Labour with or without epidural - advice please!

[Rosebudx]

Hello everyone!

I’m due in August but I’ve been thinking a little about my birth plan.

Basically my plan is to not have a set in stone plan as I know how things can change.

However an epidural absolutely terrifies me and is the only pain relief that currently I don’t really want. I have a terrible phobia of needles, I was on a drip due to HG earlier in pregnancy and I found it really traumatising to have a cannula in (I have some sensory issues and the feeling of it was hideous and still gives me chills 12 weeks later 😣) but I’m really worried that I won’t be able to cope with the pain! It has been really difficult for me to have bloods taken and vaccines during pregnancy.

I also would quite like to use the birthing pool if possible which I know you can’t use with an epidural.

Basically my question is, will I even care about the epidural needle when I’m in labour? Is labour horrific without an epidural? I’m so scared of needles that I can never see myself not being terrified of the epidural but you never know!

This is my first so no idea what my pain tolerance is like (I’m guessing probably not great 😂).

Did any of you with a needle phobia have an epidural? Did you manage without? So many questions!

Hi, I’m terrified of needles too. With DC1 I had no pain relief (labour was quick so there was no time) but I did need a cannula for fluids as I was quite dehydrated, I didn’t even notice them putting it in! Obviously this is only my experience and everyone is different but I really was in a different place during labour and didn’t notice much going on around me!

Firstly, it is perfectly possible to give birth without an epidural and cope. Every birth is different, and you have every right to not have one if you don't want. As long as you don't want one, that's fine!!

If birthing feels unbearable to the point that you're desperate enough to want one, I think you will be able to cope with it! Believe me, you just want to get your baby out. I was terrified at the idea of a spinal injection, but ended up needing a c-section with DD2. I felt apprehensive but honestly by that point you just accept whatever is needed to bring your baby safely, and the midwives were so reassuring, it was absolutely fine next to managing contractions and anxiety about getting baby out.

The most important thing is being open to the possibility, and being prepared to change plans depending on how the birth is going. You will be fine!!

The cannula was more painful that the epidural needle!

Chat with your midwife about this so she can talk you through things? Labour pain is different for everyone, depends on pain tolerance, baby’s position, progress in labour; how well rested and hydrated you are, etc etc. I wouldn’t say it’s horrific without an epidural - but it can be extremely different from one person to the next. some things will be within your control and some not. IMO if you’re at the point of wanting an epidural you probably won’t care about a needle, you’ll be too distracted by contractions (and then by the sweet bliss of not having to feel them any more!). To try and avoid needing one, I’d recommend looking into hypnobirthing techniques, as well as a book called “birth skills” by juju sundin (I’m sure there are other similar ones people can recommend).

The cannula was more painful that the epidural needle!

Agree. That cannula was a bastard!

OP, see how you get on. If you have a quick, straightforward labour there will probably be no need for an epidural.

I never wanted one, but my labour lasted 3 days and by day 3 I had only had a handful of hours of sleep and was exhausted. The epidural was a godsend and meant I could sleep for the remaining hours of my first stage, meaning I was rested and refreshed for the pushing stage. I don't even remember the needle going in and didn't feel a thing, I was that exhausted.

Have it in your mind as an option if needed, but take the labour as it comes.

I don’t think you will care once you are in labour . Contractions hurt so much more than a needle. I didn’t have an epidural but after pushing for 2 hours I needed forceps assistance and was given a spinal ( similar needle as an epidural , maybe even the exact same 🤷‍♀️). Honestly, it was like nothing compared to contractions.

If it helps at all , even with all the pain, I thought labour was an amazing experience. I was surprised by how little I cared about things I thought I would care about . I wanted to blow dry my hair and look have decent for active labour but when early labour started I was like screw this. I thought long and hard about what I wanted to

Wear during labour but ended up wearing nothing lol 🤷‍♀️ I’m a pretty modest person when it cones to nudity but apparently when I’m in labour I don’t care in the slightest !

And the thought of a catheter for urine completely freaked me out but in the end I couldn’t care less !!

You’ve got it right at the start of your post - it’s best not to have a plan that’s too set in stone.

I had an epidural with DD1. I’m not a fan of needles but by then I was ready for it and I didn’t even see it / barely felt it. Was liquid gold and definitely right decision as it gave me a much needed rest which gave me the strength to push my baby out. Without it I’m sure I’d have been too tired.

With DD2 I didn’t have an epidural because there wasn’t enough time and it was a much more intense experience but in the end, I did it and I was glad not to have any issues getting up and about afterwards.

I don’t have a particularly high pain threshold but labour pain is unique because it comes in waves - until very close to the end, you usually have enough time to collect yourself before the next contraction which is why staying focused and calm is really important.

The thing is - anything could happen. You could have a breach baby, need a c section, be fine on gas and air...the best thing to do is chat to your midwife, stay positive and calm and reassure yourself that you can do it.

Good luck!

