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

Original poster

Epidural experiences please

38 replies

Jesskir89 · 09/03/2020 14:30

I'm 38 plus 2 today and my mind is in overdrive, I've got a sweep Thursday and if it fails will be induced on my due date as I've got GD. I've put in my birth plan no epidural as I've heard you're more at risk of needing a c section but after watching OBEM I'm wondering am I being daft? Any experiences you're willing to share please? Thanks

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Ticklemeelmo · 09/03/2020 14:40

I had an epidural and it was the best thing ever. Gas and air and pethadin did nothing in terms of pain relief for me personally. I did end up on a hormone drip during my labour as I was very overdue so think it was necessary as it can make your contractions stronger.

I did end up with an emergency Caesarean section in the end, however I didn't find it bad- the recovery after was difficult but procedure itself was fine. I'd say my labour felt under control from the moment the epidural kicked in, and I say that having wanted and planned for a water birth in a birth centre. I was worried about lasting damage to my back or spine from an epidural beforehand but don't have any.

Original poster
Jesskir89 · 09/03/2020 14:44

@ticklemeelmo thank you for sharing your experience and I know I'm probably being mard just the thought of a section is making me so anxious, also I think of the recovery as my dh is self employed so is only having a week off work with me. I'm glad your experience went well and it's reassuring to hear :)

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SpaceDinosaur · 09/03/2020 14:50

GOOD LORD WOMAN TURN OFF OBEM!!!

They have a disproportionately high number of "dramatic" births because drama sells!

I was induced. (Pre eclampsia) and I had a wonderful labour and delivery with no pain medication or interventions.
My experience would have made CRAP TV. I was silent, went into myself and my husband was calm and chilled.

Whereas the people who scream and shout? They make the program.

Stop watching OBEM.

Uhhmingandahhing · 09/03/2020 14:52

I had an epidural with my first, it was amazing! Ended up with instrument delivery, but baby was stuck. If I hadn’t have had the epidural already placed then I’d have been straight to GA c section as baby was properly stuck! I had a long and exhausting first labour and the epidural allowed me to sleep which meant I could push better when needed. Second time around labour was only 3hrs long, delivered only on gas and air. Don’t regret the epidural for a second. I did have a sore, bruised back for a week or so though.

mamasiz · 09/03/2020 14:52

I had an epidural as gas and air and pethidine just weren’t doing anything for the pain. It slowed my labour down considerably (30 hours in total) and my baby was delivered by forceps with episiotomy as I was fully dilated, he was becoming stressed and I’d pushed for an hour unsuccessfully. He had a little tiny bruise on his ear but was otherwise right as rain. He’s 2 now 😊

user1480880826 · 09/03/2020 14:53

Epidurals are amazing. If I were you I would ask for one the moment you need one. Don’t delay.

The epidural can slow contractions but if you’re being induced anyway then they can just up the dose via your drip and it won’t have any impact.

Best thing I ever did.

Eropsawlkasd23455 · 09/03/2020 14:54

I didn’t have an epidural with either but wish I had. I didn’t want an assisted birth with my first so declined one , low and behold I ended up in theatre with a spinal and forceps.

2nd I went in and was 7cm, midwife said oh it will a quick one... 6 hours later of total agony she came. Then I ended up in theatre anyway after she arrived with a PP hemorrage and a fully retained placenta that needed manually removing so still had to
Have a spinal.

Keep your options open, until your there you won’t know what your pain threshold is like

GrumpyHoonMain · 09/03/2020 14:56

I had a vaginal birth with an epidural. Needed forceps to turn his head when his heart faltered but I was able to feel enough to push him out very quickly. My recovery was fine afterwards. You need to remember that just because you don’t have an epidural doesn’t mean you won’t have a c-section - a number of my NCT colleagues were put under GA as there wasn’t enough time. They said no to an epidural which ironically would have allowed them to stay awake during the c-section and breastfeed as it’s just topped up. It took them longer to get everything sorted from recovery to breastfeeding.

Original poster
Jesskir89 · 09/03/2020 14:59

@spacedinosaur that made me chuckle I know I shouldn't be watching but trying to prepare myself lol. Thank you all for sharing its my first so I'm just over thinking everything atm and appreciate hearing others experiences :)

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PopcornAndWine · 09/03/2020 15:00

I had one - before I got it I was in so much pain and within 20 minutes of getting it I was sat up chatting away to DH and the midwives - best decision ever! But some people do manage fine without them of course - my sister did for example.

