Epidural experiences

For me it wasn’t worth it because mine didn’t work 😂 the only thing it did to me was made one of my legs completely numb and worked a little bit on that side but the other side didn’t work at all and still felt every contraction. I think there’s like a 1 in 8 chance that it doesn’t fully work which they did tell me before hand. The needle bit was fine though, you can’t see anything whilst they’re doing it and you just feel a tiny bit of pressure in your back and that’s about it!

In my experience I was in so much pain beforehand I didn't care how much it would hurt to have i just had to get it. Same for me as above though, only worked on one half of me so had a spinal block in the end and that was a total deadening of any sensation from the stomach down but I think you only get thet for theatre (had a forceps delivery in the end)

Because I’m getting induced they can give me an epidural before my contractions even start. I’m just trying to work out what scares me more, the pain of labour, or the loss of control with epidural

I was induced, somehow lasted 7 hours on just gas and air before I had the epidural. It stung a little as it went in but just keep going on that gas and air and you'll be away with the fairies whibappit happens and then for me it was the best pain relief ever. I went from being 4xm dilated when I had it to two hours later being 10 and ready to push. It allowed me to relax and doze off which worked wonders for dilation.

*whilst it

Also with an epidural you control when it gets topped up with a button so when it came to pushing I wasn't fully dosed up on it and had some movement which was nice.

Omg you guys are lucky... In my hospital once you're induced the only painkillers you can have are bloody paracetamol until you're 4cm which took me like 8 hours of the most insane pain to cope with on my own with over the counter pain relief ... Was ROUGH

I was in spontaneous labour which stalled at 4cm dilated. I has gas and air while waiting for the epidural anesthetic to be available. I was induced with hormone drip after I had the epidural. I felt no pain at all. Only some pressure to know when I was contracting. I even slept while I dilated to 8cm. Unfortunately had to undergo an emergency C-section as my cervix was obstructed. The epidural dose was only increased for the C-section. Overall epidural was a very good experience

Mine worked really well, though I was scared before labour, I didn’t think much of it while it was being inserted. It was bliss after a long induction process and was able to get a few hours of sleep. The only downside for me was that it massively stalled my labour and ended up having an emergency cesarean about 10 hours later x

I think it’s the best thing ever. Contractions are the worst part then once that epidural has kicked in, all the pain goes away. The give you a tiny numbing needle first then the epidural needle and honest I didn’t feel either. Nothing compares to contraction pain😂 I had to get the hormone drip,examinations etc and even the baby coming out vaginally which I didn’t feel. I’m now overdue with my second baby and my fear is I can’t get the epidural in time if things go too quickly!!

Epidural is a god send 😆 I’d recommend to anyone! First baby mine worked first time, second baby it only worked on my right side but she realigned it and then it was bliss, I slept through the final stages of labour and woke up to push, and pushed him out in 9 minutes 😂 x

i had one last minute, and it also worked amazingly. i was terrified and said i didn’t want one initially, but i’d been in active labour for 20+ hours and literally had no energy left and kinda stalled at 8cm dilated. getting it in was uncomfortable but not painful, but afterwards oh my god the relief!!! i also fell asleep whilst on the hormone drip and dilated between 8-10. contractions were happening but i didn’t feel a thing. it is frightening though and there are risks involved so just make sure they fully clue you up on it and you’re happy with whatever choice you make. good luck! xxx

I had an epidural soon after having my waters broken and it was the best decision. Completely deleted the pain and made my labour way more chilled than it would have been if I had been feeling the contractions (I didn’t have an epidural with my first birth so can genuinely compare!)

Thank you all soo much!!

Best thing in the world. I was induced and the pain was so bad I thought I was going to die. It was a little sharp going in, but soon after that it was absolute bliss lol

@Ellen it's hard to describe how harrowing it is isn't it, it was only two days ago for me and I can't stop thinking about the trauma

@Georgie I’m so sorry to hear this. It took me quite a while to process it all and how it unfolded. I promise it will feel better with time

Thank you all soo much, it’s lovely to hear positive about it

Epidural was the best decision I made! I had my waters broken then the hormone drip and the pain was excruciating!! I had an epidural and I had the most positive birth after! I slept, watched programmes and honestly chilled until I was 10cm and time to push!! Still had my natural birth I wanted too!