Epidurals

[Leanna]

Oh, I just wanted to add that sometimes epidurals actually help labor. I was dialted to 3cm and not progressing. I asked for an epidural because I was starting to feel the contractions, and my OB was actually just about to suggest that I get one anyways in order to relax me and help me to progress further along. It worked and I began dialating more.

I actually know quite a few people this has happened to.

I can see how relaxing can help you progress, however epidurals are known to slow labor and not help it progress. When I got my epidural my contractions slowed immensely and labor almost stopped even though I had already been in labor for 12 hours. They had to give me Pitocin then to counteract that and get things started again. They do try to wait long enough to give the epidural to counteract this, unfortunately its still far more true that an epidural is more likely to slow your labor than speed it up.

http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/childbirth/164.html
"An epidural can slow your labor, in which case you may need Pitocin to get it back on track."

http://www.hencigoer.com/betterbirth/sample/
"Epidurals slow labor, cause persistent posterior babies, and increase the risk of cesarean for poor progress."

http://www.hencigoer.com/betterbirth/lit/
"Having an epidural increased the likelihood of having a prolonged labor six-fold, 42-fold if the epidural was placed early in labor. A U.S. study of active versus standard management in 400 first-time mothers found that even though active management helped women with epidurals somewhat, the cesarean rate was still 11% versus 3% in women not having an epidural. Over 85% of all cesareans were in women who had epidurals."

http://www.the-health-pages.com/topics/education/epidural.html
"An epidural anesthetic is administered once you are in true labor. Once started, however, it can slow your labor and make the contractions weaker."

http://www.childbirthsolutions.com/articles/birth/epidural/index.php
"May slow labor, requiring Pitocin; and has been found to increase the chances of a cesarean delivery in primigravidas by two or three times."

 

[ChristusG]

I can see how relaxing can help you progress, however epidurals are known to slow labor and not help it progress. When I got my epidural my contractions slowed immensely and labor almost stopped even though I had already been in labor for 12 hours. They had to give me Pitocin then to counteract that and get things started again. They do try to wait long enough to give the epidural to counteract this, unfortunately its still far more true that an epidural is more likely to slow your labor than speed it up.

http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/childbirth/164.html
"An epidural can slow your labor, in which case you may need Pitocin to get it back on track."

http://www.hencigoer.com/betterbirth/sample/
"Epidurals slow labor, cause persistent posterior babies, and increase the risk of cesarean for poor progress."

http://www.hencigoer.com/betterbirth/lit/
"Having an epidural increased the likelihood of having a prolonged labor six-fold, 42-fold if the epidural was placed early in labor. A U.S. study of active versus standard management in 400 first-time mothers found that even though active management helped women with epidurals somewhat, the cesarean rate was still 11% versus 3% in women not having an epidural. Over 85% of all cesareans were in women who had epidurals."

http://www.the-health-pages.com/topics/education/epidural.html
"An epidural anesthetic is administered once you are in true labor. Once started, however, it can slow your labor and make the contractions weaker."

http://www.childbirthsolutions.com/articles/birth/epidural/index.php
"May slow labor, requiring Pitocin; and has been found to increase the chances of a cesarean delivery in primigravidas by two or three times."

Yes, that's why I added that sometimes they can help labor.....because most articles say that it usually slows labor down. But for me, and several other people that I know, it allowed them to relax which sped labor up.

 

[Singin4Him]

Yes, that's why I added that sometimes they can help labor.....because most articles say that it usually slows labor down. But for me, and several other people that I know, it allowed them to relax which sped labor up.

There is so much negative talk about epidurals around here, so it's really good to hear that! How did you feel afterwards? How was breastfeeding if you did it?

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

Singin4Him...

I can give you two women's experience in detail about epidurals. I can actually give you about 200 people's birthing experience with epidurals, however this would only cover the birth experience, as well as the 48 hours past - so not as detailed as the aforementioned 2, who are my cousins.

One was given it during vaginal birth; another was given it with c-section.

The vaginal birth took 6.5 hours, she felt no pain - although she said it felt 'weird' not having any actual pain, the midwife (shared care) gave her cues as to when to push, and she could still feel the 'tightening' during contractions.

She was able to breastfeed with no problems after it - baby continued to breastfeed for 6 months afterwards. The epidural and urinary catheter were removed after she was able to move around independantly - about 2 hours post birth or so.

My cousin who had the c-section had a similar response, although naturally being a c-section she had other pain meds given to her via patient-controlled analgesia machines. Again, she breastfed with no problems.

