Epidural experiences please?

[mumworkstudywine]

I'm due my second baby at the end of the year. With my first, I went meds free and regretted it as I felt completely out of control. I would ideally like an epidural this time but I'm scared that I'll need a catheter. Please share your epidural experiences, good and bad!

I had an epidural because I had a c section. The pain just stopped and it was a blessed relief. Suddenly birth became a civilised experience. I had a catheter overnight and it really wasn’t a problem, I didn’t even know I had one until they took it out.

Utter heaven. Totally civilised and pain free!

And the catheter was fine. They took it out about an hour after birth when I felt I could stand for a shower.

Had an epidural after 30 hours of labouring, was the best thing ever! Catheter stayed in for 12 hours or so but then I was home within 24 hours of birth. Would have one again in an instant

Ugh I had a shocker. Went in to be induced, failed twice so had an epidural alongside the syntocinon drip. That failed too so had a section in the end.

Epidural was fine - hurt a bit going in but over in seconds. Took about 15 mins to work and had no pain at all. Didn't make me feel spaced out and I felt in complete control. Good luck!

I've read so many posts from ladies who had back pain after the epidural. I want to have it but is scares me. 🤷‍♀️

I had an epidural the minute I arrived at hospital with my first. In the first few hours, you can still move/walk to the toilet. My labour was long (26 hours) so after a few hours and a few top ups of the epidural drug, I couldn't walk anymore so a catheter was inserted. You can't feel anything and it just feels a bit strange when they take it out.
My next 2 were c sections so spinal tap and catheters as well. Again, no issues. They take it out pretty quickly once you're back on your feet.

I had one! Was induced on the drip at 9pm and by 4am, I was begging for one 🙈. It was amazing, I even had a little snooze. No back pain afterwards either X

I had a catheter after a c section it's no biggy... Maybe even nice that you don't have to get up to pee when you're so tired 🤣

I had to have a catheter when I was nearly ready to push with DD1, apparently my bladder was so full it was causing a problem but I just couldn't do a wee... I don't remember even feeling it go in to be honest. I also ended up having an epidural after I couldn't push her out (she was back to back) and all I remember is the feeling of absolute bliss as the agonising pain in my back finally stopped after 24 hours... had no problems afterwards so for me it was a good experience. I didn't have either epidural or catheter for DD2, totally different labour and didn't need them.

Have had 2 - resulted in me Looking back at my births with fondness.

I didn’t find them sore being administered and no back pain after. Had catheter but genuinely didn’t know it was there and again no pain in removal.

With DC2 I arrived 8cm dilated and didn’t think I’d be allowed one but I was no problem.

Best thing ever. All 3 times. One emergency c-section after 44 hours failure to progress and needed the drip. One at 5cm and exhausted and in a lot of pain and the final one at 6cm in utter dying agony. I was lucky to get an anaesthetist when I wanted one each time. No complications other than very low blood pressure the last time and no subsequent back pain that wasn't cause by bad hips after pregnancy. I'd be scared to have another baby in case I didn't get one again. The relief was the most amazing feeling ever and for the last 2 births I was able to participate and actually enjoy them.

Oh and I loved the catheter, no getting up to pee every half an hour and having the feeling I hadn't drained my bladder totally when moving around was utter agony.

Mine didnt work. Apparently im one of the 0. What ever % that it doesnt work for them.

Just incase you have your heart set on it. Id also look at other pain relief as a back up just incase.

Sorry for the silly question and naivety but is the catheter inserted when having the epidural? 🤦‍♀️🙆‍♀️

Its an absolute dream! After 30 hours of labour they did the epidural then I had a good sleep until it was time to push! Didn't have any issues with the catheter!

I was freaked out by the idea of the catheter but it was absolutely fine, I didn’t even notice I had it once DS was born. I was too excited and too much in love! (Had a spinal for an emergency CS but it’s basically the same.)

I had one, don't remember any pain with it going in but I was pretty out of it, knocked my canula out and covered myself and the anesthesist in blood 🤦🏼‍♀️
It was great though got to say, been in labour probably about 16 hours and finally could relax. Could still feel the contractions but not the pain, just the tightenings and some pressure, also could feel my legs, i thought they'd go completely dead. I don't remember having the catheter put in or taken out.

I have NOT had an epidural but I have watched one be put in! My friend had one when she had her little boy and due to the sterile environment we had to stand as far away as possible which was right behind! It looked terrifying and she struggled to keep still And then after she went through all of it the epidural failed anyway so she had no pain relief and a catheter!

My first labour was horrendous because my midwife was shit and I was on my back! My second labour was fantastic because I learnt all about breathing through contractions and I had a brilliant midwife that also told me when to breathe and I also laboured completely on a birthing ball! Any one can get through labour on gas & air if you have a good midwife to coach you through it.. I was also induced and on a hormone drip and my midwife told me most women refuse to have the hormone drip put up without an epidural first!! But even though Labour and delivery was fab after the placenta came out it all went to shit I ended up in theatre and not only did I have a catheter I had a balloon in my uterus and a vaginal pack 🤣 probably could have done with the epidural for the after birth fisting of the surgeon !

Now on the other hand my mum had 5 natural births, but when she had a hip replacement she had to have an epidural to be awake for it and she said it was amazing and would recommend it to everyone!

@DJbebe catheter goes in either just after the epidural or if you are having a natural birth and your bladder is full when the baby's head drops. This makes it impossible to push, and narrows the space for the baby, so they just pop a quick catheter in to drain it. Sounds awful , but I couldn't feel it. I had first baby with epidural and other two without. Definitely preferred the completely natural births, getting to go home immediately was wonderful and I even loved feeling the crowning.

I had one for forceps, it was fine. Only side effect I had was itching all over for a couple of days afterwards.

I wanted an epidural for definite, I was adamant, kept saying it over and over to everyone.
Didn’t get it, anaesthetist busy and then I progressed too quickly. It’s not a given you get one.
I did have a catheter briefly as my bladder was really full to help pushing as I couldn’t wee. Didn’t feel it and I only had gas and air.

I had a great birth as it turned out but if you’d told me beforehand I wouldn’t have had an epidural I’d have asked for ELCS.

Loved the epidural! No pain going in (well you are in so much pain anyway you don't notice I guess). Allowed me to have a power nap during labour which was much needed after 4 days of contractions and no sleep! Pain free last stages of labour but not too out of it that you don't know what's going on.

Hadn't realised I even had a catheter until about 12hrs later! No pain or issues with it, as others have said, better than having to get up and hobble about to pee.

My epidural was THE best thing ever!!! My birth plan for my second now only has one word..... Epidural! My only fear is not getting one for some reason.

Bloody loved it. I could have kissed the doctor when he came in to give me it. So much relief. Wonderful.