My labour was more long than anything else. I was due on the Sunday 30th august 2015, I was booked in for a sweep originally on the Wednesday, but I started having contractions on the Tuesday so I decided to see if things would progress naturally. They didn't so I ended up having a sweep at 3pm on the Friday (40+5).
I got to the hospital at 9 that evening, was in the birth centre by 10.30, had my waters broken around 2am, then gave birth at 6.58am the Saturday morning (40+6).
It didn't hurt or feel uncomfortable at all and it did help move things along (the head wasn't fully engaged so things wouldn't have progressed on their own).
If I’m honest I was more physically exhausted after 4 days and nights of contractions. I think if I hadn’t been so tired I would have dealt with it better.
For pain relief I had my tens machine as long as possible, it really helped me. I started using it at home after my sweep, then took it off to go to hospital. I put it back on when I was settled in the birth centre. I also used the birth ball to try to get my waters to break which helped with pain. The birth pool was amazing, I loved being in there and would have stayed in longer and even given birth in there. But the midwife could see I was struggling and needed to rest before I had to deliver. So I had a pethadine injection so I could rest. It really helped.
I tried a bit of gas and air but it gave me a bad headache and made me feel sick so I didn’t want it. And I knew I didn’t want an epidural. I wanted as natural a birth as possible, minimal drugs.
I did tear from involuntary pushing and had stitches after. It wasn’t that bad though.
As I say for me personally it was more how long it went on than the pain. Good luck.

I have a needle phobia too. Struggled through all the blood tests and vaccines during pregnancy as well. I asked for an epidural in my first labour (didn't get one as was too far along) and I'm pretty sure the fact I needed a needle in my back didn't even register when I was asking for it. But soon after I was begging for it I got in the pool and had some gas and air and that was enough to get me through! Breathing, TENS machine and birthing pool got me through my second labour without pain relief.
I had a bad tear with my first and needed a spinal block to repair it. Agree with above, the cannula in the hand was worse than injections in the back! That was my biggest fear of giving birth actually, needing a cannula!

I was terrified of my first epidural, but once it was in I was wondering why on earth I had been worried.

Agree the cannula is much worse! That's the worst part of labour for me.

They do a small local injection at the site of the epidural, which is a small scratch, nothing more.

The epidural line going in feels like someone pressing firmly on your back, it's not a sharp pain.

Then you get a cold trickling feeling as they start the epidural itself.

They remove the needle so it's just a thin tube in your back.

It's honestly nothing to worry about. So see how you go and leave it as a possible option.

As PP said, you might not even feel you need one.

Just to add my 2p worth, I was adamant I was having an natural water birth and no pain relief, but ended up with g&a, oramorph and an epidural and quite a not so lovely birth but I had a whale of a time and thoroughly enjoyed it. Much more than I think I would have if I'd stuck with my birth plan! Would definitely opt for an epidural again if we decided on DC2. The needle didnt really feel like anything amongst the contractions

I wanted an epidural and was begging for one
..but there was no anaesthetist available to perform it....and by the time there was someone available, it was too late to have one. So, completely agree that you shouldn't overly plan!

However, I do think that if it comes to it, you will overcome your needle fear and the need for pain relief will take over!

Wear during labour but ended up wearing nothing lol 🤷‍♀️ I’m a pretty modest person when it cones to nudity but apparently when I’m in labour I don’t care in the slightest !

And the thought of a catheter for urine completely freaked me out but in the end I couldn’t care less !!

I could have written this!! I ended up with a catheter, epidural, forceps, and it was all fine despite being terrified of the thought of them all!

Also, you don't get a medal for doing it without drugs. I had diamorphine, and hated it, well, it made me feel so spaced out and drink I didn't care about anytjing anymore and I think it slowed my labour as I lay down. I'd go straight for an epidural next time!

I refused advance consent for an epidural, even for a c section (in the USA they made me sign a zillion consent forms just in case). I knew I didn't want pain relief and it was just fine without it, my tip is a birthing ball to rock on and lots of distraction eg I did crosswords! I've had 2 natural births now, only time it hurt was when they asked me to lay on the bed briefly.

I had an epidural with my first, because of induction, and longish labour. I didn't feel or see the needle.

For second labour, a bit of gas and air. I much preferred the second labour to the first, it was more natural, and I was more in control. I didn't actually like the feeling of the epidural, yes it takes the pain away, but also control, and I do like to be in control !! However, I also don't like alcohol or strong pain killers for the same reasons, so I am perhaps a bit odd like that.

Don’t they put a cannula in for everyone- awful things.

Anyway I didn’t have an epidural for my first labour, just gas and air. I better bloody have one for my second coming up, I can’t handle that pain again, I just can’t. It was better when I was ignorant about what was coming.

You probably won't need one! Induction makes it more likely :)

Honestly check out hypnobirthing. The name is misleading to a lot of people. It's so helpful.

I have no fear of needles, and have a very high pain threshold. I have given birth both with and without an epidural. The labour with the epidural was a breeze. The non epidural labours were difficult and very painful, more pain than I’ve ever felt, but you forget the pain as soon as your baby is born.