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Original poster

Epidural yes or no?

87 replies

BabyAlfie22 · 18/03/2022 16:16

Hey girls,

For my first baby ( just hit the 3rd trimester) I'm just thinking about pain relief options.

Would you get a epidural again? Have you had one before? Are you thinking of getting one ?

Negatives and positives please?

🙏

OP posts:
KatharinaRosalie · 18/03/2022 18:31

Absolutely yes. The difference was just amazing.

I liked not having one due to freedom to move about and liked being able to give birth in an upright position

I did all that with my walking epidural.

Dyra · 18/03/2022 18:39

@Nelliephant1

As a nurse, no, never, ever, ever!!!
Out of curiousity, have you ever had one?

I was initially of the same opinion as you, despite seeing literally hundreds over the years. But when it came down to it, I needed one, I had one, and now I wonder what I ever found so scary about them

EasterCheeks · 18/03/2022 19:09

No, never again. I had one with my son. I asked for it after a long labour. It was late at night and the on call anaesthesiologist arrived. He administered it, no relief at all but what had happened was that he'd done it incorrectly, I don't know the technicalities now as it was quite a few years ago but my spinal fluid was leaking. I had the worst head and neck pain I could imagine and had to lie flat for 7 days in hospital. They eventually gave me a "blood patch" where they took blood from my arm and injected into the bit the epidural is done in my back. I think it was very quick relief.
Never again.

FTEngineerM · 18/03/2022 19:10

the 3cm test....if you get to 3cm and think, actually I'm alright, this isn't so bad, you'll probably be OK without one so crack on. If you get to 3cm and think this is bloody awful I need help right now, then ask for one immediately, as it might take an hour or two for a doctor to be available to do it, so if you leave it any later than 3cm you might be desperate for one but not get one

This is the strangest thing I’ve ever read.
First time I got to 6cm and then couldn’t cope, anaesthetist met me in the room across the corridor.. 3/4 minutes after requesting one (had to finish contraction before they wheeled me over).

Second time I got to 8cm (not by choice it’s was so fucking fast) and this time I was already in labour ward because everywhere else was full and the anaesthetist was again there in a few minutes.

It can’t be luck..

gogohm · 18/03/2022 19:13

I had no pain relief with dd2, had gas with dd1. Really didn't hurt, but I had a hall to rock on rather than being stuck in bed. I would suggest listening to your body at the time, if you aren't coping especially long labours then request one but don't go in assuming you need it

JustWonderingIfYou · 18/03/2022 19:25

I wouldn't get one unless medically required like for an emergency c seco or something.

Saw some awful permanent complications caused by them in a previous job.

2 babies only gas for pushing- it was painful but you know its not going to last forever. Hypnobirthing really helped me focus and understand it was just my body working to get baby out.

Watto1 · 18/03/2022 19:32

I had the exact same experience as @eastercheeks. It was horrific. Trying to breastfeed and bond with my baby whilst suffering from the worst head and neck pain was a nightmare. No idea why I was left in pain for days until they did a blood patch. The relief afterwards was instant. If you go ahead and have the bad luck to have a dural tap, push for a blood patch asap.

Ionlydomassiveones · 18/03/2022 19:34

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

TheBirdintheCave · 18/03/2022 19:44

@Ionlydomassiveones I don’t understand this 🧐 I don’t view them as a standard part of birth at all. They’re an optional form of pain relief but I don’t think they should be touted as the primary option.

BritishDesiGirl · 18/03/2022 19:44

Yes!! Yes!! Yes!!

My baby was back to back, the gas and air were not touching the sides lt was the doctor who advised l go for the epidural as after waters broken ( by the doctor) the pain was indescribable.

I will definitely be opting for it a second time.

Twizbe · 18/03/2022 19:56

I didn't have one with either as I didn't need it.

My labours were quick and although painful not unmanageable with gas and air.

Our NCT teacher told us that there were a few time when it was advisable to have one;

  1. a c section is a realistic possibility like with a VBAC or an induction
  2. a long labour and mum needs to sleep / rest / relax in order to push
  3. the pain in clouding mum's head and she needs it gone to focus on pushing.

There are risks involved but only you know if those risks are worth taking for you.

LoganberryJam · 18/03/2022 20:01

Had a long labour with DC1 and my epidural was a massive relief!

Short labours with DC2 and DC3 so I was ok with just gas and air.

RidingMyBike · 18/03/2022 20:54

Definitely! My first didn't completely take which was awful, but a different anaesthetist resited it and after that it was amazing! It meant I could rest and sleep thru a lot of the contractions until I got to 10cm so I had energy for the pushing phase. I'd been absolutely exhausted and in agony until they did the epidural. Gas and air and pethidine didn't really make much difference.

