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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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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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Thurlow · 26/08/2014 14:16

If you want one, go for it. Mine was bliss. It was a mobile epidural as well, which was nice - I could definitely move my legs, and I think if I had needed the loo or something I could have got there with someone to help.

I have to say, I was on the labour ward when I hit 4cm and I said straight away "that's it, I want an epidural" and they immediately called down to get the anesthetist to meet me in the delivery room. No questioning, no arguing, no double checking. No problems afterwards either. The only problem I had was I was it incredibly painful to sit still while it was being put in, but purely because the position didn't agree with my contractions. Worth ten minutes of that though to get complete pain relief.

BalloonSlayer · 26/08/2014 14:24

"oh and your back is fucked for the rest of your life."

I have never had a single back problem after my 3 epidurals (CSections)

heymammy · 26/08/2014 14:29

That's exactly what I wrote on my birth plan for dc2, in capital letters . The midwives had a giggle and tbh I have never been talked out of or deterred from having an epidural (I've had two), maybe policy is different in scotland/glasgow.

However, with dc3 I arrived at the hospital practically giving birth so obv no time for an epidural and blow me it was much much better in terms of recovery. Within a couple of hours I was up having a shower (which was bliss).

I think (hope) if you make it clear that you are nervous due to past experience, they should take you seriously.

LadyFlashHeart · 26/08/2014 14:40

The thought of being denied, or there not be resources available for, an epidural is like a nightmare to me!

It just seems to have happened too often to women I know. Although I admire them so much for their strength and for finding a way to deal with the pain, I am furious on their behalf for being put in that position. If anyone prevented me from having one I would rain hell on them!

LadyFlashHeart · 26/08/2014 14:40

The thought of being denied, or there not be resources available for, an epidural is like a nightmare to me!

peppapigonaloop · 26/08/2014 15:15

I had epidural a with both of mine and my 3rd birth plan will definitely have epidural written all over it! I had no issues with my back after either (actually never heard of that happening at all??)
I HATE the way women are made to feel as if they have to endure the agony of childbirth because it is the best way..what a load of bollocks! What they should be doing is finding a way to give birth, with no pain and none of the issues surrounding the epidural..
So naughty that midwives just ignore requests, I will be raising merry hell if that happens to me!!

magichandles · 26/08/2014 15:24

3rd baby here, and I am going on the warpath with regards to an epidural. Things moved too fast with DC2 for me to have one (they broke my waters at 3-4 cm) and I can still remember whimpering to the MW "I'm not going to get my epidural, am I?"

I've done two births on just gas and air and while I got through I would very much prefer to have an epidural next time. As a PP said, my DH is under strict instructions to get on the case! I'm more than likely to be induced and hooked up to all sorts of shit anyway, so I may as well have the epidural as well!

HazleNutt · 26/08/2014 16:23

he basically said 'you don't need one" - WTF? So he can just tell that by looking at you? what is he, some kind of a clairvoyant?

rallytog1 · 26/08/2014 16:27

Carrying a baby is more likely to "fuck your back" than an epidural is!

hollie84 · 26/08/2014 16:43

The only issue I had with getting an epidural really was staffing - I think because both my babies were born at night. I had a wait a while because their was only one anaesthetist and they were dealing with an emergency.

My back is also fine. And I just had to sit still and breathe on the gas to get it sited.

s88 · 26/08/2014 16:45

I did and got it both times . first dc I had it after I had got to 5cm . second I was being induced and had it before they had even broken my waters !

Pregnantagain7 · 26/08/2014 16:47

My birth plan is exactly that, epidural ASAP. This is my fourth baby I gave birth the first time without one, second and third had an epidural was amazing no problems getting it in, no ill effects afterwards, was up and about 20 mins after delivery, could feel my legs all the way through, no intervention, no stitches, last baby was 10lb 8 no difficulties pushing him out, could feel when to push but just pressure no pain.

My only concern is that there won't be time as it's my fourth but plan on strongly insisting.

s88 · 26/08/2014 16:50

Also just to add , as it has been commented about not being able to move your legs etc .

I had an epidural 6 months ago and also 5 years ago . Both times I had to sit UP on the edge of the bed . lean over with a pillow on my front to have the epidural. I could loft my legs fully after having it and was able to walk 30 minutes after having both dc

Taura · 26/08/2014 17:40

Had a chat with an Obs anaesthetist last Friday who talked me through all the options.

Full epidural - numb legs, confined to bed. Needs to be topped up as it wears off (go find midwife)
Mobile epidural - 75% dose, less relief but you can move around and that helps too.
Patient controlled epidural - as (1) but you have a button you can push to top up the drug when you feel it wearing off.

You can also switch between options, so you can start with a mobile, then switch to PCEA when you basically run out of energy to walk around. Assuming you can find the relevant anaesthetist...

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 26/08/2014 17:42

I wanted one, it was the first thing in my birth plan.

Unfortunately I couldn't have one as there was only room available on the mw led side of the labour ward where they couldn't do epidurals. So I had to give birth with just G&A, which after a long long labour was exhausting and painful.

The other thing is the anaesthetist has to be available to do it.

PicandMinx · 26/08/2014 17:46

MW will, IME, go out of their way to talk women out of having an epidural. If you want one, you have to be very assertive and keep overcoming all the excuses that they come up with - "it's too early", "it's too late", etc. make sure your birthing partner knows your wishes and is strong enough to stand up to any "bullying" MW or HCP.

Droflove · 26/08/2014 18:07

I wouldn't underestimate how horrific forceps are. They are also not without risk to baby. I was pulled down the bed by the forceps, it was barbaric and the recovery was tough, I had a lot of pain for weeks. My husband who has a strong constitution still gets upset about them as he found it very distressing to watch. This is one reason why if I can, I want to avoid an epidural.

weebairn · 26/08/2014 18:15

My mate had two quick labours and wanted an epidural both times.

MIdwife: But you're 9cm!!

My mate: EXACTLY THIS IS THE WORST BIT!

Still makes me laugh. She got them both times, she did say they were a bit pointless in retrospect, as she felt they made the pushing stage harder and recovery a bit longer, and only helped briefly with contractions before they were over. But she also reckons labour wasn't that bad, which I think SURELY must be because of the epidural!!

I did a long labour without an epidural first time so am hoping to get through a hopefully shorter one without it second time… can't say I don't have second thoughts about it / wonder why I'm bothering sometimes though...

Salene · 26/08/2014 18:15

I'm the opposite I've wrote in capitals NO EPIDURALS or spinals

If I need a C-Section then it must be by GA.

No way on this earth is anyone sticking a needle in my back, I know the risk is tiny but it does happen and women have been paralysed because of it

It's just not a risk I'm prepared to take.

Original poster

ithoughtofitfirst · 26/08/2014 19:03

Some funny replies making me giggle.

I had a scan just before i saw him and the abdominal measurement was nearly 3 weeks bigger than i actually am. Which freaked me out. I asked him about it and he was just like oh its a lovely size its what we like to see. Phew!! I thought i was going to be in the paper with a HIAWJ bebe.

I STILL WANT AN EPIDURAL THOUGH.

I just imagine it being less painful that way? And that being a good thing?? Why won't they let me?!?!?!

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