epidural???

[Charlie189]

I had to have an epidural during labour with my daughter because my blood pressure was too high and they didnt know how else to control it.

I refused it for most of the labour but when i finally got it i felt so much better! I could still move my feet, and it didnt work as well in my left side so i felt some pain and contractions. I even managed to sleep! They only problem was i couldn't really tell when to push. I probably would opt to get one again next time! Between the pethadine and gas and air i can't remember much of labour before the epi.

 

[nervouspains]

I had 2 epidurals... They didnt touch me! Had no effect AT ALL!
I ended up with a c-section and had to have a spinal block as it was the only thing that could numb me! xx

 

[holly2234]

just wanted to put in that not having an Epidural or Narcotic pain relief doesnt mean women dont want pain relief they would just rather avoid the potential side effects of those drugs.

i honestly can say ive had worse period cramps than labour pains with ds2, i used Tens then gas and air at the end and the reason i believe it didnt hurt so bad is because i didnt fight the pain like i did with ds1 with ds1 i tensed through every contraction doing exactly the opposite of what my body was trying to do so it was no wonder i had a 56 hour labour the best bit of it was in the pool caus i finally relaxed and the pain nearly disappeared.

Its your choice if you take the Epi just be aware although they are "good" for some people they arent "good" for all

I second this, the cramp i got in my leg during labour hurt more than the contractions did.

Me too. The effort to stop myself pushing (i was in the car still!) was more painful. I wont say it didnt hurt because it did! But i had no pain relief at all and it was the right decision for me.

 

[Mypreciouskid]

The epidural was a very good thing for me x3 vaginal births. My first delivery was extremely painful. I was in very intense pain for 12 hours prior to the epidural. Unfortunately it wore off too early and I had a very uncomfortable delivery, involving a 2nd degree episiotomy and forward tear. I wish I had been insistent upon reloading my cathether. My 2nd and 3rd deliveries were sooo amazing and almost pain free, thanks to the epidural! In my personal experience, the epidural did not stall my labor, on the contrary, actually. I dilated 3-5 centimeters in about an hour to an hour and a half every time.

 

[rainbow_11]

Hey there! I've had an epidural when I gave birth to my daughter which was my first.! Best decision Ever!! I was really really calm and everything went extremely well! Best of luck!xx

 

[chelsdavison]

thanx rainbow xxx

 

[rainbow_11]

thanx rainbow xxx

Your very welcome!

 

[momof2babies]

I was in labor for 7 hours before I asked for an epidural and was 7cm after the epi the last 3 cm took 18 hrs and I almost needed a c-section as lo got distressed couldn't feel legs properly for 36hours after it was done

 

[madcatwoman]

my labour was pretty horrendous.G&A didnt even tickle the spot!

i had the epi and when it started working, it was bloody wonderful

the pain was gone, but if someone had pinched me i could feel it!. i could feel when to push too but as i say, painless!.
i felt them stitching me up-but it was painless!

 

[fluffpuffin]

epi was the best decision I made during labour. The mw tried to get me to have a warm shower or use gas & air, but neither of those helped. g&a just made me feel out of control. My labour was very long and I would not have coped without the epi. I was in labour for 8 hours before I had it & I needed pitocin to make the contractions stronger as I wasn't progressing before. Once I had it it was great. It was a patient-controlled epi, so I could top up as and when I wanted which was great. I liked still being able to feel a bit of pressure and my legs. I never lost control of my bladder either. Unfortunately LO got stuck and even instrumental delivery wouldn't get her out, so ended up with a c-section, but I doubt that was due to the epi.

 

[x__amour]

I had an epidural. Hurt a little to have it inserted but worked fabulously.

 

[MiissMuffet]

My advice would be only take the epi if needed. yes it was bliss to me as i was having a shocking labour, BUT there are real downsides to it too. i could not move around, i was stuck to the bed, i kept slipping down in the bed and i couldnt get up myself, i couldnt turn myself, it was very uncomfy. Not to mention the ITCH i got all over my body especially my legs and my feet. I had to have an antidote thing to stop the itching. My OH was itching my legs etc for me but it just wouldnt touch the spot. That itself was excruciateing to me i couldnt rest as i was just ITCHY

The birth itself was not relaxed at all, things went really badly and i was stuck there helpless. I am very glad i had the epi though as things they needed to do to me afterwards i really ont think i wouldve coped without it.

goodluck

 

[SparkleBug]

Ive just asked 4 one in my birth plan and my mw moved me from mw led care to obstetrics to up the likelihood of getting one. Ive been told im not guaranteed one even if i ask as 1) they dont like to do it as its an intervention and 2) as one anaesthetist serves the local hospital as well as my maternity hospital and has to be paged 30 mins in advance! Waaaaah not a comforting thot!! Fingers crossed i can have one! Xx

 

[chelsdavison]

Ive just asked 4 one in my birth plan and my mw moved me from mw led care to obstetrics to up the likelihood of getting one. Ive been told im not guaranteed one even if i ask as 1) they dont like to do it as its an intervention and 2) as one anaesthetist serves the local hospital as well as my maternity hospital and has to be paged 30 mins in advance! Waaaaah not a comforting thot!! Fingers crossed i can have one! Xx

fingers crossed. hope your birth plan goes the way you want. xx

 

[cheese lover]

I came into labor with an open mind. I wanted to labor as long as possible but willing to get an epi if needed. My epi was great. I labored for 24 hours and got to 7 cm before I asked for it. I could still move my right leg which allowed me to switch positions when LO got distressed. I ended up with internal monitors and an assisted delivery (LO was face up and crooked) Which was not due to the epi. I'm not sure I could have endured 40 hours of labor, 4 hours of pushing and everything else without the epi.
If we have another one I'll likely go in with the same attitude.