Epidurals

if you had an epidural i would love to hear what you thought of it.
i had a pethadine injection for my first baby and i didnt like it at all.
the labour was just awful, so im thinking of having an epidural but i dont know much about them.
can you walk afterwards? and go to the bathroom?
any info or advise would be great girls
thanks x

All natural

I went all natural for my delivery with my first, Risa (4 months). I was a bit overdue with her, so my husband and I used sexual stimulation (I didn't want any drugs) to get me ready for labor - it worked. I just thought about good things and tried to focus on my breathing and the fact that I was delivering instead of the pain...it wasn't too bad. I'm glad I didn't have an epidural because my mom told me she hated it and couldn't feel a thing (when to push) with me. I'm pregnant again and don't plan on using one this time 'round either. Good luck! It's different for everyone...

Janine

Epidurals

Hello, i had my baby boy two years ago and i had a very long labour i stayed at home as long as i could but 3pm on a monday i went in, i also had pethadine and found it horrible i didnt feel in control at all the at 12 midnight the midwife said to me that if i didnt have my waters broken i would need to have a c section,so i kind of had my mind made up but she said that the pain would be intense because my contractions would get worst, so i got offered an epidural and took them up on the offer it was the most fantastic thing,i did not feel a thing,the only down side is that you cant feel when to push and they have to tell you but it was all good.
I had my baby 7 am tues morning and was home by 8pm the same night.

hope this helps

i will definatly be having one with this baby.


good luck

Start gentle

I was convinced that I would go for an epidural when the time comes. However, I ended up on just using gas and air. I never thought that would be enough but it was. It was great because there are no side effects (I did feel a bit out of it though). So if I were you I would try a more gentle drug relief option first and only go for an epidural when you really feel you can't go on without it.
It really is ok with just gas and air (I was induced but aparat from that it was a normal delivery. I therefore can only speak for "normal" delieveries)

Katy and Ashira, 13 weeks old

Hey hun

I had a C-Sec so had to have one, I dont know about actual labour.
There are 2 types of Epidural, one is a 'walking epidural' which does as it says, you can still move around.
The other is a complete one where you are numb from the belly down, you cant move around, are restricted to the bed. You will have to have a drip and a urinary catheter as you wont be able to go to the loo, I think I could feel my legs again about 3hrs after but its a bit of a blur!!

I hope this has been of some help xx

Adele xx

for me

Hi I had an epidural for my second baby, I hadn't planned on having one but I was bleeding a lot, they were getting concerned and having to 'mess' with me a lot so they suggested one. I don't know if it was just me but I found it wore off all of a sudden so instead of the contractions getting gradually worse all of a sudden you get the full whammies - not nice, the midwife went to get a top up dose for it but it seemed to take her ages and it didn't kick in til I'd delivered. I suppose if you were having a really long hard labour it would at least give you a bit of a rest.
It wasn't that long before I could walk etc I dont think but for a week or so afterwards I had quite a nasty headache pretty much all the time, not necessarily the epidural but I don't get headaches usually so I'm assuming it was that.
I am pregnant with baby number 3 and I wouldn't have an epidural this time unless it was essential.
Incidentally a friend of mine had an epidural last year and apparently it only worked properly on half of her body which she said was worse than if it hadn't worked at all, so i suppose even nowadays they are not guaranteed to work perfectly.
Good luck with whatever you decide but it's a thumbs down from me
Leonna x

Hey

I dont have experienced as im soon to be first time mummy. But i plan on having epidural available to me. Most of the friends and family that i have , have told me its amazing. One of my managers wasnt planning on having it at all but the pain was so bad that she decided whilst in labour to have it and she says it is amazing and doesnt hurt.

Everyones experiences are going to be different but for me ive heard more good then bad.

Take care

Emmy 26+1 bump

Hay,

I had an epidural and i wish i hadn't one it didnt help with the pain if anything made it worse as i could feel it more in my bum and top of legs - i also had numbing tingly sensations for about 6 weeks after every time i bent down it was sooo horrible...

I had gas and air as well and that was the best and def going to just stick to it this time..

Every one is different though - although i did hear the pethadine is the worse and everyone i have known to have it said it was awful!

Sammie x Mya x Bump 37 weeks tomoz x

Hey

this is my 4th never had a epidural and dont want one unless i have to for a c section i had gas n air and my last labour i was induced so i had the drip that speeds labour and the hospitail sid i should have one but i didnt i had a try of pethadine and that made me feel drunk so il just stick with gas and air if not feeling sick