How many of you had no drugs during labor?

Answer 1

Yes, three wonderful, amazing, powerful unmedicated and uncomplicated births. I wouldn't do it any other way without a strong medical indication.

Was there something specific you wanted to know?

Answer 2

I had no drugs for two of the three... It wasn't bad at all. I've never had an epidural with any of them, just a local for stitches after the 1st and some IV pain meds with him as well. I'd recommend no drugs to anyone who can avoid them, much better. (Besides, you don't remember the pain anyway and you don't notice it at the time because of the endorphins your brain releases.)

PS: If you are pregnant, try to find a birthing center that will allow you to use a bathtub during labor (not delivery unless you want that). It is SUCH a relief and helps you relax and dilate so much faster. I went from 5 cm to 10cm in an hour with almost no pain in a warm tub in the delivery room at the hospital. My husband and my mom sat on the edge of the tub and we chatted the whole time. When I had to get out to let the nurse check, she wrapped me in a warmed blanket so I didn't get chilled. Was just awesome! I think it relaxes the baby, too. I pushed for 120 seconds (yes, seconds) and my daughter was perfectly calm when she came out. THIS is the way to go for sure!!!

Answer 3

I had two children and no drugs, even though with my first one, I begged for them! I delivered a 10 pound baby, with very hard & long labor. I had read that some drugs aren't good for the baby, and some leave the mom with a very severe migraine, so it IS best to not have any, if possible. Go to birthing classes and learn as much as you can about the process, then just do the best you can. Sometimes, drugs are necessary, so it's not a sign of being a whimp if your doctor thinks you need to have them. <*)))><

Answer 4

I have had 5 children...1st one with an epidural and the last 4 with nothing. We were stationed in Germany for the middle three and the midwives and doctors preferred natural labor. The last baby i had in the states and there wasn't any time for drugs. I had counted on having another epidural though. I have nothing against drugs in labor and it really depends on the mother and baby's health.

Answer 5

I don't have personal experience with it, but my cousin had an epideral for her first, and she said it didn't work for her. Apparently it doesn't work with everyone. Most of the women in my family have had epiderals, but if I ever decide to have children, I want to have a natural birth, if I don't chicken out that is. I hear, (I dont' know how true this is) that if you learn about the birthing experience ahead of time, and maybe take a few of those lamaze classes, that that can really help with the pain, because the anxiety is decreased and the body relaxes more.

I find of that believable, because before my first pap smear I was told that as long as I relaxed it wouldn't hurt. I tensed up and it was painful, but after that, whenever I had to get one, I was more relaxed and it was fine. Not that I'm comparing pap smears to pushing an eight pound person out of your vagina, but being relaxed probably helps a little at least.

Answer 6

Each pregnancy is different. I have had 5 children. Two of the births I had no meds. 3 of them were induced and the pain with induction is completely different than natural labor. Pain meds were necessary for ME and so was an epidural. I would have gone with no meds if I could have but I made the best choice for me. Having medications or an epidural is not a sign of weakness. So you have to make the best choice for you.

Answer 7

I had nothing with either of my two children. In both cases the doctor did not believe in medicating the mother since it would travel through the placenta to the baby.

I had back labor with my first child. It was intense pain, and all I had was my husband trying to help by rubbing my back. The day after delivery I discovered that my back was rubbed raw and had what looked like "floor burns" all over it. He had done his best to help me.

After the first child it took over 100 stitches to close me. There had been no epesiotomy, and I tore.

The pain is quickly forgotten, the discomfort is only a few days, the baby is worth everything you go through.

Answer 8

I made it to about 7 cm dilated before I had anything... and then i just got 1/2 a dose in my IV to take the edge off (honestly didnt seem to make that much of a difference)..... in the end I got an intrathecal (sp?). It's a shot in the back (not an epidural) that works LIKE an epidural but without the cathader in your spine and it only lasts a couple hours, (also it uses a smaller needle).

Answer 9

I have done both ways, and each labor was different. I have to say the induction was the very worst, out of four. I opted for an epidural after a few hours of being induced. The others I did drug free.

Answer 10

With two of my children I had no drugs, and with other I had an epidural and that prolonged labor even longer....it was after that pregnancy that I decided nothing could deter me and my last pregnancy was wonderful, less than 4 hours total labor and delivery.

Answer 11

i have three sons and i had totally natural birth with all three i didnt even have an IV!!! all three of my labors lasted 30 min with my first to 4 hours with my third! ( i had all three within 22 months) my oldest was born 2/25/01 then the next one came on 1/1/02 and the youngest was on 12/12/02!