The stories are all so similar and i am also from the 'definitely didn't want one' camp! I had an open mind about it but, like peanut, i was convinced i would end up paralysed and hated the idea. I now know a number of people who had them (we all said we wouldn't!) and half had a good experience and would have one again and half either had assisted deliveries due to lack of ability to push or c sections for the same reason.
I was induced at 41 weeks due to pre eclampsia and after my waters had broken a doctor came in and whispered to the midwife "how does she feel about an epidural?". Just as DH was saying "she's not keen" i was saying "yes please"
I was so convinced that if i could use mind over matter and put into practice all the things i'd learnt i would be fine but in reality i found that the pain was so overwhelming that i couldn't do anything but think of how to stop it!
Unfortunately however the 2 attempts that the anaesthetist tried were unsuccessful and just as they were going to go for a spinal i was ready to push, so iended up getting her out that way. The odd thing was i did have a numb right leg and no sensation in my bladder so it must have done something but Maddie was back to back and apparently that pain is difficult to get rid of.
I'm not sure what to think about them now, at the moment i think that next time i would try my hardest to go without because i hated not being able to get up and about for the first 6 hours because my leg wasn't back to normal. However i bet within 5 minutes of the first proper painful contraction and i'll be screaming for the anaesthetist!
