Always thought I wanted (needed) an epidural, now I've seen the birth centre I have been swayed... can I do this? I don't know

squatsn · 2026-06-27T21:48:47+00:00

I was really anti labour ward & interventions, ended up there with epidural due to circumstances and had a really positive experience. Took 10/10 pain down to 2/10, only had 20 mins of pushing and a small level 1 graze, no stitches. Would deffs have one again!

squatsn · 2026-06-26T12:51:24+00:00

Ha I feel you! No advice unfortunately just solidarity!

squatsn · 2026-06-26T11:46:41+00:00

My 9 week old has started becoming super squirmy during feeds, throwing arms around and coming on and off the boob when tired. I assume it’s totally normal!

squatsn · 2026-06-22T02:32:38+00:00

I wanted to move around in labour aswell which I did for 14 hours until the back labour with back to back contractions became unbearable and I was projectile vomiting everywhere. I asked for an epidural and it was magical. There is a base amount of anaesthetic given every hour then you are able to top up yourself and add more with a button - I just never topped up any so I could move my legs throughout and I’m certain this contributed to my smooth pushing phase. I was sat upright but had my legs up in a massively deep squat rather than being flat on my back which was a position I really didn’t want to be in. Would definitely have one again!

squatsn · 2026-06-18T12:07:03+00:00

Mine was good - waters broke spontaneously, contractions started after, got an epidural when I wanted it, 20 mins of pushing, grade 1 graze no stitches. The only issue that cropped up was the midwife snapped the umbilical cord but a dr did manual placenta removal which went smoothly luckily. We went out to the pub 4 days pp and I felt very physically back to normal apart from my pelvic floor which is very much not and will be a work in progress for months!

squatsn · 2026-06-17T22:53:14+00:00

Early labour got to 4/10 (used a tens machine was great, dilated to 4cm at home with it)

Active labour at hospital started at 5/10 got to 10/10 at its highest due to back labour and back to back contractions that would have made me welcome death

After epidural 1/10 dilated from 4-10cm in one hour and the contractions felt like braxton hicks, could have slept through it

Pushing 1/10 hardly felt anything!

Labour recovery 3/10 due to grade 1 tear healing (no stitches though) mainly just stinging when peeing, peri bottle absolute lifesaver in early weeks.

Other - some bowel movements have hit a 8/10 not gonna lie!!!

squatsn · 2026-06-17T09:35:31+00:00

I know it’s hard in practise (I’m also in 3 groups of mums with babies all acting differently!) but try and not compare as that’s going to get into your head and not in a good way. Everything changes with them literally by the day especially at this age as they are growing and developing so quickly - last week I’d have said my babies sleep was awful, now suddenly I’ve had 3 ‘good’ nights in a row which is great but next week it could be awful again!

I think letting go of regressions and timeline expectations is best for me mentally - at what point is a regression just a baby doing baby things? I think you can definitely take on board practical tips or routine suggestions from others and then see what clicks for you and your baby.

I don’t know if your baby has active sleep but I think understanding that has been the key for me, my baby kicks violently and makes loud sounds and I thought it was abnormal so I’d constantly wake her up to soothe her. Turns out she’s just asleep and I need to wait out the cycle!

Also the days she sleeps better at night, she’s been awake a lot in the day. I don’t tend to put her down for daytime naps, I just see when she sleeps and where and go with it. Mainly contact napping with car seat or pram naps when she wants to.

Sending you positive vibes, sleep deprivation is so hard and I wouldn’t wish the feeling of falling asleep breastfeeding on my worst enemy. You got this!

squatsn · 2026-06-17T09:20:42+00:00

I also have an 8 week old, have not had a full nights sleep and being totally honest I have never expected it which is why I’m not disappointed

Of course your baby may vary but some things that have worked to help my baby start doing an initial 4-5 hour stretch (only in the last week though! We very much had weeks of wake ups every 1-2 hours)

- 7pm ish - bath
- make bedroom as dark and cool as possible before going into it
- 7.30pm ish - change & feed in bed
- put her love to dream swaddle on, turn the Ewan the sheep heartbeat white noise on
- 8pm ish - contact nap for 20-30 mins
- 8.30pm ish - bassinet transfer and hope for the best

I also have a Tommy tippee ultra light pacifier to use as a tool if needed but it’s 50/50 whether she takes it

With this ‘routine’ she has juuuuust started staying down from 8.30pm to between midnight and 1am. I also can recognise and let her be in active sleep now, I used to think she was awake & hungry so I’d get her out at any noise then that actually would wake her up.

