established labour, unless you're ready to push, in which case it may be too dangerous; you do have to sit still. Even though the epidurals are called "mobile" in the vast majority of units you'll still be stuck in bed attached to the epidural pump and a drip. Some people get very numb legs, others don't. Some people can feel the pushing stage well, others can't and may need help, or the anaesthetist may reduce the epidural if you get too numb. If it works well (>80% of them do) you won't feel any pain in labour and only pressure sensations with pushing, but they aren't perfect or immediate.

Never had an epidural, not yet had a baby (39wks), but have put in several hundred (anaesthetist). If it helps, I'm not planning to start with one, but would definately consider it once I know how well/not I'll cope. Women do seem to have incredibly variable experiences, so may be worth keeping your options open.

As far as I know the downside of epidurals is that they tend to make further interventions more likely, such as forceps/ventouse/c-section. This is because it can slow down labour, and also as you don't feel the natural urge to push you are less likely to be able to push the baby out yourself. Also, I think you have to be monitored once you have one, so are more likely to be flat on your back on the bed and not able to move around, which is not ideal for labour as you're not getting the help from gravity! Although all that is not necessarily the case - it just makes it more likely.

I think it's best to go in with an open mind and see what happens - I only wanted gas and air and a pool, but I knew my options and was open to the idea of an epidural if I felt I needed it. In the end I was lucky and had a pretty straightforward and quick labour so didn't need any more, but I know people who've had really long labours and if that happens I think you'd have to be a saint not to need some extra help!

I had an epidural once labour was properly established (3cm dilated) and it was wonderful - all pain went away and I was able to relax. I had a mobile epidural so was able to get up and go to loo during labour, had several top ups throughout and one just before pushing. Was able to take a nap before started pushing, was so relaxed. It stopped all the pain but I felt all the contractions and was able to push - DS came out after just 20 minutes of pushing. Then got up and took a bath by myself shortly after giving birth. Would definitely have one again if I felt the need - made the whole birth experience really relaxed and almost pleasant.

I had one labour with & one without & would definately recommend one! It took the pain away completely at first but then wore off. I had a top up but it didnt really work! they said it doesnt with some people but it still just took the edge off the pain. I used gas & air again at the end & could feel the contractions to push. I didnt plan to have one but im glad I did even though I was having contractions when they put it in & I had to try & be still (not easy), they said it could take 20/30 mins to work but it was almost instant relief for me. If I have another baby Im planning to have one!

Have had 3 epi's - recommend highly! No pain just pushing sensation when baby arrived. had epi early on as was being induced and the drip really makes the contractions strong. Was relaxed and felt in control. Two labours went very easily and one ended up as a ventouse but that wasn't down to the the epidural.

I had one and want one for DC2, due soonish

I asked for one when the pain started, as estimated bvy the time I got one (1 hour later) I'd really need it....

I actually snoozed and woke up at 10cm!!

This time I'd try and turn it down so I could push it out myself

go for it!