Did you have an epidural? Please tell me your experience

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I’m currently pregnant and thinking about my birth. I have a DD who I gave birth to naturally, my labour was relatively quick, no complications and dilated quickly, the contraction I found unbearable, I requested an epidural, they said no it’s too early so had pethadine instead, I found this didn’t help with pain, just made me zombie like and made me unable to control my breathing or reactions or anything. This time I want to demand an epidural, my midwife said I can have one as soon as I go into labour, obviously depending on availability of the anaesthetist.

if you had an epidural, would you recommend one, what do you wish you had of known?

I had one with my first and it was an excellent experience. Got rid of all the pain and I had just enough feeling to know when the contractions were coming and push. But barely and I had been in labour so long before I had it I fell asleep for a few hours before waking up to push. I had done NCT and I'd learnt all about the pros and cons. Pros- most effective pain relief. Cons- potential for cascade of interventions, risks from the injection and less mobility, in labour and after. Also a catheter which I hated.

I spent most of my second pregnancy deliberating on whether to have one, it ended up being much quicker and less painful I never asked for it.

I found the epidural fantastic. Took all pain away yet I could still feel contractions as pain-free pressure. I slept through much of labour and was woken up to push. Epidural wore off rapidly thereafter. Highly recommend.

I had an epidural. I hadn't planned to but my labour went on for a very long time and things were moving slowly so doctor advised going on the hormone drip and said I should have an epidural before that as it would make the contractions very intense. By the time I had the epidural I had progressed on my own so didn't end up on the drip but I was still glad I had it, I was in back labour which had been very painful and it took away almost all the pain. I was still able to notice the contractions and had no problems when it came to pushing etc. I did have to have a catheter and stay in overnight but I would have been in anyway as baby came over 24 hours after my waters broke so they needed to observe him anyway. Overall it was a positive part of the birth for me.

I had an epidural with my first, I have mixed feelings on it really in hindsight. There is no doubt it took away the pain and as soon as I had it the rest of the labour and birth was completely painless so in that respect it was amazing! Downsides for me were that; once I’d had it it slowed my hormones right down so my contractions virtually stopped for the next 12 hours, very nearly had to have a c section as baby’s heart rate was slowing but luckily it didn’t come to that. Also because I had no sense of how hard I was pushing I ended up with an episiotomy and also second degree tearing that went quite deep so my recovery took a good six weeks, he also ended up being delivered via forceps because again my body wasn’t pushing hard enough. I also then was hooked up to a catheter all night in the hospital which I hated and made it really awkward with a newborn baby. It took ages to wear off as well so I was numb from the waste down for most of the night which again made that first night in hospital horrible. My second was born two weeks ago unmedicated (just two paracetamol!) with not even a midwife present and whilst the pain of contractions was obviously a lot worse, I would do that again in a heartbeat over having the epidural. Physically I was recovered within a week and I had none of the grogginess after

Great, thank you everyone. I like to hear both the positives and negatives

If you've not found it already the labourpains.org website is really useful to look at - it's run by the Obstetric Anaesthetists Association and has lots of reliable objective info about epidurals (and some of the other analgesia options too).

I never thought I would have an epidural but I had a long labour and I wasn't coping well at all. I'm very glad I had it!
I had an episiotomy and ventouse delivery though. I don't know if it would have been different if I hadn't had the epidural but I have a feeling the outcome would have been the same.
The recovery from the epidural was really quick (could walk and have the catheter out after a few hours).

Thank you I will take a look at this

Yes, this is the only thing putting me off, when I gave birth I had no tears or anything and I know it’s a higher likelihood of intervention with an epidural. Recovery sounds fab though, did they let you home the same day or do they have to keep you in for a day?

I had my first naturally with no epidural, and second was a c-section with epidural.

One thing that I had never heard mentioned about epidurals, but the anaesthetist said was very normal, was you don't actually go completely numb, it just feels like mega pins and needles in your arms and legs (well, presumably just your legs for a vaginal birth...). So you don't feel any pain, but I actually found the pins and needles sensation quite unpleasant (much less unpleasant than I would have felt being cut into without an epidural though, I'm sure!!!) But something to bear in mind.

I would also massively recommend hypnobirthing if you've got the time/budget. It helps you relax and feel in control, so in that regard it's really good even if you're not having a natural birth. For example if you're getting an epidural it helps you with contractions before you get the epidural, and when I had my emergency c-section I used the hynobirthing techniques to stay calm and zen, even when my husband was freaking out a bit.

