whos had an epidural before?

[MantaRay]

I had one with DS1 and I wouldn't have one again. Don't get me wrong, there was no pain, but it was still awful. It led to me needing forceps and therefore an episotomy. It meant I had to have a catheter in for 24 hours which gives you a risk of UTI and is awful, and it made me feel awful afterwards. Now that I have birthed without one and know how much better the birth goes and how much better you feel afterwards, I'd never consider one again.

I suggest reading up about birth - New Active Birth is my favourite book on this topic - and prepare for a drug free birth. This is likely to get you the best outcome. GL.

[tutmae]

I had one and had no problems at all. Not exactly sure how long it took to wear off, but it wasn't long enough for me to get uncomfortable with it.
I might have one again, but I'll see how I go this time around without one, purely because I want to get home asap and I have a feeling they make you stay in hospital a little longer if you'e had an epi.

[kirsty_lee]

I am with MantaRay. I will never want to have an epidural again. I absolutely screamed through mine, but the anethesist was a bit of a you know what so that probably didn't help. Unfortunately though, I still get pain in my back from it, and I have a scar um, as for when I felt normal.. I had it at about 11pm.. topped up again later on and I had dd at 8 in the morning. Then at about 5-6 pm I felt fully normal. But not sure whether that was because i'd had morphene in my drip plus endone tablets every few hours.

[Visitor8]

I had 3 hehe

The first I had an epi and a spinal block after 40 hours of labour, and it took a few hours to wear off. Because i had a spinal I couldn't move myself at all.
Chase it went in right at the end (I was 8cm dilated and refusing to push without it haha) and once it was turned off the feeling pretty much came back within the hour, and within 2 hours I was packing my bag to go home.
Ashton I had it and it was about 2 hours before I could stand, but I could move around on the bed fine with it and immediately after.

I had no pain with any and no back problems at all. The person putting it in gave me a local which was like a sting, I didn't feel the epi going in and the relief was wonderful.

I felt the need to push and didn't need any assistance delivering.

Tore quite bad with the first, but they put that down to the labour and him being my first. The second I had 3 stitches. The third I tore badly again but he was 11pounds with a 39cm head! lol

I had a cath with all 3 but no UTI or anything

I would have another one in a heart beat. I am a sook for pain, and it was so nice to birth without pain that I personally can't see why I could go through pain when I can go without.

[Mez80]

I had an epidural too as i went in for an emergency cesearean and wanted DH to be there. I would say it was a very scary experience to feel your body going numb, bit by bit. I remember saying " i just want to feel my bum " (how bizarre i know!!) when i couldnt feel it any more. I felt trapped and had to concentrate on the fact that i could move my arms so moved them around freely and told poor DS who wanted to hold my hand that i would rather move them around!! Umm took ages to wear off, not sure how long. Had the catheter in as well, not sure how long either coz my DD was in special care so didnt get to see her for a while...i unfortunetly got a UTI and they wouldnt believe me when i told them so i was sent for unnessary scans, only to find out..low and behold..its a UTI!! so i was given antibiotics intraveineously (spelling!! sorry) and that wasnt plesant when attempting to breast feed. So not to sure what i will be doing 2nd time round yet..luckily dont have to worry about that just yet.