Can you still have an epidural if you have a water birth?

Question

I'm considering a water birth but i still want an epidural, is that possible? and can they still do an episiotomy if you are having a water birth?

Answer 1

No you cannot. The warm water will ease the pains of the contractions and help so that you are able to cope without the epidural.

With an epidural,
You will need continuous monitoring
An IV
A Catheter
The epidural line itself going into your back cannot get wet.
You body will be paralyzed from the waste down. You don't want to be getting into water when you are paralyzed.

No, they cannot do an episiotomy if you are having a water birth. This is a big plus. Women who give birth in the water are less likely to tear than a woman giving birth on dry land.

Good luck with your birth.

Answer 2

They won't let you in a birth tub with an epidural in your back. You could choose to labor unmedicated in the tub and get out and get an epidural later. Truthfully, I've had two water births and you may find that the water is enough of a relief that you don't need an epidural. The water really does A LOT to help you.

Episiotomies are only necessary if there is an emergency. If there is an emergency, they might want to get you out of the tub. There is NO REASON for an episiotomy to be a routine procedure. The positons that you can get into in the tub will help to open you up wider anyway to help avoid tearing or needing to be cut. (I didn't even tear with my 2 waterbirths.)

Answer 3

I don't think so, because you can't really move once you get the epidural, your legs go numb. So they have you lying on the bed right after you get it. And I don't think they could do an episiotomy either, since it would be really hard for the doctor to see properly under water and in such small space.

Answer 4

If you are considering a water birth and are worried about the pain I would suggest going to a hypnotist. They can hypnotise you to not feel the pain during labor. They can teach your partner or whoever you are having in the labor room how to hypnotise. You can look up more information about it on the internet. I had a few articles about it and there have been some really great results from it. Instead of having to deal with a needle in the back and not being able to feel anything from your waist down. After I had my daughter I had a c-section and i was so sick afterwards. they had to inject interviously (sp?) something to make me stop throwing up.

Answer 5

If you're familiar with hypnosis, then you've no doubt heard of Master Hypnotist Steve G. Jones. His book, "Ultimate Conversational Hypnosis" has been voted as the best hypnosis course ever made. The book is also available in electronic format at: http://www.hypnosistocontrol.net

If you want to get an edge in everyday communication and lead other people towards your goals this is a must read.

Answer 6

About the episiotomy, most doctors wont give you one now, they prefer it if you tear, reason being, if they give you the episiotomy, it is a straight cut that they have to stich back together, if you tear you strech and then tear so there is extra skin to make it look right, you have to figure everything will strech back down, if you cut it, and you shrink back down it is harder to heal, it would be like washing a wool sweater and then drying it it shrinks, and when you go to put it on you have to strech it again, and risk ripping yourself or the stiches, if that makes sence.

Answer 7

I think the water birth is being used now to replace the epideral, it's suppose to make the labor pains ease off

Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

yes
y not