Do you HAVE to have an epidural?

Question

I'm planning to have my baby in a birth centre where they do not give epidurals - just gas and air or pethidine. The idea is that you can stay mobile, use the pool, mattresses on the floor etc. As someone who is scared of hospitals and gets very panicky in hospital situations I think this is the best choice for me.

If you need an epidural you have to go to the hospital ward and have a traditional, bed bound, monitored delivery which makes me feel really scared. I would not cope with having loads of monitors all over me or not being able to move around, it would just make me panic really bad.

Is it possible to have a first baby without an epidural? I don't want one if it means being stuck on a bed, I would feel so much calmer in the birth centre. Plus I'm scared of the side effects of the epidural - the shaking, fever, sickness etc.

The Birth Centre is part of the hospital so if theres an emergency they just take you upstairs to the ward. But you can't have an epidural IN the birth centre - you have to go upstairs to the ward to have one and I really want to avoid it if possible because I know I'll just freak out. I hate hospitals they just give me mega panic attacks.

I'm sorry but why are people so bloody negative about this! All this "all first time mothers scream for epidurals in labour you won't listen etc etc !" I never said I was going to do it without any releif, but I don't want to have a highly medicalised delivery if I can avoid it. I'll take the pethidine and whatever else they offer. I just need to keep myself calm as I am a serious sufferer from panic attacks and my actual Ob/Gyn CONSULTANT has advised me to go to the midwife-led unit as opposed to the hospital as he feels it will help to keep me calm.

Oh and I'm in the UK so we all use midwives over here. I'm guessing some of you are in the US? Birth is different there - much more doctor-led and medical.

Obviously if I needed a caesarean I know I'd have to have an epidural or a spinal, but I'm talking about having the baby naturally at the moment, which I'm expecting to do if there's no serious last minute complications.

If I'm giving birth naturally I don't want to have to lie on a bed covered in wires if I can avoid it because it will make me very panicky and stress me and the baby out, pain or no pain.

Answer 1

no

Answer 2

There is usually (I'm in Canada though) a birthing form your dr. gives you that lets you fill out all that kind of information before you check in. I had mine turned in around 32 weeks. What kind of meds you want or don't want, signatures for c-section etc.

You do not have to have an epidural at all, but be aware of a few things:

After a certain point in labour, they will no longer give you an epidural. There's a 'window' of opportunity, once the baby is so far along -they don't do it. Some woman get a nasty surprise when they're in the middle of it, change their minds, and are told 'no'. So that's just so you know.

The only case where you might be strongly recommended to take an epidural is if there is a problem and they need to do a c-section. They can allow you to go I think 48 or so hours in labour (10 hard labour?) before they'll need to take action. At a certain point the baby's and your life could be in danger.
The other option: forceps, can lead to cerebral palsy (in some cases, not all. And it's not only caused by the delivery in some cases).

If you need a c-section and refuse an epidural, you will be put under anaesthesia - which means you will be sleeping when your baby is born, you have a higher risk of side effects, and the baby could have breathing complications from also ingesting the anaesthesia during the birth. It's usually only done in a real emergency.

However if you are having a full blown panic attack, they might put you under to keep you still.

I would work with someone, like your midwife or coach, to develop ways to manage a panic attack if one happens - for any reason - during labour. A plan for what they could do if it happens; open windows, put up a landscape picture of some sort, headphones, a sleep mask, a comforting object/blanket, opening curtains, moving furniture so the place looks more spacious, turning off the beeping sounds on machines..etc etc

Being prepared is the best way to deal with uncertainty.

Good Luck, and congratulations!

Answer 3

I think you need to read more material. I was due for a home delivery with gas and air as I don't like hospitals. But I started having problems very soon on....so I had to go to hospital and had an epidural then a caesarean.

Despite my own fears of getting in a panic etc by the time I had my epidural it was a relief as I just wanted my baby out safely.