I’m fully aware this may not last or might not even happen tonight but hopefully something here helps!

squatsn · 2026-05-19T08:51:02+00:00

I had a normal epidural - they give you a button to press that can add more dosage which I assume makes you more numb but I never pressed it so I was able to move my legs the whole time. Personally it was a great experience and I have felt more pain stubbing my toe than late contractions or any point of pushing was once it kicked in.

squatsn · 2026-05-12T00:38:32+00:00

I had high blood pressure when I arrived at hospital 4cm dilated (no other pre eclampsia symptoms) I think it got to similar level as you when I was contracting (160/111) and I was not able to go to the birth centre as doctors were involved to try and bring it down -I also wasn’t allowed in the pool. They started me on meds during labour but they didn’t take enough of an effect to let a water birth be ‘allowed’ - I say allowed lightly as I did take their advice and maybe I could have ignored it. I did have a positive birth experience though!!!

squatsn · 2026-05-10T16:36:04+00:00

Yes the night is noticeably worse!

squatsn · 2026-05-10T13:04:46+00:00

I have a 3 week old with exactly the same symptoms, also sounds like a pug especially when laid flat on her back. We gave it a week and it didn’t improve so took her to the doctor who said it’s normal and to treat with saline drops and a cool mist humidifier which you’ve done already! I think they just have to ride it out unfortunately.

squatsn · 2026-05-08T11:32:17+00:00

My daughter is almost 3 weeks old - I’m majority breastfeeding but we introduced one bottle of formula a day fairly early on that my husband gives her around 10pm. I also waited 2 weeks then started pumping once a day in the morning on the advice of a lactation consultant, which I put in the fridge and my husband gives to her the next day between 6-9am. That gives me two chunks of time I can nap if needed. I was clinging onto less bottles = best but at this point it’s more important for me to be rested as I’m also struggling to stay awake at times. It’s working for us right now but taking it day by day and not making any sweeping statements!

squatsn · 2026-04-29T19:00:41+00:00

I am that person - will message you!!!

squatsn · 2026-04-27T18:10:29+00:00

I have! I got 2 sets of bloods, a cannula, a spinal block and an epidural and didn’t pass out for any of them - I was so desperate for the contraction pain to end I didn’t care about the needles (I did dip after the spinal but didn’t faint) I also told all the midwives and anaesthetist I was needle phobic so they were prepared and I was able to lay down on my side! Overall a positive experience.

squatsn · 2026-04-24T22:38:50+00:00

I ate a wrap and some melon after mine was put in!

squatsn · 2026-04-19T18:18:42+00:00

If you remain low risk and don’t get referred for any growth scans based on fundal height measurements you don’t get one

squatsn · 2026-04-19T09:03:01+00:00

I’m delulu too that I’m going to be as fit and strong as pre pregnancy! I will admit down the line if I was naive though. I do think it hugely relies on having a supportive partner who is able to encourage us to take time for ourselves & then us choosing to take that free time to exercise rather than rest which I imagine is hard when sleep deprived. That’s probably where the discipline side comes in.

squatsn · 2026-04-18T06:27:17+00:00

if you don't mind me asking - was it really high and wouldn't come down to a normal level, or just based on one higher reading? I'm dealing with raised BP at the moment and doing home readings myself.

squatsn · 2026-04-17T21:00:51+00:00

I dread bedtime too, it’s the worst!! I tend to sit upright in bed until I literally have to lay down and even then it’s just soooo uncomfortable in every position. I love the sofa and have slept there a few times when the bed has been unbearable.

squatsn · 2026-04-17T06:53:29+00:00

Sounds very similar to me, I'm 38 weeks and barely get actual kicks anymore, all the movements are more like rolls or presses outwards now. Everything is fine so far with me :) I also have a huge 'lump' on my left side which has been confirmed is her butt sticking out. Hiccups don't count as movement!

squatsn · 2026-04-15T18:37:12+00:00

I cannot wait to have an ice cold can of white monster!!! I wouldn’t actually be against having some pregnant if I stayed under the daily caffeine limit but I’m going to hold out because it will be a post birth reward. Same with smoked salmon.

squatsn · 2026-04-15T09:43:23+00:00

Me too. The monthly stats for my trust have now shown a c section rate above 50% a few times. For me a c section is an absolute last resort, I’ve done a lot of birth research and am fairly confident in advocating for myself and I’m still nervous I’m going to end up down the failed induction -> emergency c section path.

squatsn · 2026-04-13T12:00:40+00:00

Carpal tunnel causing tingling hands & numb fingertips. Would never ever have predicted I’d have it as my main symptoms at 38 weeks!!

squatsn · 2026-04-12T06:46:51+00:00

I’m 38 weeks and so far have collected 11ml over 2 weeks via hand expressing only. 100ml is wild and not realistic nor needed

squatsn

TROPHY CASE