To have epidural or not to have?

Angeldelight21 · 2021-10-30T08:46:24+00:00

My pain threshold is pretty high and I always had a bad back so was wondering if I should skip the epidural. What is your opinion/experience on this?

Topseyt · 30/10/2021 09:48

Keep an open mind and see how things pan out on the day.

Childbirth is unpredictable. Nobody can say how it will be for you.

pinkpineapple86 · 30/10/2021 09:53

I know some people say you can have back problems afterwards but this hasn't been my experience. I've always suffered from bad backs before my daughter was born. Trapped nerves / aching etc. I've been no worse since I had an epidural.

Once I had my epidural I was completely pain free but did have to have an assisted delivery (ventouse). Other than that it went perfectly. I do appreciate everyone has a different experience.

I'm mulling over whether I will have another one for my baby due in February. I'd like to go without so I can go home quicker but... I'm also worried if I don't put it on my birth plan they won't take me seriously if I ask for one when needed in labour.

pinkpineapple86 · 30/10/2021 09:54

Just to add... I have an incredibly low pin threshold and I'm such a wimp with any pain!

dailydreamin · 30/10/2021 09:55

I had no choice as my hospital didn't offer epidurals. Decision made 🤣

Thehogfatherstolemycurry · 30/10/2021 09:55

In my experience (3 children) you aren't offered one as a matter of course, it's if you need one or not. See how it goes on the day.

Goneblank38 · 30/10/2021 09:58

Just see how you go on the day. It's impossible to know how you'll feel until you're in the midst of it. I had an epidural with one of my deliveries and it saved me I think. I was in so much pain I couldn't go on. After epidural, I didn't feel any pain but did feel pressure so knew when to push. I felt really strong for that last stretch and it was a really positive experience. Good luck!

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 30/10/2021 09:58

Wait and see on the day. Think about your pain relief ladder and where you want to be on that? Eg bath. Paracetamol. Gas and Air. Movement. Diamorphine. Epidural. All effective pain relief in varying forms.

I thought I didn’t want one. Towards end of labour struggled. Asked for one. Only had gas and air so far. When midwife checked it was too late baby was born an hour later.

PuertoPollensa · 30/10/2021 10:03

Research the side effects of epidurals on both mother and baby. And the higher chance of interventions for women that do choose epidural. With all the information to hand you can then make a fully informed decision that will be right for you. Though you can always change your mind on the day

RobinPenguins · 30/10/2021 10:07

@Thehogfatherstolemycurry

In my experience (3 children) you aren't offered one as a matter of course, it's if you need one or not. See how it goes on the day.

Yes, it’s definitely not a default position in the way I think it can be in some countries. I felt I had to argue quite hard to get one when I needed it.

That said, if I was being induced and on the syntocinon drip again I’d want an epidural lined up to start at the same time. That situation bears virtually no resemblance to non-augmented contractions in a labour that’s started of its own accord.

Hirewiredays · 30/10/2021 10:09

I have a slipped disc and faucet issues in my lower back. I have had two epidural and no problem. I was advised not to have one for my first but I regret that and have since had two.

ByGrabtharsHammerWhatASavings · 30/10/2021 10:10

I had an epidural with my first and unmedicated with my second. It's hard to give a clear answer because the labours were very different. On the one hand my first required an induction, progressed very slowly, and was back to back. After about 4 hours I was begging for an epidural. My second by contrast went from first cramps to in my arms in about 2 hours, she virtually flew out, I hardly got to the MLU in time. I'd planned a water birth but she arrived before the tub finished filling. So on the face of it I "needed" an epidural with my first but not with my second. On the other hand I had several complications from my epidural. I reacted badly to it and had a high temp meaning I was kept in hospital for a week while they investigated me for sepsis. My baby was also born with a temp and needed a lumbar puncture. It was really traualmatic. I also needed an assisted delivery which may or may not have been a result of the epidural. With my second birth we went home about an hour after she was born and I was out at the park with my toddler a day after that. Basically my uneducated birth was miles better but its really hard to say if that was due to the medication or other factors. If I had my first again I think I'd still take the epidural, but if I had a third I'd want to have another unmedicated labour. It hurt but it wasn't unbearable and my pain threshold is pretty average.

Thehogfatherstolemycurry · 30/10/2021 11:15

:07RobinPenguins

Thehogfatherstolemycurry

In my experience (3 children) you aren't offered one as a matter of course, it's if you need one or not. See how it goes on the day.

Yes, it’s definitely not a default position in the way I think it can be in some countries. I felt I had to argue quite hard to get one when I needed it.

