Epidural or no epidural

[BEO]

For context : first pregnancy and only 23 weeks but trying to prepare.

I am wanting to hear people’s opinions on epidurals. I am not ruling one out but don’t particularly want one if I can do it without. Just wanting some more info on the pros and cons on them.

The reasons I’m not so keen are that you can’t move about , you can’t feel when to push and you may be more likely for intervention (forceps etc).

Obviously the pros are obvious, no pain!

I know some people have the opinion ‘why put yourself through unnecessary pain when you can have an epidural’ but I would rather try with just the other pain killers and gas and air.

be interesting to hear from people who have had multiple births, and have experienced both with and without epidural and what they prefer x

@Screamingabdabz thank you for your input but not sure why your so bothered about what other people choose to do? Some people just don’t want an epidural.

Also on ‘I also don’t know why you think you can’t move or don’t know when to push etc. If that were the case no one would advocate for them!’ As many previous posters have stated, some could feel when to push and some couldn’t. Also some can’t move because they can’t feel anything waist down!

Im merely listening to other people’s opinions and stories to help me make a more informed choice and to open my eyes abit, your clearly an advocate for them which is great but not everyone wants to have one is all I’m saying.

Im just going to see how I feel on the day and if I want one and I can I will.

I had an epidural both times.

The first time I ended up having an emergency C-section but to be honest it was already heading that way before I had the epidural. I was being induced and they tried everything under the sun but my body just didn't want to do it, and my baby was poorly positioned.

The second time I went into labour spontaneously and my baby was in a good position. I got the epidural but asked for a low dose so that I would still be able to move around and feel something. I could still feel the contractions after the epidural but they were like very mild period pain, which allowed me to lie down and nap for an hour or so. I was planning to get out of bed and move around after that but there was no time because things progressed very quickly while I was napping and by the time they checked me again I was ready to push. I definitely got the urge to push! No forceps or ventouse needed and very quick second stage labour with just a small tear.

I think the epidural had more or less worn off by the time I came to push so it must have been very lightly dosed indeed. I needed a couple of stitches and the doctor gave me some local anaesthetic otherwise it would have been a bit uncomfortable. I gave birth just before lunchtime and was walking around and showering a couple of hours later. Literally no unwanted effects whatsoever.

10/10 would recommend.

Im just going to see how I feel on the day and if I want one and I can I will.

I think this is really the best attitude to have. If you went in hell bent on having one and then were too far along to it could really stress you! Similarly if you went in thinking absolutely don't want one and then decided you did, that could stress or upset you. You seem to have the a good outlook and attitude towards it (or so many midwives told me when I had the same attitude).

The very best of luck! 💚

Tbh I would just be open to any option if needed. No one can tell you how much it’ll hurt, it varies so much between women and also between different births.

I had an epidural first time round as I found induction agony (and wouldn’t do it again!). By comparison my section was a breeze and I went to a wedding on day 3, completely mobile.

So I wouldn’t rule out decent pain relief until you see how you are in labour. You may be fine or you may need something to get through it.

Should clarify, wouldn’t have induction again. I’d take the epidural again in a heartbeat!

They are the default in France too and funnily enough they don't have loads of instrumental births and emergency C-sections, which you would expect to see if epidurals really caused these interventions.

The only woman I know in France who had a traumatic birth didn't have time for an epidural.

@MargotBamborough your second Labour sounds ideal. I might do the same, ask for one but low dose so I can move but can up it if I need too. I guess it all depends on me and baby on the day :)

I've had two children. No epidurals, just gas and air each time and one was an induction. I found hypnobirthing really helpful, as well as remembering that the pain wasn't a sign that anything was wrong - it was just my body doing what it was designed to do. I never felt out of control, or the need for stronger pain relief. I didn't want an epidural but wasn't dead set against it if I felt like I needed it.

I didn't have a water birth with my first as the midwife told me at the time you are more likely to tear? Don't know whether it is true or not 🤷‍♀️ but it definatly eased the contractions 100% 😊 I just got out & gave birth on the bed when it was time to push & had abit of gas & air when baby's head was crowning! Honestly whatever pain relief you choose you will be fine either way as midwifes will guide you through the stages, just try to stay calm so your body isn't tense, just remember your breathing - take a big breath in through your nose & out through your mouth as your contractions start to intesify, close your eyes & imagine your trying to get up a steep mountain & once you reach the top - you've smashed it! 😁 us ladies having been doing this for thousands of years, we are made to give birth 💪 goodluck & wishing you all the best OP 🥰

I definitely think low dose is the way forward. As you say, you can always increase the dose if you need to, but keeping the dose nice and low will take the edge off the pain without hindering your mobility.

I was also lucky that I didn't have to wait very long for mine. If I'd thought there was a risk I'd have to wait a long time I might have asked for it earlier. Certainly if I'd had to wait two hours it would have been too late.

I agree with a PP who said that the bad stories are often when the woman is absolutely exhausted and finally gets an epidural after being in pain for hours but by then she's run out of steam.

