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

Original poster

Epidural? what's the down sides? I like the thought of less pain!

139 replies

JoeMommuh · 26/09/2015 13:12

I had first birth with just gas&air and a shot of pethadine. Normal delivery, about 18 hours from losing the mucas plug to delivery - and 7 hours of proper labour i guess.

2nd birth - C-sec for reasons outside my control,decided long before labour started etc, no reason i couldn't delivery naturally 3rd time round time if baby is happy.

3rd birth - .... so whats the downside of an epidural? I know it sounds flippant but i'm picturing reading a magazine whilst i get up to 10cm instead of shouting and screaming and it's a nice fantasy!! I also have the choice of another c-sec which is also tempting... i don't enjoy pain :) have a meeting with consultant soon to discuss birth options and they might try and put my off an epidural for cost reasons, but i'm wondering what the people of mumsnet have to say about it if they've experienced it?

OP posts:
VeryPunny · 26/09/2015 13:19

I did hypnobirthing twice.

Both my labours were absolute unbelievable agony until I had epidurals. At that point tehy transformed into wonderful, positive experiences! DD was breech and was an EMCS, DS was a VBAC. No downsides for me!

mummyneedinganswers · 26/09/2015 13:20

I'm having my first baby due in November. So have no advice but I've never heard of them putting off epidurals due to cost reasons. I'm not allowed an epidural due to damaged discs and scoliosis of spine x

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 26/09/2015 13:22

One downside that comes to mind is the risk of intervention as you are likely to be hooked up to a ctg monitor. Also, you won't be able to mobilise so gravity won't be able to aid descent. This in turn would increase risk of instrumentAl delivery/emergency section and episiotomy. Those procedures would also carry their own risks. An elective c/s would be preferable to an emergency c/s.
Are you aware of your hospitals policy regarding epidural during a vbac?

pengy83 · 26/09/2015 13:23

I had an epidural with my third birth and I would never have another one! It did dull the pain but I could still feel it, I couldn't move from the bed (obvs as you can't feel your legs!) which I felt really delayed labour, I couldn't feel to push which may have been the reason why he was a ventouse birth. I couldn't have an early discharge and had to stay overnight (although this may not be a negative for some) and the worst of all, I was readmitted with an epidural headache 5 days pp and had to have a blood patch. The headache was the worst pain I have ever felt. So no, it is definitely not for me!!

Saying all that, many do have good experiences with them and like you say can read, chat and even doze their way to 10cms.

Good luck with your birth whatever you choose xx

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 26/09/2015 13:25

Have also never heard of an epidural being put off for cost reasons. Quick progression/lack of available anaesthetists/blood results not satisfactory yes, but not cost.

dragonflyinthelillies · 26/09/2015 13:25

The main issues are a longer labour and a far higher chance of intervention such as forceps or c section.

There is also a not insignificant risk of leakage of spinal fluid leading to a 'spinal headache' which is a very unpleasant thing indeed.

Plus the chance that there isn't an anaesthetist free to do one!

Perugia · 26/09/2015 13:34

I had an epidural, it was fabulous. I felt absolutely nothing.

Downside - DS got into difficulties and I ended up with EMCS

I was induced though, I've heard the contractions are more painful when you are hooked up to an artificual hormone drip to induce labour. As my midwife said to me: "Don't be a hero, you don't get a medal at the end of it"

HazleNutt · 26/09/2015 13:40

Check if your hospital does mobile epidurals.

picturing reading a magazine whilst i get up to 10cm - that's what happened in my case. Went from agony to happily chatting and reading a book - and quite importantly, walking around. They did a mobile/walking epidural and it did not affect my legs at all, I did not sit or lay down once after it was in. I walked independently, could use the toilet and also gave birth standing, no interventions. Could also feel the need to push, but it took away all the pain.

I'm done with kids, but if I would have another, I would go for the epidural again, no doubt. Was fabulous!

Runningupthathill82 · 26/09/2015 13:51

My epidural turned my DS's birth from the most horrific experience of my life into something bearable. If I have a vaginal birth again rather than a ELCS, I'll be asking for one if I feel the pain is too much.

CactusAnnie · 26/09/2015 13:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RockerMummy184 · 26/09/2015 14:06

I was induced with DS and an epidural was recommended, tried to go without but gave in in the end. After I'd had it I went from utter agony to blissful nothingness. I even managed to get a few hours sleep while I got to 10cm.
I'm being induced again today with my twins and again epidural has been recommended. I'm going to have it put in as soon as possible but no drugs administered until I absolutely need them.