There are hospitals that have varied provisions, and birth centres like you are using (which sounds really great). It is so natural to panic about the delivery time. I always say it is good to go for the type of delivery you are doing. Your midwife will be the first to get you to hospital if there is any problem. They will not risk anything happening to babe or you.

If you do go to hospital, just think if is for the best.

I am sure though that you will be well supported and all will go well. Wishing you all the best.
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Oh by the way, I did not feel the epidural needle going in and I had no side effects. I understand pethidine is the one that makes baby tired.

Answer 4

Of course you don't have to have an epidural. I'm due any day now and I'm not going to have one. Every one's different. Some women can have a natural birth real fast and not remember much pain. Some women are going to be in severe pain no matter what they take. Everyone has a different pain threshold. I have really bad irritable bowl syndrome, and I've had several surgeries with little or no drugs, so I'm just going to be interested to see how labor compares with the experiences I've already had. So far, I haven't even been able to feel all the contractions and most of the baby movements my non-stress tests pick up. Plus, they say that endorphins act to naturally decrease the pain, and once you hit a certain pain thresh hold, your synapses are supposed to shut down so you don't receive any more. You won't know what's true for you until you go through it, but women have been going it naturally way longer than epidurals have existed. A good coach should help you ease your pain naturally, and if you do change your mind, you do have that option, so it won't hurt anything to start out epidural-free.

Answer 5

No you don't have to have and epidural. It is you choice. I have 2 sons one with an epidural and the next without. The second, without was at an alternative birthing center. I had no problems. It was painful, but I used self hypnosis to control. The first was with an epidural, I had worked 12 hours, was tired, and just could not cope. Again I had not complications. I am glad for both decisions.
As far as the complications of an epidural, those are rare. The shakiness is part of the delivery. It is all that adrenaline rushing from your body. Fever? possible but not often, this is more likely from something else. And sickness? The only thing is a possible headache, and that can be controlled. Most epidurals are short acting, and you can walk around soon after birth. They can also be used to block sensation in designated part of you body, leaving your legs function-able.
I understand that you would like to be in control of your delivery. Without wires, monitors and the such. These should not frighten you, they should reassure you that all is well for you and your infant.

Answer 6

I had my first son naturally and it was well... Natural childbirth . I didn't even have a tylenol with him. My second child two years later, I kept asking for something to kill the pain and then when they came with it, I'd refuse it. after many times, they "gave me an epidural" It took out all the pain. I only had pressure. Just dont try to see what they are doing to you and stay still while they do it. it doesnt hurt at all(maybe a stick like... giving blood).
To have a choice for my 3rd child I was all for the epidural no question.. no pain at all... everything was fine.. only pressure.
Here's the funny part...
With my youngest I said all through my pregnancy I didnt want the epidural...to their father. Since he had the idea in his head that childbirth was a piece of cake after only wittnessing birth with an epidural. I told him this was our last and I wanted him to know... Well I ended up screaming for the epidural, begging and pleading...Well so were a few other women at the same time. By the time they came with it...It was TOO LATE. I laugh about it now 6 years later. at the time it was not funny at all. Its all up to you, this is a once in a lifetime experience (well for each baby)some of us more than others:-) just do what you feel is right. I think the only difference is the amount of pain you feel. It doesnt cloud you over so you miss anything...Good luck to you...it doesnt make it a better or worse experience if you choose to have it or not