So I was the one who wanted 'all natural' but ended up with an epidural! I tried the pool and gas and air which didn't do much at all. I was so exhausted so got the epidural and it was the best thing ever. I did end up with forceps but I found it really hard to push as I couldn't feel much (didn't help I just topped it up before pushing started!) But I still would have done the same if I could go back. It was such a relief to have no pain!

Your loss then 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Screamingabdabz my choice* then.... Fixed that for you!

I've had one birth with, and one without an epidural.

I wasn't dead set against an epidural, but it was my absolute last choice for pain relief. I work in obstetric theatres, and the number of times I see two stickers for the same patient in the anaesthetic book (one for the epidural, one for when they come to theatre) feels all too common. I know it's far more likely to be correlation rather than cause, but I preferred to not take the risk if I didn't have to.

Both labours were early inductions for pre-eclampsia. Had drip with both to get contractions going. The key difference between the two was that my second was back to back with an anterior placenta. As a result, progress was much slower. I spent the same amount of time in labour going from 2-5cm with my second, as I did going from 1cm-baby with my first.

My first was gas+air up to 5cm (~6 hours in), then diamorphine took me the rest of the way. Hell of a trip though. I was sound asleep between contractions, completely incoherent when I wasn't, and kept forgetting which hand my gas+air was in so kept sucking my own fingers instead. Thank goodness it was wearing off for the pushing stage or it would have been forceps for sure.

With my second, I chose to get the epidural as I had lost control at that point. I'd been doing ok with gas+air up to then, but something broke when I realised the end could still be a long, long way away. I won't lie, it was a massive relief to have. I was completely pain free, but could still move my legs around. I even got a few hours unbroken sleep, before the C-section was decided on. It was handy to have to quickly be topped up rather than having to sit for a spinal.

If I have a third, I would attempt labour without an epidural. No real reason other than personal preference.

Seems like theirs only a short few of us who have had gas & air.. this thread is definatly interesting to read, don't you think? 🤣

I never had one, just and air, was a hoot!

If you want to know how bloody miraculous and what an early epidural is like - Watch Khloe Kardashian’s labour with True on KUWK - she’s relaxed, full make up, family all around making jokes etc

I can't help but feel this isn't the way labour is meant to be. I might be a bit of an old hippy but it's supposed to involve some blood sweat and tears no ? All made up and cracking jokes just seems somehow wrong to me ( to be fair I have seen a lot of births).

It's definitely interesting! Funny you should mention walking up a mountain - that's exactly what I pictured as I'm a keen walker 😂 I think if you've ever done any form of endurance exercise labour is basically the same, you just keep going as you know it has a finish line.

My experience was bad. Both are children ok - I haven't been great.

1st birth, epidural too strong - couldn't feel to push and completely numbed both my legs. Ended up with forceps - baby was very bruised.

2nd Birth, epidural pieced my spinal cord, I had blood patch surgery which didn't work 100%. It's took 7 years of healing naturally and restricted activities to sort the pain, etc out. I feel lucky it wasn't worse.

I knew the risk - but epidurals pros and cons should be fully considered.

I think it's good you are asking these questions and understanding your options and then you can decide once you are in. I had both of mine with gas and air and I really appreciated being able to stand up (although sounds like some people with epidurals could also do that?). I found the gas and air really helpful, made me a bit light headed but kind of enjoyed it. After one of my births I needed a spinal block to have the placenta manually removed and it was a bit frustrating not to be able to walk straight away, having to stay over, having a catheter etc. The option of having a "light" epidural sound interesting. I want to say that birth does hurt but my experience of it was it was manageable and it seems to be quite variable how the pain is experienced. I may be unusual in this but I would happily give birth again, good luck to you.

💐That sounds tough

I had an epidural and would highly recommend 10/10. My waters went at 5am and i came in to be induced at 11pm, had the baby at 1pm the next day and an epidural at some point between that. It relaxed the room and really meant i enjoyed my experience, i still felt when i needed to push and had a shower 4 hours after giving birth.

I have never had one and enjoyed that I could be home with my babies the same day as giving birth as I didn't have to wait for catheter to be removed wait for my legs to come back etc.

However, I never ruled it out especially with my first. I was very lucky and laboured quickly so didn't need one/ have time for one. I think keeping your options open is a great plan.

I was 26 young and healthy having my dd I said I wanted a natural birth no epidural! Thought it would go nice and smooth for me lol I was so wrong, ended up having a emergency c section my cervix just wouldn't open even do I was in full on labor I cried for pain relief, but then my aunt just popped her kid out in bathroom she felt like she had to go totliet and got the urge to push! So be prepared for the unexpected you can't really plan these things

Labour is meant to involve in the result of a healthy baby and healthy mother. If someone wants to have an unmedicated birth, that's absolutely fine of course but if someone wants to skip the sweat and tears (the blood part is hard to avoid) if at all possible then why not?

Labour was simply a means to an end for me. Not an 'experience' or a 'journey' or a way to 'empower' myself, just about getting it over with as pain free as possible so I could have my baby and the epidural did exactly that.