Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Is it possible to deal with the pain of being induced and not use epidural?

114 replies

Spockrates · 03/05/2023 13:55

they want induce me I am just waiting to hear back about the date but I heard induction is more painful than natural labour I don’t want an epidural it’s never been part of my birth plan has anyone ever been induced without an epidural?

OP posts:
Surprisepregnancy1 · 03/05/2023 18:35

I had an induction last week. The pessary did very little for the first 23 hours, then waters broke, I was already 4cm dilated, and hadn’t had much more than a twinge up to that point. The labour was then about 3 hours and was on gas and air for the last 1.5 hours or so. It was very similar to my last labour which was spontaneous. If the pessary/gel works, you can probably expect it to be no different to a normal labour. Know what pain relief options are available and as others have said, keep an open mind! You can do this. You will get to meet your baby and enjoy tea and toast before too long!! Good luck!

Teamsaction · 03/05/2023 18:37

I was induced for my second DC, much less painful than my first..might have been because it was my second though, no time for any pain relief as so quick.

UnbeatenMum · 03/05/2023 18:42

Induction doesn't always involve syntocinon (the drip) though so PP might be talking about quite different experiences. I've had one birth with syntocinon, one without. I only had G&A both times but it was significantly more painful with syntocinon and if I had needed it again I would definitely have asked for an epidural. Just breaking your waters or the pessary I would try without.

willieversleepagain1 · 03/05/2023 18:48

In the kindest way, I really don’t think that knowing other people’s experiences will help much, though I completely understand why you’d ask. Knowing that so many others managed it without an epidural may only make you feel worse if you end up choosing to have one in the moment as the pain is too much for you. I truly believe that it’s different for
everyone anyway. One of my best friends is a self confessed wimp when it comes to pain. I’ve seen her cry over the most minor things (which we’ve both laughed about) yet she had an induction on drip without any pain relief at all. I have to admit that I roll my eyes slightly when people say that they have a high pain threshold…how can you possibly know unless you can also feel other peoples pain.

tatteddear · 03/05/2023 18:49

I did it-after to was induced by labour progressed very fast. Despite having been induced, the midwives wouldn't listen when I said I felt I was ready to start pushing, and by the time they did, it was too late for any pain relief at all.

It wasn't anymore painful than my previous both which started on its own however

Original poster
Spockrates · 03/05/2023 19:05

@oliveandwell yes it’s my first I haven’t chosen a method of induction tbh they just said they wanted to induce my and I agreed the request they put in is still pending so I am waiting to hear back my baby is getting too big and they are worried about it

OP posts:
Original poster
Spockrates · 03/05/2023 19:11

@OhcantthInkofaname I’m terrified of having it because I don’t want something put in my spine because there is a small chance it could paralyse me 😳

OP posts:
Picklewicklepickle · 03/05/2023 19:13

Sorry OP it can be a daunting prospect. I didn’t have an epidural, just TENS machine, a long walk and the birthing pool but it was my second baby, the balloon method and a super quick labour (2 hours from waters being broken).

If I’d needed the drip or couldn’t go in the pool I was absolutely prepared to ask for drugs/an epidural. Keep your options open. Try and stay active on a ball or walking rather than lay on a bed. Good luck!

TwilightSkies · 03/05/2023 19:18

Jesus, if your baby is big then definitely get an epidural!
The drip without an epidural was hell on earth.

Iamacatslave · 03/05/2023 19:19

One induction with a ventouse delivery and no epidural.

ThisIsNotThePostYourLookingFor · 03/05/2023 19:20

I’ve don’t both and I wouldn’t say it’s more painful. The only difference for me being induced was how quick the labour progressed.