That said, if I was being induced and on the syntocinon drip again I’d want an epidural lined up to start at the same time. That situation bears virtually no resemblance to non-augmented contractions in a labour that’s started of its own accord.

absolutely agree Robinpenguins.
My first was induced and on the drip, had epidural gladly. Second and third not induced and epidural not needed, I don't think it can be planned out in advance effectively for most regular births.

countbackfromten · 30/10/2021 15:19

There is some excellent new research out that shows that epidurals were no associated with any immediate or longer term adverse outcomes for babies jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2785568?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social_jamajno&utm_term=5831729271&utm_campaign=article_alert&linkId=137792154

As for the impacts on mum, we know just how safe they are and as anaesthetists were tell you the risks before you have one so you can give informed consent. @Angeldelight21 there is an excellent resource www.labourpains.com/home which will give you a huge amount of really good information to help you make the decision.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 30/10/2021 15:39

no matter how much you want it you won't get it unless between 2--3 cm dilated or under 8cm dilated. you might be 6cm dilated when you arrive at the hospital and 5 mins later you are fully dilated and ready to push.

no matter how much you think you won't need it if it's your first you have no idea what labour is like, how bad your pain will be and for how long, even if labour starts spontaneously & progresses naturally.

if you are induced you will almost certainly be begging for very soon because the pain due to synthetic hormones is excruciating. and imagine at that point you are only 3cms dilated and have 12 hours of hell ahead of you. or more.
(you forget all the pain once baby is born - my arse)

Because of history of back pain I understand you are concerned.
The best thing is to keep an open mind and if you find yourself in need of pethidine or an epidural please know it's not a fail.

there are no medals given for having a pain relief free birth. I wasn't given one with DS3!🤣

I had epidural with 5 of mine....mmmm, bliss!
(DS4 was ELSC)

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 30/10/2021 15:43

To add. I was induced abs didn’t have an epidural. It was too late when I asked. But everyone’s different and you don’t know how you will be x

User527294627 · 30/10/2021 18:03

I would see how you feel. For me, it was amazing. I consider myself to have a high pain tolerance too, but the epidural turned my experience from a relentless, agonising grind into a calm, relaxed, joyful experience.

You may find you don’t need or want it. But you would be mad not to if you’re struggling with the pain. Suffering is not an essential part of the birth experience; it doesn’t need to happen.

WoMandalorian · 30/10/2021 18:24

I had 2 births with epidurals and one without, however I have endometriosis and I'm not sure whether this made labour more painful than it might be otherwise. My period pains are so bad I can't breathe or move so for me, not having the epidural was a mistake. Thank goodness it was my 3rd so only 10 minutes pushing 😅
If it's your first I'd see how you go on the day as you should have plenty of time to consider your pain relief.

Laureatus · 30/10/2021 23:22

I had always said I was happy to use whatever pain relief I felt was needed/advised. We used the BRAIN method of asking questions whenever given advice. I laboured with just hypnobirthing techniques and no pain relief for 20hrs when I had gas and air (it was actually the midwife examinations which broke me, contractions were fine!) and by a little over 24hrs had got to 9cms when my baby's heart rate went up and my contractions reduced. I was recommended to have the syntocinon drip to speed things up due to baby's distress, and to have epidural at the same time in case serious intervention was needed. I had it and in the end needed both von teuss and forceps to deliver baby art 27.5hrs, including episiotomy. I wouldn't hesitate to do the same again.

CShandy01 · 31/10/2021 21:58

My advice would be...be flexible!! I was adamant I wasn't going to have an epidural because I have a huge phobia of needles. However, when your contractions are happening 3 times in 10 minutes (2 of them are 30 seconds apart so not much relief between them) and you dilate 0.5 cm in 10 hours, an epidural is rather appealing. I ended up having one because DD's heart beat kept decreasing and they needed to get her out ASAP, so I was given syntocinin. I realised then I had reached my peak, and I was exhausted. Got the epidural, and thank GOD I did (I won't go into detail what happened next as don't want to frighten anyone!)

You will know what is right for you at the time. Just listen to your body, it knows what it's doing! 🙂🙂

Holskey · 01/11/2021 00:04

Open mind as pps have said. I didn't think I would (after all, my mother and sister coped, and I have a decent pain threshold!) But I was induced at 35 weeks and literally didn't think I could bear the pain. You might be fine without it, but if you need it, take it.

Megan2018 · 01/11/2021 00:08

I really, really, really wanted one. It was my only certainty!

Alas it was September and very busy. I progressed too quickly, so didn’t get one as they decided it was too late.

It was pretty bloody awful at the time but I guess I am glad I didn’t get it.
But I’d still probably want one if I did it again (I’m not though).

CurryandSnuggle · 01/11/2021 08:22

I had one, my labour went on for 34 hours and the epidural allowed me to get some sleep!

Sailor2009 · 01/11/2021 08:56

As PP said just be flexible about it. I was induced and offered an epidural multiple times which I turned down. I was open to having one if the pain got too bad but I never felt I needed it. If it had been as painful as some labours I've seen described on here i would have had the epidural without a seconds hesitation.

SpiceRat · 01/11/2021 09:39

if you are induced you will almost certainly be begging for very soon because the pain due to synthetic hormones is excruciating. and imagine at that point you are only 3cms dilated and have 12 hours of hell ahead of you. or more.
I can confirm this. I was adamant I didn’t want an epidural but about 10 minutes after being put on the hormone drip and several contractions later I was BEGGING for one. I was shaking with the pain and the relief was virtually instant. However I didn’t have 12 hours just 3 after being induced, midwives were panicking I was progressing so quickly and said I would never have survived without the epidural lol. No forceps or anything needed. Small tear but quick delivery too.

Definitely keep an open mind as others have said and do your research before hand. The Labour pains website PP posted is a great site.