The women I see everyday with my work who have epidurals are generally happy to have one. Most admit it feels 'weird' not to actually have the pain, but all say they can still feel the tightening during contractions, and are given enough cues by the midwives as to when to push and whatnot.

As far as I can see, they all have had pretty normal durations of labour irrespective of pain relief given. Anything from 3-18 hours (depending on baby position and normal progression).

Afterwards (ie in the immediate 48 hour period), the epidural is taken out once they are able to mobilise independantly (as is the urinary catheter - which we put in when epidurals are given, and during all c-sections), and they are just given normal panadol, or the patient controlled anelgesic machine (if post c-section).

From my experience, I'm not concerned with an epidural. I've seen too many positive experiences for mum and baby to be worried!

From what I've seen the epidurals relax mum enough to help her to concentrate during a contraction - which in turn helps baby more often than not to progress comfortably through the birth canal. The more uptight mummy is, the more of an impact it seems to have on the birthing process - at least in my experience.

Sasch

 

[RoseofLima]

Yes, that's why I added that sometimes they can help labor.....because most articles say that it usually slows labor down. But for me, and several other people that I know, it allowed them to relax which sped labor up.

Although -often un beknownest to the mom-- or 'sold' as 'something to speed up labor'....pitocin is addded into the IV after the epidural is given. Being medicated you are unable to sense the difference in the contractions....

I AM NOT saying that that happens all the time, or happened to you (It is wonderful that you had a great birth experience!)--but in my experience, I know very few people who have had an epidural without pitocin added.

Epidurals are not bad, in and of themselves-- it's just that there are risks, and statistically you are much more likely to end up with a c-section. It's one of those things where you must weigh benefits and risks, and then make the best decision based on the given circumstances and your own personal desires.

I had a horrific birth with my second, but it included a great gift....in all of the incompetence of the hospital- despite their plan to section me from my arrival...they never gave me an epidural...by the time they were hurrying to give me a general anesthsea...it was time for me to push. I gave birth without pain medication in the most absolutely adverse conditions and stressful situation possible...it made me realize that I could do it without medication. (But of course -my labor was only a few hours and I hadn't been induced).

My next 4 have all been birthed without any medication of any kind. Some of those were 'easy' births, others more difficult...but I had been given the confidence that I could birth my baby. Thank God for the complete incompetence of that hosptial!!

I think that is my personal fear about the widespread use of epidurals...that there is a generation of women stripped from the belief that they can birth their babies without 'help'. That there is a general attitude that "I won't be able to do that"- before we ever even start. ANd the whole OB world revolves around this- hinting at women's failure all the time- sometimes overtly... "your baby is far too big" , "your pelvis is far too small", "you are going too slow". There is an illusion of 'control' that is hard to find your way through...and that seems a detriment to me--wouldn't we be better if we just accepted that we are not in control, things happen unexpectedly despite our vey best planning...and God is the one who gives and takes away...

I believe and support wholeheartedly women's informed choices for their care in pregnancy and birth--whatever those choices might be. I just wish we could get to a place in OB care where the risks and benefits were addressed with clarity and respect for the intelligence of the woman giving birth.

Sorry to ramble

 

[ChristusG]

Signing4Him - Breastfeeding went awesome!!! She latched on easily and began nursing.

RoseofLima - They didnt slip Pitocin into my IV because I was already hooked up to Pitocin. I was induced because my baby had almost no fluid left.

 

[andiesmama]

There is so much negative talk about epidurals around here, so it's really good to hear that! How did you feel afterwards? How was breastfeeding if you did it?

Can I add that it didn't slow my contractions, either? I must say, tho, that I was already on Pitocin because I had to be induced....but from the time I got the epidural, (if I remember right), Andie was born MAYBE 4 hours later.

I felt great during AND after, I was up walking around by that evening, no side effects.

Also, both APGAR tests on Andie were 10, so evidently SHE didn't have any bad effects, either!

As for the breastfeeding, I can't answer that question because I didn't breastfeed....sorry...

 

[RoseofLima]

Can I add that it didn't slow my contractions, either? I must say, tho, that I was already on Pitocin because I had to be induced..

But that is exactly it...you already had pitocin pumping through your system...

I think epidurals can be great-- and help make many women have a positive birth experience, where they otherwise would not. - particularly those with induced labors!

My thing - is that women ought not be treated like they are sick when they are having a baby....and that they ought to be truly informed of potential risks as well as benefits. WOmen ought to be told how greatly the chance for other interventions increases once that epidural needle goes in their back.

