Scared of epidural

[MonkeyTales]

I am terrified of needles and just the thought of an epidural makes me want to throw up.

For people who given birth without one, how badly does it hurt? Do you wish you would have gotten one?

For the people who did have one, what was that like? Does it hurt? Did you have any side effects?

Just want to know, the good and the bad so don't sugar coat things to make me feel better please 🙈

It’s not a needle it’s a thin plastic tube. They use the needle to put it in then the needle comes out and the tube is left so not much different than an injection.

I've had two epidurals. Both after about 12 hours of being on the drip and no let up in contractions (ten seconds between each contractions at best). By then you're so exhausted that you wouldn't care if they cut a few limbs off.

My advice is ask for one with a control button so you can control the strength and still feel if you want to.

I had it both times. Most recent was 8 months ago with DC2. Gave birth completely numb from about belly button and below. Walking again within 4 hours after birth, felt no stitching and could cuddle my baby whilst i was being sorted immediately after birth. The epidural allowed me to have the most incredible delivery and I too hate needles, the tube was fine, couldn’t feel it or be bothered to think about it at the time.

I used to be terrified of needles too, going through pregnancy somehow almost cured me because of having to have blood tests, etc. But anyway, it feels more like brief pressure than any kind of pain and it’s done quickly. And plus, you can’t see it, which helps.

Having said that, it’s completely valid to not have one for childbirth, lots of people prefer to do that. Oh, also, if you do decide to have one because you’re struggling with the pain, then somehow the existing pain negates the worry of the needle! By that point, you might also have had an IV situated, also something which isn’t that bad. It might be worth looking into homebirth though? If you’d rather avoid medical interventions, another entirely valid and often better option.

I had a really bad mental block about an epidural due to previous non-optional surgeries from an accident. The midwife (I think?) arranged for one of the hospital anaesthetists to call me and talk through my options. I found it a really positive, helpful process. Ultimately I didn’t have one because of staffing, and it was painful but not as painful as my other accident, but I felt much happier for being better informed.

Had an epidural eventually after a long labour with my first. The epidural was huge relief because I had been exhausted and in pain for two days. All I can remember was being a bit irrational and crying when they said they would need to remove the tens machine to do the epidural. Can't remember feeling anything or seeing anything but do remember the fantastic relief once it had happened.

Second birth no epidural and personally it's not pain I remember but overwhelming exertion from each contraction. But it was all over much quicker second time around so totally doable.

Don't go in with the expectation of having one, then if you feel you can't cope with the labour you won't be bothered about having it because you will just want the pain to stop. I had gas and air and pethidine with my first then just gas and air with dc 2 and 3. It is manageable pain that builds up over time, I found that by the time I couldn't manage, it was time to push...which was a relief 😅

I’ve done one labour with an epidural and one without. I’m pregnant again and will probably have one this time. Just see how you feel at the time, honestly labour is so different for everyone and the length of it might play a part in it.

Not quite the same but I had a spinal and honestly the worst part was when they sprayed my back with the cold cleaning solution!

I had to have an emergency c section and remember lying there whilst they put it in but honestly don't remember if being painful, what I do remember is the blissful feeling of not feeling the contractions anymore, it was amazing!

I had an epidural with my second. The pain of the labour was so intense that I couldn't actually feel the needle at all 😂
It was absolutely wonderful! I watched Netflix until it was time to push

It’s a tiny little prick from the needle then a feeling of someone pushing their thumb into your back- not sharp, then you don’t feel anything else. I had one with my first after a brutal induction over two days- slept for the rest of my labour and then not quite the same but had the spinal block for an emergency section with my second. As someone said- if you’ve decided to ask for one you don’t care what they do to you make it work!

The tell you it’s coming and you still jump!

Three births without an epidural. To be clear I wasn’t and am not against them, I just knew I would ask for it if and when I needed it and the point didn’t come. This does include one 48 hour labour and an induction (albeit not the drip).

I know a lot of people need the epidural for a rest if it’s been a long go; and that’s also very sensible. On reflection I probably was too exhausted with one of my births to push properly and narrowly avoided instruments. I also think if you’re having induced contractions on the drip I would seriously consider an epidural as those contractions are more intense more quickly.

I was lucky I felt able to “ramp” up to the pushing each time at a manageable speed and has and air was very helpful for me. I know not everyone gets on with it. If I didn’t have it I’d have been in a mess!

Also the pool worked a lot for me and by the time I was at the “dear fcking god kill me” point of pain, your baby really is so very close ;)

if I were you I would focus on informing yourself about your options, including the epidural - and maybe having some talking therapy to help with the fear. Also look in to Hypnobirthing. It is pointless asking how much it hurts - for a start everyone is different and also, no one is going to tell you it doesn’t hurt! Every experience is so different.

it helped me to focus on the fact that the pain was powerful but I felt in control. I know lots of people don’t have that experience though, and that’s down to a lot out of your control.

