Epidural vs. traditional meds?

Question

I'm no where near pregnant, but i was just thinking about this. Whats the difference between getting an epidural (which effectively paralyzes you from the waist down, you have to have a catheter, huge needle in your back, etc.) and getting traditional pain medication (only requires an IV)? Shouldn't modern medicine be able to make labor painless without having to have an epidural? I just want to know, so that when the time comes to have my own kid, i know which one to choose.

Answer 1

Epidurals ARE modern medicine! For you to be pain free to feeling fine in one hour is pretty innovative. They aren't that bad. The catheter doesn't stay in (they usually straight cath, or get the urine and take out the tube right away.) Also, the needle doesn't stay in, only the catheter, like an IV. Labor pains are terrible enough, and you should enjoy the birth, not remember all the pain associated with it.

Answer 2

There is no way you can really make a choice until the time comes. At that point, you will need to discuss your options with the doctor/midwife who is helping you. There are many factors which play into the decision, not the least of which is your health at the time and any other complications (or lack of) that are present. So far as labor being painless, I've learned nothing in life that was worth having could be gotten without a little work and sometimes pain on my part. Pain is a subjective thing anyway. If you have a fair tolerance, and are willing to work with a coach, then analgesics through an IV will help you control the pain of childbirth. If you are really apprehensive of the process, have a low pain tolerance, and do not think you could or would cooperate, then perhaps an epidural is the best choice. Even with the epidural, there are other considerations. It has to be given at the proper time, and if it wears off once you are actually near delivery, you will still deliver and will feel it all. Because you can't feel, delivery takes longer. You have do follow directions to push, and often need assistance with forceps to complete the delivery. Forceps have their own list of troubles- but if the doctor knows you have had an epidural he is more tempted to use them- as it will hurry the delivery a bit, and you can't feel it anyway. Ditto for the episiotomy- more likely to happen since you can't feel to help control anything.
Opting for analgesics and bypassing the episiotomy is a final decision. You don't get to change your mind later on, if you decide it isn't cutting it. You will be too far along in labor to do it, so toughing out becomes the only choice. You will however, be able to move around, walk, and even have a shower. Since you can remain upright and moving, the delivery time is shorter. You will be up moving around afterwards much sooner, which aids you in getting back on your feet and recovered sooner.
This is all supposing that you are expected to have a normal delivery, as opposed to a C-section. C-sections are done most often using an spinal block, very seldom are they done under a general anesthetic. Although the actual delivery will be painless, the recovery will not be. It's still major abdominal surgery, leaves a scar, and takes weeks to recover from.
The "pain" of childbirth depends very much on your perception and dread. Determining how you want to manage that is not a matter for conjecture at this point, though. Make that decision once you are pregnant and have a professional to help. Decide to get pregnant once you have realized the pain of the birth is the least of the challenges of parenthood you will face.

Answer 3

I am a guy so naturally I don't have any personal preference. Every time I have asked this same question, I have received the same answer that I am now offering you. Epidurals are supposedly not dangerous at all unless you have a drunk doctor, but the women that I have talked to are still very uncomfortable with the idea of having a needle the size of a #2 pencil in you back. A girl I know has had four kids and has used regular intravenous meds on all but one, the last one she didn't accept any medication and she said that it wasn't that bad. My sister who has two kids has used intravenous meds on both and my other sister who has one kid accepted no meds at all. I have no idea, but I would vote against the epidural. Hope this helped.

