Epidural
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7222
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Topic: Epidural
Posted By: BellaBoo
Subject: Epidural
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 2:38pm
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Hi,
I just got back from seeing the midwife and we were discussing epidurals. She told me that epidurals are only given if I really need one(due to forceps etc). Apparently you cannot request one at this hospital.Is it like that at other hospitals? The thought of not having one and being in extreme pain has made me rather nervous! ------------- http://lilypie.com">   http://lilypie.com">
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Replies:
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 2:44pm
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Yes I know of people at Palmy who have asked for an epi only to be told they don't need one - and then go ahead and deliver without. They were shocked because both ladies have previously delivered in America when epidural is routine. -------------  |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 2:52pm
| Midwives don't like using them unless they have to because of all the additional work it requires (for lack of a better word) and monitoring etc. |
Posted By: Lissy
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 3:10pm
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I was'nt going to have one at all, but to be honest I could not cope with the gas, it was crap, so I had to have one. If you need it, get one! ------------- Harlan Drew DOB: 06.12.06 & Stepmum to Ethan & Christian, DOB: 25.02.99 |
Posted By: my4beauties
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 4:41pm
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I had 2 now - & will probably have another with this baby. Couldn't imagine giving birth without one! My labours go on for hours & by 4-5 cms dialated I'm wailing in pain so couldn't handle going to 10cms without one. Can't suck in the gas makes me sick, as for pethidene, well it did nothing for me!
If you have a fast labour you probably wouldn't need one. My midwife has no issues with giving me one, & it was the best thing ever! ------------- My babies: R (9),G (7), J (5) http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: luna
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 4:46pm
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Not sure where most hospitals 'stand' on that one to be honest, but sounds odd?
I had one (at Waikato) due to being induced. I managed to get to about 4-5cms I think. The hospital M/W recommended it because of the syntocinon and contractions becoming stronger/harder because of that. Was the greatest thing cos I was in labour for a loooong time, and they just topped it up when I had to have an emergency c-sect. ------------- Selina http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: miss
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 5:07pm
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70% of first time mums have an epi at National Womens, and the average for all births is over 60%. To be honest it is one of the reasons why I amlooking at birthing at birthcare as I erally want to avoid one if I can!
So I think it depends on the hospital - i think if you really need it they will give it to you. They also use it to lower BP on those that need it lowered. -------------  
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Posted By: mamanee
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 5:36pm
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I don't think I'll be having one as I want to birth at Waterford in Hamilton and they don't do them there. Although if it came down to it and I needed one then they would transfer me to Waikato hospital.
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Posted By: BellaBoo
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 6:08pm
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Apparently there are only two hospitals(Rotorua and Palmy) that dont give them if you just want one so you dont feel pain. I am feeling really scared at the prospect of not being able to have the option. I dont feel good about this at all. They say it is because the hospital wont fund another anethiatist and the others are already overworked. If I paid for it, providing it wasnt too extortionate, would they do it for me I wonder. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 6:47pm
Isnt the whole point of an epidural to not feel the pain???? I cant believe hospitals could be so stingy. I bloody well hope mine will have the option. Dont know whehter I want one but I definately want to know its there if I do
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Posted By: Candkids
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 7:13pm
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i thought if you asked for one you got one haha although i definatly wont be getting one mainly due to the fact that the whole catheter thing freaks me out ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  DD 10.5yrs DS 6yrs DS 11mths 5 little angles watching from above |
Posted By: kell
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 7:32pm
WOW!!!! I cannot believe that in a hospital you can be denied one, thats crazy  My first was at Auck Hosp, I was induced and didnt get a choice of not having one once the contractions got very strong due to the Synto drip. Im being induced again in a few weeks this time in Palmy and I hadnt even thought to ask if I was allowed an epi.....Will check tomorrow at my appointment, im scared now too lol------------- Kayla Rose is now 4! James Sydney is nearly 2! |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 8:21pm
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My midwife pretty much made the decision for me with Maya as she could see I didn't have the stamina to keep labouring without pain relief. With the gremlins I had an epi prior to labour as my "birth plan" according to the midwife and OB was a "medically managed labour".
