epidural during labour.

[Jacqueen23]

Hi there, i might sound stupid but can anyone tell me about their experience for undergo labour with epidural ?

Im a first timer coming soon mom and still in my 20s, i will due by october but im still not ready to face the fear of giving birth. I just need a picture of epidural pros and cons..

Thank you so much

[Hidden]

I can’t help you from personal experience ( didn’t do epidurals when I had my children, it was that long ago!) but my daughter had a Caesarian with an epidural. She said it just felt a bit weird, not painful.

From what I saw of the midwives, they’re a lot different to the ones I experienced in the early 70s, much more human, my daughter was treated as an individual and her permission was sought before they did anything.

I don’t think anyone’s fully prepared for giving birth and being a parent, but when the time comes you’ll surprise yourself.

[M0AL61 Moderator Volunteer]

Hi Jacqueen23 ,

Hidden has given you some good advice.

I think most first time mothers aren't ready for childbirth and worry about what will happen ….. but if you think how many go on to have more than 1 child then it reassures that it can't be too bad.

If you have any questions or fears then the best person to ask is your midwife and she will be able to go over everything with you.

Good luck, and congratulations on being pregnant. xx

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

I was offered an epidural for my 1st pregnancy and it really helped me through, congratulations to you, the nurses/midwifes were brilliant as I was nervous about everything x

[lainyr]

hi i have had both! first born was natural birth with only gas and air and my second was an emergency c section first off everyone’s labour is different i found my first relatively easy compared to horror stories i had heard second i recovered really quickly after my section i had my section at 4pm and was on my feet by 8.30, they say there are no complications with an epidural but since having mine i have been treated for sciatica my leg randomly gives way at times and although they say the epidural doesn’t cause this i would disagree theres 8 years between my 2 in that 8 years i never had issues with my back now i would go through my first labour 20x’s over than have this back pain.

[Emk68]

I’ve had 2 Caesarian the first with an epidural and the second something else can’t remember what it’s called but it works instantly my daughter was 6 weeks premature ( I carried her with a low placenta) so I had to have that instead of an epidural I also had an epidural with my first born he was delivered with forceps from my experience they are fine congratulations and good luck x

[Naturegirl8]

I refuse all medical interventions including even ultrasound because I',m a hippy type natural girl and wanted the whole experience which women have had since forever. It felt like I would be cheating myself to try and avoid it. The doctors didn't want me having a home birth but I insisted - this was 32 years ago now btw. Anyway luckily there were no complications and it was the most awesome experience of my life, which I would have loved to repeat but didn't. Of course its painful but as the books say it is pain with a purpose and it is different. I had my best friend there who had her first baby in hospital and vowed never to again. The thing is you can always elect to have help if you really need it at the time. I didn't want pain relief as it passes to the baby. My labour was 12 hours long in total, exhausting but exhilarating, and my daughter and I lay gazing into each others eyes for hours even though we were very tired, but we were so awestruck. Lucky you to be looking forward to this! Love and blessings to you both xxxxx

[Jardines]

Hi! Have had 2 epidurals and both have been a breeze. Very effective, it can sometimes make you feel sick but they can give you something to reverse that if needed.

[Mdaisy]

Welcome to the FMAUK Community !

I wondered as you do not mention and you've not yet completed your profile if you live with Fibromyalgia? If so, I had a baby and can tell you my experiences if you like. The Fibro pain is much worse than pregnancy pain in my opinion, I just had a little Pethadine at the very beginning and gas & air, although I needed nerve block in the end as baby got stuck so ended up in theatre.

As a newbie I noticed this post is not locked to the community, if you wish to lock it here's a link which explains how to do so;

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

If I can help answer questions I will try to help as best I can

Emma

[moo196]

Perhaps ask for the latest research?

I did waterbirth with no pain relief both times.... Sure, its painful, but a positive pain. Epidural was last on my list of choices as they were connected with possible poorer outcomes (including higher c section rates) and possible bad ongoing side effects (weeks long headaches).

I'd join some birthing classes and try to get positive about the birth perhaps?

[Bettybright]

Hi. I had 3! First only worked on right side. Second on left 🙄 3rd fab. No pain it was heaven. It doesn't hurt getting it put in. You make get shaky but I think it's worth a go. Things have got much better since I had mine (my baby 30 this year!)

We take meds for everything else so why not. Good luck. Being a mum is amazing. Being a nana even better lol x

[Namaste65]

Hi jacqueen23,

I had an epidural with my first child, they gave it to me in the late stages of labour, meaning it didn't get a chance to work fully before I gave birth, so when it came time to push i couldn't 'feel' the push properly. If I had the choice again, I wouldn't choose to have it, because even though it is painful it's better to feel it than not, with an epidural it didn't feel like I was in control. I had pethadine & gas & air which I found helped.

Just to say although it wasn't for me everybody's experience is different.

Try not to worry too much, Its a wonderful & life-changing experience. I'm sure whatever decision you make will be the right one for you & your baby.

Good luck!!