Okay im so bloody furious!

[okciv]

When I was having my DD - I planned a totally natural delivery - in the end I had EVERYTHING going!!! An epidural was the ONLY thing that helped with my pain.
I'd say keep an open mind, as for being in control....... I've never met anyone who felt 'in control' during labour!!

 

[JynxPhD]

I honestly think it's crazy to say that both babies are head down so everything will be ok. I had an epi with my daughter but it didn't work. It only made my right leg numb so I felt everything. You are not in control during labor. Your body does what it wants. I blacked out in between every contraction and I had no control over anything.

Both my twins are head down and I'm planning a vaginal delivery. I do realize that with twins your plans never go how you think. Vagi-sections are common. Twin 1 is born vaginally but then twin 2 turns and can't be delivered vaginally no matter what the doctor does so an emergency section must be done for they baby. I would rather be awake for both births than just one.

You should read some birth stories and see how many people actually had things go as they planned. It really doesn't happen often. I'm not saying this to be rude, just to help you be informed. Before I found out I was having twins I wasn't going to bother with an epi since I didn't have one with my DD. I have now agreed to have one immediately upon arrival at the hospital in case of complications. I should say you can request a "light epi" where they initially use less medications so you feel more of the labor. Maybe that would be a good compromise for you?

 

[cazd]

Omg! Netsa... You posted Exactly what I've been thinking!

I've been so anti-epi. And I want to experience what it's like to give birth. I don't want a c-section and struggle with recovery and be unable to lift my babies for weeks
(I had an ovary removed and was left with NO ability to lift anything or even sit up by myself)
Let alone the risk of being crippled for life

My biggest fear isn't actually the epi... It's being covered up with blue paper and not seeing what's going on - trapped behind a screen. It'd be torture!

I'm so glad you posted this. I don't think I've ever read all the replies in a thread so slowly and carefully. The trouble is... These girls make sense to me. A light epi and prepare for the possibility of a c/s. I really want to know what giving birth is like and unfortunately I'm really stubborn ... I 'won't be told' !
But... This thread has really made me think.
A light epi... I didn't even know you could have that!
How's about a super-light epi so it's there just in case but doesn't actually have any real effect?

Oooh... And I totally agree with what you said about yr Mw.. Moving on to yr man like that. Eugh. When do you have to let them know? Soon... Or when you're in labour?

 

[chetnaz]

Omg! Netsa... You posted Exactly what I've been thinking!

I've been so anti-epi. And I want to experience what it's like to give birth. I don't want a c-section and struggle with recovery and be unable to lift my babies for weeks
(I had an ovary removed and was left with NO ability to lift anything or even sit up by myself)
Let alone the risk of being crippled for life

My biggest fear isn't actually the epi... It's being covered up with blue paper and not seeing what's going on - trapped behind a screen. It'd be torture!

I'm so glad you posted this. I don't think I've ever read all the replies in a thread so slowly and carefully. The trouble is... These girls make sense to me. A light epi and prepare for the possibility of a c/s. I really want to know what giving birth is like and unfortunately I'm really stubborn ... I 'won't be told' !
But... This thread has really made me think.
A light epi... I didn't even know you could have that!
How's about a super-light epi so it's there just in case but doesn't actually have any real effect?

Oooh... And I totally agree with what you said about yr Mw.. Moving on to yr man like that. Eugh. When do you have to let them know? Soon... Or when you're in labour?

There is also another way... I had an epidural with the twins, but the dose was quite high and I could feel it spreading upwards, so they called the anthestetist (sp) and he turned it off and told the MW to let it wear off then they can turn it back on again. The thing is, by the time it wore off, I was fully dilated and was in pain! I could feel everything and told the MW that I felt I needed to push. Dont think she believed me as it happened so fast but when they checked I was fully dilated and was able to start pushing, so I definately felt everything!

Maybe you could have the epi at the beginning and get them to check you regularly and if all is well they could turn it off half hour or so before you need to start pushing? Ask if it's an option maybe? At least this way you've had the epi for the beginning, and if things arent developing well or fast enough or the babies are distressed then youre ready for a c-section, but if all is well, they could maybe let it wear off. Mine wasnt done purposely but it worked out really well. Talk to your consultant/MW and see what youre options are. x

 

[JynxPhD]

Once you have the epi catheter in your spine that is really all that matters. If you need a section then they will just inject it with meds. I think it's just placing the catheter that is the most time consuming. Once it's in you can have a little or a lot of medication.

As you ladies will discover you will experience labor with or without an epi. You don't miss anything with one. Good luck!

 

[cazd]

As you ladies will discover you will experience labor with or without an epi. You don't miss anything with one. Good luck!

oh my gosh... you're right... it's actually going to happen

Chetnaz - I'd imagined with an NHS delivery that they'd just process me and wouldn't take the time to talk about various options...

I feel enlightened ! Thanks ladies xxx

 

[Laura2919]

As you ladies will discover you will experience labor with or without an epi. You don't miss anything with one. Good luck!

oh my gosh... you're right... it's actually going to happen

Chetnaz - I'd imagined with an NHS delivery that they'd just process me and wouldn't take the time to talk about various options...

I feel enlightened ! Thanks ladies xxx

Everyone has options hun!
I just think its silly to want to be asleep and miss everything than have an epidural
There are more options out there! I was asleep and it was awful I woke up in intensive care and it couldnt have been further from what I expected