Wait...why aren't we all having epidurals as standard?

[HeidiHole]

This is probably a really stupid question but I can't help wondering.

I'm (almost) 36 weeks and have been doing my hypnotherapy CD and planning my water birth. However I suppose with the birth looming I'm getting more nervous and wondering how I'll cope with the pain.

On One Born Every Minute I've seen a few ladies opt for an epidural. Then they're all calm, they seem to nap a bit, drowsy and then someone wakes them up, tells them to push and the baby is out! over-simplified

I wouldn't go for a tooth extraction and play the hero and say no no it's OK deep breathing will do me, you can save your anesthetic in the gum for someone else. So why am I doing this with probably the most painful thing I'll ever experience?

Am I missing something? I've read that epidurals are extremely safe (obviously nothing has zero risk but if I was going for an operation/dental procedure etc i'd accept the risk and have the pain relief as would everyone else!)

I had an epidural with both births. First one was fantastic. Didn't feel a thing, managed to have a little sleep, felt so in control. It was amazing and I remember it all.

Second birth it didn't work. All I got was pins and needles in my bum. I had to lie flat on my back using the gas and air. I felt so out of it. I was crying with the loss of control and pain. I felt like I was having blackouts and don't remember a lot of it. I struggled to get the energy to push. I wish I hadn't bothered with the epidural just so I could move about. I really wanted a water birth but had to be monitored.

I can't imagine anything more horrifying than someone sticking a huge needle into my spine.

Being paralysed and unable to escape- I get an anxiety attack just thinking about it.

I even had on my birth plan that if I needed a c section I would only consent to general anathesia.

Worse thing about them is the peeing in a bag business but would never rule one out. If done properly you can still push. I was induced, back to back, horrific labour and made it to 8cms then pretty much turned into a mentalist till they gave me one. Had I had better care I may not have needed One but i dont regret it at all. You do what you need to do, wish id had it earlier. I'd rather something that numbs you than something that sedates you. I would rather not have one again but will ask PDQ if I think necessary. As a rule unless drugs affect the baby I wouldn't rule out anything. To be honest I would have taken anything they offered me in the end though but hope to be better prepared second time round. Do whatever works for you but if done properly an epidural is your friend. Just not the peeing in a bag bit.

I'm keeping an open mind - I think that's all anybody can do when it comes to labour. I just want to do whatever is best for me and the baby and am fully aware that circumstances can vary wildly for each birth.

Oh, forgot to mention that for about 6 years after I had the epidural I also used to get a weird, throbbing pain in my back at the place where the needle went in. I've no idea why. The anaesthetist explained I might get side effects for 6 months but I never expected 6 years!

Anyway, I don't get them any more but something else to bear in mind.