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

@Racoonworld doesn't hurt going in at all. They get you to sit on edge of bed and bend your back forwardso your kind of in a ball.
I just remember concentrating on a butterfly that was on my bag.
I was so scared, didn't move an inch while it was going in.
My OH kept saying to me 'you ok' while I was staring not blinking or moving lol!

I’ve had epidurals for both of my deliveries. With the first my waters had gone before labour started, so when contractions did start they became very intense very quickly, and there wasn’t really any break between them. They offered an epidural even though I was only 1cm dilated and, even though I’d been hoping to do without it, I took it straight away. The relief was instant and complete, and turned the rest of the labour into such a relaxed and positive experience. It didn’t slow things down for me at all, and I was fully dilated within six hours. I did have a prolonged second stage, and maybe that wouldn’t have been the case if I didn’t have the epidural, but baby was 9lb 3oz and back-to-back, so there were other factors at play as well. Eventually delivered with episiotomy and ventouse.

Second labour was quite different with slow build up of contractions, I definitely coped better with it but I was exhausted after missing a night’s sleep and did get the epidural when I was about 6cm. Unfortunately it only worked on one side that time - and, it turns out, intense pain on one side of your body isn’t really any easier to deal with than intense pain all over! - but the doc came back and resited it and it worked properly then. When I got to the pushing stage I was still able to feel the contractions coming and to push in a kneeling position. Needed ventouse again but, again, baby was pretty big (9lb 13oz) and head was wedged in a funny position.

I have really positive memories of both births and, with #3 due any day now, I’m open to having an epidural again if I feel I need it. Part of me is curious to know what an unmedicated delivery would feel like, especially as this will be our last baby, but if I’m really suffering I will opt for the relief. The actual process of putting it in was absolutely fine, not painful at all and it kicked in really quickly.

Sorry for the essay!

I had one, by 8cm I needed more than gas an air. Loved it.

I had one.
After 12 hours active labour I was not progressing and the pain was unimaginable.

The time it took for me to request it from the midwife to it actually being in was 7 minutes, so quick. And totally painless.

I then slept from 2cm-fully dilated. Best labour ever

Wow, thank you so much for all for your replies- so helpful and great to hear lots of positive experiences. I think even just thinking that I am happy to have one will make the run up to labour less nerve racking. Have a lovely weekend xxx

I must say I think you're going into labour with the most brilliant mindset.

Keeping your options open and not ruling anything out is the way forward.

I had one as part of my induction before the drop. 100% would have one again.

Took a while to get it in but I suspect that’s more because I’m not the smallest person going...

I slept from 3cm (00:30) until fully (5:45am) and then we let my body do some of the hard work. 21 minutes of pushing and baby was out.

I could still feel contractions and was still able to push effectively (2 worries I had). I was in control so could ‘top it up’ when I wanted. Had some ache in the area for about a week but that was it.

Mine was fine I had to have an 'early one' (8 hours in to a 22h labour) coz I'm not allowed GA and have muscle condition so they were worried that if I needed EMCS they may not have 20 mins for epidural or spinal to take effect so put it in earlier so they could up the dosage and take me straight to theatre if needed - I had a normal delivery and a low dose so I could still move my legs abs could feel the pressure of contractions but not pain then it wore off by time to push so I could feel when to push and could definitely feel the pain then! Only down side is that it can slow labour down I think! X

I had an epidural at 7cm. I had planned to hypnobirth in the pool at home but unfortunately baby’s position made me want to push constantly and meant that my labour was very long and slow. After trying everything else, I decided that an epidural was my only option. The anaesthetist was great, she put it in with me lying on my side, between contractions, really fast! Many epidurals have a small amount of continuous mix and then a patient controlled top up button. I didn’t use my top up button at all as I wanted to be mobile and didn’t mind being uncomfortable, just needed to take the edge off. It worked really well for me. I ended up with a cesarean and they converted it to a spinal before surgery.