Talk to me about epidurals...

[Skiptonlass]

Right. Getting to the point where I need to think about birth plans.( I have a low placenta so it's possible they'll just do a cs anyway, but if it does move I would quite like a vaginal birth.) I also know that the best laid plans, etc, and if it doesn't work out I'll go with what's medically needed.

So, would you recommend an epidural or not? What are the advantages and disadvantages from your point of view?

I'm not hippy or crunchy - I have no desire to feel pain for the sake of it, but... I do like to be in control, and I don't like the thought of being unable to feel parts of me, of being strapped to monitors or of having a drip in, or of increased intervention risk.

Thoughts?

base on my own experience and that of my friends - when they work properly, they're fabulous. I didn't know that they often don't - about 1 in 8 cases, as I've since read. So I personally ended up with induced, back to back baby and epidural that didn't do a thing except that I was hooked up to all possible tubes and wires, so could not even move around as I wanted.

So if yours does nothing either, tell them to do it again!

I had 3 epidurals, one with each baby. I have to say the relief they gave was amazing. I went from maximum pain to zero pain. My midwife even suggested I have a bit of a nap during one labour as it was overnight and she would wake me when it was time to push (!) but I couldn't because the adrenaline was flying. Yes you have to have a catheter during the labour but I really didn't care about that, dignity is well and truly a thing of the past by that stage anyway. I would steer clear of petah dine or any opiate based pain relief as it really distorts your sense of reality, I had it for another reason and was literally off my head in an unpleasant way. I couldn't stop my eyeballs rolling back. Epidurals only kill the pain, you are still alert and aware and can have the dose reduced to feel the pressure of each contraction.

I've had one both times. The first time I should have had it earlier. That's my only regret.

Great invention , was alert & fully aware of what was going on, minus the pain. You don't get a medal for enduring out of your mind pain. Pain is also very tiring and would rather save my energy for first few days with new born.

I did a hypnobirthing course and practised my breathing lots. I wanted an active labour and a birthing pool but kept my options (and mind) open. In the end I had a back to back baby so none of my prep and breathing helped me with the terrible pain and an epidural and being monitored on the bed was What I ended up with! The epidural was absolutely incredible. If I could marry that epidural I would. I nearly proposed to the anaesthetist . I had to have a catheter (totally fine!) but the epidural worked instantly. My husband slept for ages in the corner while I watched a film and farted (is it a side effect because you have no control there? No idea but of course I was mortified!). Once I was fully dilated the sat me up (to let gravity do its job and bring the baby down further). I felt that crazy pressure and need to poo (sorry tmi) and then they got me pushing. It was a bit weird pushing without being able to feel much but they told me when to push and I just pushed like I was doing a big poo and out my baby came!! No need for forceps or any other intervention. I would definitely have an epidural again if I had another baby but I would ask if I could have a mobile one because they sound better. Good luck!!

I didn't bother with a birth plan, my pregnancies were high risk and the treatment plan could have quickly changed, luckily it went smoothly. The labours were overseen by my consultant so I chose to be guided by him, I know that is not the usual way a labour is managed. I knew what I would like, ie, an epidural, and I didn't want pethidine but that was really it!

Epidural was fine. Just to say I would bother with a virth plan even though some are saying don't bother. IME it was read carefully and though my birth didn't go at all to plan I had been quite general and put in things I wanted that I felt could be respected. For example I asked for DH to tell me the sex of the baby and for delayed chord clamping. Even though I had a EMCS at the end of a long and complex induction it felt good that I was still allowed these small areas of control and that ju wishes were respected as far as was possible.

It also meant when my wishes were not able to be followed (eg I did not want an epidural- silly girl!) staff were very good at explaining why interventions were needed and I still felt in control as I understood why things had to happen.