Epidural? Yay or nay??? I'm psyched!!?

Question

Still just 17weeks pregnant, but I always like to think ahead, should I dodge the bullet and go natural birth or get poked in my spine for some pain killers? Please help....

Answer 1

That's really a decision only you can make. The best way to go is plan on starting natural, and have an epidural if you start to feel you're in too much pain. Most women elect the epidural. You don't feel any "poking" because they numb the area before they insert the needle for the epidural.

But really, you need to decide what works for YOU. Every woman's needs and wants are a little difference. For a first time labor, I always say the "see how it goes" method works best. Because hey, some women do just fine without the epidural, and some women want it as soon as they have their first contraction. Every woman is different.

Answer 2

There is always taking the middle of the road, use other painrelief besides an epidural. It is not a one or the other choice. There are a lot of things to consider, Best thing is to educate yourself and arm yourself with as many choices as possible I loved using acupuncture and a tens unit was far more easier labor then the epidural. Epidurals can cause fevers, headaches for weeks after, numbness, lower back pain and disc problems, dystocia, and if you decide to have one you will raise your risk of needing a section, definately they will give you an episiotomy too if you get the epi. Lots of stuff consider. To save pain during labor using an epidural you gamble quite a bit. Your birth experience will be very different with one then without it. Please take time to read the thread on mothering for some real birthing stories before making up your mind. I have had 4 births and the ones without an epidural went faster and much easier. Plus then did not get cut and need stitches or need any forceps shoved up there cause I could feel when to push. Better sex after baby birth is another factor cause your body will heal faster without the epidural and you will not have epis scar causing problems or the serious hemmoriods too from not knowing when to bear down. Lots of moms that have epidurals do not know that these things go hand in hand cause doctor won't tell you and you are an easier patient to deal with all medicated cause then you are not in control anymore of your movement etc.. Epidural and you are stuck in bed too the whole time.

Answer 3

I had an epidural and it was a good experience. I was scheduled to be induced at 41 weeks because my baby hadn't even dropped yet, but my water broke a few hours before my appointment. My contractions were pathetically weak so they put me on Pitocin which made them horribly painful and slightly less weak, so they gave me the epidural because they knew I'd be a while and it was just going to get worse. I had it turned up all the way and could still feel it a little bit, but I hardly felt the birth itself at all.

I didn't have any negative effects from the epidural at all - it went in quick and hardly hurt, and I didn't have any pain afterwards. The only really crappy part is that once I got it I had to stay in bed on the monitor. They don't want the medication to pool in your feet so you can't stand up, and if you sit, it pools in your legs and your bum, so they made me lie down slightly on my side until it was time to push. It was pretty boring.

Despite how some people act about epidurals, it does not make you less of a woman if you get one. You will still have a beautiful baby and a memorable experience.

Answer 4

I'm a bit nervous because I had a stomach surgery which my doctor required me to have an epidural put in before the surgery and kept in for 2 days for pain control and so I could get up and start walking an hour after surgery.... but my blood pressure took a nose dive to very dangerous low levels and wouldn't normalize until they turned off the epidural. I am thinking this means I wont be able to get an epidural and I am redhead with a temper which when I'm in pain gets even worse so I'd like to be as comfortable as possible... for the safety of my hunny and the daddy-to-be... lol I think your doctor will be able to give you the pro's and con's of what the different opinions are. I personally don't want to use pain killers because I don't want to be all doped up when I get to see my little bundle of joy for the first time. This will be my first so I guess I am juggling the same fears as you and really don't have much to offer for advice. But I am sure many other moms will be able to share their experiences.

Answer 5

Well I personally had an epidural with my son he was born premature so I had to wait until I was 6 cm. along before I could recieve one which took 30 hours to reach yes I said 30 hours... Once I finally had the epidural he was not born for another 18 hours. I went into labor on Nov. 25 had him on the 27 which was Thanksgiving day. So I guess you could say I had my own personal turkey hehe... All I know is that I don't feel guilty about it for a single moment. I had a beautiful baby who is the light of my life. Actually I'm pregnant right now and I plan on having one again I just don't see a point in being in pain when god made to were man was smart enough to prevent us from being in pain...

And for all of you out there who believe it's natures way of doing things so you won't take an epidural I just have one question for you. You wouldn't have your teeth worked on w/out being numbed would you. You would have any other kind of surgery done either for that matter without being able to feel the pain so why in the world do you put shame on women who decide they don't want to go thur the pain of child birth with out pain med.'s chew on that one for a while....

Answer 6

I agree with Nathan's Mom. It's a good idea to look into the pro's and con's and make your own decision. I wanted to try to go without but I know I have a very low pain tolerance. I kept an open mind about it and tried to wait as long as I could and I'm SO glad I did. I asked for an epidural at about 7 cm dialated. By the time the doc came to administer it the contractions started to slow down, once it was in and working it was time to push. 20 minutes later I ended up with a 9 lb baby and many stitches that I didn't even feel AT ALL!!

Answer 7

This is what worked form me: I tried to be flexible, of course everything I read made me think that natural was the way to go, but I never ruled out having epidural, after all it was my first time delivering a baby, I had not idea how'going to be like. I tried to handle the pain, but I was getting exhausted too quickly so I asked for it. After it I relaxed, slept for 4 hours and had my baby. Doctor lowered the anesthesia when it was time to push so I could feel and help during the birth, but not have too much pain.

Answer 8

It was the best thing that happened to me, 100 years ago there was no pain killers at a dentist, but now you cannot go to the dentist without having the injection, it is the same now with epidural, I cannot imagine delivery without it, although some women do not have the effect like others, for me it was great but I heard many say that it did not work for them , but it is sure worth a try, I had my baby while I was so relaxed and even listening to music, I loved it.

Answer 9

I've just recently gave birth to baby # 2 and had a traumatizing experience . Although a little different, still I would consider this,
I had a c-section both births, The first one I had a spinal anesthetic no problem, the second one oh my goodness I thought I was going to die. The anesthesiologist missed not once, twice, three times, but eight times he stuck me with that darn needle and let me just say one thing " that f***ing thing hurt like hell !!!!!" Not only did that hurt but later in the evening I had a killing head ache. Turns out I had what they call a spinal head ache, which I needed a bloodpatch to get rid of it. Bloodpatch is when they take blood from your arm and inject it into your spinal fluid. Did I mention the sever risk of that. Whatever you choose make sure you research your anesthesiologist. Good luck !

Answer 10

i'd go natural. i did and had two great births.

All my friends who used hospital interventions ended up with delayed labors, permanent pain from the epidural, or complications giving birth. I never showed up at the hospital until i was 8 - 10 centimeters.

Most important things to plan for after the birth are making sure you're ready to breastfeed on demand for at least two years, that you will never allow your infant/toddler to experience the trauma of being separated from mommy, and that you'll never hit or yell at your child. NICHD data on the terrible damage of day care is very clear, but largely suppressed. You don't need a crib or a changing table or a stroller or bottles or that diabetes-causing, iq-lowering formula.

Have the baby sleep with you, nurse, and use a sling. You will have a very happy baby eager to please you.

Good luck and enjoy!