Epidural or no epidural?

[tiredwalker]

I had a c-section, but pushed for 3 hours with no drugs. I did all of the positions and gave it my all, but her head was just way too big for the space it had to fit through. The mid-wife said she was glad for modern medicine in the case, but of course we would have preferred the old-fashion way. If I could have, I would have gotten meds at the end; it was getting to be too much because she wasn't progressing at all.

I was pretty open-minded, and I didn't get one...not that I had a choice (dr. was in the or w/ an emergency c-section). After experiencing all of it, it's pretty hard, but I didn't die. The doc's said that my pain level was not typical because she was banging on the same spot. I think I would have been just fine if she could have fit through.

I do have to say, if I would have know what I was going to experience, I would have totally psyched myself out. Going in with a can-do attitude made it much easier.

 

[Hadassah]

I agree, attitude regardless of complications or none, that is the absolute key in how things will go and be handled. (kwim?)

 

[James 1:27]

Unless you have a high tolerance for pain or you are one of the few with easy labor, GET AN EPIDURAL!!!

 

[seamonster]

I think it's important to go into birth knowing that things may not go as planned. It's so easy to be disappointed or feel like a failure if you take the epidural or if you end up with a c-section. Epidurals are there for those who need them, and women who accept them are not "less of women" than those who do not.

That said, there can be a lot of long-term complications from epidurals that many women aren't aware of. I agree with the PP who said to read, read, read. The more books you read on natural birth and pain coping methods, the more you'll be prepared when it does come time to decide if you want the epidural or not.

 

[llghoney]

I had a epi & also had a c-section. I was going to try naturally but had to be induced. Also, I have to say even with my epi I had to have extra meds due to the pain being SOOO bad. I know they say mind over matter & I kept thinking that during but when the pain is there over & over it's hard. I know without the epi I would have been in massive pain. They had to check me sooo many times it was crazy.

 

[Assisi]

I say no epidural.

Brrr. The thought of a needle in my spine was a worse idea to me than labour pain. I'm really glad I didn't have an epidural and I hope never to need one. I was so freaked by the idea of an epidural that on my birth card I requested a general in the event of emergency caesar. Well, the epidural was one of the reasons I made that request.

I say try without, don't request one in advance.

HS you too? My contractions were super close together for my entire labour too. I don't think I ever got more than about 30 secs rest - and that was only right at the start, pretty soon I was only getting about 5 secs to come down off one contraction before the next one hit. Gar! I remember telling DH I just wanted to sit down for a minute and catch my breath iykwim.

 

[Hadassah]

yep, that's what the only medicine I received was for and it didn't work, so they had me work on not hyperventilating and got IVs going "just in case"...

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

Unless you have a high tolerance for pain or you are one of the few with easy labor, GET AN EPIDURAL!!!

These are the kind of comments that put a seed in a woman's brain that they can't do it and that they NEED an epidural. I have a low tolerance for pain and by no means had easy labors (#1 was sunny side up, #2 was huge, etc.) but I put myself in a position to get the best possible out come for me and my baby in labor and delivery. If you want an epidural that's fine and your choice but we should be building each other up and supporting each other as women for pregnancy and childbirth and not fear mongering and telling each other we "can't" do it without intervention.

 

[gracepaints]

I actually didn't even think giving birth was all that painful....

 

[Leanna]

Next time I will remember how much the epidural hurt when they put it in, and then I don't think it worked right.... my legs felt tingly-painful the whole time and I wouldn't let them touch them.....

I think natural birth DID hurt... but its so much different because it was productive towards an end. And then afterwards your body feels so much better than if you have to come off the epidural.

 

[hsmommyofmany]

well, it is such a personal decision. i think you will know when the time comes weather you can handle it without the epidural. if you can then more power to ya. i knew i had to have one because i had twins and i had to be prepped for an emergency c-section just in case something went wrong. i had them both naturally and i could not get my epidural fast enough...actually it really was not as bad as i thought it would be. i am sure i could have handled it if i had to. i think the epiduaral does allow you to enjoy the experience better because you are not concentrating on the pain, especially if your labor is long. it gives you a chance to rest and visit with family and friends. really the pain after wards when they do the stupid uterine message to make it contract hurt the worse...even with the epidural! all in all having a baby is a great experience and sometimes doubly good! good luck with your little one.

 

[jgonz]

Some women have zero desire to even try natural birth... however most fail to remember that they need to get to at least 4 or 5 cms before the epidural can be administered... so learning about natural birth, relaxation, and working with contractions is Necessary for All women no matter what their final plan is.

Plan and prepare for natural birth. If something (a Real medical reason) comes up, then do the epidural, but (IMO) look at it as a last resort type of thing.

There is a time & place for an epidural. It's a medical intervention that when used At the Proper Time can be a good thing.

One good reason to use an epidural is if your labor goes far longer than usual. For example: One of my doula clients was in labor for 3 days. She had no sleep and was completely exhausted. It was a smart move For Her to get the epidural, get some rest, then have it turned off so she could feel the urge to push and push the baby out.

Also, each labor is different and so sometimes different ways of laboring are appropriate for different labors. I've given birth 10 times... I've had easy labors and hard labors. 8 out of 10 were natural. There was something about every single birth that I would go back and do differently if I could, but usually I was pretty satisfied with my births. There have only been 2 that were bad experiences (and I'm still not sure how I could have avoided some of the interventions from 1 of them).

My oldest DD just had her first baby 2 weeks ago. Her plan was to go natural and use the birthing tub at the hospital. But, she had hard contractions on & off for 2 weeks and had really rough back labor for the last 2 days. She ended up with an epidural, but it was Her choice, no one else's, so she could get some rest. She told me the next day that she was very satisfied with her birth experience because She made the choices. She plans to go natural next time (and possibly a homebirth).

HTH~

 

[Robinsegg]

I've had 2. By the time I got there with my first, it was too late (I was dilated too far). With my second, I dilated too fast. Neither time would I have been able. I was able to handle it with some pain meds to take the edge off the pain. I had really fast labors, but thought it was fine w/o an epidural.
Rachel

 

[Gods4me]

i did have one with my first baby and i dont intend to have one this time. labour is painful.. you just gotta read your bible to know that. labour is ment to be painful. you cant stop that.

i really jst didnt like the idea of having an epidural. i had gas and air and i had a jab of methedine (no idea how to spell it)

but see what every kind of pain relif you have it is stil painful. if i was you id wait till your in labour to deside or let your birthing partner make the call.

no matter how pain full labour you will forget about it once the babys born.

youve got ages yet to think about what you want to do.

i say if you unsure about an epidural then dont get one.

 

[TamberlyAna]

thanks again for all the advice guys! I think I will print this thread out and let it help me decide exactly what to do. I will certainly be praying about it.