I am so torn about getting an epidural, I've heard such good things about them and bad things as well. Has anyone delivered once naturally and once with medication? If so- which experience was better?
2006-07-21 06:10:22 · 25 answers · asked by chrisbee 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I had my child naturally with no drugs. I was a little scared of labor because my whole life my mom told me how horrible it was. To be honest, it wasn't the worst pain in the world. I hurt my knee at work the summer before my daughter was born and that was far worse. You get breaks in between the contractions. The worst part was when I was almost fully dilated and had the urge to push. My doctor wouldn't let me push until I was FULLY dilated. Pushing wasn't bad at all. I felt a mild burning sensation when she was coming out.
Not everyone feels this way though. Some labors hurt worse than others. Women who have inductions with pitocin or have back labor have more pain than usual. So women who say that their pain was excruciating are telling the truth. It really was for them.
There are ways that you can minimize your pain beforehand without drugs.
~Take a good empowering childbirth class. Not one that tells you how to be a good girl and do what you're told, but one that gives you good information. The Bradley Method and Hypnobirthing are good for this.
~Hire a doula. Having a professional birth assistant there is worth her weight in gold. She can help you get the kind of birth you want and make giving birth easier with a calm presence to communicate your wishes to your birth providers.
~Use water for your birth. Not necessarily giving birth in water, but at least laboring in warm water really feels good. They call it the "midwives epidural" and it has no druggy side effects
~Find a health care provider that listens to your concerns and will honor your wishes. If you have a doctor that brushes aside your concerns, this is the time to find a new one.
2006-07-21 06:15:38 · answer #1 · answered by herdoula 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
well, I have only had one baby, but I can share my experience. I went into the whole thing saying no epidural. I wasn't against pain meds, but a needle in my back scared me. Well, after 20 hours of labor and no sleep, I was exhausted. The pain was intense and kept me awake and uncomfortable. I couldn't stand it. If I would have thought it was going to end soon, I would have tried to finish natural, but at that point, 20 hours into it and only 5 cm - I was worn out. I then got the epidural because it can be refilled if needed, the other meds can't. At the rate I was going, that seemed like a good option. It allowed me to rest and sleep a little while. I finished dialating within two hours or so because I was relaxed and not too tired to help the process along. When I was just about fully dialted, they stopped the epidural so that I wouldn't be completely numb down there- so I could help push.
My view on the whole thing is do what you can - if you can get through it and your labor is quick- great. But if you are having trouble, the pain is too much, or your labor is taking forever, don't feel badly about the epdiural. It is different for each of us and you will know if you can go on or if you need some help. Good luck!
2006-07-21 13:18:38 · answer #2 · answered by pammy_6201 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am the father of four daughters, and this is my best advice forall that it's worth: I have been maried twice in order to bring my daughters into the world and, both of my wives had epidurals for the mere reason to lessen the pain. Child birth a painful thing for a woman to endure...which is also Biblical, which says, "In sorrow thoe shalt bring forth children." If you are "bent" on giving what is called "NATURAL" child birth, then NO, you don't want an epidural because that violates "natural" child birth. However, if you want to "lessen" the pain, then by all means get the epidural. But understand this, the epidural only "lessens" the pain...it does NOT completely free you of the pain. These are the literal facts both pro and con of epidural injections my friend; but the choice is entirely up to you. Moreover, until the day of actual birth, it may be wise for you to "wait" until the time when you begin feeling your contractions beginning to bear down on your pelvic. If the pain is too much to bear, then get the epidural. If not, hold it off as long as possible. The doctor can give you the epidural at any time in the course of your child delivery, okay? Take care of yourself, and that baby...for many sorrows and joys await your future as a new mother. Just be HAPPY...becaue "HAPPINESS" overcomes a mulitude of sorrows.
2006-07-21 13:35:51 · answer #3 · answered by LARRY M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had 3 babies-- all induced.
