How many of you had an epidural after saying you wouldn't?

[katykuns]

I am not asking this to encourage people to begin a rant over the pro's and con's... but basically, I am on consultant led care (high BMI) and am having an anaesthetic review on the 26th April.
I have always been quite 'big' but had my daughter (now 5) before my weight got worse and I had a very easy pregnancy and a pretty straightforward birth (just gas & air).
I want to say to the anaesthesiologist (sp?) that I really don't want an epidural anyway, but am a bit afraid that I may get 10 mins in and be begging for one
How many of you decided against an epidural and didn't have one? and how many of you got into labour and thought 'sod this, get me an epidural!'? lol

its all a dreadful myth child birth is total pot luck, a few lucky women love it - take to it - have quick labours with no probs.

I said to my DH its like me saying to a group of lads, here's 100 quid, torture my DH " bits" and I will call you at " some point" to tell you when to stop.

YES you get a baby but to me getting that baby out as quickly and safely as possible - is the best outcome.

Also if you want one, I would really pin down the staff at the hospital on how they give them out

I did loads of research, before, carefully chose epidural - esp after last consultation with community midwife - got to hosp - i wasnt dilated enough, then it wasnt the right time, then later on i was too far gone!!!!!!!

all a complete rubbish lie. fobbed off.

from what i have read on here you are lucky to even get one.

ElizaRegina, I like your analogy to your DH
I did not want an epidural, especailly as I had been told (NCT) it would slow down labour, and as soon as I got on the gas & air, despite the pain would have happily gone on labouring all night. However, the midwife old me I was not progressing and if I needed one I had to have it now as the aneasthetist was going off duty soon (good old NHS ). When I said about slowing down labour, she said it was a myth. So I was basically bullied into it, and stil feel angry 12 years later...

fhdl34 - thankfully I will have my partner to take with me... going on what the consultants have been like, I am fully prepared for someone to make me feel like the devil for having a weight problem! I have had absolutely no problems, great blood pressure... accepted being a pin cushion and had a glucose test that was also fine. But funnily enough I still get treated like crap :S

SpiritedWolf - They have been like that... I honestly have no faith in myself due to what they have been like... you would think I didn't already go through it once.

My midwife on the other hand... said that some of the best births she has witnessed have been 'larger ladies'. It is just all so daft.

We shall see... not sure I will contain my anger if s/he comes out with patronising rubbish :S