Epidural - No pain, no gain??? (Epidural)

Member Name: hypno06

Product:	Epidural
Date:	21/12/08 (197 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A C-section whilst being awake to see my new born - fantastic!

Disadvantages: Takes a little while to wear off - when a shower would be nice!

I consider myself to have a fairly high pain threshold, but by the time I was about 20 weeks pregnant with my first, I knew that I wanted pain relief during the birth. Although I knew it would be nice to say that I had got through with just gas and air and a lot of gritting of teeth, I wasn't at all sure that, actually, that was what I wanted.

At parentcraft classes, from about 30 weeks, I was surrounded by mums-to-be who frowned upon my decision, saying that I should at least give it a chance "naturally" before deciding on something so invasive.

Thankfully, I stuck with my decision, and did my own thing. As soon as I arrived at the hospital, I asked for an epidural quite firmly, and was given this without any problem. I did have complications at this birth, but none of them related to the epidural, and I am glad that I did not have the pain element to deal with as well as everything else.

With my second child, I knew almost straight away that I would opt for the same. A friend of mine suggested I try and experience the "whole thing" meaning go without the epidural, but I knew what I wanted, and I can be a stubbon mare when I want to be. Anyway, events overtook me and my baby was breech. Because of the complications with my first, I was advised to have a Cesaerian section. I took this advice and was then given a choice of having a general anesthetic or an epidural.

For me there was no decision to be made - I could not bear the thought of "going to sleep" pregnant, and waking up not pregnant - I wanted to know what was happening if nothing else! So I elected for the epidural.

This was amazing - I could have my baby delivered safely in the operating theatre, yet I could be awake throughout the whole procedure. OK, it was a little surreal at times, seeing surgeons rummage around in your tummy, but the experience was actually very positive. I was aware of my baby being born just the same as I would have been if I had had him "normally" - and that is thanks to the availability of an epidural

The epidural takes a while, like any painkilling process, to wear off, but can be topped up as and when needed if labour goes on or, if like me you have had a section, you need the pain relief afterwards (I never realised what a major operation a C-section was until then!). This, of course, means that you can't get up and about, and going to the toilet and the shower is impossible, so you are stuck with a few hours of catheters and flannel washes - not ideal, but it doesn't last for long!

Some people claim that an epidural leads to back problems and headaches. I was not affected in any negative way whatsoever, but I can understand that this could happen due to the location of the painkiller being inserted - your spine and the nerves around it is a very precise area.

Since my children were born, I became a reflexologist, specialising in maternity reflexology - of course many of my clients come to me wanting a completely natural birth and for eveything to be perfect and lovely. Most of them are also attending NCT classes where mums-to-be are sitting discussing birthing pools and the like. But I always tell them that it is THEIR body, THEIR baby, and THEIR birthing experience - no one else's and if they either choose (whether ahead of going into labour, or once the pain starts to kick in) to have an epidural, or if one is advised for any reason, that is FINE! No one should ever feel guilty, either for themselves or their baby, that they did not go through the whole birthing experience naturally.

If ever you have any queries about epidurals, ask your midwife to arrange a chat with the anaesthestist - he or she will be happy to answer them and to explain the procedure so you don't worry.

Summary: For me a very positive experience and one I would repeat if needed.