Original poster
Jesskir89 · 09/03/2020 15:02

@GrumpyHoonMain that's a good point I hadn't thought of about potential GA thank you

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Ticklemeelmo · 09/03/2020 15:04

@Jesskir89 good luck, sure you will do great! I hated the idea of a medicalised birth before, I'd say the best idea is to just see how you feel at the time and keep your options open if you feel you need more pain relief. It's all so worth it either way to get your baby at the end :)

Original poster
Jesskir89 · 09/03/2020 15:07

@ticklemeelmo thanks again :) I need to keep thinking of the positive outcome at the end.

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Nat6999 · 09/03/2020 15:14

Don't rule one out, I had an induction due to pre eclampsia, within 5 minutes of having my waters broken I had full blown contractions, no break in between, I had to wait 3 hours for an epidural. Had I known that the contractions would start so soon i would have refused to let them break my waters before an epidural. I had to have emcs 48 hours later but ds was back to back & never moved down.

rosettesforjill · 09/03/2020 15:19

First baby I was induced and the midwife recommended an epidural, so I put my "order" in with the anaesthetist straight away. It was amazing (I slept through a large part of labour while on the drip!). I did end up with an instrumental delivery but I think induction itself leads to increased further intervention so not necessarily related to the epidural itself.

Second baby was home birth on two paracetamol, TENS and water, spontaneous labour and much quicker and easier. However, this may have been because it was a second labour rather than anything else!

troppibambini · 09/03/2020 15:20

I've had four dc
First one without an epidural three with.
Try not to drive yourself mad making decisions now. Go in with an open mind and just know that if you need it it's there.
Personally I loved my epidurals in fact with my fourth I told them I wasn't giving birth til it was in place I may have been slightly high on gas and airGrin

Original poster
Jesskir89 · 09/03/2020 15:20

@Nat6999 thank you another thing I'd not considered was them breaking your waters first, you've all given me a lot to think about :)

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Bol87 · 09/03/2020 15:21

Loved mine. Would 100% have again if I was having a planned section this time (baby is breech).

I always advocate to go into labour with an open mind. Don’t rule things out on your birth plan. Labour is a weird experience & you've no idea how you’ll handle the pain. Turns out I didn’t handle it well at all and gas & air just made me sick. The epidural was fantastic.

Remain open minded. You could battle through without an epidural & still need an emergency section.. it’s luck of the draw!

xJune88 · 09/03/2020 15:23

First baby, induction on the drip got to 5cm and then needed an epidural, it wasnt nowhere near as bad as I thought having it put in they spray something and I literally didnt feel anything but a weird sensation tickling my back but inside. Was amazing for about an hour but unfortunately worn off on me even with top ups. Ended up having a spinal and a csection but only because I did 2 hours pushing after getting to 10cm and baby needed to come out. Would still recommend it though nothing helped but epidural when the pain really hit

fee1234 · 09/03/2020 15:26

My epidural was amazing, I could have cried with the relief it gave me. Didn't feel a single thing!

20 weeks with baby #2 and will be requesting one without a doubt

Spied · 09/03/2020 15:33

Both my DC were induced (growth issues)
Requested epidurals both times.
I couldn't have done it without.
Could still feel what was going on but it was all manageable.
I, personally was up walking around after an hour.
Worst part was getting the needle in whilst having to sit still during contractions.

CC12x · 09/03/2020 15:37

I had an epidural with my son ( he's 11 now) and I'm so glad I did as he was 10lb 5oz! Doing it all over again as I'm 7 weeks and will be requesting one Grin good luck

thismeansnothing · 09/03/2020 15:40

Dont want to scare monger but just cos you have an epidural in place doesn't mean you can stay awake during a section if that's the delivery you need to have. I had an epidural with my first, needed a crash section but had to have a GA.

Go in with an open mind. Things can change and can change quick. Things can be textbook and go perfectly to plan. You just don't know how it's going to go, so yerr. Open mind and don't be too fixed on a set plan.

Dieu · 09/03/2020 15:43

I had an epidural with all 3 of mine (vaginal births). It made it as blissful as birth could possibly be!

Original poster
Jesskir89 · 09/03/2020 16:00

Overwhelmed by the responses thank you ladies. Definitely been an eye opener from each one of you :) I won't be ruling anything out, I know how unpredictable birth can be. Reasurring to hear so many positives too

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