I wouldn't worry about it too much at this point in time, if you go into labour and it's taking a long time and you're getting really distressed then you will be offered an epi. And you may even find that you cope so well you won't want one. When mine failed with the gremlins I was amazed at how well I coped, and how empowering the experience was. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 9:30pm
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I had an epi in Nelson for a forceps delivery but my midwife was against them unless it was really necessary she preferred gas to any other pain relief if any.
I had no choice though with what pain relief I ahd as I needed to deliver and it was the fastest working pain relief, was great htough besides ahving no feeling for 12hrs i think that was the only thing I didnt like about it. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 10:29pm
Kell I'm pretty sure epidurals are common with inductions, even in Palmy  ------------- |
Posted By: kell
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 10:32pm
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Oh thank goodness lol, I was just so surprised to see what was written above! I would love to birth without one but if I want one or have to have sytoncinon again I would hate to think I couldnt get one ya know!!
------------- Kayla Rose is now 4! James Sydney is nearly 2! |
Posted By: ooEvaoo
Date Posted: 03 May 2007 at 11:27pm
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I think epidural is a God send!! I was induced with Kahtrell and laboured most of the day without any pain relief, however after 9 hours of contractions and being 6 cm dilated I was getting really irritable and snappy at my family because they seemed oblivious to the pain I was in. I never thought I would have one as I hated the thought of a big needle going into my spine. Anwho's I ended up getting a high BP and pyrexia and had to have an emergency c section, and they just topped up my epi for it. ------------- 
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Posted By: BellaBoo
Date Posted: 04 May 2007 at 12:32pm
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Im thinking I might move to my parents beach house in Mt Maunganui for a couple of weeks so I can have the baby in another hospital. Is that crazy? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: miss
Date Posted: 04 May 2007 at 12:45pm
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Topsy, i would ring the hospital and find out exactly what their policy is, if it is worrying you so much. It may be your MW is against them more than the hospital - that does happen! -------------
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 04 May 2007 at 1:17pm
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good grief not being allowed an epidural? they would have LOVED me-not! after being in agonizing pain (aka labour hehe) for the previous 24 hours i believe my words were "get me a motherf**king epi f**king dural right now you useless ugly daughter of a pig"
(charming bedside manner i have )
However i was by then too far dilated and had no pain relief. Still, i appreciated having the choice When i was pregnant i never said what i would or wouldnt have, i just figured id go with whatever but lots of pain was definetly not high on my list of things i wanted, ive never been good with pain, yet its amazing what your body will allow you to do when you need to, the thought of pushing her out with nothing to lessen the pain scared the cr*p out of me , but when i was actually in that situation, well you do what needs to be done |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 04 May 2007 at 1:23pm
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Since taking antenatal classes at Palmy hospital and one of their midwives takes the course I understand more about epidurals and why they are reluctant to give them. Hearing the whole proceedure explained helped.
But hate to scare ya kell but we were told that epidurals aren't "common" with inductions in Palmy. It depends on the progress etc. Palmy are reluctant to give epidurals but they will give them if they are needed. That's fine by me, I'd persoanlly rather give birth at a place that uses more invasive pain relief as a last resort and is cautious about "giving them out". |
Posted By: kell
Date Posted: 04 May 2007 at 3:05pm
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Interesting.....I just got home from my hospital appointment, told the specialists what I had heard and they laughed! They said, (for normal labour)if you are at 2cm and want an epi they will encourage you to try other pain relief first, if you are at 8/9cm and they feel you will be delivering soon they will encourage you to keep going with out. But at no stage will you ever be denied an epi. Then they said with inductions if they need to use syntocinon depending on how much and how the body reacts most mothers will have an epi.
My appointment was in the delivery suite and a couple of m/w heard my question they came back after the doc left and said "could you imagine us saying no to a mother in labour? dont worry hun if you want that epi you get it!" Would be interesting to find out what the other hospital really do, rather than worry about it ------------- Kayla Rose is now 4! James Sydney is nearly 2! |
Posted By: bookwyrm
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 4:56pm
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Bump. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 5:07pm
| my first midwife was reluctant but i did get one, second midwife/labour my lovely midwife told the doctor to chart it before she even started the induction so i wouldnt have to wait |
Posted By: Candkids
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 5:14pm
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most people i know that have been to rotorua hospital have had a epidural.
