Induction without epidural

I did it on just gas and air but after being 9.8cm dilated had to have emergency c section as baby’s heart rate dropped

I got to 8cm with my first on the hormone drip. I had asked for it when I was stuck at 2cm (for hours, no progression) the anesthtetist was in theatre at the time, so had to wait… within the hour I went from 2-8cm, he came in gave it to me, and then checked to see how dilated I was (that’s when they realised I had jumped) that hour wasn’t a pretty sight 🙈 something I wasn’t aware of, was when you ask for an epidural you don’t get it within minutes, it can be a long wait, just something to bare in mind! I was lucky that they checked me again after they did the epidural otherwise I wouldn’t have been allowed it. And then the epidural actually failed, so ended up going through the final stage with just gas & air. I think epidural is great, if the labour is really long and you are physically exhausted (mine was 23hrs from point of waters breaking to giving birth, and I had been on the ward 5 days prior, I was shattered) Hoping for a quicker labour this time 😅

I managed with just gas and air, at the time it felt really rough but realized afterwards that I just progressed really really quickly after my water was broken and she was here before I knew it. Looking back at it I can barely remember the pain and felt so proud of myself of not using an epidural.

I had an induction last week was a great experience for me! Had my waters broken at 4:30pm as I was eligible to skip pessarys/dilation rods Got put onto a hormone drip at 6:45pm by 10pm I hadn't started contractions so they said they may not have full broke my waters so went back in and they rebroke them contractions started at 10:30ish I decided to have gas and air around 11:20ish and then that's all I had she was born at 00:42am on the 17th It was a really positive experience and I would consider doing it again via induction if it was needed/offered although I don't plan on having any more children myself!

I had an induction with the pessary and started to contract very soon after, was 4cm by time the pain was becoming unbearable and fully dialated ten mins after that...gas and air only at that stage as was too late but initially I had asked for an epidural. Be mindful though, I found the midwives did keep pushing for pethidine even though I had asked many times for the epidural.

Yes I’m but unintentionally as my epidural failed. Luckily I didn’t need the hormone drip but after my waters were broken the contractions pain intensified and I was begging for an epidural 🫣 ended up with just gas & air until pushing as they take it away then. It’s all very quickly forgotten as soon as baby arrives 😅

Yes, I just used gas & air and pethidine, took 24 hours from gel induction to my daughter arriving, no complications and no hormone drip needed! Pain was obviously intense, but the joy of contractions are that they will pass. Really enjoyed my labour and no complications x

I had a gel induction with my LG on the Friday afternoon, managed pain wise on paracetamol, oramorph and dihydrocodeine until the Sunday evening when I was crying for something stronger and was 5cm which they were surprised I'd coped on to get to 5cm. I had gas and air during active labour but had to stop using it when pushing as I was so tired and out of it I couldn't feel the contractions to push with them so our LG was delivered with no pain relief technically. I always said I didn't want an epidural unless absolutely necessary so was glad I didn't end up needing one.

Thank you all for your contributions! This is my second baby. With my first, my water broke around 11:30 p.m., but due to a bacterial infection I was carrying, they had to induce me the following morning. That meant I couldn’t wait the typical 24 hours they usually allow. They started me on a hormone drip along with an epidural (which I absolutely hated), and unfortunately, things didn’t progress as hoped I ended up needing a C-section. I’ve always said I wouldn’t get an epidural the second time around. I’m currently 40 weeks and 1 day, and induction seems quite likely. So I wanted to see if people actually do it as it often feels like the two go hand in hand.

With my first I had an induction and epidural but it failed. I had two rounds of morphine and was on gas and air but asked for the epidural because I was just so tired. Was pretty much pointless as it didn't work. With my second I asked for the epidural again which did work but baby had turned and was back to back. The epidural helped with the contractions but not the back pain so again was kind of pointless 😅