Epidural with induction UK

[tublet]

I was also set on trying a natural active birth but I am heading towards an induction in 5 days.

I'm not dilated at all and at my last appointment only 4/5 engaged, so I have it in my head this is going to be a long process.

I am pretty convinced I am just going as for an epidural before they put me on the drip. The fact I can't move around with the drip puts me off as does the intensity of the pain.

Any advice or experience?

 

[kanga]

I was induced with the drip with my son. My waters had already broken so they wouldn't give me the pessary.

Are you being offered pessary first, if not I would ask why not.

You can request Foley catheter induction instead of the pessary or drip. I would personally look into that, I wish I had known it was an option.

I didn't want an Epi but a. Few hours in when I was still not dilated I got it. My body wasn't favourable for giving birth. I had a serious case of cascade of intervention ending in forceps and a very unhappy baby. Next time I would refuse induction and get a c section. I'm sure there are lots of people for whom AN induction was fine but this is just my experience.

Sperm is supposed to ripen the cervix so get lots of sex in this week! I would also be having acupuncture and reflexology at this point in your shoes. Good luck! X

 

[cait]

I don't think they're likely to give you an epidural before the drip. Afaik doctors and midwives will want to see how well you cope with contractions before giving medication.
You can stand up and move a bit with the drip but it is really annoying not walking about (if you are also attached to a constant monitor like I was).

 

[tristansmum]

I doubt they will give it before the drip as you need to be in active labour first. X

 

[rosepetals36]

I would see about pessery first...i had pessery and a very active birth, i asked for minimal monitorin so they kept me on monitor for short time then i could go walking around, the birth ball etc...i had my waters broke and not long after i had my baby, 3 1/2 hours, second one was induced too and took just over two hours, epis can seriously slow labour down and u r more likely to need assistance to deliver wether its forceps or csection, a lot of scary things are said about induction but it isn't that bad xx

 

[EmmaFTM]

I was given the drip and epidural at the same time! Hated the epidural and wished that I had tried to deal with the pain of the contractions myself first. I'm pregnant again and planning a water VBAC and really hope that I don't have to have the drip or an epidural this time. X

 

[Hb.x]

I was given 3 pessarys, followed by the drip. They put me off the epidural for as long as I could manage, which turned out to be pointless seen as it was put in twice and both failed. I also wasn't checked before the epi, and delivered half an hour after I was given it (I never would have taken it if I had of known I was so close, and I doubt they would have gave me it anyway). I can honestly say my labour was relatively easy, although I delivered 3.5hrs after the drip was started. Plus, my back hasn't been the same since!!

Good luck!

 

[dan-o]

I had the pessary which put me into labour. Stayed on my feet from the first twinges (just dragged the monitors round with me) and had a natural back to back labour, and delivery!

 

[dan-o]

Ps. I had a drip for my antibiotics, just dragged that round with me as well, its on wheels! X

 

[Mrs Doddy]

You don't need an epi just because you are being induced .. You can't move around much but you can a bit x

 

[MissMaternal]

I had planned a water birth, so when I was induced with DS at 38+3 due to suspected IUGR I was disappointed, and unsure of what to expect, as my DD was born after a spontaneous labour. I was dead set against having an epidural, I didn't have one with DD so knew I could do it without. But my pessary failed, and I ended up having the drip. It sent me into active labour after hardly any time at all, and contractions intensified very quickly. The midwife advised me that most women struggle to cope without an epidural by the time the drip gets turned up to an 8, and they were about to turn it up to 8 so I requested an epidural as I was already struggling. The anaesthetist came and inserted the line into my back, and then my body started to push! So I didn't actually get the drugs in the end, just the needle. But had my labour been any longer I couldn't have coped. Don't feel disheartened if you need the epidural, the drip really does intensify contractions from my experience x

 

[Numero_uno]

My waters went and 24 hours later I still wasn't in "active labour" so went back in to be put on the drip, I had the drip up to the max it would go and did it without epidural but that's only because the anaesthetist wasn't available, so it is possible to be induced with the drip and not have an epidural. I was glad I didn't have one as didn't need any assistance with gettin him out. It did hurt a lot but then it would hurt a lot anyway!

 

[Noodlebear]

I had one but it wasn't actually for my contractions it was because they thought I had a blot clot and I could barely walk from the pain. I was given one before being put onto the drip (as I was only 3 or 4 cm at the time) but I don't know if that's just because of the situation I was in.

 

[tublet]

Hi guys apologies should have posted back on here! I ended up in a 3 day induction with 3 pessurys by the time they could break my waters I was so tired and baby had gone back to back and was very painful! I had an epidural about 1.5 hours after going on the drip and it was amazing!

I only made it to 4cm dilation and had to have an emergency c section as I wouldn't progress and my blood pressure. Very pleased I had an epidural as I wasn't knocked out for the surgery.