My opinions are based on my own experience- with medicated vs, non-medicated labors, and my experience as a doula. I do not mean to say that any woman is 'better' than another-Gosh not AT ALL-- the main thing is that each woman's experience of birth is a fulfilling one, empowering her to be off to a great start to the challenging world of motherhood. That sense of fulfillment can be there whether birth is medicated or unmedicated, vaginal or abdominal...it all revolves around a woman being empowered to frrely make the choices that are right for her.

 

[Leanna]

Right, if you're on a drug to keep your labor going then an epidural obviously won't slow it down.... because you're on a drug.... to keep it going.

The only reason I said something about it slowing down labor is because someone said the opposite, and I just wanted to get the facts out, there was so much I didn't know when I had my epidural last time that if I had known I wouldn't have gone through as much as I did. The way they make you stay in the bed, on an IV, the length of labor tired me out major because I still couldn't sleep, they made me push in a slight upright position but still on my back, and I got that tear because that darn epidural made it so they wouldn't let me push in a better position (had to be on my back) .... ohhh such an awful tear. I would take a day of pain over the pain I went through for months, not to mention the reintroduction to sex (OUCH!!). And after delivery I didn't let anyone except hubby visit me for quite a while because of how torn up I was, when that stuff runs out and your legs tingle back in its terrible, I was a mess, they had to bring a wheel chair to move me to the next room, of course I realize my case was worse than average, but it happens more with the epidural than without. It did compromise my breastfeeding relationship as well. So really the only reason I said anything at all was out of concern, because I would never want anyone to go through what I went through... it was ugly, and it happens sometimes, but at the time I thought the epidural was good it was later I realized (which is why I say, sascha, they praise it then but wait a few weeks when the realization hits of what could have been), and if not the problems I had than another huge slew of the side effects that could happen--things you dont' see during labor and delivery but days afterwards, like a 6 week headache, backache for weeks or even years, or pain in the epidural spot (I had some of pain in the spot, but not too bad compared to the rest I was going through), ... so yeah, just concern. It was like hell and 95% was because of that darn epidural that I thought helped me out. Not trying to irritate people. All I know is, when you're in labor the epidural seems good, you get to relax. Been there. But then days afterward I realize what I gave up for that one day of relaxation and THEN it doesn't seem worth it... I'll take one day of pain over extended periods of time anyday. I'd rather get it over with.

 

[jgonz]

My thing - is that women ought not be treated like they are sick when they are having a baby....and that they ought to be truly informed of potential risks as well as benefits. WOmen ought to be told how greatly the chance for other interventions increases once that epidural needle goes in their back.

Exactly.

I had a doula client a little over a month ago who went into labor on her own (her water broke) but the doctor on-call decided she wasn't "progressing fast enough" so he put her on pit. She did well until she hit 5 cms, but then started fighting the contractions. So she got an epidural. She progressed really well after that...

I've been telling people who've asked that I was glad she had the epidural because she was Fighting the contractions. Her Fear was causing her to fight the contractions and slowing her down. BUT, she was Already on pit, which was Forcing her to have unnaturally hard and fast contractions. The epidural only cut the pain so that she wasn't fighting the contractions anymore~ she relaxed enough to finish dilating.... although she was still being Forced to dilate because of the pit.

She thought everything was fine, and she was grateful for the epidural... Until her baby wouldn't stay latched on to nurse. Within a month her situation had downward spiraled to her solely formula feeding.

Would her baby have stayed awake long enough to nurse properly Without the epidural and thus saved her from one intervention after another which led to her solely formula feeding? We'll never know, because she made the choices she did at the time.

*I* believe the problem started with the pitocin. However the epidural Certainly did Not help at all. Had her IDIOT of a doctor let her labor on her own, she may have had a very good shot at avoiding the epidural.

Just for the record, she admits now that she will do things VERY differently next time, and has already asked me to be her doula for her next pregnancy (fully knowing I require a lot of book reading and a really good attempt at natural birth for my clients. )

(Before someone slams me, I have the right to set boundaries and requirements for any business I have, as well as ministry I have (and being a doula is a Ministry to me~ I don't charge). And no, I don't refuse to take a client who ends up needing an epidural or c-section.)

 

[Leanna]

a free doula? I wish you lived near me

 

[seamonster]

Is anyone else choosing an epidural? It seems like the majorty are not, I was curious if there was anyone who is?

I may be using one, I haven't totally decided yet. I have such bad back pain now that if I end up having back labor (like my mum did with me) I will definitely go with the epidural. I'd rather not have one but if I'm in enough pain I will take all the drugs that they'll give me