https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:56:09 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2140570 Sat, 11 Apr 2015 10:27:22 +0000 tysonja 2140570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had two epidurals (both almost fully dilated), and both times did not get a catheter. not sure if it was because I only had the epi in for less than an hour each time? maybe ask your ob if you have a choice :). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2140294 Fri, 10 Apr 2015 20:10:17 +0000 Canoli 2140294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: my experience with #2 was similar. I had no time for an epidural. Got to the hospital at 8:00pm, water broke at 10:25pm and he arrived at 10:57pm! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2140280 Fri, 10 Apr 2015 20:00:23 +0000 MrsF 2140280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: I've had two epidurals, one with a catheter (because I was on a magnesium drip) and one without. I would definitely ask your OB if you can have an epidural without a catheter. When I asked one of the L&amp;D nurses about it on our tour she said that each OB just has different preferences. I would imagine that if you really don't want a catheter you wouldn't have to have one. If you have trouble peeing they can always "straight cath" you - where they insert a catheter to drain your bladder but take it out immediately (less than a minute). Much lower chance of UTIs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2140253 Fri, 10 Apr 2015 19:38:06 +0000 Kemma 2140253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: it felt very unpleasant at the time and he surprised every body with his size! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139314 Fri, 10 Apr 2015 06:35:43 +0000 blackbird 2139314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had one with E and my dr suggested I go without this time....I'm playing it by ear </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139294 Fri, 10 Apr 2015 05:12:33 +0000 lamariniere 2139294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epi with my first but not my second (but I definitely wanted one). There was no time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139247 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 23:45:09 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2139247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: congrats on your son's arrival! Having a 9lb12oz baby epi-free sounds like no small feat! Glad to hear your recovery is going well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139246 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 23:39:53 +0000 Kemma 2139246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had my epidural administered 20 hours into my 30 hour first labour (pitocin due to failure to progress) with my first but have just delivered my 9lb 12oz son with just gas for pain relief on Easter Saturday. I won't lie and tell you that labour with just gas was pleasant or easy but the recovery has been so much better and for that I'm very grateful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139160 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 21:15:17 +0000 Mae 2139160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I've only had one, and I did have an epidural, but they did not put in a permanent(ish) catheter for me until I was headed in for a c-section. They had me pee right before the epidural then said they would cath me every 4-6 hours thereafter. So if you waited until the end you could possibly get by without the catheter. Also you could take cranberry pills as a preventative headed into the hospital </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139132 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 20:51:16 +0000 MapleMoose 2139132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epidural during my induction and back labor with #1. But #2 crowned in the car on the way to the hospital with a short 2.5 hour labor so it was way too late for an epidural. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139057 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 20:03:18 +0000 Mrs. Stroller 2139057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epidural with my first, but not my second. Both times my goal was to go as long as I could and then I'd get one. With my first labor was 34 hours long and i got one at 27 hours when I was still only 3cm (back labor). I was so exhausted that my MW didn't think I'd have energy to push without one. </p> <p>My second was estimated to be 7lbs again so I was ok with the possibility of not having an epidural, so again I was just going to go as long as possible. My second labor was only 14 hours and I had a TENS unit that really helped with pain. I never felt like I needed an epidural until he was almost out. Obviously that was during the last few minutes, so it wasn't needed ;) He was ginormous at 9lb 3oz so I'm sure if he was the 7lbs they estimated I wouldn't have felt like I wanted one!</p> <p>If I were to do it again I think I'd just go as long as possible again, although I wouldn't be opposed to having one. I think I felt better faster with no epidural, but it's hard to compare a 7lb delivery to a 9lb one. I didn't have any IV fluids so I wasn't totally puffy, which was nice and of course none of the potential complications. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139048 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:59:27 +0000 skipra 2139048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced with my first and there's no way I could have done it without the epidural. I went into labor naturally with my second and fully intended to get the epidural. I was in early labor for like a full day before I had about 3 contractions that made me want the epidural and then my water broke and we went to the hospital. I was ready to push so they wouldn't let me have it and let me tell you, not having the epidural made me push him out in one contraction. So long story but yes, it is possible to make it without even if you needed it previously! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139045 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:58:51 +0000 woodentulip 2139045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epidural with my first, got it at 8 cm, ended up pushing for 4 hours. My second came within about 15-20 minutes of arriving at the hospital, and there was no time to get an epidural. I am sure that the fact that my second kind of shot out of me and I didn't push helped, I also feel like my recovery was so much better after my second! You can do it! But if you decide not to, that's totally rad too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139043 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:58:19 +0000 coopsmama 2139043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epidural with both (got it right at 9cm with both) and loooooved not having to feel pushing. That said, I didn't have a catheter with my second delivery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139041 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:56:25 +0000 sarac 2139041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hated mine, and it barely worked. I'm planning to go without if at all possible for my next delivery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139040 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:56:06 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2139040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With my first I had 3 attempts at an epi during a pitocin induction and didn't have a good experience. Multiple doctors couldn't get it to take. So, I totally opted out with #2. Great experience! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139038 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:55:12 +0000 Charm54 2139038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: I also had an epi with no catheter ...I definitely couldn't move my legs so I don't think it was a light dose... so it might be an option! They had me go to the washroom beforehand. I got my epi at 4pm and she was delivered at 11:30pm . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139035 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:51:44 +0000 PinkElephant 2139035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epidural prior to induction for stalled labor with #1, and one about 10 minutes before delivery with #2 (super fast labor, I was insistent, and the anesthesiologist happened to be there anyway) - the second definitely didn't kick in until DD was out, so I'd say yes - you absolutely can do it! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139030 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:49:35 +0000 Peasinapod 2139030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: oh, yes I could move my legs. I didn't realize there were different kinds! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139027 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:47:00 +0000 mrsjyw 2139027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epi w ds but the two hours of pushing were pure hell for me and I don't think the epi had any effect on me by that point. I def am curious to go without w ds#2 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139023 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:45:31 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2139023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Peasinapod: I think it's pretty standard in a lot of hospitals? I wonder if that will be an option. Did you have a regular epidural or one of those..not sure what they're called.. lighter ones where you can move your legs? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139020 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:44:35 +0000 mamimami 2139020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epi at 9 cm with my first and none (on purpose) with my second. With my second I realized that I didn't really *need* one with my first, and that had I not had it! I would have been pushing and had the baby just minutes later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2139007 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:41:39 +0000 Peasinapod 2139007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epidural and didn't get a catheter. Does it just increase the chance you'll need one ? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2138966 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:24:41 +0000 regberadaisy 2138966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pushed for over 2 hours with my first with no progress whatsoever. So I'm glad I got an epidural. Besides the anesthesiologist being a little heavy handed with it I had no other issues.</p> <p>#2 came so fast and furious there was NO time for an epi! At hospital around 9am and she arrived by 11:30am! I did not need it at all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-get-an-epidural-with-their-first-baby-but-not-second#post-2138960 Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:22:44 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2138960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After having an epidural (8cm when I got it) I feel really doubtful I could make it without one. However, I have since become seemingly prone to UTIs (have had 2-3, not sure if the 3rd was separate, in less than a year, and never had them before) and I don't do well on antibiotics to say the least, and epidural = catheter = increased risk for UTI.</p> <p>Just not sure I could make it! I've never had a reason to want to try the epidural-free route before so I haven't read up on it or anything like that. </p>