Epidural yes or no?

[BabyAlfie22]

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?

🙏

I didn't have one with DC1 and found the pain manageable with gas and air, but then she was very small (4 lbs 2 oz). Not planning on one for DC2 unless otherwise advised by midwives etc. as I don't like the sound of the needle or of being numb for some time afterwards.

@Ionlydomassiveones @titchy I have no problem with people having epidurals if they really need them but you can 100% give birth without one and it shouldn’t be the first option for pain relief when far less invasive choices exist.

@TheBirdintheCave - I didn’t want to take the risk of being in any pain or discomfort so had an epidural asap. Meant I was pain free and could sleep and watch tv. Did I really need one - no idea but 100% glad I had it.

Absolutely loved mine and is get it again in a heartbeat. You don't get any medals for suffering through the pain.

When I was in labour, I heard the most agonising screams throughout the night. You'd thought people were being killed. I looked at the midwife and she simply said, "Those are the women giving birth without an epidural!".

YES! After over a day on nothing but fucking paracetamol & a tens machine (I was stuck in the induction ward waiting for a space in the labour ward) the epidural was a god send. It literally took all my pain away. Gas and air is also good.

Need to add I never actually vaginally delivered on the epidural as needed ECS, so take my advice with a pinch of salt!

when far less invasive choices exist

You’re absolutely right, obviously, that it’s not necessary and that you can give birth without them as mammals have for eternity.

You also could just eat less instead of getting some of your stomach chopped off.
You could also wait and see rather than have pieces of your cervix scraped off.
You could also just let your retina detach rather than go through surgery.

But this is 2022 and we have fantastic healthcare so it’s definitely a fantastic choice if someone doesn’t want to go through the agonising marathon that is labour. Both anaesthetists said the same thing, they don’t know why anyone would go through the pain if they didn’t have to.

It's the woman's choice though how she chooses to manage her pain during labour, If she wants an epidural whether it's medically needed or not, she should have that choice.
Just like it's also the woman's choice if she wants to have a C-section or vaginal delivery. @TheBirdintheCave

I didn't have one. Long story but it wasn't an option. I was absolutely desperate for one though so yes, I would say go for it. The alternative is shit.

I was 19 with my first and when those contractions started it was a shock ! I asked for an epidural and it was amazing ! With my second I was determined to have one again however she arrived too quick ! With my third I didn't have one either. I think for a first labour they are amazing !

Less invasive choices do exist, but they are also less effective.

I haven't had a child yet, so I don't have first hand experience but I don't want an epidural unless it's medically necessary. I feel I'd be the idiot that moved and paralysed myself... I know that's probably irrational but that's the way my brain works...
Fingers crossed I won't need one

Be aware that they don't always work! I had 3 with my first baby and none worked. Docs wouldn't try with my second. Both were heavily medicated though. With my 3rd I had no pain relief, was quite quick, and I felt much better after than with the first two