Crikeyalmighty · 03/05/2023 19:25

I've had 3 inductions last one with an epidural- others without- I will be honest -- the one with the epidural was significantly more 'comfortable ' and consequently I was less knackered by the pushing stage

DyslexicPoster · 03/05/2023 19:30

Yes of course. The drip is intense but not convinced its more painful but the contractions come on top of each other. However I'm normally induced due to pre eclampsia and epidural reduces your BP so had the epidural for the last two. Two births with no painkillers and two with. Been there, felt it, no reason to experience that feeling again. Loved all of my births ( pfb not so much at the time)

Greybeardy · 03/05/2023 19:36

Spockrates · 03/05/2023 19:11

@OhcantthInkofaname I’m terrified of having it because I don’t want something put in my spine because there is a small chance it could paralyse me 😳

An epidural doesn't 'go in your spine' and the risk of paralysis as an epidural complication is about 1:250,000,000. If you haven't already, it may be worth looking at the labourpains website which has quite a lot of useful info about the different modalities of pain relief in labour and their pros vs cons. HTH.

Thethingswedoforlove · 03/05/2023 19:39

I’ve had a Labour with being induced and one without. I simply wasn’t able to cope in the one where I was induced without the epidural. In the one without being induced I coped totally fine on just gas and air. It therefore deoends on the circumstances and you as an individual. Don’t bank on being able to do it with no epidural. I tried. All the best to you op for the safe delivery of your dc.

Greybeardy · 03/05/2023 19:43

Greybeardy · 03/05/2023 19:36

An epidural doesn't 'go in your spine' and the risk of paralysis as an epidural complication is about 1:250,000,000. If you haven't already, it may be worth looking at the labourpains website which has quite a lot of useful info about the different modalities of pain relief in labour and their pros vs cons. HTH.

Show quote history

sorry, typed too many zeros in there... the risk of paralysis as a result of an epidural is 1:250,000.

ToriLynn · 03/05/2023 19:45

Have given birth 3 times, twice I was induced and the one that I wasn't, was the longest and most painful! If I had anymore I'd be begging for an induction again!

oliveandwell · 03/05/2023 19:47

If it's any consolation growth scans are notoriously inaccurate! Baby might be totally average size.

They will start with a pessary, or maybe dilapan rods. If these are successful you may avoid a pitocin drip which is the one that can cause the painful contractions.

Whether the first line of induction methods are successful is going to be linked to how near your body is to labouring so hold off as long as possible if you feel comfortable doing so.

You could even ask for a rescan or second opinion.
.

GOW56 · 03/05/2023 19:48

I was induced and didn't have an epidural. It's doable. I won't pretend it wasn't painful but it's doable and it won't last did ever. I think I was in the painful labour stage for about 5 hours

ToriLynn · 03/05/2023 19:53

@Spockrates scans are not 100% accurate so please don't worry yourself! I was induced with my 3rd because he was 'too big' they said he was 10lbs at 38 weeks, was admitted the same day and he was born the next morning, weighing 7lbs 9oz! 🤷‍♀️

pollykitty · 03/05/2023 19:55

Yes I was induced and did bot have an epidural. This was because I got quite far with the suppository, like to 8 cm, and so was too far along. I had gas and air and honestly found it to be enough until near full dilation when I got a sort of on demand dose of something. It did not last long and I did not have it during pushing. I was so exhausted I almost needed forceps but one nurse really rallied me and I got baby out. Midwives can make all the difference!

kikisparks · 03/05/2023 19:58

I really didn’t want an epidural. I was given one pessary and once contractions started they basically did not stop, I got a few seconds between each, it was hell and I felt like I was being torn apart, begged for epidural and it was the best thing and I think I could have really enjoyed labour after that but baby ended up in distress and had to have a c section. Try to be open minded, most people I know labour didn’t go how they planned but they’re healthy with healthy kids.

itsme432 · 03/05/2023 19:59

I was induced with my DD 9 years ago. I ended up having an epidural through sheer exhaustion, my labour was so long and was recommended one, in the end I gave in

BubblinTrouble · 03/05/2023 20:26

Induced two times with the drip and only used gas and air. Both times very manageable. I used the tens machine and lots of hypno birthing and found it very positive.

mast0650 · 03/05/2023 20:31

I had an induction drip. I used gas and air. Really didn't need anything else.