Epidural?

[brandonsgirl]

When I was in labour with my son, I was rushed to theatre to have an emergency c section. I didn't end up needing it after all and ended up having a forceps delivery. But by the time they realised that, they had already given me a spinal block. The spinal block worked wonders and really helped me to calm down and not panic at the pain. I remember getting a small ache around the area they gave me the spinal block for a few days afterwards. But it was nothing major.. in fact it took me a while to realise why I was getting the pain, then it clicked that it was the area they must have put the needle in.

I have been having mixed thoughts about an epidural this time around. I think if I hadn't of gotten the spinal block, I might not of considered an epi. But the relief it gave was brilliant.
I think if an epi could do the same as the spinal block then I might be able to relax and enjoy the experience much more.

 

[Jonesy25]

Thats how i felt about my epi brandonsgirl, i dont like what the gas and air & pethadine did to me and when i had the epi in prep for forceps i realised how calm it made me from the state i was in before...i was embaressed about how i was acting so this time im going for epidural straight away...its what i feel is best for me

 

[brandonsgirl]

Yeah I admit I was embarrassed also. I was getting myself into a right panic, which I now realise wasn't helping baby or me. But at the time I was really freaking out.

I think there is a lot of pressure on pregnant women to go through labour naturally as we hear about all these stories or women that can do it without pain relief just fine and about all the many women in other countries and from centuries ago that managed. But I would also rather enjoy my labour rather then wish it over straight away. If an epidural can do that then why not?! If it was giving many ladies permanent damage afterwards then i'm sure they wouldn't still be able to offer it?

That's not to say some ladies don't come away with issues etc. Its a pain relieving drug, there will always be some sort of side affect for some people. I suppose its just down to how the lady and her dr's/mw's feel it will affect her.

 

[valentinegirl]

I've always been an advocate of epidurals. I got mine at a 5 and I took a nap then had a baby just like the Dr said. With that being said I was also induced and had a fabulous experience. This will be my last baby tho and I feel like I want a different experience. I'm not planning on an induction and I would like to wait til I'm really feeling some good contractions before I get the epi. I feel like I took the easy way out last time. This time I wanna feel more-dumb I know. I'll get one tho bc I'm scared of the ring of fire!!!!

 

[ladyofsteel]

They first give u a local anaesthetic which I barely felt at all (dentist hurts more). You don't actually feel the needle at all but u have to sit leaning forward really far and its uncomfortable.

It worked like a charm. I felt no pain and was still able to feel when to push and feel the baby come out (which didn't hurt).

I highly recommend them although I don't know much about your history and the affect it would have on it.

 

[babyface15]

I didn't get an epidural and was told time and time again that if I had my birth would have ended in c section (posterior presentation that I turned to anterior by doing different positions during pushing). My sil just gave birth and got an epidural at 3 cm and ended up with a section due to failure to progress. There is a well defined link between epi and increased likelihood of c section. That's not to say you'll have a section obviously, but your likelihood of having one increases significantly.

 

[afen457]

Just wanted to share my experience. I had an epidural with my son and it worked great but I ended up being the small percentage that got spinal head aches for 2 weeks afterwards. It's like having a constant migraine. You cannot sit up or even open your eyes. I had to be heavily medicated to even take care of my son. I'm hoping I never have to get one again. I also have terrible back problems now and I'm quite young. That's not to say all epidural experiences aren't good.

 

[FeistyMom]

I know many women who had positive experiences with epidurals, but none of them had back problems going into it. My SIL gave birth in April, had the epi and thoroughly enjoyed the rest it gave her (she had active labor for over 24 hours before having the epi, was able to take a nap and regain strength to finish up a few hours later). I do have a cousin who ended up with some complications that weren't a direct result of the epi but wouldn't have happened without it (doctor didn't believe she was pushing hard enough because she'd had an epi, and they almost lost both baby and my cousin during an emergency 3-section after 4 hours of pushing!). She did not have any back issues associated with the epi.

I do have mild scoliosis, and while I had planned on an epi with my first, I didn't make it in time so ended up au naturale. I do NOT recommend going med free if you aren't prepared, it was pretty stressful, but over quickly enough that I actually planned natural births the last 2 times I think the studies done really don't take into account some of the complications that can happen if your back isn't 'normal/average' though, so take them with a grain of salt.