Tips for making sure there’s time for an epidural second time around??
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@Emily thanks! Definitely trying to remind myself that whatever happens happens and it’ll be fine 😅 ohhh yes it’s definitely on my notes that I’m keen for an epidural 😂 good to hear that your subsequent labours would have been long enough to have asked, so must happen sometimes at least 😂 x
@Rachel oh bloody hell that was fast!!! To be fair, of my labour was that fast, I don’t think I’d mind skipping the epidural 😂😂😂 I think I’m just conscious of not being fobbed off until it’s then finally too late to get one 😳 x
I would download a contractions timer and keep track straight away. Mine ramped up very quickly. Luckily I was already at the hospital because my waters had went at home and they wanted to check me because of some blood or I would’ve probably had a home birth😅 x
I had my second in June and wanted an epidural too as I was too late the first time and didn’t want to feel the pain again 😭- I just went in as soon as I was contracting regularly so would advise doing this - the worst that can happen is they send you back again! Even with that though I was too late and couldn’t get one as baby came 😅… but it was totally fine! Painful, but quick and I knew what I was doing so I pushed much more effectively and actually really enjoyed my birth! I was also terrified the second time round but in the moment I was just so excited and her a great experience! Best of luck! Xx
@Molly that’s actually really reassuring to hear, thank you 😊 Also, congratulations all on your recent babies! Thanks for taking the time to offer a bit of reassurance. I appreciate how hectic things feel with one child let alone more of them 😂 x
My first birth was 24 hours, my second birth was 8! A totally different labour too, different feelings, one I couldn't wee, one I went the toilet loads, one I felt really nauseous, the other I was fine, one I just used gas and air, the other I needed more pain relief and has pethidine. One resulted in emergency C-section, the other was a vaginal birth 😂 Literally so different! You never know you might be able to breathe through this one. My tip would be to let midwives know that's what you want asap and then they can generally tell once you are in active labour 🤞 hope it all goes well ❤️
I'm not sure if I have any tips, but I'd say try to relax as what will be will be (easier said than done I know) but many 2nd and 3rd etc births are still slow enough that you'd have time to ask. I'd probably say speak to your midwife etc and add it into your birth plan that you want to have an epidural on arrival if possible. My labour was so fast the first time I only had gas and they all joked if I do this again I probably need a home birth 🤦🏻♀️🤣 xx