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

Original poster

Scared of epidural

61 replies

MonkeyTales · 29/11/2024 19:28

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 🙈

OP posts:
Waitingfordoggo · 29/11/2024 21:26

I'm not scared of needles but wanted to avoid an epidural if possible. I was lucky to have two spontaneous, straightforward and fairly quick births. Labour does get very painful but the bit where I thought 'I can't do this. I think I might die' was very, very fleeting. That was the transition and it's very common for women to feel like that at that stage of the birth- straight after that, you're pushing and then you've got your baby and it's all over.

The lead up to the transition was painful, but pain that I could just about cope with using TENS machine and then bath/birthing pool. I had one toke on the gas and air with my first DC but that was at transition and then I needed to focus on pushing so I ditched it. I had a home birth for DC2 and didn't need G&A that time either. I'm glad I didn't need an epidural, but had my labours been very long, I might have wanted one!

You'll get a range of responses and experiences here so it might not help you make a decision, although hopefully you will get some viewpoints you hadn't considered from both sides that will help you think about your choices.

But every woman and every birth is different- I hope yours goes really well, whatever ends up happening.

teatoast8 · 29/11/2024 21:27

The epidural was fantastic

Second birth didn't vet chance to have one but the labour was fine. Yes, the contractions hurt like hell. It's definitely the worst bit, but the pushing took the pain away. It felt orgasmic Blush

BrightYellowStar · 29/11/2024 21:30

To be honest I didn't even see it!

It felt slightly uncomfortable going in (just like a bit of a sharp scratch really) but OMG the relief! It was instantly AMAZING. I felt zero pain giving birth. It was weird being numb from the waist down and took 24 hours to fully wear off but I'd so do it again!

Waitingfordoggo · 29/11/2024 21:31

@ooooohnoooooo, lovely post. Made me feel a bit weepy! ❤️

Pyjamatimenow · 29/11/2024 21:40

I’ve had two babies without any epidural or pain relief of any kind. The first was ok, painful but manageable. Baby was in the correct position and not particularly large so I would think that helps. The second I was induced for but again no pain relief and that was not manageable probably because I was over stimulated on the drip. The pain was excruciating and I was really traumatised by it for quite a long time after.
I would say it is doable without if things are in your favour. If you’re in a lot of pain you won’t notice a needle going in whatsoever. When contractions are very strong you can’t feel much else other than that.

TheBirdintheCave · 29/11/2024 21:50

I didn't have one either time and don't regret it. I coped fine with the pain. Nothing I couldn't handle with breathing techniques and (with the second) a bit of gas and air right as I was pushing her out.

However! I did have to have a spinal block after my son was born in order to surgically repair a 3b tear. I was pretty scared of needles in my spine beforehand but after giving birth I no longer cared 😂 The anaesthetist tried four times to place it but I barely felt a thing just a bit of a sting and tingling.

Blueberrymuffin8 · 29/11/2024 22:55

My babies were big - over 10 pounds. No epidural. Of course it hurt, but Im glad I didnt get one as I wouldn't have 'felt' how much to push. I didn't want forceps or a ventouse. All depends on what you want or feel necessary x

angelcake20 · 29/11/2024 22:56

I had one the first time after a long time in an awful protracted OP labour. It meant I could at least fitfully doze and may have saved me after 24 hours of pain. (Consented eventually for caesarean but delivered by forceps so would have needed one anyway.) As they were taking me to the delivery room the second time I was practically shouting that I wanted an epidural but was told it was too late! Thankfully the gas and air actually worked for that one.

TeamPolin · 29/11/2024 22:58

I had a spinal block because they thought there was a good chance I'd need a c-section (I didn't). Honestly, I barely noticed it being administered. The pain of contractions is way worse. I was just grateful for relief it provided at that point.

Lunalovegod · 29/11/2024 23:03

I didn't have an epidural with my first and won't be having one with this baby either, although I will give in if the labour is too long and painful. My first labour was only 2 hours, but induced and incredibly painful. I gave in towards the end and asked for one, however, the doctor was busy and didn't get to me in time (grateful for that now). My plan is to do the same this time - avoid for as long as I can, and just hope for another quick labour!

Nc546888 · 29/11/2024 23:14

I was vaguely scared of the idea of the needle beforehand.

bloody hell I would have paid serious money to have got that needle in my back faster than I did (2 hour wait) I was begging begging begging for it!!!! (Back to back labour and head deflex but no one knew at the time)

EvelynBeatrice · 29/11/2024 23:16

Found it completely painless. Not supposed to work immediately but felt it did. Absolutely fabulous!

