epidural or not?!

[LimesMum]

Looking to see if anyone can advise me on having an epidural.

With my first baby I had a very long labour, used tens and gas and air and water bath but eventually gave up and asked for an epidural. I was 8cms by this stage and the epidural wasn't sited correctly they then said it was too late to try another one so I had to do without.

I can't say it was a very positive experience and I'm actually completely terrified of giving birth again!!

I'm wondering whether to have an epidural this time? Should I have it much earlier on? Also how do you know when to push and are you more likely to tear??

Anyone with any experiences positive or negative i would appreciate your advice!

Thanks

You can only have an epidural during certain stages of your labour. I am sure someone will be along who knows for certain but I think it is 4cm to 7cm dilated. Your midwife will tell you when to push and I think the only reason you are more likely to tear is the fact that you have to lie on your back to give birth, instead of a more gravity assisting position. Lots and lots of women have epidurals and don't tear though. Lots and lots of women don't have epidurals and do tear.

You can have an epidural at any stage (well it does need some time to kick in, so maybe not reasonable if you're already crowning). As I've heard, MW's love to use the 'too early ..oops, but now it's too late' line though.

Check if your hospital offers mobile epidurals. I have been praising mine on MN numerous times,honestly the best thing ever. I was fully mobile, walking around, could feel the pushing just fine, gave birth standing up, small tear only that gave me no trouble. But was in no pain. Can you imagine going from 4 to 10 cm, all while happily walking around, reading a book and chatting to the MW? Fabulous.

I had an epidural first time after a very long labour that wasn't progressing and needing the drip to help me dilate. I was 3cm after over 40 hours of constant contractions, drop went in, epidural went in, slept like a baby for a good few hours woke up because I had an overwhelming urge to push and was 10cm! Unfortunately I did need an episiotomy and forceps delivery and I have put this down to being on my back so I have opted out of one for now (nearly 39 weeks) but I wouldn't be again st it if I couldn't take anymore and certainly don't see it as giving up!

Katharina will definitely be asking the midwife about a mobile epidural tomorrow at my appointment!

I had a spinal, so not quite the same, but the pain relief was excellent. I'd do it OP

I had an epidural and I loved it I did end up needing a episiotomy and forceps in the end as baby was back to back I got it when I was around 5cm dilated in the end I am delighted I got it and would recommend it.

I had an epidural but wouldn't want one again. Worked well but want to avoid any increase in risk for instrumental and other interventions.

You can have one once in established labour and up until the point the baby is coming. Obviously if you are pushing it's unlikely to work effectively and unsafe to do it.

Always bare in mind that you may have to wait for availability of an anaesthetist.. There is often only one covering delivery suite including high dependency and theatres.
And 99% of midwives don't physically stand in the way of you having an epidural, they may discourage for a variety of reasons, and encourage you to try other forms of pain relief/positions but there is no it's too early and oops now it's too late on purpose... Sometimes it is too early to have an epidural when women request it.

Good luck with whatever you choose OP