They lighten the epidural when you're ready to push so you can feel when to push. It just isn't painful.

DramaAlpaca · 18/03/2022 20:58

I needed one with my first baby, labour was very long and I was struggling. However, it led to needing a forceps delivery as I couldn't feel to push. No regrets though, being pain free after being in labour for hours was utter bliss.

With my 2nd and 3rd babies I didn't want an epidural and didn't need one. Gas & air was enough.

madeleine85 · 18/03/2022 21:00

I said I didn't want one, then went into labour and got to the hospital, asked for one, and by the time that I followed up (an hour later) the head was almost out. In retrospect if they had been quicker with it I would have taken it, but I am glad to have done it naturally and quickly. As long as you are safe and the baby is safe, do whatever makes you happy. Good luck!

Autumn42 · 18/03/2022 21:06

I wouldn’t rule on out but would only have one if absolutely couldn’t cope without one and probably many women have them more because of fear of what’s to come rather than having needed them. I didn’t have
one in the end with any of mine as was too late when got to point of really feeling needed one with first baby and subsequent labours far easier, however glad they exist as an option e.g. complicated labours etc

Sleepyquest · 18/03/2022 21:19

I would get an epidural again and in fact, was desperate for it second time round but it was too late and baby was born 5 mins later!

It was perfect for my first baby. It would have been a long long night had I not had it. But instead, I had it and managed to snooze for a few hours before it was pushing time. Otherwise I reckon I would have been too tired and could have ended up with a c-section.

Good luck to you!

LabRat90 · 18/03/2022 21:44

Lol my epidural literally nearly killed me. Ended up having an emergency c-sec so never ever going through that again.

Honestly though, it's super rare to have that happen from what we were told and never heard any of my friends have any issue with it so genuinely believe we were just unlucky.

Pamparam · 18/03/2022 21:49

It was the right choice for me after 2 days in labour. But it led to a cascade of interventions including forceps because I couldn’t feel to push. I will try to do without it this time.

RelentlessForwardProgress · 18/03/2022 21:57

@FTEngineerM

the 3cm test....if you get to 3cm and think, actually I'm alright, this isn't so bad, you'll probably be OK without one so crack on. If you get to 3cm and think this is bloody awful I need help right now, then ask for one immediately, as it might take an hour or two for a doctor to be available to do it, so if you leave it any later than 3cm you might be desperate for one but not get one

This is the strangest thing I’ve ever read.
First time I got to 6cm and then couldn’t cope, anaesthetist met me in the room across the corridor.. 3/4 minutes after requesting one (had to finish contraction before they wheeled me over).

Second time I got to 8cm (not by choice it’s was so fucking fast) and this time I was already in labour ward because everywhere else was full and the anaesthetist was again there in a few minutes.

It can’t be luck..

That's the strangest thing you've ever read?

Are you new to the internet? Confused

I'm not sure your two experiences of childbirth necessarily overrule the experience of a consultant anaesthetist at a London Teaching hospital, I'd imagine they had seen a fair few births.....

stillherenow · 18/03/2022 22:17

Good god yes

I'm too old now but had I had a second I'd have insisted on mental health grounds for an elected C section!

stillherenow · 18/03/2022 22:19

Also don't listen to anything the NCT tell you about childbirth. Listen to the doctor

WingingIt09 · 18/03/2022 22:30

I had one with my first and didn't with my second. Induced for both. For me, the epidural although great for the dilating stage of labour as it took the pain away, I think it made my labour longer and jt made the pushing stage very difficult. I had enough sensation to feel the sting of baby crowning but not to be able to push very effectively. Required lots of coached pushing and very much the stereotyped 'purple pushing'. I just avoided an assisted birth as they were starting to talk about it if I didn't get her out quickly and then she arrived. I also think the epidural had an impact of the severity of my tear. Awful recovery following birth.

With my second I was adamant I didn't want one and the difference was huge. I felt the change in my contractions to start pushing and was able to control my breathing to deliver my baby slower and allow everything to stretch. No coached pushing required. No tear and a day later didn't feel like I'd given birth (in comparison to my first birth). Overall a much more positive experience

JustBkind · 18/03/2022 22:35

I never wanted one but the midwife advised on one because I was in so much pain at only 4cm dilated. It did lengthen the delivery and it wasn’t a great experience, I ended up with severe pain in one leg (because they hadn’t sat me right in the bed) and threw up loads afterwards + felt very groggy for hours.
My second birth I had nothing and it was the best experience ever!
It really does depend on the moment. Good luck and best wishes! ❤️

notagain29 · 18/03/2022 22:36

Yes