Epidural

[Flossie333]

Hi ladies, I wanted to ask any Mothers out there who have previously had an epidural, and what their experience was like? I'm still pretty open/not decided on what I want to do (aware that of course may not go to plan at all) and so thought it may be useful to get some input from real people rather than just info online/in books. Totally aware that everyone will have had different experiences, but just trying to educate myself as much as poss on the options 😊. Thank you! Xxxxx

I had one for my forceps delivery, it was fine. Only downside was really bad itching for a couple of days afterwards but I think that’s quite rare.

I had one, i didn't know that you can have (I can't remember the name for it) ones that mean you're relatively mobile - I was able to walk to the toilet with mine (ended up with EMCS so cant comment on the actual delivery!)

Would completely have one again if I were to have another baby.

Following as I’m wondering about this too, I may be having a c section but if not it will be induction and so I’d be interested in an epidural I think, as I don’t deal well with pain and I’m hoping it would take away a lot of the most awful pain during labour...

I had one and it was the most amazing thing. Slept as I went from 3cm to fully dilated. They halved the dose when I was pushing so i could feel contractions but only a bit - felt like mild period pains.

I went into labour with an open mind as to how I would proceed and it was after my waters were broken that I asked for an epidural. Best decision ever.

A friend of mine is an OBGYN consultant and put it best: you don't win any prizes for not having an epidural. She had one for her baby.

I had one for DC1. I'd been in active labour for around 18 hours by then and had only progressed from 5cm dilated to 8cm. It was lovely to have a break from the pain! My labours for DC2 and DC3 were much shorter so I didn't need one.

I was planning on not having one, mainly due to my worries of complications and also because I was planning on having a water birth.

Well, the water birth got shelved due to me bleeding and when the time came to have the epidural, I was so happy to have it! I doubt know if they gave me a low dose or if I just wasn't overly affected by it, but I could still feel the contractions (not painful though) so knew when to push. I could also feel the doctor stitching up my episiotomy afterwards! But the relief from the pain was great and I would have another if I needed it.

I kept an open mind about whether to have one or not and then I felt I needed one so I got one. It was amazing. I wanted to marry the anaesthetist afterwards!! It was a game changer. I would now always recommend getting one if you feel you need one.

Mine was great at the time, though it took a long time to put in.
I was left with a debilitating headache for a week afterwards.

I wouldn’t have another one TBH, but I did have a spinal with my second csection and that was a dream.

Loved mine and would likely get again.
Though it didnt work 100% I wouldnt say I was in pain.
Procedure itself was quick and the anesthesiologist must do so many he was very blasé about the whole thing.

I said no epidural until I had my first contraction after I was induced , I changed my mind and so glad I did !

For those who have had epidurals previously, what was it like when they were putting it in? Did that bit hurt?

I didn't want one with DS, but ended up in theatre with forceps so did get one in the end, I don't even remember getting it done, just the feeling when it kicked in, so much relief!!! I didn't have any side effects after.

If I have another baby I'll be having an epidural, I've heard it before, and a PP has said this too, but you don't get a medal for a drug free birth!!!

Mine was fantastic, no side effects, could still walk to the toilet etc and having been in crippling pain for 3 days previously (back to back baby) it was pure bliss. I ended up with a c section for various reasons after forceps and Von Tous attempts.

I had epidural with each of my 3 induced births.

I found it fantastic, hence the reason I kept going back for it!

You have to stay still when they are putting it in and it feels cold when they are inserting it if I remember. I had no after effects.

It was glorious! They give you a small needle to numb the area before trying to put the epidural in. It was hard trying to stay still during contractions but once it was in and working... Bliss

@Racoonworld no I didn't feel it being put in.

@Racoonworld they give you local anaesthetic so you don't feel the actual epidural needle going in. It's painless!

I was open to whatever was necessary to get DS safely into the world. My ideal was a pool birth but pre eclampsia put and end to that! I had diamorphine as soon as physically possible after my waters broke (was induced) and then an epidural once I was on delivery suite. It wasn't strong enough and I was huffing away on gas and air with each contraction so I had two doses of fentanyl between the epidural being given and DS actually arriving. Even then I could still feel the contractions but it didn't hurt.

If I ever have another baby I'll be having an epidural asap if I can't have a water birth. Couldn't recommend it enough

I honestly didn’t feel a thing when the needle went in. I was lucky in that it started working straight away. Just the dream.

I had one and it only worked on one side. Bloody thing so when i had my emcs i had to have a spinal anyway.

The insertion of the needle was awful for me - I has an inexperienced anaesthetist who took a loooong time. I think in the end we had to wait for another one to come on shift. It felt like a long time having to pretend I wasn’t having contractions.

It was such a carve up that I got an epidural headache and when it came to have a blood patch to fix it I got so scared of someone poking around my spine again my BP shot up and I had to spend ANOTHER night in hospital!

I’m not against them in principle, I don’t believe women should suffer in labour unnecessarily, just be aware the consequences can be very real.

I had one with 2nd baby. My labour was a bit of a disaster - I was examined by a junior midwife and encouraged to push at 8cm! Anyway, I demanded the epidural. Consultant examined me and put me on a syntocin drip and (despite her misgivings) I dilated fully. From the moment the epidural went in my whole experience changed. I still knew when it was time to push and my 9lb baby was delivered easily. It was a very positive experience. I had been wary of them as I was concerned at increasing my risk of failure to progress but since I was already failing to progress it was fantastic! I was up and about and in the shower within an hour of baby being born too.

I didn’t have one for 3rd baby as that labour was fast and furious but I wouldn’t rule it out in the future.

For some daft reason I really didn't want one. My god I swear that thing saved my life! I went from 4cm to 10 within an hour on the drip, the pain was so intense I actually thought I was dying I practically begged for one. It was a god send. I ended up having an emergency c section but that's because baby was back to back. Good luck

I'm open to having one again after my first experience. I went into labour Friday night and didn't have my son until Sunday. I used gas and air and pethidene before the epidural and after that I was more relaxed and felt I could carry on as I was so tired. I'm not great with needles either but by that point they could have done anything to me, I just cracked on with it. You don't see anything cos it's all going on behind you so that helped. I ended up having forceps and loads of stitches etc. So it definitely helped!

I'd say go in with an open mind, your plan for birth may be different to the baby's plan! And everyone's goal is to make sure the delivery is safe for you and the baby. If you feel you need pain relief ask for it x

I had one, loved it, no downsides. I always felt that being in pain needlessly just for the sake of wanting to suffer was stupid, so it suited me. I'm fine with anyones choices but I hate mothers who think that they deserve a medal for being in pain and having a baby.

I had an epidural in the end.
I was adament I didn't want one in the beginning, but I had back contractions and I couldn't stand it.
I had 4 hours of contractions, and after 4 hours everything stopped. I was being induced, so waters had broken by midwife.

I had to go on the drip and midwife said id have something stupid like 6 contractions a minute.
Was already exhausted as I had been in hospital from Wednesday and only Had water's broken on the Saturday morning.

Ended up having an epidural, although it failed at first, I have a disc bulge so I think he may have placed it differently?
Ended up with the anaesthetist coming back and giving me one of those top ups where i pressed the button for pain relief.
It worked eventually, and had aboit 2 hours of peace with no pain at all before it was time to push, no pain in pushing, no ring of fire, it was bliss in the end!
He was out in 26mins!