Yes or no epidural?

I don't quite get the fuss about not doing it either.. The Netherlands is one of the few countries where it's not done. In the rest of the Western countries, it's everywhere.. If it were so risky, wouldn't it be done less often there too?

I had an epidural for all three of my births. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. For the third one, I even told the anesthesiologist that I felt a bit ashamed about it. You should be able to do this as a woman, right? The doctor told me that the Netherlands is the only country where such a big deal is made about it. In all other countries, it's just something normal. He explained that having a baby is like chopping off your thumb without anesthesia. He feels that no one can handle that kind of pain, and that giving birth with intense contractions without pain relief is just too much to bear. This really stuck with me and I'll always remember it.

Hi!
My last birth was back to being one without pain relief. It was short but intense!
I always give birth too quickly, there's no time for an epidural.
When I really can't take it anymore, I'm allowed to go to the delivery ward to push...
At 7:45 my contractions were really strong, and by 9:00 our daughter was already here. Was just a matter of biting the bullet?
I'm blessed that I can give birth so quickly every time because otherwise it would take longer, hehe.
Greetings!

I have 3 kids, and only the last one I had an epidural, lovely!!!!!!! I was also induced for the 3rd time, the other 2 times were short and intense, this time it took 10 hours but no pain, and no stitches, this is how it can also be!!

Agreed, proud mama!
I'm also getting an epidural, why make it difficult when it can be easier?
It's such a relief, it's normal in other countries.

Hi Marieke,

Which hospital did you give birth in?

Best,

I had an epidural with my first because my daughter wouldn’t descend, so I got stuck in a contraction storm! She was born normally, no episiotomy or stitches.
I did have to stay in the hospital for a bit though because of the numb legs haha.

With the second (our son), I didn’t get an epidural because it went way too fast!
And now I’m pregnant with number 3, and I’m absolutely terrified of having a repeat of my son’s birth..
It all went super fast (partly nice, but partly it was truly a HELL) and I’m already begging for an epidural with this baby....
Of course, every birth is different, but my fear of a repeat is huge.. so big that I sometimes panic just thinking about it!

So... my take on an epidural: Just get one (if possible) if you feel like you need it.
Nothing is more important during childbirth than relaxing!!!! The more relaxed you are, the easier it is for the baby to be born. Not always, but in most cases it helps.

I was actually open to having an epidural; I even begged pitifully while I was lying there writhing in pain from my back labor. I even begged for an epidural, but the midwife said it wasn't possible because I was already 8 cm dilated. Unfortunately for me, it couldn't be done.
That was with my first birth. With the second birth, it went so fast that I barely noticed I was having intense contractions. I was already struggling almost to give birth in the car on the way to the hospital.
And when I arrived at the hospital, it was two pushes and she was there.
So both times I was too late for an epidural.
But with the first birth, I wanted one; it was just so intense back labor, so not possible because I was already far along with dilation.
I've heard that with the anesthesia from an epidural, you find it harder to push because you have no feeling in your body.
Greetings, Madelene

Hi.
During my first birth, I was induced due to pregnancy-induced hypertension at 38 weeks.
But I was already scared beforehand of the pain everyone warned me about, so I went straight for the epidural. I didn't feel any contractions at all; I had to change positions regularly (as several people here say) but at some point I couldn't change positions anymore because the baby's heartbeat would drop. I only had a 2cm dilation then. I had been given medication to stimulate contractions from 6am, got the epidural around 11am, and at 2:55pm I still only had 2cm dilation, but I couldn't take it anymore. I really needed to go to the big toilet and was afraid to say so. I told my partner quietly, who then subtly told the nurse that I really needed to go to the toilet, but she claimed that wasn't possible and went to check the dilation herself. At 2:58pm it was 9cm. They called the gynecologist urgently. He didn't even have time to put on his gloves because our girl was already there at 3:01pm.
I'm pregnant for the second time now and want to hold out as long as possible without an epidural, but as soon as it doesn't feel right anymore, I won't hesitate to get the shot.

Hope I can manage it all without an epidural, it's not in my plan anyway We'll see
It's a nice idea that it's there if you might need it. I hear from some friends and read here on the forum too that they act strange about it. That it's "weak" to get/ask for a shot. What nonsense. In other countries it's almost standard. Everyone should just do what feels right for them!

Yeah, it's nice to know it's there, but sometimes you can also be too late and have to continue without the induction, and that's what I'm afraid of. My mom has experienced this twice with me and my sister. She really didn't want an induction, but she passed out during labor because it took so long. Apparently, I kept her busy for 10 days. Contractions started, so she went to the hospital, 'yep, she's coming today,' and then once she was in the delivery room, everything went quiet. And then 10 days straight, yeah, then you're pretty much exhausted, right? And that's what I'm afraid of.

If I can be completely honest, I secretly hope they'll induce me now too, so I know what to expect. I'm already on edge whenever I get a little stomach pain, 'is it starting???' My boyfriend gets nervous about it too.

I've also had a very tight belly since yesterday. I went to lie in the bath, and it felt better, but as soon as I got out, BAM, my belly was super tense again.