Epidural

[RGxo13]

Hi everyone. I’m 30 weeks with my first baby. I’ve just been doing some research on epidurals - I’m not great with pain so looking into what pain relief is available. There seems to be some sort of ‘looking down’ on those who choose epidurals and I was just wondering why? What I’ve found makes it sounds pretty safe but comments from family members have all been ‘I did it just with gas and air’ like it’s some sort of achievement. I’m going to check in with midwife next time I see her to get her opinion but thought I’d throw it out there on here too.

Very important - there is correlation between assisted births and epidurals, not that epidurals cause assisted births. I.e. someone in greater pain is likely to request an epidural, but greater pain may be because something isn't "quite right" making intervention more likely. According to my EMCS surgeon my eldest was very much stuck and would never have come out the traditional route, so I'm really, really fucking glad I had an epidural for much of my 16+hours of pointless labour.

I wouldn't get a tooth pulled or my appendix out without adequate anaesthesia - epidurals are absolutely fucking fantastic.

I think I've concluded that the mindset is the same as the "I've done a marathon". Painful and pointless, except unlike a marathon you don't even get a medal and all the training in the world makes fuck all difference in the end.

I chose an epidural as I’d been awake for two nights and wanted a rest. The experience was relaxed and DH and I spent the entire time laughing and joking. I’ve had two useful conversations with healthcare professionals:
1 don’t spend 80% of your labour in pain if you think you might want an epidural.
2 imo (that of the hcp), all women get to a point at transition where they think/say they can’t do it. If you want to feel in control then an epidural is best option.

If you haven't already seen it, it may be worth looking at the labourpains.org website. The site is run by the Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association and has lots of reliable info re the different types of pain relief and their pros & cons. HTH.

I had an epidural and I'd do it again. Labour came on quickly and baby was back to back so the pain was unbearable. Gas and air didn't touch it and morphine didn't do much either. I couldn't have managed without an epidural but as soon as I had it I could relax and rest a little. It did take an hour for the anaesthetist to arrive after I requested it though (longest hour of my life in horrific pain) so ask early if you want it. I was able to control any top ups as labour progressed which was great then let it run down as we approached time to push so that I had some feeling. I ended up with an EMCS and having had the epidural meant that could also happen quickly as well.

I had an epidural and it was great. There's just no way I'd have had the birth I ended up having if I hadn't had the epidural. I was induced and labour came very fast, so pain was very very intense. Pain was so strong that even with the epidural I was still in a bit of pain so had gas and air too, but it ended up being really calm and quiet and not at all scary when I was actively pushing. My body did a weird thing and was actually pushing for me when I contracted, I couldn't stop it, so my midwife guided me through that and I just pushed a bit more when I felt one coming on. Didn't have to have any interventions and was very fortunate to only have a very small second degree tear which healed with stitches very well. Couldn't feel the stitches either so extra bonus! Epidural was absolutely the right choice for me and I'd have one again

I had an epidural placed really early when I had my twins but they only done it so early incase I had to go for a c section. It really hurt me but other people I know had an epidural and didn't hurt them! It didn't work anyway for me. It was my second labour but first time experiencing epidural.

Take all the pain relief you can get. Stuff what people think. People are weird.