Experiences with epidurals

[Mummy Bean]

I had mine near the end...had managed really well until i hit transition a freaked out so begged for one. i thought it was amazing...took a while to kick in but really helped me enjoy the last few hrs. they gave me the lowest does so still had g&a if needed and could move legs still. also gave me a chance to give baby time to decend...pushing was really quick and no tears.

Whether it related or not ive had much worse back pain in this pregnancy...but that may just be the way things are.

 

[Feronia]

I didn't have an epidural and I absolutely loved my birth. I've read that people who do not get epidurals report a higher satisfaction in their births immediately, 6 weeks postpartum, and after a year compared to those that do.

This article was really helpful to me about epidurals: https://www.sarahbuckley.com/epidurals-risks-and-concerns-for-mother-and-baby/

 

[Twinks]

I had an epidural (I was induced) and had no problems at all. It didn't numb my left side very well so I could feel enough contraction to know when to push. I was lucky and had a positive experience with the epi. After being dead set against drugs too. I also wanted a water birth and my birth plan said no meds but gas and air lol!!

 

[sue_88]

I had an epidural and after it was administered I had a wonderful labour & delivery and loved giving birth to my girl.

Administered at 4cm after going from 3-4cm over 7 hours with syntocinon and no waters. I then did 4-10cm with epi in 4 hours and pushed my daughter out in 56mins.

Was up and had a shower & hair wash after 3 hours......looked & felt amazing!

I'd planned a calm serene drug-free homebirth. But now I wouldn't change my experience for the world. Baby arriving happy & healthy is most important, not the birth story.

 

[LaDY]

I had no problems with the epidural...I very much didn't want one however I was up for over 24 hours in agony...dilating very very slowly...eventually I was so tired of the pain and was sleep deprived, it was the only thing that allowed me to sleep in order to prepare for the baby to come out! If it wasn't for the epidural, I honestly don't know how I would have done it! xx

 

[sassymrsbee]

I had an epi after swearing I wouldn't. I had been in prodromal labor for three weeks and at 39 weeks 5 days my Dr decided to break my water to get things moving( had been stuck at 3-4 cm for a week). Once my water was broke things happened so fast, the contractions got really strong and incredibly painful really quickly. Within two hours I was begging for the epidural. Once I got it I felt great! I rested for just two hours before they checked me and I was almost ready to push! Allowing my body to relax had caused my dilation to speed up finally! My daughter was born just two hours later.
I thought I would regret my decision to "cave in" and "give up", but I honestly look back and want to do it all over again! Getting the epi allowed me to get some rest and not be completely exhausted with a new baby.
I had no side effects or symptoms from the epi at all, unless you count the gross icky tape residue on my back for almost a week! Lol

 

[Squarepants]

I loved mine!!! Never experienced back pain or headaches after birth. After about 20 minutes of it going in that was it for me never felt another pain until the epi wore off as I had a 2nd degree tear. I am so scared of needles but because I couldn't see it and the nurses were taking my mind off of it, I didn't even think that getting it set up hurt that much either.

Next time round will deffinately be having another one.

 

[katsbump]

I got an epidural headache and had to have a blood patch a week later. I felt like I was dying for the days after she was born until I got the blood patch. During the labour the epidural made me feel really claustrophobic but I haven't found many people who felt that way when I looked it up later online so that was an unusual reaction I think. I just felt terrified about not being able to move my legs or get out in an emergency and had to keep telling myself not to freak out. All of that being said, my birth was really horrible and labour was 30 hours so I did appreciate the pain relief.

 

[ZoeyKaspian]

When I got the Epidural, I had a totally different experience than I thought I would. If I could go back and change it, I would and just go with the IV. I cried harder than I have cried in awhile when the Epidural was administered. All but one of the anesthesiologists were creepy and rude and the one that wasn't rude came in about the time that Atlas was born. It did not help the pain for me. I felt every sharp pain you could imagine. NOT pressure.

 

[elizah1980]

I had one after 22 hours of hard labor and pitocin. It actually helped me sleep the rest of the night, although I had horrendous pain with contractions because my LO was in a transverse lie. I had an EMCS due to fetal distress (heart rate) and I was ill with an infection because i'd gone too long with broken waters.

I'm glad I had it because they needed to do a true emergency section, so my epi was already placed and they didn't need to try and place it in a rush

 

[Bevziibubble]

I wrote on my birth plan that I didn't want an epidural. As soon as I arrived at the hospital I was in so much pain I begged for an epidural immediately!!

The only bad effect I had from the epidural was being sick a few times when I was in labour and I had a back ache on the odd occasion for a while afterwards but that's long gone now.

I think I would have an epidural again if I have another baby!

 

[disneydarling]

I had no side effects from mine, it was perfect.

However, I believe it's what caused me needing a c-section due to non progression, so I regret it so much. Biggest mistake of my life.

 

[Miniamo]

I had an epidural (not until almost 8cm dilated though as anaesthetist was delayed! So almost didn't get one!) - for me it was an amazing relief. My labour had been really intense and quick up to then and I was struggling with the contractions and had been for 9 hours. Once it kicked in the difference was clear - I was calm, could rest etc, even read a magazine! Unthinkable half an hour before, I hadn't opened my eyes for hours and was glued to the gas and air (which seemed to do nothing but was a comfort!). Admittedly it slowed my labour a bit and had to have a little syntocin to speed things up but I still pushed baby out in less than 10 mins, with a little help from the ventouse. Had second degree tear but 3 weeks on it seems to be healing fine. Would definitely get an epidural again. Sorry for anyone that had complications- I was lucky I guess and it should always be borne in mind that things don't always go to plan.

 

[lady1985]

Bumping for more stories!! Keep them going!

 

[fashionqueen]

On the midwife tv programme here this week they said that only 1/4 women who have epidurals go on to have a birth with no interventions. So I am following this thread as interesting to see people's stories.

 

[MoldyVoldy]

I went in to the hospital the day I gave birth thinking I was going to do it without an epidural. And I COULD have - but I just wasn't prepared for the pain. I didn't do what I needed to regarding researching and learning pain techniques.

So...

I labored for 14 hours. Pushed for 20 minutes.

I was writhing in pain, screaming at the top of my lungs (probably scared the SHIT out of other mothers that night. I feel so bad for it, too), and at one point was sobbing and pushing and pulling back and forth on the side of the hospital bed - I literally was going to break the side off of the bed. No joke.

An HOUR before I began pushing, I got my epidural.

Once it was placed - instant relief. I was so out of it beforehand, I was literally delirious with pain. The epidural gave me a chance to take a deep breath, be able to be coherent, and it gave me a little bit to "enjoy" being in labor.

I could still feel contractions but I can't even say it was painful. I felt the need to push, and when I tore slightly and cried out, my doctor nodded to my nurse and she upped the epi a little...and I again was numb enough to not feel too much.

If you are worried about not feeling anything, express those concerns because your doctor and nurse may be able to give you JUST ENOUGH medicine to take that edge off.

I don't have backaches or headaches from my epidural, either.

 

[MoldyVoldy]

OH! and NO I had no interventions! Pushed my little man out my vag, no forceps or anything.