CHARLOTTE DAWSON has opened up about her “horrible” birthing experience after getting an epidural that went “all wrong”.
The mum, who welcomed her third child last year, says the “worst thing she ever did” was making the mistake of listening to everyone around her when it came to her birthing plan.
Charlotte opened up on Happy Mum Happy Baby about her birthing experienceCredit: Instagram/@charlottedawsy
, who is famously the daughter of the late comedian Les Dawson, opened up about and all three of her births on Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast with I’m A Celebrity winner, .
The star, who has been engaged to her partner Matthew for over five years, opened up about her “traumatic” first birthing experience with son Noah.
When discussing her birthing plan with her she admits that her mum, sister and mother-in-law put “a lot of pressure” on her to “do it naturally” – and wanted her to avoid a C-section.
It comes after her mum had a “really bad” experience with her caesarean. “She was actually awake and felt everything, and the doctor went to jail,” Charlotte claimed to Giovanna.
This, as well as a number of other opinions and experiences, shaped how she made decisions with her first born.
Charlotte, who was diagnosed with gestational diabetes during her first pregnancy, said: “So I was prepared for it [a natural birth], I had my Squishes, bouncing on a ball.”
The Celebs Go Dating star was at home and had a feeling her baby was coming soon, so Matthew told her to take a nap – and when she woke up her waters broke and she was experiencing contractions.
But things didn’t go to plan when she got to Warrington Hospital.
Charlotte, who lives in , said: “Everyone told me to have an epidural so I’ve listened to everybody again.
“So I had an epidural – the worst thing I ever did because one half of my body was numb and the other half wasn’t so I couldn’t feel the push.
“So I could feel all the pain, the contractions in one side, but on the other side I just couldn’t feel anything.”
Baffled, Giovanna responded: “I’m guessing they did it wrong?”
Charlotte, who is unafraid to show off her postpartum body online, added: “No, I think it just happens sometimes, it just depends on your body or the person.
“Sometimes it’s [an epidural] a brilliant experience for people. Everyone told me they do their makeup on it and stuff.”
The 33-year-old podcaster further explained that she was pushing, but could not feel anything.
She said: “It all went wrong because I couldn’t feel the push and I was getting so upset with myself and the doctors were like ‘c’mon push’ and I was like ‘I am.’”
“Also a very confusing thing to have half your body that you can feel, that’s a very confusing thing for your brain surely,” Giovanna said.
Charlotte welcomed her first child, Noah, at 28, with her partner MatthewCredit: Instagram/@charlottedawsy
Charlotte, who boasts over 1.5million Instagram followers, shared: “It was really stressful for me and pressurising because I was looking at Matthew like ‘I promise you I’m pushing’ because I felt like everybody thought that I wasn’t trying.
“So it was a really horrible experience.”
After her baby was distressed in the birthing canal she was rushed into theatre where Charlotte felt like she was “signing her life away”.
“It was really scary,” she added. “I got into theatre, and they did the forceps.
“My legs were in stirrups, I didn’t even know they were there. Because the epidural was [finally] working and they gave me something else to numb [the rest of] me, and it worked.”
Is it common for an epidural to only work on one side of the body?
There was an overwhelming amount of comments in response to the podcast, from other mothers who experienced the same thing as Charlotte.
One mum said: “Omg this happened to me!! I need it was a redhead thing. I swear it’s worse than not having the epidural!”
“Mine didn’t work at all,” said another.
Someone else said: “This is the first person I’ve heard experience the same as I did with an epidural. Thank you for talking about this!”
Another commented: “My right side was completely numb and felt everything in my left, it’s a very weird sensation.”
What happens during an epidural?
How an epidural works
- According to the NHS, an anaesthetist inserts a fine, flexible tube into the epidural space in your lower back to deliver continuous numbing medication, usually during labour or surgery
- You will sit curled or lie on your side
- You will receive a local anesthetic
- Pain relief will kick in within 20–30 minutes
- Your legs may feel weak or numb
- It’s normal to feel sick
- It’s normal for your blood pressure to fall a little
- Itchy skin can be a side effect of the pain relief medicines
- Some patients experience headaches
- The epidural may not block all your pain, so you may be offered an extra, or alternative, pain relief method
- Before deciding to have an epidural, discuss the procedure with your anaesthetist.
Why can an epidural only numb one side?
Also known as an “unilateral block”, it is relatively normal for an epidural to work only on one side of the body.
This is because the catheter tip sits more to one side of the spine or moves after placement. It is easily remedied by repositioning, adjusting the catheter, or giving extra medication.
In some cases, the epidural may need to be redone.
Charlotte, who says she has “always yearned” for a big family, has since welcomed Jude, 2 and Gigi, who will turn one in March. Her son Noah is now four years old.
Charlotte admitted she was left with “trauma” following her first birthing experience, so she planned a C-section with her son Jude.
Gigi had a “very speedy entrance to the world”, on International Women’s Day, Charlotte said.
She shares her children with Matthew Sarsfield, whom she has been with since 2016.
She said she was “all in” when she met him and their relationship moved fast.
Charlotte Dawson gave birth to daughter Gigi last yearCredit: Instagram
Charlotte has been with partner Matthew for over nine yearsCredit: instagram/@charlottedawsy
She admitted on Happy Mum Happy Baby that she was speaking to him before Ex on the Beach, and their romance heated up after the show.
The Sun recently reported how Charlotte’s troubled relationship with fiance Matt Sarsfield has
at the launch of her beauty brand’s lip kits recently – but reunited just days later.
It’s the second time they’ve ended their nine-year relationship, having previously broken up in August last year after .
Charlotte is claimed to have confided in pals about their problems – and admitted fears about walking down the aisle.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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