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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Possible induction, without epidural

16 replies

Grimbles · 11/09/2018 08:19

So, it's early days but I want to gather as much info before my next appointment.

I am 18 weeks pg with no. 2 due to many factors I am classed as high risk, (which was the case with pg1). The short story is that I can't have an epidural but have been told that I won't be allowed to go over my due date and will be induced if that looks to be likely.

So, I made the mistake of looking up about inductions and how painful it can be and now I'm considering requesting an elcs, but if they can't give me an epidural then I can't have a elcs either. I am seriously frightened now!

Any advice, ideas etc for me to raise with the mw?

OP posts:

Girlwiththearabstrap · 11/09/2018 08:24

Ask what kind of pain relief you'd be able to have. And closer to the time look up positions you can adopt to speed things up. there are also different kinds of induction and as far as I'm aware only the drip has the reputation of being more painful. I've been induced with the drip with a back to back baby without an epidural. I did have continuous monitoring but could still move around and only ended up using a bit of gas and air at the end.

Sassy80 · 11/09/2018 08:25

I was induced with both my pregnancies. 1st 10 days over, opted for an epidural and ended up with a very long labour resulting in forceps delivery.

2nd pregnancy I tried to avoid an induction but baby was far too comfortable at 16 days over! This time round however I was determined to avoid an epidural and took hypnobirthing classes. It worked a treat and I only needed gas and air. Once the induction got going I was only contracting for 2 hours, 2nd babies are generally very quick,

Good luck xx

Bubblemumma1 · 11/09/2018 08:29

I was induced with my first with Propess. It ended up being a fast labour and I didn’t need pain-relief. It was a water birth and the warm water helped. You’ll have other pain relief options available. Good luck to you!

Girlwiththearabstrap · 11/09/2018 08:29

Yeah that's true, if you're induced with a second chances are they can just break your waters to kick start things. And if they do use the drip it's likely to be extremely quick.

1sttimeDD · 11/09/2018 08:33

I was induced with my first due to preeclampsia. I had 24 hour pessary then hormone drip and did not have an epidural - used gas and air throughout.

FishesThatFly · 11/09/2018 08:37

I'm also not allowed an epidural due to medical issues and if l needed a section it would be a GA as a spinal and epidural have the same effect.

I was induced on due date with both mine.

I had pesseries and then the drip.

First labour was 8.5hrs. 2nd was 2.5hrs.

I had a TENS machine and entenox only.

Original poster

Grimbles · 11/09/2018 10:51

Cheers guys. My first question will be what method of induction is likely and the next will be about pain relief.

Last time round was oromorph, which although good left me really groggy and affected my ability to push so I'm not too keen if that's the only other option to an epidural!

OP posts:

Nettymummy · 11/09/2018 12:05

I was induced but all they did was break my waters. I didn't have gel or any drips. They broke my water and then I marched up and down stairs for what felt like hours to get my contractions going. It worked and I gave birth about 7 hours after waters being broken.
They threatened that they would need to give me a drip if I didn't have strong enough contractions. It was the motivation I needed to keep moving.
If you've a drip, I think you are fairly immobile and it will be harder to manage pain with birthing balls, hip rotations, etc.
I also had gas and air for the last hour when it got intense. It did help. What about a tens machine, is that an option for you?

Sushirolls · 12/09/2018 13:20

Hi @Grimbles my DD is also not allowed to have an epidural and has her induction booked as DGS is now 4 days overdue.

DD has been given the option of a different painkiller which begins with an R (sorry can't remember the name). My DD's only other choices are G&A as she can't have pethidine either 😢

Good luck x

SinkGirl · 12/09/2018 13:23

Probably remifentanyl

SinkGirl · 12/09/2018 13:23

(Or maybe not if she can’t have pethidine)

flumpybear · 12/09/2018 13:28

Are you able to have a spinal block?

Sushirolls · 12/09/2018 15:00

I think that is it @SinkGirl but that worries me now if it's not allowed, if pethidine isn't :/ It's one you control yourself?!

cindersrella · 12/09/2018 15:10

To put your mind at rest I have had both of my children through inductions (small babies that stop growing) I had one at 9 months and one at 8+2 months. I had Gas and air with both of mine. I actually liked been induced as I knew what was happening and when plus when around and abouts I would be having them. I only needed the gel and sweeps, I never got to needing a drip etc so I think I got off quite lightly too

TheCag · 12/09/2018 15:17

There’s lots of good advice here on pain relief, I’m sure you have some good options even without epidural.

Fwiw I was induced with dc1, had a long labour and did fine just with gas & air and Tens. I spent most of that labour sat on a birth ball too.

SinkGirl · 12/09/2018 15:53

Pethidine and remifentanyl are both opioids but there may be a medical reason why she can have one and not the other, I’m not familiar enough with the differences. Remifentanil is much more effective from what I hear, I remember my midwife saying that she doesn’t really understand why pethidine is given at all anymore when there are much more effective opioids / opiates.

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