i think she mite be just saying that as there are alot of risks. have you got the same midwife as ive got?? i really dnt want a epidural thats why i dont want a c section mainly tho as i soooooooo dnt want a catheter. id rather put up with the pain. but actually, i dont remember the pain being that horrific, yea it hurt but soon as you see your baby the pain gos instantly, well thats what i thought anyway ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> DD 10.5yrs DS 6yrs DS 11mths 5 little angles watching from above |
Posted By: YvetteandElla
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 5:26pm
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I am a woose when it comes to pain so definatley want an epidural - am not wanting a C section as really dont want to be cut open -- to sore ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Candkids
Date Posted: 28 May 2007 at 6:31pm
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i dont mind the cut open thing, but id perfer to be knocked out or something, long as i dont have to have a catheter, duno what it is about them they just freak me out ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> DD 10.5yrs DS 6yrs DS 11mths 5 little angles watching from above |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 8:31am
| I was always worried about the cathetar too, it was one of the main reasons I didnt want an epi and begged my midwife not to put one in but in the end I didnt even notice it. |
Posted By: YvetteandElla
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 9:26am
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Ok so if you have an epidural you need a cathetar (not sure how I feel about that) how long do you have to have this for ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: BellaBoo
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 10:17am
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You are numb when they put the catheter in I think (correct me if I am wrong!) so it dosnt really bother me. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Anna
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 11:07am
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I planned to be as drugged as possible for my first delivery, I was adamant that I needed an epi. As it turns out I had two natural water births with no pain meds at all. You might surprise yourself? ------------- Anna http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Jay_R
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 11:09am
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I was dead certain I wanted a natural labour with no pain relief at all. I was induced, and they recommended me to take the epi, but still I refused! Had two panadol after 9 hours which were amazing and took the pain clean away.... NOT When they decided that he was not coming out naturally (after 30 odd hours of labour) they gave me an epi so I could rest til theatre was ready for me, and OMFG THE RELIEF!!!!! Totally amazing. My advice is to do what you want to do - but my encouragement to my friends is GO THE EPIDURAL!!!
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 11:13am
I heard it was the opposite and I gave birth at Rotorua hosp as well. As far as I know, they have the anaethetist on call but he/she isn't always there... so the chances of having an epi with a spontaneous onset of labour are slim. Of course, with an induction this becomes a bit more likely. |
catrad wrote:Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 11:15am
I think there are two different types of epi... one with a spinal tap...??? Maybe one requires a catheter and one doesn't??? I'm just stabbing in the dark here. |
Posted By: miss
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 11:29am
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You need a cathetar with any epi, as you can't feel if you need to go wees or not. it is left in till after it wears off, but put in when you are numb.
Aklnd hospital runs a monthly info evening on epi's (we are going on Tuessday next week). Might be worth seeing if other hospitals do too, just so you are informed and can make an infromed choice. -------------
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Posted By: Jay_R
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 1:21pm
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I didn't feel the catheter going in, or being taken out, and quite frankly it was awesome not having to get up to go to the loo after the c-section. The idea of it was far worse than the reality, in my opinion. I didn't want them to take mine out as it was so hard to get up and down after the surgery, but they force you to start moving after 24 hours to make sure that everything starts healing as it should. Don't be afraid ladies - I'm the biggest wuss in the world and I was sweet
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Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 29 May 2007 at 2:04pm
| Yeah i agree. You dont feel the catheter at all, I didnt know when it was going in or came out and I was completely 100% against an epi but it was great. Mainly becuase I was throwing up constantly from the pain, and I mean constantly which I do with bad pain and the minute I got the epi in I felt such relief and stopped vomiting and was actually able to enjoy the birth. |
Posted By: Candkids
Date Posted: 30 May 2007 at 7:02pm
yea they didnt even have time to fill the bath let alone ring a anethnatist when i was enduced haha. cant say the thought of a humungus needle being stuck into my back sounds great either tho, the catheter thing is mainly as ive had major major kidney and bladder problems in the last few years so dont really want them agrivated by anything. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> DD 10.5yrs DS 6yrs DS 11mths 5 little angles watching from above |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 30 May 2007 at 10:52pm
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man you learn a new thing every day! i never knew that you had a catheter when you had an epi, kinda glad i didnt have one now!
Catrad, dont know if it was just me but i was still really sore after caitlyn was born,after cramps stiches etc, still i know what your saying, even if the pain hasnt gone completely seeing them in the flesh makes the pain worth while (a cliche but so true) 
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