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Original poster

is anyone else just writing EPIDURAL in their birth plan?

45 replies

ithoughtofitfirst · 25/08/2014 22:12

I did it with gas and air in water last time and i don't want to do it again. After much thought. I get the impression that unless you're very firm they will try and talk you out of it. I am not joking, i really don't want to do it without pain relief again, especially since my fanjo and asshole are in tatters with prolapsed blood vessels/fanjo piles/regular piles atm (tmi sorry)

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BiggerYellowTaxi · 25/08/2014 22:22

I don't know. I had a terrible first birth and I promised myself I'd have an epidural for the second if it got too painful. I asked for an epidural a good few times but was put off. It was fine in the end but I can't believe that my midwife literally just ignored my requests, no talking me out if it or discussing it she just made excuses about having to examine me and I wasn't due to be examined again for 3 hours blah, blah, blah. I told her to just examine me but then I had another contraction and got distracted. So I think yes, if you really want one you have to go in asking for it.

Original poster

ithoughtofitfirst · 25/08/2014 22:26

Cheers bigger they're really naughty for not listening!! I asked for one last time.. she just straight up said no lol

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2kidsintow · 25/08/2014 22:28

I asked for one the second time round and was also told no. Apparently I was too far gone and they didn't have the time to call the anaesthetist etc.

VeryLittleGravitasIndeed · 25/08/2014 22:32

Apparently it's RCM guidelines - This thread might help if you want to argue your case. Best to have the chat with the midwives beforehand and get it in your notes, not just your birth plan.

Original poster

ithoughtofitfirst · 25/08/2014 22:42

Flippin 'eck... thanks for the link thats genuinely terrifying

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VeryLittleGravitasIndeed · 25/08/2014 22:44

I know
It's quite medieval really, insisting that birth is "better" without pain relief.

Original poster

ithoughtofitfirst · 26/08/2014 12:24

Saw my consultant today and he basically said 'you don't need one so why would you want to?' ... cause it fucking hurt last time that's why!

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NigellasPeeler · 26/08/2014 12:27

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RedPony · 26/08/2014 12:34

Ds is only 7 weeks so I won't be writing a birth plan for a while yet but when I do i will have epidural written on it. I wanted one last time but they kept stalling and stalling and then Ds shot out so it was too late!

Portlypenguin · 26/08/2014 12:34

I believe i wrote 'epidural and all other possible drugs' !!! My epidural was fabulous, no ill effects.

WhyNotSmile · 26/08/2014 12:45

I had an epidural - it was great! Other than getting it done, which was hard because you have to stay really still, and that's not that easy when you're having contractions! But it didn't hurt being done, and it gave me relief straight away (anaesthetist said it would take 6/7 contractions before it kicked in, but it didn't!). I could move quite easily, and once it wore off I was fine. Would definitely request one next time! Made the whole process very calm and relaxed, as I wasn't in pain.

JacktheLab · 26/08/2014 13:13

I had an epidural, was very clear that I wanted one and let my midwife know that, was written into notes too.

She actually suggested doing it sooner than I would have asked for one and it made a huge difference.

I think the main issue might be getting one soon enough, I wasn't in really bad pain and only a couple of cms dilated do maybe that helped?

It's your body and your baby so be firm with your wishes, I'm 17 weeks now and I'll be having another epidural, any doctor or midwife telling me that giving birth without one would be better will receive a few choice words!

Reiltin · 26/08/2014 13:18

I did. Best decision I've ever made. Go for it!

Droflove · 26/08/2014 13:25

I had one, it was fantastic and did exactly what it should. But it also led to forceps. So this time (I'm 39+3) im going to do my best to go without. Last time I had horrific 3 min contractions for 10 hrs before I was dilated enough to have it and by then I had had enough so I stand by my decision. This time I will get one if I really need it but I am hoping things will be faster and I will manage without it.i would urge people to aim not to get one but if you need it, you need it!

ohthegoats · 26/08/2014 13:36

I asked three different people about epidurals last week at the hospital. My question was 'are mobile epidurals available here?'

Midwife: evaded the question, went on about how bad they are and how if I really needed one for a C-section, I could 'just have a GA'. Genuinely sounded like she was saying a GA is better than an epidural. Went on and on about forceps and ventouse probabilities.

Consultant No 1: epidurals are ace, I had three, I'm a strong advocate. Be aware that you'll lose sensation in your legs, and be confined to a bed. Higher chance of instrumental delivery though. Still didn't really answer my question with a yes or no, but kinda worked out it was a no.

Obstetrician: avoid an epidural, you want to be as mobile as possible and not on your back, still no answer on whether mobile epidurals are even available.

FFS, just answer the question... why wouldn't I have one if they are available? Best all round option. Next appointment not until 38 weeks, at which point I'll definitely be pushing for a proper answer. If they are, it'll be on my birth plan.