Do what’s right for you in the moment, seriously, no one gets a medal. Good luck xxx

I had a water birth and used a TENS machine for a bit before I got in the pool. I honestly didn't find it bad - by the end the contractions became a bit sore but it was totally manageable. No regrets and never felt like I wanted or needed any other pain relief during labour. Just being in the water itself was great, v calming and honestly felt a natural pain reliever. I also did loads of breathing exercises which I was sceptical about before but genuinely found it really helpful. Different people have different pain thresholds and all labours are different - I know I was v lucky with mine as baby was born 5 hours after first contraction. I might have felt differently if I'd been labouring for a long time, or baby was back to back etc. I suppose what I'm trying to say is don't assume you'll definitely need one (but make sure you know what your options are in case you decide you need/want pain relief once you're in the situation.) I found the Positive Birth Book really helpful for setting out the options and pros/cons of each.

I had an epidural with my first and it was a godsend! I'm currently expecting my second (due in March) and planning on having another one. I didn't like the idea of the needle, but it got to the point where I'd have willing let someone pull out my toe nails with pliers to get rid of my pain. I'd had a long labour + long induction and it was really starting to show 😂. Long story short, I didn't even feel the needle go in!

OP, if you've not already found it, it may be worth looking at the labourpains.org website. It's run by the Obstetric Anaesthetist Association and has a load of patient info for the different analgesia/ anaesthesia options for labour/operative deliveries (lots of units use the patient info leaflets from the site as part of the consent process when we're talking to women about epidurals etc). HTH.

Hello. I've had 2 births - one with epidural and one without.

The epidural one was fine. You don't see it and you don't feel it.

Without , yes it hurt but it was a positive hurt and I had my beautiful baby afterwards and it was all worth it.

Pain is very personal and every birth is different. My advice is to take it as it comes. Breathe. Listen to your body. Do what you need to do.

My midwife said a wonderful helpful thing "each contraction and pain is like a hill that you climb over. They get steeper, but at the end of that hard work is a tiny new human. Your beautiful baby. The best baby there ever was. Ever. ". She was so right.

Please try not to dwell on the pain. It will happen, you will cope and it will end.

And please don't listen to those bloody awful women who like to share their awful stories. For every bad story there are tons of positive amazing ones. Birth is an incredible experience. Incredible and indescribable and profound.

Go with the flow. Love your baby. That's all that matters x

Both times I had an epidural, I was given pain relief before it was put in, second time they put local anaesthetic in my back first. To be honest, there is so much else going on with your body that I don’t think you would notice the pain from the epidural anyway.

I've had it twice:

First baby, long labour - worked well.

Second baby, induced, short labour - didn't work. i still have a tender area in my back where it was put in 8 months later.

My experience was good and bad, I think my bad experience was a rare one.

I went in with a full expectation of “give me all the drugs you’ve got”.

It took me 4 hours to dilate from 3cm to 4cm and by that time I was in so much pain the gas and air just didn’t touch it at all. The anaesthetist came very quickly and the whole procedure only took 5 mins. I couldn’t really focus on anything other than the pain so didn’t feel the epidural went in. The relief was instant!

I honestly highly recommend it, but of course listen to your body when the time comes. I personally hate needles and still flinch every single time, but I didn’t think about the epidural needle at that time and just wanted the pain to stop 😂

I didn't have one with any of my three just used gas and air. However my longest labour was only 6 hours if I had been labouring for a long time with back to back contractions then I would have concidered it. Could you not see how you go and build up to having an epidural if you need it? I think going in to labour open minded re pain relief rather than having a set I will definitely do xyz or not have abc when it is your first is important. You don't know how you will manage.

I have a similar phobia and there was no way on earth I was going to have any needle put into my spine. Fortunately I didn’t need a section with any of my DC and managed with gas and air including one ventouse. I usually have a low pain threshold but somehow managed really well. I used a TENs machine then a birthing pool for all 3 labours and got out to give birth. If the pain had been too much I’d have taken more pain relief.

My advice is not to go in with any fixed ideas - see what you can manage and then take the pain relief as needed, it’s there if you want it.

By the time I had an epidural I'd have done or taken anything to stop the pain so couldn't have cared less about the needle. Don't remember feeling it going in to be honest!

I did it twice with an epidural and once without. All my labours were induced so very painful. By the time it came round to asking for my epidural I was in so much pain that I don't think I'd of felt it if they sawed into my back with a rusty knife🤣 honestly, once your contractions get that bad and they're telling you you're only 4cm dilated you're screaming at them to stick that massive needle in your back x