o.k. moms...did you deliver naturally or get the big needle??

Question

i'm still debating on which avenue i want to take and i keep asking all the moms that i know what they did.

my aunt was funny and told me she was asking for the epidural at the admissions desk!!!!

i'm sure i won't know my own answer until it happens (september), so just curious!

Answer 1

i got the needle right before the pushing...im not into pain

Answer 2

I have had 3 children...all of which I had an epidural with. My first child I got the needle before the pain started. The second I thought I'd be able to handle the pain and then got it as soon as they would let me. The third time I got too far into labor on my own and couldn't sit still long enough for an epidural until I was about 7 centimeters. At that point they gave me a sedative to allow me to sleep (I had labored for more than 24 hours actively) and after I woke up they offered an epidural again and I took it.... I delivered in a matter of about 5-10 minutes after getting it. I personally believe that the epidural is a good thing for it allows your body to relax enough to allow your cervix to open. I may have labored much longer if I hadn't had it. By all means try to go without one...but don't let too much time too pass if you can. Somewhere between 4 and 7 centimeters you are almost not able to control yourself enough to get one.... at least that's what happened to me. I hope that helped some. You will do great, women have been having babies for thousands of years.... Best wishes

Answer 3

With my first (i was 21) I watched that birthing video (they should NEVER show that to first time moms!) and I almost passed out was they gave the epidural! So I was determined not to have it. I was in labor for 2 days and was starting to halucinate (sp?) and in very bad pain, I was stuck at 7 cm. Finally I had the epidural and fell asleep through the rest of the labor. With my second son they asked if I wanted the epidural I said probably but let me see how I do. I got stuck at 7 cm agin and ask for the needle right away. With my 3rd I was induced and as soon as the IV was in I started saying give me the epidural now! I figured I had paid my dues with the other 2 lol. I would say get the epidural, I have never meet anyone who has had complications to their baby from it. And my theory (now) is...Would you let someone pull your tooth with a pain killer or set your broken arm? It maybe "natural" to have babies and women have been doing it for years but why make it painful when it doesn't have to be. And on that note. It literally took me a month to recover after my first son because I was so worn down from the 2 day labor. With my last child I was ready to leave before they were ready to let me lol. You will need all your strength for the coming weeks of little sleep and constant demands on your body.
Good luck with your new baby! God Bless!

Answer 4

I had the epidural 2 times and had natural with my 3rd and going natural again. It all depends on your tolerance for pain. I had more control with my last one and the delivery went fast and I was not in labor forever either. If this is your first baby then get the epidural if you feel the need. Now there are other pain options without a needle in the back. Ask your doctor about them.

Answer 5

First child in a hospital, no needle. Second and third natural homebirths attended by professional midwife (little known but statistically the safest births). The second two were great experiences; the birth process was honored as natural, my body viewed as perfectly capable of birthing and made for birthing, and it was so nice being home and cozy in bed with my newborn, drifting off to sleep afterwards. Professional midwives possess ALL the necessary medical equipment except what's necessary to do an c-section. Their c-section rate is around 2-3% as opposed to the national average (hospital births) of around 20%. The personal care I got is unparalleled.

Yes, birthing is intense, but how you approach it has a big influence. Near the end when the sensations are most intense, there is the choice of saying "god this is awful pain it must stop!!" or saying "right on, my body is opening to let this baby out, everything that's happening is good, it's supposed to happen, it's getting my baby out" and going with the sensation instead of tensing up against it.

Obviously I'm biased, and I'm a strong person in general with great trust in the wisdom of the female body and mind. But I have had conventional and natural birthing experiences, and there's no comparison to the two homebirths I had.

www.mothering.com is a fantastic resource. Go to the discussion boards, to pregnancy and birth and read the birth stories. They are quite varied, very real, unedited, and lots of them. I think they are better to read than many childbirth books because they show what really happens. And better to read than to hear people's often unasked-for advice, which is often fear-based and ignorant.

Either way, get informed and follow your inner voice, not reactionary herd-mentality fear-induced decisions.

Have a great birth in September!

Answer 6

The first time, I had the epidural. At that time I didn't know what the H it was, all I knew was they told me it would stop the pain so I said "GO for it!". The second time, a good 10 years, I asked for it way in advance because I wanted it in my chart that I wanted one. Had a problem though and didn't GET one. For some reason the notation didn't make it into my chart, and by the time I reminded them I was suppose to have one I was dialated way too far. So the second delivery was completely natural, by accident. Let that be a lesson to you.....if you want one, make sure you follow your aunt's example.

Either way, I'm sure you will do fine. The pain you will undoubtedly experience will be gone and forgotten as soon as they lay that precious little baby in your arms.

Answer 7

I have had 7 kids. 6 of my deliveries were natural(and quick) I had an epidural with my last delivery due to some complications.(he had to be internally rotated) I had severe headaches for a few weeks after and sometimes even now my legs will go numb. I dont want to scare you..but there are some VERY REAL side effects to the epidural. Make sure you are informed about them. If I had to do it over again...I would opt for a natural delivery.

Answer 8

I had an epidural and it didn't work. Just be prepared for anything, don't get it set in your mind that your going to deliver your baby a certain way. No matter what happens, labor does not last forever. I was up and walking within an hour of delivery and I didn't have any long term pain.

Answer 9

I'm due in 5 days and I am going for drugs, drugs and more drugs. Im to scared of the pain but my mom had 3 kids the first two natural and my brother with and epidural and she said get the epidural for sure

Answer 10

I have delivered 7 children. All with the same husband.
What I have told my daughters is that when they have their first child....GET IT ALL !!!! There is no book, movie or persons "personal" experience that can really prepare you for delivery....and the whole "breathing" thing.......that's the last thing you forget or need reminding about. My husband tells the nurses each time not to remind me to "breath"......I had an epidural my first 2 deliveries and then intravenous there after.
I like the comfort in between contractions that this way offers, but I am quick to get up and move around after delivery.
But, honestly, if it's your first delivery get what ever you need to get through it, you can make more informed decisions after you have had a child. Don't feel pressured by anyone, friend, Dr., book or anything else......childbirth is exciting, frightening, bliss full, overwhelming, every emotion you can imagine and you need to do what you need to do to enjoy it and get through it.
Good luck and enjoy this time....it's really does fly by too fast !!!!

Answer 11

I got the big needle girl! but it was only because i had to. I think that if you have the chance to have a natural delivery, you should consider that it is better for your baby, and also the recovery is faster. You give birth and all the pain is gone, with my first son it did not hurt afterwards, but with the second I was so unconfortable, i couldn´t get up without help and for almost 2 weeks i walked like an old lady. Anyway it is up to you, good luck and God bless you!