I had an epidural for my induction due to high blood pressure. Apart from some nausea and vomiting (although I guess that could also have been caused by the syntocinon) it was really good. It kept my blood pressure down, I didn't feel any of the contractions until second stage when I just had a feeling of pressure so I knew when to push but still no pain. I could still move my legs the whole time in the bed and it wore off quickly afterwards. I didn't have any back pain or complications afterward. Mine was on a patient controlled epidural machine so I had a button to press for extra doses of anaesthetic. I think it varies from hospital to hospital whether they run that way or on a doctor-set infusion. I had a very quick first-time labour (7 hours from AROM, only 5 from when the drip went up and contractions started) DD needed a vacuum extraction as her heart rate was starting to climb after a little while pushing (cant remember how long) and I had a small second degree tear that needed a couple of stitches. So overall a very good complication free epidural.
While an epidural before contractions started was certainly not my plan or hope for labour (I was committed to doing as much naturally as possible) I think I had a great epidural experience. My anaesthetist was lovely, I had just the right amount of block, no epidural complications and thankfully labour progressed well. Obviously things don't always go that well so it's important to be informed about potential complications and side effects.
I think a lot of people find the insertion of the epidural the scariest bit. I've kind of glossed over that as I have a medical background and wasn't fussed by it. Just make sure your partner and/or midwife is there to hold your hands and distract you, expect a really cold wash from the disinfectant, local anaesthetic obviously stings a fair bit and then a weird pressure feeling as the needle is inserted.
Best wishes for your birth. I hope everything goes well.
Yes I was induced with DS1. They broke my waters that morning and started the drip (had the gel applied the night before). I can't remember the time I started to feel contractions but I do know at 2pm the gas & pethadine were not doing much and I was only 4cm or something and in immense pain. The kind midwife suggested an epidural as the doctor was in the next room. I was very anti one and at that stage I agreed and the rest is a slight blur. They did the epidural I slept and then woke to feel nothing at all. He was born just before 9pm with me happily agreeing to some forceps to speed things up (seeing as I could not feel anything).
It was strange to be told to push when I could not even lift or move my leg but then he came.
Induced with DS2 as well but he was drug free as it was pretty quick with a 2 hour labour so no time for anything.
Being induced tomorrow morning with #3... For some reason my babies don't like to come out on their own!
I had an epidural *because* I was induced and the midwife didn't let me up from the bed and monitors - or, more accurately, because I didn't have the guts to stand up for myself and she took advantage of that. Never again will I let any of that happen to me. Ever. Read my birth story if you want it all, it's still a touchy subject for me.
Yes I am not 40 weeks yet but have gestational diabetes and on quite a high level of insulin 3 times a day. So the Ob has recommended an induction and to be honest I now know the drill and am more than ready!
I was induced 40+9 days with #1 and 39 weeks with #2.
I am hoping for no pain relief again like my second birth I found it great being able to jump straight in the shower.
I was induced after 26 hours of labour as I had only progressed to 6 cms and was getting pretty exhausted at that stage. I had had my waters broken 6 hours earlier but that had not helped to much. I had been super active through the whole labour up until the induction and spent most of the time in the shower and walking around the labour ward leaning on DH when the contractions came. I was not impressed about being strapped to the bed to get the drip. I had tried the gas (which made me violently sick) and pethadine which actually seemed to slow the minor progress I had been making I agreed to an epidural due to the fact I would not be able to move anyway.
It was pretty awful, the first time the needle was in too far and only numbed from my thighs down... not helpful, they tried to pull it out a little and gave me an extra boost but the needle was still not in the right position so only just past the top of my legs was numb, they tried a third time but with no luck either. Apparently DS was posterior and just in the wrong spot to let the drugs work.... at any rate after the 3rd attempt and 4 hours after the drip had started they thought to look and found I was 10cms and needed to push. Legs were numb for 12 hours after birth, which was not great as i needed to go to the bathroom about 3 hours after birth and fell out of bed not realising me legs were numb. It made having a shower after pretty tough too.
I was induced with ds1 and 2. ds1 was intense and despite having planned a water birth I couldn't deal with the contractions on top if each other.
I was in labour 16hours and almost was a c section. My midwife let the epi wear off at the end so the really painful bits I had no medication for
she wasn't a good midwife but had 3 births all happening at once so...
Ds2 was 4 hours from drip in to baby out. No painkillers.
induction with epidural
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