Feeling pressured about having an epidural

I have Cystic Fibrosis and I am 27+5. My midwife requested an appointment with the anaesthetic doctor so I’ve been to that today and I feel like she’s forcing me to have the epidural when I really don’t want it. She says it’ll help with my lung capacity so she wants me to have the epidural straight away as soon as I’m in labour. However, my CF team have said I am and my lungs are healthy enough to give birth as a normal woman, so I can have gas and air etc. the anaesthetic doctor didn’t ask me what my lung function was or nothing. I’ve been so healthy the past 6 years so I really don’t think I need the epidural. I’m a bit of a push over so I feel like I will end up having the epidural even though I don’t want it. How do I get around this? It’s upset me and annoyed me at the same time cause she’s made me think I’m not healthy enough to give birth without the epidural

3

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This is baby 2 for me. One thing I learnt from my first is to absolutely advocate for yourself.
Don’t be afraid to openly say an epidural is not what you want right now. You might change your mind nearer the time, or once in labour, but you should not be pressured into making a decision that is the opposite of what you want right now. And don’t be afraid to say you are feeling pressured and upset.
Maybe speak to your CF team again too as they might be willing and able to speak directly to the consultant/anaesthetist and midwife on your behalf, especially if you don’t feel comfortable/confident enough to have the conversation yourself xx

Put it in your birth plan and who ever is advocating it for you that you are not having an epidural unless medically needed after you have gone into labour, depending on how far from the hospital you are you could hold off a little bit longer before going to the hospital and labour a little longer at home?

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Feeling pressured about having an epidural

I have Cystic Fibrosis and I am 27+5. My midwife requested an appointment with the anaesthetic doctor so I’ve been to that today and I feel like she’s forcing me to have the epidural when I really don’t want it. She says it’ll help with my lung capacity so she wants me to have the epidural straight away as soon as I’m in labour. However, my CF team have said I am and my lungs are healthy enough to give birth as a normal woman, so I can have gas and air etc. the anaesthetic doctor didn’t ask me what my lung function was or nothing. I’ve been so healthy the past 6 years so I really don’t think I need the epidural. I’m a bit of a push over so I feel like I will end up having the epidural even though I don’t want it. How do I get around this? It’s upset me and annoyed me at the same time cause she’s made me think I’m not healthy enough to give birth without the epidural

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