Positives:

  • almost completely pain free,
  • more rest, easier to reserve energy for the important bits,
  • easier to administer full spinal in case of emergency,

Negatives:

  • no control, can't feel contractions,
  • confined to the bed,
  • catheter (not sure if this is everyone, but I had to have one),
  • very rare, but sometimes not 100% effective.

I think of you go in with an open mind you'll decide what you want/need at the time. Good luck whatever you decide. Flowers

VeryPunny · 26/09/2015 14:07

Recent evidence is NOT that epidurals cause complications - it's that births where mothers request epidurals are already more challenging and more likely to result in interventions with or without epidural.

The risks of epidural side effects I think are comparable to things like the risks of tears which you are at risk at no matter how you give birth.

VeryPunny · 26/09/2015 14:08

Sorry for the multiple posts...

With both my epidurals I could feel contractions and knew exactly when to push - they just didn't hurt. It was topped up for the CS though.

tabulahrasa · 26/09/2015 14:15

From a medical downsides POV - I remember being told it could slow down labour and there are obviously possible side effects or complications.

I've had 2 and didn't have any medical issues though, but from a practical POV.

It doesn't wear off immediately is a big one, so by the time I was ready to go up to the ward, I had to be moved by staff to another bed and as I was no longer in labour so feeling fairly normal it was a bit Blush.

It also means that even if delivery was all straightforward you can't have a quick discharge.

But the positives far outweighed those things for me.

zzzzz · 26/09/2015 14:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lljkk · 26/09/2015 14:53

Epidurals usually limit your mobility a huge amount. That's what put me off.

gamerchick · 26/09/2015 14:58

My downside was the episiotomy I got and ventouse delivery which meant a wrecked perianum so I haven't had sensation during sex for 20 years.

gamerchick · 26/09/2015 14:59

*the past

SmashleyHop · 26/09/2015 15:00

I loved all three of my epidurals and with this baby will gladly have another.

Before being able to have them I was a stressed out, crying, mess of a woman.. After I was relaxed, chatty and enjoyed the birth of our children soo much more. I could feel when I needed to push just fine- it just took the pain away that wasn't allowing me to think straight. I decided I don't have to be a martyr to do child birthing right. Some women can handle it better and need little intervention. I just needed an epidural.

Original poster
JoeMommuh · 26/09/2015 15:04

These are such helpful comments thank you. I had assumed (rather than had any knowledge) that they'd try and put me off because of cost. I just thought why wouldn't EVERYONE as standard have an epidural and the reason in my head was cost. Turns out that's not true and there can be medical downsides.

Lots to think about thanks but it does on the whole sound good.

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 26/09/2015 15:07

"Epidurals usually limit your mobility a huge amount. That's what put me off."

In fairness, they do more than limit it, lol, I couldn't move at all...but, it didn't make any difference to me because I didn't need to with the epidural working.

As in, moving about was for me about managing the pain, once that was gone, I was just lying watching TV and chatting to DP.

CerseiLannistersEyebrow · 26/09/2015 19:47

I loved my epidural. I had a long latent phase and hadn't slept in 2 days, I was losing it. I watched a film and chatted (still couldn't sleep though!) It ended in an EMCS but that was because we had an infection.

museumum · 26/09/2015 19:49

The reason I didn't want one was cause you can't use the pool due to infection risk. The pool was floaty and warm and just lovely.

PickleSarnie · 27/09/2015 22:01

I hated mine for my first labour. But, equally, couldn't have done without it. Contractions for four days and a back to back baby who was refusing to go anywhere.

I didn't like it because I felt so helpless because I couldn't move and I had started up in the nice and cosy birthcentre but ended up at the other end of the corridor in the really clinical bit and had doctors coming in and talking about me like the epidural had numbed my ears as well. Then having to have a nurse with a bucket wash me afterwards was fairly pants too.

But it did give me a few hours of relief and gave me the chance to rest a bit.

Second labour was three pushes on the living room floor after a couple of paracetamol. Was actually an enjoyable experience. But was a totally different labour.

I wouldn't rule an epidural but equally I wouldn't go into labour assuming you'll have one either. See how you feel at the time.

trixymalixy · 28/09/2015 21:33

My sister was flat on her back for 2 weeks after the epidural punctured her spinal sac. It ruined the first days with her DS and nearly put paid to her breastfeeding.