Answer 4

for me, I had both stadol and an epidural. i was in labor 38 hours, so i really needed the break so i could have strength for pushing. the stadol made me feel kinda happy and made my nose itch so bad i couldnt handle it, but differnet people react to it in different ways. and it only kinda lessened the pain. the epidural was the best thing that ever happend to me (besides my daughter of course). i never even felt the needle go in. i was like "is it in yet?" aparantly it had been for a few minutes, lol, and they were just taping the tube up my back. compared to labor, even if you did feel the needle, it would be nothing. not being able to move didnt really matter to me, i took the opportunity to sleep considering i had been in labor so long already. by the time i was ready to start the pushing process, my epidural had worn off, but pushing against the pain actually helped, it didnt hurt as bad, and getting her out was an amazing feeling of relief. i dont regret the epidural at all. i dont feel the need to be a martyr and "feel" the whole thing. i was able to be stronger for my pushing and would also rather be more mentally present for the experience instead of out of my mind with pain. some women, however have quick and easy births and dont need an epidural or anything else. but if you feel you do, dont hesitate, its worth it!

Answer 5

Good on you for gettting your facts now even though your not as yet pregnant. I wish I did that too, I would have been better prepared.

I'm going to respond on Australian Medicine. If you are in Australia, this information will be provided to you in parenting classes (don't forget to sign up with your hospital when you are pregnant - they tend to forget to mention this).

Here are the options for relief...

There is the epidural which you already know of

There is a general anaethetic which is a total knock out (I believe they use a drip for this but I'm not certain. It used to be the way they delivered c-sections (my mum had a general delivering me) . It isn't recommended for deliveries anymore - although my cousin delivered her healthy baby boy only 1 year ago on a general because of other complications with her health).

Pethidine (I received two hits of this and it only helped me for 30 minutes. If given too close to the delivery of your baby, the baby will have to get an injection of something else to wake it up - if pain forces you to request this, request it early).

Gas (awesome stuff - known as funny /laughing gas - no harm to baby or mum and dads love it too - just dont let the nurses see him use it)

The only thing I can think of that is administered through IV is the inducing liquid. (I believe it's called Syntocin) and although it may look like it's suppose to support the mother's pain, it actually causes more intense pain as the labour is being forced. Man do I remember that pain. Now that I've scared the living day lights out of you.....let me remind you that if Labour was so bad, why are almost the entire population going back for a 2nd and 3rd child.

I remember saying that I'd rather do my 20 hours labour a few times rather than put up with the aches and pains associated with pregnancy.

There is a free birthplan on www.parents.9k.com (use that and give it to your Dr because you wont have the energy or patience to talk about your options when in labour). You should also click on the section regarding preconception.

Another thing, make sure your partner/ friend/ mother keeps his/her eye on the babies heartbeat. Don't rely on the Dr's and nurses as they are going in and out of rooms (whether you go private or public).

Okay I'm on a roll now....If you have to have an epidural because of pain, ask them to turn down the epidural as the baby is being delivered so that you can push when the nurse/Ob tells you to.

Good luck
Mia Dimicco

Answer 6

You don't need an catheter with an epidural (at least in Australia we don't)
The needle isn't huge, it is very fine and doesn't hurt (personal opinion)
If you aren't pregnant yet you don't really need to worry about it because there could be all sorts of pain relief available in the near future.
It boils down to personal choice - no one is right or wrong, it's what you think is best.

Answer 7

I haven't had children yet either, but I can tell you this - my mother had 11 healthy children, and had the epidural, my sister in law got it and as soon as she did, in her relief of pain, she exclaimed to her husband about the doctor who had just given that to her, "Tony, pay that man!!

But I also had a sister that had 4 children totally natural and was fine. Another sister was induced and delivered her baby in less than 2 hours with no epidural.

The best thing to do is find a doctor and hospital that you like, that gives you good explanations of your options, and go with the one you have peace about. The important thing is that you're relaxed and comfortable with the decisions you make. And remember as my very experienced mom always says - labor is work, think of the pain in that way, and know that our bodies were designed to have babies, and that will help take the fear away. Best wishes!

Answer 8

if i had to choose epidural but i had my daughter natural...it was hard and fast but recovery was very good..so i'm all about notural if you can handle it health wise

Answer 9

http://www.anesthesia-analgesia.org/cgi/content/abstract/87/1/119#search=%22%20Epidural%20vs.%20traditional%20meds%3F%20%22