Original poster

ithoughtofitfirst · 26/08/2014 13:39

Thanks ladies. I'm torn now because i can see that i didn't need one because (once i was in established labour) it was quick on straightforward and everyone says how well i coped. But from my pov i just go really quiet when i'm scared and in pain so outwardly probably looked like a trooper but inside i was terrified and it felt really traumatic. Also they don't listen when i tell them i had stop start contractions for three days and had had the grand total of eff all sleep in 72 hours. I was so tired when it was time to push that when ds came out i'd kind of passed caring about the euphoria of holding my baby for the first time. I was just like 'get him off me i'm in pain' actually.

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Heels99 · 26/08/2014 13:40

What nonsense about epidurals! I had one, I just sat on the edge of the bed I didn't have to roll up and my back was fine. Was fab experience. Pain totally went, bliss. Yes you have to lie down but I would rather lie down pain free than be able to move around in agony.

hollie84 · 26/08/2014 13:43

If I have a 3rd baby my birth plan will just say EPIDURAL!

I did have an epidural with the first 2, both at about 8cm. With the 2nd I was worried I would run out of time but they were both very long labours. Sounds like I was fairly lucky that once I requested it the medical staff did their best to get me one.

I might not need an epidural as in I won't die without one, but maybe I do need it for my mental health? Why shouldn't I have a positive birth experience?

SarcyMare · 26/08/2014 13:49

I had one ten mins after the hormone drip was inserted.
I just sat on the bed, had a small prick in the back, then went to sleep on my side.
I had one for my second, also just after the hormone drip had been inserted.
I had forceps for first, but honestly so what i had a couple of stiches deary deary me.

Couldn't recommend them enough.

redglasses · 26/08/2014 14:00

I asked for epidural several times politely (48 hours in labour in total) the midwife managed to put it off for about 3-4 hours until I was in so much pain I cried at her 'I want epidural NOW!!' From what I can remember my DH then had a word with her and from there the decision to do an epidural (and then C-section) was made pretty quickly.
I just wish I was more assertive right from the start.

RiverTam · 26/08/2014 14:07

goodness, as soon as I said I wanted an epidural (after a long early labour at home, then having to be induced as it stopped but waters had broken, then about 5 hours using TENS and gas and air) the midwife was on the phone to the anaesthetist! I just sat on the side of the bed too. My back is fucked but then it was pretty fucked anyway, don't know if I can blame the epidural. And it allowed me to sleep, something that I hadn't done for over 48 hours by that point. DD was ventoused out in the end but that was because she was tired, I could have carried on pushing for ages (had done 2 hours by that point!).

bauhausfan · 26/08/2014 14:08

I was induced and INSISTED upon having an epidural before going up to the labour ward to get the drip thing. I sat very still when having it inserted as my aunt had an epidural which was inserted incorrectly and had terrible back pain as a result - anyway it didn't hurt and the epidural was powerful enough that I went to sleep in labour :) It was eventually the right choice as I needed a section anyway. Oh and my back is fine and always has been.

I do think it is utterly wicked of midwives to deny pain relief to women who are asking for it. I would see it as a feminist issue.

hollie84 · 26/08/2014 14:10

Agree with your last point bauhaus. Pain relief should absolutely be a right.

Zara8 · 26/08/2014 14:12

Yes.

Inserting was easy. Had to hunch over but I had G&A to suck on to help with the pain. Learnt from watching OBEM that you have to sit VERY still. All I felt was the pinprick as the anaesthetist gave me local anaesthetic. Was all done and set up in minutes. Went from terror to calm as the drugs began to take effect. I have such immense gratitude to the anaesthetist and the midwife that collared him before he went in to do a c-section.

I plan to ask for one immediately when I arrive at hospital. Not "please can I have one", I mean "I WANT AN EPIDURAL IMMEDIATELY" and keep asking for it. I have a TENS machine and will use g&a too, but they are my stop gap until the anaesthetist shows up.

Mobile epidurals not available at my hospital (too busy). Will ask midwife to tilt up bed more this time, to make pushing easier.

I have been told by community midwives that if I want one I need to come to hospital as soon as I have any pains (quick labour last time). As a second time mum they didn't even bother trying to con me with the "see how you cope at home/without it" stuff . They asked me what I thought about pain relief this time and I just said "epidural, end of story" and they chuckled and said "fair enough!"

One of my main worries is NOT getting an epidural this time due to too fast labour/anaesthetist not being available BUT I am allaying my fears with the fact that my hospital has an 80% epidural rate :D

Zara8 · 26/08/2014 14:14

DH is under instructions to ask for a second opinion/new midwife if they try and fob me off

Have had no back pain or anything due to epidural. Had the shakes while it was in effect initially, but this is common, I understand.

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