But apart from that I had no ill effects of the epidural whatsoever.

I stayed in overnight for breastfeeding support but could have gone home the same day if it wasn't for that.
I should say that even though I needed the episiotomy it was only sore for about 10 days and I have had no issues with it since. My baby had no bad effects from the ventouse delivery.
I would definitely be open to having an epidural again if I have another baby, but if labour was progressing more simply and quickly I might try without.

I had 2 epidurals and 1 super quick labour without anything. I would have an epidural everyday and twice on Sundays - they are bloody amazing. I was relaxed and laughing through the labour and home with a 6 hour discharge after having my third child.

I never quite understand what all the fear and trepidation is around epidurals. If you have one early in labour - not as a last resort - labour is painless, controlled, easy and dare I say, enjoyable.

The NHS have a vested interest in selling women a line about whale music and beanbags being enough, because women who painfully and valiantly grunt their way through labour with a twig between their teeth cost them nothing.

If men gave birth, you can bet your life that epidurals would be standard like they are in the USA.

I’m going to go against the grain and say I had an epidural many years ago and the anaesthetist had to try 5 times to get epidural in and eventually did.My second child they tried and failed a spinal block for a c section and I have had awful back problems since which has resulted in a ruptured disc.
I know many people have epidural’s without issues and they are brilliant for pain relief but as with all things medical there are risks to be considered

I had a mobile epidural which was good. I still felt the contractions and urge to push mostly but pain was way reduced plus I could move and not be lying in a bed... Easier recovery too.

I had one with my first. Definitely prolonged labour. Couldn't feel the contractions so midwife had to tell me when to push. Ended up with a forceps delivery and several stitches. Second time around I only had gas and air and labour took half the time.

I would say don’t judge your section birth by the experience of your first. All labours are v different. I had an epidural, episiotomy and ventouse for my first. I was knackered after a long latent labour of 12 hours and I was able to rest. Obviously will never know if the epidural contributed to the ventouse. Had nothing for my second but it was a very quick labour that I was able to cope with. Hoping you have a similar experience!

It’s like a miracle delivered by the gods in my view!

I had it in my notes that I wanted an early epidural - couldn’t see the point of risking any pain or discomfort. It was perfect - slept for hours, watched Wimbledon and then gave birth.

I had an epidural with my first baby. It was great in that it immediately removed all the pain and I slept for an hour after getting it in as I hadn’t slept in a couple of days because of the contractions. Ended up with episiotomy and ventouse not sure if the epidural was a factor.
second labour was precipitous and no time for an epidural or any other pain relief. I was expecting to get an epidural so I hadn’t really prepared with hypnobirthing etc. The pain was terrible for me especially during transition, it was so bad I honestly thought I’d never get through it but I had no choice. The upside is that I feel recovery was quicker despite a second degree tear. I don’t know what I would do if I had a 3rd.

I had an epidural as long labour,DDS head was deflexed & I was screaming & swearing, scaring all the other mums despite pethedin & copious entonox. It was fine, spontaneous vaginal delivery. Don't know if it was pregnancy, labour or the epidural but my back was never right afterwards.

I had a good experience with an epidural - it took the pain away (I'd been in labour for many hours by this point) and no negative effects. I did have an episiotomy - who knows whether I'd have had one anyway or not.

I had one and hated it. Weird back pain and numbness that made me feel sick for about 6 months

had two unmedicated births after (both induced and 24 hours long) and would take this any day over another epi

I’ve had two. All good outcomes. But first was tricky as anaesthesist was useless at getting needle in. Second was fine. Always depends on who is administering it. No problems medically afterwards though. I had planned for natural water births both times! But having healthy baby is the aim, obvs.

I didn't give birth in the UK but for me an epidural was amazing after a very long labour. It let me relax after I'd got very tired, hungry and stressed. I was told not to push the button again after I got to 9cm so I could push properly, but did mean I got the near full ring of fire experience. Pushing only lasted 30 minutes despite baby coming face first. I was allowed to push the button for the stitches! I was mobile enough all the way through that I could move my feet, turn over and get up on all fours to push. The nurses emptied my bladder with a catheter and bed pan which was a little undignified, but probaby better than having a catheter bag and meant I was unhooked from everything within 2h and could take a shower. The baby needed some extra checks so we had to stay 8h, but they'd have let me go after 4h.