What do you think of Epidurals?

[MummyCat]

i had one after a long drawn out labour, it was a great decision for me.
believe me you wont even care about the needle if you get to the stage where you need one!
Im so glad i did as it made my labour actually quite enjoyable!
I had a nap, was able to chat, text on my phone...there was absolutely no shouting or screaming, i was glad that this wasnt the first thing lo heard!

however, they do make it more likely that you will need forceps etc as you cant work with gravity, you are stuck to the bed. you can get mobile epidurals but my hospital didnt do these.
also means you will need a catheter which isnt very nice, and also instrumental deliveries mean you need an episoitomy and can cause after effects with your pelvic floor (ie leaking!)

There are lots of pros and cons, it all depends on how your labour progresses and how you cope with the pain. I had one as after 3 days in active labour I was afraid I wouldnt be able to push and didnt want any other pain relief (ie pethidine) as I wanted to remember everything.

hope this helps
x

This is what I was about to type out.... pretty much all of it... except I was in labour for 2 days not three!

My pelvic floor is shot too... though to be fair, I keep forgetting to do the exercise!

 

[Snuffy]

I had an epidural almost as soon as I arrived in the delivery room. I was induced and I don't know what the hell happened, but literally as soon as my waters went, I went straight into full pelt contractions every couple of minutes and I couldn't cope with that intensity pain coming out of nowhere. My roommate had been induced much earlier in the day than me and her contractions had been building up nicely and gadually so she had time to get accustomed to them - as it was I was whisked off to delivery in a wheelchair within 15 minutes of my waters breaking, leaving her still plodding on.

I asked for an epidural as soon as I arrived in delivery and as I had been induced due to high BP they were happy to oblige (apparently they recommend them if there is hypertension). By the time hubby arrived it was going in.

In the end I needed a section due to pre-eclampsia being diagnosed and them having given me the maxiumum epidural they were allowed to after 15 hours, but I was able to feel and move my legs right up until they zapped up the dosage in theatre to perform the operation.

I wouldn't hesitate to have another if I felt I needed it. I would, however, fight tooth and nail against being induced again - I would sooner have an elective section than risk that horrid weirdness happening to be again.

 

[kwilliams]

i had an epi and it took all the pain away except for the pressure. the next day i tried to get out of bed and collapsed due to my right knee still being numb. i did not gain feeling back in right leg until 3 months after birth

 

[JeepGirl]

My epidural was wonderful Leading up to labour, I had an open mind and said I would try to go without but if the pain got to be too much I would get one. My labour started with my water breaking and 5mins later contractions were strong and 3/4 mins apart I arrived at the hopsital 2hrs after the 1st contraction and was already 6cm I asked for a epi as soon as I got there.

All I felt was a quick pinch when they put it in. Didn't hurt at all and even if it did, it would have been worth it! I went from being in so much pain that I couldn't talk to being so relaxed that I was chatting and joking with OH, mom and the nurses. After getting my epi I truly enjoyed labour, I only knew I was having contractions from seeing them on the monitor didn't feel them at all. I could still feel my legs but they seemed very heavy. When it came time to push, I was able to no problem even though I couldn't feel anything. Unfortunately LO was back to back and got very stuck and ended up with a EMCS. The doctor said epidural or not, I would never have been able to push him out, he was so stuck they even had a hard time getting him out in surgery.

I have to have c sections for any future births, but if I could have a vaginal birth I would have another epidural for sure.

 

[kmumtobe]

You dint get anything for being a hero and doing it with nothing so take all the pain relief you can I say, it bloody hurts, why suffer! x