EvelynBeatrice · 29/11/2024 23:18

Also I couldn’t do with gas and air at all in any birth. I lacked the necessary coordination when in pain and I was also very reluctant to take anything that would allow medical staff to claim I was out of it and didn’t have capacity

imcountingtothree123 · 29/11/2024 23:34

I've given birth twice without one and once (latest) with. If I was to give birth again I would 100% have one again.

I don't have much memory of the needle, it was very easy and straight forward. The worst bit was sitting leaning forwards for a while (neck ache).

It didn't fully take the pain away but really took the edge off and the ring of fire feeling!

I was able to walk around during and straight after x

imcountingtothree123 · 29/11/2024 23:36

Ps I could totally feel contractions and when to push still. That didn't change x

Emmzo · 30/11/2024 00:16

I’ve had one birth with epidural (DS) and one without (DD).

DS was a 4 day induction, I’d barely slept an hour a night in the lead up. He was needed out due to pre-eclampsia but it was a nightmare delivery, and once they started on the drip I realised I had nothing left to give, gas and air did nothing but make me feel sick so asked for epidural pretty quickly, knowing there can be a wait for an anaethatist! I finally got some rest, and it was bliss (until delivery - another unrelated story).

I remember a lot of things from that labour, the epidural needle is not one of them.

DD was a couple of hours from first contraction to being in my arms and wouldn’t have had time if I’d even thought to ask. Gas and air only, it was amazing this time… a very intense and painful labour but over so quick I barely noticed.

I think it’s good to have an idea what you’d like for a labour plan, but don’t rule anything in or out unless it’s really important to you. Be informed, but you can’t predict how it will be. It’s perfectly fine to change your mind along the way depending how it goes and choose what you feel is right at the time x

User79853257976 · 30/11/2024 00:22

I didn’t have it with either birth. I wasn’t scared of the needle, more the potential side effects. It was fine giving birth on has and air but it’s different for everyone and every birth.

SmokeRingsOfMyMind · 30/11/2024 00:26

They could have shot that thing into me with a crossbow and I wouldn't have noticed. It just took all the pain away.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 30/11/2024 00:57

I had one and don't remember feeling a thing! Just the sheer bliss of no more pain after hours of agony.

Incakewetrust · 30/11/2024 01:16

SmokeRingsOfMyMind · 30/11/2024 00:26

They could have shot that thing into me with a crossbow and I wouldn't have noticed. It just took all the pain away.

Same! 😂
I remember them reading out the consent form and I was just shouting "I consent!! I conseeennttt!!!" over everything they were saying 🤣 they could've said my legs would fall off and I still would've had it

Itsaowl · 30/11/2024 01:23

Hate to say it but you just can’t plan for what you’ll need or want during labour and have to sort of go with it.

I don’t like hospitals or needles but had to have an induction at 39 weeks due to a small baby, for which I stayed in hospital, had a cannula with multiple bloods taken, a catheter and ultimately a csection.

You might find that the pain is unbearable and you really want an epidural even if it has needles. You’ll probably find you don’t even feel the needle vs the pain of contractions! I had a spinal for the section which is similar to an epidural as a procedure and the skilled anaesthetic administering it meant it was nowhere near as bad as the slightly scatty midwife taking four attempts to site a cannula.

Im not usually a hippy person but you might find hypnobirthing techniques really help you through the moments you find difficult say experience of labour was that it can feel overwhelming and out of your control especially if medical intervention is needed. The hypnobirthing breathing really helped me stay calm in this aspect.

zeddybrek · 30/11/2024 01:34

First delivery was so slow. My birth plan didn't include an epidural as I was so scared. When the time came I was screaming for one, the contractions were so painful. I barely remember the needle but oh the relief. My pain went from 10 to zero instantly. It allowed me sleep briefly and have a very calm delivery. I also got to cuddle my baby while they cleaned me up. Keep an open mind, it's not for everyone but has it's advantages.

malimoon · 30/11/2024 07:51

I didn't plan to have an epidural but got one after my labour went on for a very long time. They give you a small injection to numb the area before doing it so you won't feel the epidural going in. It's in your back so you can't see it which will probably help you, too. Then the needle comes out and it's just a tube delivering the anaesthetic. I had a button to control the dose (they won't let you do it too often tho 😅). If you dont want one you can probably get thru without but if you do need an epidural you'll probably find it a relief and for me I was still a bit woozy from gas and air so it wasn't something I had lots of anxiety or tension around. Good luck with your birth and your baby!

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 30/11/2024 08:27

Mine was an absolute joy.

RosieLeaf · 30/11/2024 08:28

I never had one due to lack of availability of an anaesthetist.

The contractions are worse than the actual birth. You’ll be fine.