The first one I did naturally because we didn't have insurance and I didn't want the extra bill associated with the anesthesia.
The other two, I had the flu when I delivered and so I went for the epidural (we also had insurance by then).
I was glad to have experienced the WHOLE thing the first time-- kind of as a personal satisfaction thing.
But by the 2nd, I felt I had been there, done that, didn't need to do it again.
My best advice is to keep it on the table as an option if you need it. You may, you may not. You won't REALLY know until you are in the situation.
Best of luck!
2006-07-21 13:17:26 · answer #4 · answered by Lisa the Pooh 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have delivered every way you can deliver
1st baby epidural 16.5 hours of labor and 3 pushes she was here. a pretty easy delivery but I felt like I didn't realy do anything. Having the epidural left the doctors in charge.
2nd baby I went natural 7 hours labor that includes 1.5 hours of pushing (she was bigger and came out face up which is harder to deliver) but I enjoyed the birthing experience 100% more than the first.
3rd baby I was put in the hospital at 29 weeks due to placenta previa( placenta on top of cervix causing severe bleeding) they tookl him by c-section 6 weeks later. He is fine now but I am now pregnant now I don't want another c-section or epidural-vaginal. This is again gonna be all natural. They are saying that he is gonna be 8-10 lbs but I still rather go natural than have that epidural again.
2006-07-21 13:20:13 · answer #5 · answered by Nina J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had my first 3 without any type of pain meds. I was afraid of the epidural. I delivered my twins almost 2 years ago and was forced to get one. (In case of the need for an emergency c-section). Let me tell you, I was an IDIOT for not getting one before. I was fully 10 cent. in NO time and had no clue! I was too busy laughing with my friends and family to even realize. I would look at the monitor and see that I was having a huge contraction but felt nothing. I am currently pregnant and I am definitely going to get one again. Good luck!
2006-07-21 13:27:11 · answer #6 · answered by blondie7795 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had with, the thing was for me though...it helps somewhat if it works for you for the contractions...but when they had me start to push they took me off it completely...so I went from not feeling much to completely feeling it all. It worked out anyway cuz after 1 1/2 hours of pushing I had to get a c section and they turned up the epidural and I was ready to go to surgery.
I don't think it's a bad thing. And if it works it could make you have a better experience.
Example: My friend had a baby last year and hers wasn't put in right the first time so she was feeling all the pain!...her labor kept going on and on and on cuz she was in so much pain she was fighting it...as soon as they fixed her epidural and it started working, she had the baby probably 15 minutes later. So that might help ya out a bit.
Good luck!
2006-07-21 13:16:14 · answer #7 · answered by Apple Blossom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hell yes. I did both and without pain is so much better. Besides, the doctor lets the epidural wear off enough to let you push, and you can be rested for that. 15 hours was my first and it was great but baby this is gonna hurt, and that is a fact. 12 hours on my second and I didnt even run my mascara. Go for the epidural.
2006-07-21 13:17:11 · answer #8 · answered by betterbegood_to_me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
& years ago with my daughter and first pregnancy I had an epidural when dilated to 5, I was in pain. My last pregnancy I was induced at 20 weeks due my baby dying from her umbilical cord being wrapped around her neck. I was induced put not given an epidural and even at 20 weeks it was very very painfull, now I am 6 weeks pregnant and I to anm torn between an epidural or not
Congrats on the baby
2006-07-21 13:15:35 · answer #9 · answered by momie_2bee 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you considered a waterbirth? You might talk to your caregiver and find out if it's possible. I had one "land" birth and 2 water births. I would NEVER EVER give birth "on land" again without a strong medical reason to do so! Laboring and birthing in the water is SO MUCH EASIER. A lot of people call it an "aqua-dural" because the relief of the water is that effective!
BTW...there is also a huge difference between a PLANNED natural birth where the mom is prepared and a natural birth where the mom is NOT prepared.
2006-07-21 13:51:08 · answer #10 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