Epidural stories?

I didn't have any negative after effects, but it did take a couple of go's for mine to work, as the first time it only worked on 1/2 my body (which was a really weird feeling) and it ended to be topped up. Looking back I think it definintely did slow down my labour and could have been the reason that I torn- but you never know and at the time I glad I had one (Ella moved postier and my back was so, so sore).

This time around I am going to try and avoid it if I can, but am still open to having one if I really need it (gas didn't work for me, so I don't really have a lot of pain relief choice).

I had an epi and then topped up for emergency c-section..no issues..before during or after...heck it was the only thing that went right..lol:)

my mw doesn't really do birth plans..talks about the basics but that's about it.. worked for me last time even though i thought I would want to plan.

I dont have experience with epis but just remember not all labours need them. I've been through 2 labours and one of those I was told to expect to need one because of my situation and I didn't But I was prepared to get one if it really came down to it.

WIshing I hadn't come in and read this stuff now.

lol Julia, I wasn't asking for one, I was screaming for it , both times

I know probably one of the worst epidural stories , but I don't think I should share it , besides , it was a very rare occurance .(was my friend btw , not me )

Even knowing this though, next baby , ima goin to the hospital at the first sign of a contraction , and i'll say , "inject me doctor ! " and he will and then I will sit and watch episodes of Friends with DH on his laptop , I don't care how long the labour is , i've had the short, intense , drug free labour, and I've had the long 24 hour labour with no pain relief and I can't say I enjoyed either (some do , I don't , end of story )
so the thought of a long , drawn out labour with little pain sounds loooovely
(and noone give me any stories of epis that didn't work , I shall live in ignorant bliss )

My main birth advice that I can give anyone, is go with the flow , have a general plan in place , but just remember that on the day of delivery , that plan can go right out the window

My goodness..... I had an epidural and I wish almost every day that I didnt. I got told the risks and thought that I would be fine - that surely everything would be ok. But my right leg went numb within 30 minutes of it going in. My face started to go numb as well. I was still feeling every single contraction so I don't actually know how much pain relief it gave me. My bladder also was numb and for the 4-6 weeks after the birth I had issues not knowing when to go to the toilet. My leg/foot kept me awake for the first few weeks because I couldn't feel it. My newborn baby was sleeping and my stupid foot was keeping me awake!

My baby girl is now almost 8 months old and the base of my foot is still numb. It doesn't cause any discomfort but man, I wish I didn't have that epidural.

Just my opinion....
there is a special place in heaven for the person who invented the epidural!
It was absolute bliss having the epidural. Labour went from an awful, stressful, painful experience to a nice calm, painless experience. Yes, I did have to have an emergency C section eventually, but I don't think you can automatically say that it was the epidural that led to that. I had no complications whatsoever after the epidural & I will DEFINITELY be having an epidural next time (whether I have another C-section or attempt VBAC)

I loved my epidural with Maya - I'd been in labour for two days, was only 4cm and was shattered. I wanted to marry the anesthatist! After that, I never imagined myself giving birth without one.

With the gremlins I had an epi put in prior to labour as part of a labour management plan (twins=higher risk and they needed to be able to get them out fast if necessary) and whilst it didn't work, it didn't have any negative side effects or complications.

Then having had them effectively with no pain relief due to the failed epi, I decided to have a go at no pain relief with lil miss,and tho I was screaming for an epidural a couple of minutes before she was born, it was actually a brilliant experience

I was dead against an epi but after 35 hours of mild labour after an induction my waters were broken and within 20 minutes it was all on. Like Emma when the man with needle turned up at my door I wanted to divorce my DH and marry him instead. I have the biggest crush on him, would love to see him again and see if he is as hot as I remember.

No side affects here, was up and about the next day.

I am still planning on natural next time around, but I am open to pain relief if I need it.

I think it pays to go in there totally prepared to change your mind on everything you decide out here.

Odettenz wrote: Just my opinion.... there is a special place in heaven for the person who invented the epidural! It was absolute bliss having the epidural. Labour went from an awful, stressful, painful experience to a nice calm, painless experience. Yes, I did have to have an emergency C section eventually, but I don't think you can automatically say that it was the epidural that led to that. I had no complications whatsoever after the epidural & I will DEFINITELY be having an epidural next time (whether I have another C-section or attempt VBAC)

Same with me! The relief of the epidural was SO good - after 30 hours of labour, vomiting, dehydration, exhaustion and very little dilation. I was so sure that I'd have a natural birth - we did the hypnobirthing course & everything - but it all went out the window on the day. I had an emergency C-section too - as by then I was 40 hours into it and completely shattered.

I didn't have any adverse side effects from the epi either - apart from a weird numb spot on my lower back for a few weeks afterwards. I was able to get up and go to the loo during labour, and was walking around & showering the next day.