I have had three epidurals. My first was quite painful to administer and very, very dense. I had no sensation from the waist down and was quite fascinated to watch my legs fall off the bed but not be able to feel or stop it. DD1 was a failed ventouse followed by forceps. I don't believe the epidural had any part in causing this, DD was wedged against my pelvis and couldn't descend. She was all squashed up on one side when she was born and the sharp pain on the left side of my pelvis suddenly made sense! Older anaesthetist, very experienced.

My second epidural was painless to administer. I had some control of my legs and some sensation but no pain. This one was the perfect epidural! DS was delivered after a short second stage, maybe 20 minutes of pushing. I was able to push very effectively. Anaesthetist was about 40 years old, a lot of experience.

My third epidural was a debacle. It was excruciatingly painful to administer - all four times the needle had to be inserted because the doctor couldn't find the 'right spot'. I still had a lot of pain down my left side and transition was the most painful experience of my life. I was in so much pain from the insertion and so distressed that he kept stabbing me again and again that I was sobbing. My mum also cried as she said she felt so incredibly helpless seeing me so distressed due to a doctor's imcompetence. DD2 was born after a very short second stage, about 10 minutes. The anaesthetist was young, perhaps early thirties, and when I asked whether he had 'done this before' as a joke, he looked at me nervously! When the epidural was inserted (in the end, I think he knew it wasn't properly positioned but gave up!) he didn't know how to use the pump and a ***** fight ensued with the MW's over whose responsibility it was to know how to use the pump. Did not fill me with confidence!

I think your epidural depends entirely on who is doing it! You may well find that you have a different anaesthetist this time and the result is much better. Good luck!