Answer 7

Well I had my first (and only) baby without an epidural. I did ask for one, at one point, but they said it was too late, and I'm not sure I was all that serious, and am really glad I didn't have one. Bearing in mind all you have said, I think you are doing the right thing. Yes it hurts, of course it does, but unless there are complications, it only ever hurts for 60 seconds at a time, and anybody can take one minute of pain. Also, its a tangible pain, you know it will end, and you are very aware that it will all have been worth it. I found the best thing, was to take each contraction on its own, and not think of the whole labour, ie how long it was all going to take, how many contractions I'd have etc. Just focus on the moment, so when you're having a contraction, breathe through it, walk, sit still, just do what you FEEL like doing, you have an inbuilt programme to get you through this, cavewomen didn't have epidurals. When you are not having contractions, don't be sitting there worrying about when the next one comes, how far apart they are, just enjoy not being in pain. I slept between contractions. The best thing you can do for yourself and your baby is relax. The midwives are there, let them worry about how far you are dilated, how far apart your contractions are, and what to do. They will advise you anyway. They prefer not to give epidurals, and unless you ask for one early on, by the time you think you need one, it will be way too late. I had a bit of gas and air, it doesn't actually kill the pain, it takes the edge off, but it makes you not care about the pain. However, I didn't like it much as it made me feel out of touch with my surroundings and a bit nauseous, which they combated by giving me peppermint oil to sniff. It worked.

Honestly, it does hurt, but its not that bad, and you can get through it, your body is designed specifically for this purpose. Just take it one step at a time and enjoy the moment. I wouldn't change my labour for the world, it was the single most magical and enjoyable experience of my life. To be honest, I found the contractions from breastfeeding more painful.

You'll be fine and you're in good hands. All the very best of luck, and God bless. x

Answer 8

I have four kids. With the first three, I did not have an epidural and I only had local pain medication. Five years after my third child was born I had another baby. Before I went in to be induced, I told my hubby, "Do NOT let them give me an epidural." He was like, "OK". I'd say maybe five hours into the induction of labor, my nurse was trying to put a monitor on my unborn baby's head to get a better reading of his heartbeat. I wanted to kill her. Needless to say, I went ahead an asked for the epidural, it was lovely. If I knew that it would take the pain away THAT much, I would've asked for it when I gave birth to the other three!

But NO, you don't have to have an epidural, it's your choice. I think you'll do just fine without it. Oh, and you'll probably have the shaking, fever, and sickness naturally. I did. It's just something your body does when dealing with that type of pain. You'll forget all about it anyway once you're holding your new bundle of joy!

Answer 9

First lets start off with I hope your actually getting information from the right sources. Sec. yes you can have a baby without an epidural. I have had 2 kids without one but I have also had demerol instead. Which happens to be given intervenisly. You are not bed bound and stuck on all these monitors as you claim. The only monitors on you are your babies heart rate to keep track of any stress that the delivery maybe causing your child and of course your own heart rate machine. If you choose not to have anything while giving birth you dont have to have anything. The choice is always yours. Never heard of those side effects for an epidural. May want to read up more on that. Good luck and congratulations on the birth of your child. Anymore info. you may contact me at [e-mail]

Answer 10

I know plenty of people who have had children without epidurals, I had my second child like that. If you are wanting that type of birth which is non traditional, I would suggest getting a Midwife to assist you in your delivery. I had an epidural with my first child, and I delivered both of my children in a hospital, so if there were any undetectable or possible complications the doctors would be right there...you never know what could happen. I have delivered both ways, and both were natural child births, just one was without experiencing any pain.....I am glad that I had both experiences. I do not like hospitals either, I usually get sick walking into one, but when you are having a baby I felt very safe and secure.

I NEVER got sick, or shaky from my epidural....I have NEVER heard of anyone else having any of those problems either.....all hospitals have birthing centers, you are not stuck in an ugly room. You need to go and take a tour of the hospitals in your area where you can decide which one is for you....and take your classes for labor and breathing, it does help.

Answer 11

I had my first without an epidural and once you get through to the baby group stage of things you will find very few mums actually need one. Gas and air and a birth pool got me through my first 9cms and diamorphine got me through the last stages of labour. I did have a little intervention at the end and needed an episiotomy (cut) or I would have torn really badly and only got a little local anaesthetic for that. I am lucky our local labour and maternity unit is midwife led with consultants on hand for real issues. I have had another 2 kids since and each time was different but still no epidural. Talk to your midwife otherwise little issues like this can seem huge and if you don't get on with her ask for another. All the best x