Page 5 | Is it possible to deal with the pain of being induced and not use epidural?

Mrsjayy · 04/05/2023 19:41

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?

I didn't have an epidural because I have nerve problems. Anyway I did it with G+A and pethidine. I'm not going to lie it was quite intense but I think I managed OK.

Greeneyegirl · 04/05/2023 19:47

I know people who have done it. I wouldn't rule out epidural entirely though. I always said I wouldn't want one unless I needed to rest if perhaps I had a long labour. I had one after 47 hours of contractions and no sleep. When I finally came to push another 4 hours later I was so glad I'd had the rest

Lifeinlists · 04/05/2023 19:59

Thanks to NCT brainwashing against epidurals I refused when initially offered one. Induction was by drip and the pain a couple of hours later was indescribable. Too late by then.

Second time round I had severe pre eclampsia, an emergency delivery by c section at 33 weeks with an epidural. It was comparative bliss despite the obvious worry. Zero pain.

If it's induction by drip, don't hesitate

BurrosTail · 04/05/2023 20:13

I think the size and position of the baby explain why there is so much variation in experiences around induction. It also depends on the type of induction we’re talking about. I had the most horrendous drip experience with a big headed baby back to back so the blasting the drip didn’t progress labour but became a torturing experience. Others might find the drip alright if things progress.

HamBone · 04/05/2023 20:20

@BurrosTail I expect you’re right. My induction with drip was quick, three hours from drip insertion to DS arriving. Yes, it bloody hurt, but the real pain was perhaps 20 minutes.

Whereas I had such a bad reaction to the epidural with DD that I could never contemplate having one again. I was just unlucky. 🤷

Sandcastles24 · 05/05/2023 12:16

@HamBone I am sorry you went through that. Yes exactly it is stories like yours that put me off having one. It didn't seem worth the risk when there are alternatives like rhemi. Having to time the button also gave me something to focus on. Obviously it was still awful when I timed it wrong which was a lot

CocoPlum · 05/05/2023 12:27

Most people I know who had an epidural, induced or not, did so because they had long drawn out labours and they needed sleep.

I didn't want an epidural (I had spontaneous labours) but the best thing to do is go with it and do what feels right for you. There are no prizes for not having any pain relief during labour.

Original poster

Spockrates · 05/05/2023 14:30

@CocoPlum it’s not about pride or anything it’s more about me being scared to have a needle in my spine I imagine I’d be willing to go through any pain rather than have that but then I’ve never been in labour before so I don’t know how I will react I’m being induced next week and I having a feeling I’m going to have a long drawn out labour

OP posts:

kikisparks · 05/05/2023 14:46

Spockrates · 05/05/2023 14:30

@CocoPlum it’s not about pride or anything it’s more about me being scared to have a needle in my spine I imagine I’d be willing to go through any pain rather than have that but then I’ve never been in labour before so I don’t know how I will react I’m being induced next week and I having a feeling I’m going to have a long drawn out labour

Honestly I felt exactly the same before labour. Terrified of a needle in my spine. In the end having the epidural was one of the least scary parts of my labour, and the anaesthetist was pleasant and funny and raised my spirits a lot compared to the midwives who were frankly not very nice.

You might not need it- many women don’t- but I’d say go in with an open mind and there’s nothing wrong if you do decide that it’s something you need.

CocoPlum · 07/05/2023 12:34

Ah ok I completely understand. I was the same, I couldn't even look at the needle in my NCT class (memory unlocked!).

Obviously there are other methods of pain relief - i was told after an epidural the next most effective is water, if you can. Pethidine might be worth looking into but it can make baby very drowsy and if you plan to breastfeed this can be a problem. Good luck!

MintyCedric · 07/05/2023 12:53

Gettingbysomehow · 03/05/2023 14:27

Induction caused me unbearable pain that was akin to being tortured with hot knives. I cannot possibly imagine why anyone would go through that without an epidural. I ended up with PTSD and unable to function for months. Induction is not a natural birth.
I cannot understand why everyone is so masochistic about child birth. Can you imagine someone saying the didn't want anaesthetic for surgery because "it isn't natural". Bonkers.

I’m with this poster, although I imagine it does depend how you’re induced.

I had a syntocinon drip induction at 40+10. Once the contractions started there was no in between and gas and air did nothing.

I was in so much pain I can’t remember an entire 3 hour period before I had my epidural.

It also wasn’t quick…24 hours culminating in an EMCS which I’d have needed an epidural for anyway if I hadn’t already had one.

By all means give it a try without, but you’re being unrealistic to not consider it as an option.

HamBone · 07/05/2023 17:09

MintyCedric · 07/05/2023 12:53

I’m with this poster, although I imagine it does depend how you’re induced.

I had a syntocinon drip induction at 40+10. Once the contractions started there was no in between and gas and air did nothing.

I was in so much pain I can’t remember an entire 3 hour period before I had my epidural.

It also wasn’t quick…24 hours culminating in an EMCS which I’d have needed an epidural for anyway if I hadn’t already had one.

By all means give it a try without, but you’re being unrealistic to not consider it as an option.

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Cripes, @MintyCedric , that’s awful. I was also on the syntocinon drip and DS born about three hours after they started it. The contractions were very intense, but bearable because everything went so fast. I’m guessing that your baby got stuck?

Lampzade · 07/05/2023 17:14

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?

I was induced without an epidural and yes it is was more painful than my other two labours where I was not induced.
As others have said have an open mind

MintyCedric · 07/05/2023 21:06

HamBone · 07/05/2023 17:09

Cripes, @MintyCedric , that’s awful. I was also on the syntocinon drip and DS born about three hours after they started it. The contractions were very intense, but bearable because everything went so fast. I’m guessing that your baby got stuck?

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Even at 7am the following morning I wasn’t quite fully dilated (still some anterior lip I was told).

By the time the shift had changed and I was examined again by BP and temp had gone up and DD was in distress.

It turned out she was back to back and facing forward rather than having her head tucked in so thank God I never got to push.