My sister says that an epidural makes labor more bearable but I'd rather not. Which is better?

Question

With my scoliosis, I'm afraid that an epidural will do more harm than good.

Answer 1

As long as you have an excellent anesthesiologist who knows what he's doing, you should be OK. The chance of something truly horrible happening from getting an epidural are 1 in 1,000,000. If you do opt for one, make sure to tell the anest. that you have scoliosis.

I'm so glad I had mine. My contractions were so horrific, I would tense up and not allow my cervix to dilate like it should have. After my epidural, I dilated from 5 cm to 10 cm in about an hour and a half. My ob/gyn said at the rate i was going before I had my epidural, my labor could potentially have been much, much longer than it was, and might have ended up in a c-section.

I'm all for an epidural...totally. This is something you're going to have to talk about with your ob/gyn and the anesthesiologist.

Answer 2

Since you have scoliosis, this is something you should discuss AHEAD OF TIME with both your OB/GYN and your orthopedist. They can discuss it amongst themselves and come up with the best plan for you if you would want an epidural. This doesn't mean you MUST get it while you are in labor, but at least that problem will have been dealt with ahead of time.

Having an epidural can make labor more bearable - but is totally an individual decision. Epidurals, in my opinion, have gotten a "bad rap" because it is "bad for the baby." Your doctor isn't going to give you anything that is going to HARM your baby. Your body's natural reaction to pain is to fight it - muscles tense, etc. An epidural can help you / your body relax so the contractions can tack their natural course in labor.

Good luck and please discuss this with your doctors.

Answer 3

You really need to discuss this with your doctor, but there's nothing wrong with not getting an epidural if you don't want one.

I'm also not sure that scoliosis will effect how an epidural works anyway. I think it could still be effective.

But you really should discuss this with a professional.

Good luck, whichever way you decide to go.

Answer 4

I had 4 children with no pain medication. On the other hand, I know a lady that had an epidural and struggles with partial paralysis in one leg because of it. I suppose they didn't do it properly. It has been over two months since her surgery and she still needs a walker. Check out the Bradley method of childbirth. Over 90% of people who use it do not need pain medication. It worked for me.

Answer 5

I had my first child "natural", and my second with an epidural. The second one was less intense pain, but still painful. Although it's hard to say if it would have been as bad with the second delivery anyway. I say get the epidural if you doctor says it's safe.

Answer 6

Well...I'm not sure now that I see you have scoliosis...best bet is to research it online and with your doctor. It's SO much easier with an epidural, but if you get really prepared with the breathing and use iv pain meds maybe you can get through it fine, i know before my epi. when i would relax and breath along with my nurse through contractions they were 100x's better than if i just writhed around and whined.

Answer 7

without epidural you'll suffer shear torture. I was in labor for 25hrs. I was begging for it, they would not give it to me, those animals. But ask a doctor first if it could affect your condition in any way. It does not affect the baby or a healthy mother. It just may take a little longer, but it's worth it.

Answer 8

Trust me, you will want the epi!!! I beared through horrible labor for about 4 or 5 hours, and then I thought was gonna rip the rails off the bed!! Follow your own instinct, if you can bear the contractions, then don't get one. As for pushing, the pain is gone in less than a second.

Answer 9

Use it!!

It really does help with the pain and makes it much more bearable. If you are worried about your scoliosis, ask your doctor if it's ok. But it's a very small needle.

Answer 10

I didn't want the epidural, but when I got it it changed the whole experience. I am glad I got it, I would talk to your doctor because you have other factors.