Is labor too painful to refuse an epidural?

Question

I'm pregnant with my first child and I am trying to decide what kind of pain relief I want during my normal hospital childbirth. I don't tolerate pain well, but I don't like all the side effects of an epidural. I had a close friend contract a bad infection from the epidural causing the doctors to almost lose her and the baby. How bad are labor pains and what can I relate them too? Also, what are the best ways to deal with this pain? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I have had two completely drug-free births. I was more scared of the epidural its associated risks that I was of the pain of natural child birth! My advice would be to learn as much as you can about the birthing process and the alternative pain relief options available (I found a simple cool flannel on my forehead was the best thing for me!). Often, the use of drugs can have a snowball effect, which may put you and your baby at risk and slow down the recovery process. I had convinced myself that I wanted to do it as naturally as possible, and I am fortunate that it worked out for me both times. The mind can be a powerful thing! However, it is important to have a back up plan, in case things don't go smoothly...gas (nitris oxide), and pethidine are two other less obtrusive drugs, but discuss with your doctor, because they may affect your baby. With my first baby, I was lucky to be in a hospital where I was allowed to move around and adopt the most comfortable birthing position. This helped a lot. You could also try acupuncture, refexology, massage, meditation, moving aroud, hydrotherapy, localised heat, and TENS. As previous responses have indicated, labor is like really, REALLY bad period pain...but you only need to deal with it for such a short period of time in your life and it's amazing how quickly you get over the pain. If it's as unbearable as some make it out to be, noone would go back for more kids...I'm even contemplating a third! Congratulations on your pregnancy, and I hope it all goes well for you. Make sure you do whatever YOU feel more comfortable with...don't let anyone talk you into doing something you don't feel right with. There are heaps of alternative options out there!

Answer 2

That's really, really odd for an epidural - there are generally NO side effects. And an infection at the epidural site would not affect the baby, just the mother because it takes time (usually days) for an infection to develop, which would mean it would be after the baby is born.

It is very hard to describe labor pains, but think about trying to pass a watermelon through your vagina. You get the idea. It's like monthly cramps x 1000.

If you don't want an epidural, you'll have to go to the breathing exercises, which I didn't find did me much good at all after the sixth hour. Any drugs they give you would REALLY have side-effects on the baby, so you're pretty much on your own to handle the contractions.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I've never had a baby, but some friends and my mom have told me that labor pains are the worst physical feeling a woman can ever have... As far as other options to an epidural, the best thing to do would be just to talk to your doctor, even get a second opinion if you're not sure, and see what else is available. Since you said you don't tolerate pain well, definitely try and find out what else is out there! Also, with epidurals a lot of the effects of it have to do with how properly it is injected into your spine during a contraction.

Answer 4

I have heard many women describe labour pain as period pain x100. Some women also feel a great amount of 'pressure' as well, which makes them rather uncomfortable.

I guess it all comes down to how you feel at the time, you don't have to have a birth plan set in stone. You will be able to change your plans when you are in labour.

Make sure that you aware of all the risks that having an epidural entails, so that you can make informed decisions. The risks of having an epidural and it causing problems in child birth are in fact quite low.

You may also like to try other pain relief methods before you have an epidural. You may like to try breathing exercises, counter pressure for back labour, massage, the birthing pool, gas, heat bags, hypnosis, or distraction techniques.

You may find that labour isn't as bad as you expected it to be, or you may find that it is much worse. The amount of pain is different for every woman.

I'm including the link to a pregnancy forum that I think you might like to join. It's full of supportive women with boundless knowledge about these issues. I have learnt so much there that I doubt I would have learnt otherwise. Hope you join up!

Answer 5

I just had a baby on May 31st and I did not use an epidural because, I have back problems. For pain they have something called nu-bane(I hope I spelled it right) and it is just given through the I-V. That's what I did, it helps to relax you. It only works the first time, so use it when your contractions are bad. Another technique that worked for me was, breathing through the contractions. If you breath through the contractions and try not to focus on the pain, just your breathing it helps a lot. These are some ideas. Labor is a little painful, I won't lie but if you concentrate on something besides pain, you'll be fine! Good Luck let me know if you have any questions [e-mail]

Answer 6

I have had 2 children, and there Is no way I could possibly describe to you the pains of labour pains. With my first son I had an Epidural, the staff gave me too much which made me unable to push when needed, In the end I had to have a forcep delivery. With my second child I had no time for any pain relief, only gas and air. The pain shot thru my body like electricity but given the choice again, I think I would rather have a baby without the epidural, It was quicker, over and done with. if when your In labour,and you feel u need something, ask for It. The meds are there to help you. xx

Answer 7

My wife doesn't tolerate pain at all but had epidurals for both our kids. She (and I) were thankful she did get the epidurals. The first epidural during our first child's birth didn't take (i.e. didn't numb everything) and my wife was hating life from the 15 minutes of intense labor pains while they re-administered the shot.

Yes there can be risks (as in any medical procedure), but the joy of giving birth w/o pain made the experience enjoyable.

Bottom line is that there is 100% chance you'll get pain w/o epidural and a small chance you'll get pain (or complications) w/epidural. Best to talk to your doctor about it.

Answer 8

I had my son without pain drugs and I am glad I did. My recovery time and his were much shorter because of it. We women are made to be able to handle the pain. It will be the worst pain imaginable, but in the end, you will have a beautiful baby. I had an epidural for the birth of my twins because they were delivered via c-section and I got a huge hematoma(blood clot) at the site. My back hurt for about 2 months.

The best way to deal with the pain is to focus on breathing deeply and completely(not hyperventilating). Find your focus point(aka-a happy place). Walk around as much as possible, keeping your husband near you so that he can help support you during the contractions. Don't let anyone scare you about the pain. Go drug free if you can, but don't beat yourself up if you can't.

Best of luck and congrats on your soon-to-be little one:)

Answer 9

There are different types of labor pains, back labor i would say hurts worse than the normal front labor. I don't really want to explain how it feels because #1 don't want to scare you, #2 it feels different for each person, people tolorate pain differently. Try the nubain(sp??) shot for pain ( helps you to more mentaly relax, so u can cope better). I have 4 kids and never got the epidural (always to scared). Remember to BREATH that is key, it is hard to focus on when you hit hard labor but i promise that if you do it will help.

Answer 10

I have two children. First one was born natural way, it was horrible pain and exhaustion. I didn't take epidural because of stereotypes and talks like "oh, God, it has side effects.. it will affect the baby.. you won't feel anything, therefore you will hurt the baby.." etc.
Second one - I was so much in pain - my husband begged me to get epidural. I did. God bless that thing! I was laying in bed, watching TV, chatting wih my oldest and husband until the nurse checked me and screamed: "She's ready!" It really helps a lot. I did actually enjoy this birth.