Epidural

I think everyone will tell you something different based on their personal experience. I had to be induced for medical issues, and was in labor quite a while and finally decided to get an epidural. I’m guessing the pitocin made it worse but I really don’t know as it was my first. Anyway, had an epidural no regrets and no bad side effects for me or baby.

Hey I’m 3 weeks PP & I had an epidural and I do regret it, the epidural didn’t work for me, it was even topped 3 times and it still didn’t do a thing so that’s the only reason I regret getting it, I was so for getting the epidural and I never thought for a second it wouldn’t work xx

I’m pregnant with my first baby so I can’t speak from my own experience but I was a birth partner for my friend 2 years ago and she had an epidural and it was just not great experience for her. She’s still struggling with some side effects such as lower back pain and in general her birth was traumatic as baby’s heart rate dropped soon after the epidural and she ended with cc

I was complete anti-epidural after the ordeal my sister had with hers but in the end was very grateful for the epidural during my awful induction even if I only had it for 10 minutes before I had an emergency c section. What a peaceful 10 minutes they were! Wouldn’t jump to it straight away but definitely wouldn’t be so against it this time around with what I now know is my terrible pain threshold 😂

Sorry, not much help coz I've not had an epidural but I would say try to be open minded about pain relief. With my first, I went in with the idea that I didn't really want pain relief but if it got too much then I wouldn't say no either. I ended up with nothing but co-codamol. I was the same with my 2nd and only had gas and air. Try not to be too scared, you will do amazingly no matter what you go for x

I've never had one but i was debating one on my first, watch a video on YouTube how its done it'll soon put you off🫣🫣

I had one and it was fine :)

I planned a completely drug free birth (preferably in the water) but things just didn’t work out that way - I actually didn’t like the birth pool and I was so exhausted and wasn’t coping anymore after around 40 hours in labour so I surprised myself and went for the epidural. It was the best thing ever! The only downside was I couldn’t feel where to push so I had to be coached. My friend didn’t top hers up to the max so she was able to feel when to push so if I were to have another one I would try not topping it up so much. I did have to have an assisted delivery in the end, but I’m not sure it was the epidural alone that contributed to this (as it can increase risk of needing intervention) I think it was mainly because my son’s head was at an awkward angle x

First baby a year ago and I planned to go med-free but after 13hr labor, I was exhausted and sobbing. Doc said the pain was likely holding me back so I agreed to a light touch of epidural. I was in a very experienced hospital so i think that helps with... side effects, maybe?
I didn't feel a difference at first, anesthesiologist stayed with me 10 mins to give "just a little more" and my legs went numb. I did not like the tingly feeling but I don't regret it because baby was out naturally in just 2 more hours, I still felt when it was time to push, pushed like 10-15 mins. I've suffered from back pains for years and don't see a difference pp, my baby's heart was fine and I was able to hear it myself pretty loud in the room the whole time. Just my experience. Next time, I think I will ask for the line to be placed in but will still try to hold off as long as I can because bending forward like that during a contraction is not fun haha

I’ve not had an epidural but there’s plenty of other painkillers available. It’s not all or nothing. They can give you pethidine or meptid, which are pretty strong!
I had meptid towards the pushing stage and was falling asleep…meptid is only 2 hours and pethidine about 4.

You can always put in your birth plan that you’d like to try with injections and gas and air but there’s a chance you would resort to an epidural. That way they are informed and you can see how you go. Labour is usually a loooong process so you’ve got time to change your mind.

I had an epidural and was amazing took all the pain away, you do what you feel is best don’t let anyway tell you differently x xx

Sorry to jump on what’s the difference between epidural for vaginal birth and one for C-section. Reading some of the comments saying isn’t work for people scares me. As I may have to have C-section for medical reasons not choice. I had a vaginal birth for my first and just gas and air. So wanted that again for this pregnancy, however I don’t think I can as it may not be safe this time round. I recently had stitch put in and they used spinal anesthesia and I hated it, it didn’t feel natural and it hurt when the needle went in my back.

I had an epidural and it was life changing! It was amazing! ♥️ I felt like super woman afterwards x

Ps.. I was terrified of childbirth and my consultant put ‘ early intervention of epidural’ which meant as soon as I hit 3cm I was given it so I was super comfortable x

I've never had a epidural and I'm now pregnant with my 4th baby, I feel like it's personal choice I've opted out of having a epidural because I have a bad back as it is (currently on a waiting list for a operation) however it came to me having to get it for health or medical reasons I'd go for it. Good luck you've got this mamma ❤️

I’d recommend researching epidurals and the associated benefits and risks.
Read - expecting better by Dr Emily Oster.
Follow - Dr Rachel Reid and Sarah Wickham
Listen to - Dungaree Doula and Midwife’s Cauldron podcasts.
All bring statistics and factual data into epidurals and the benefits and risks. You can then use that information to decide whether it is for you or not 😊