is there other options for pain other than epidurals?

Question

like happy gas
oxygen
ect..

Answer 1

Depending on the doctor, you may be able to have an analgesis given through the IV. Some doctors do not like this, as the medication crosses the placenta- but will agree if you do not like the idea of an epidural and do not wish to go "au natural". I also did not want an epidural, as I did not like the potential complications that are associated with it. I used an analgesic via the IV to help me deal with the contractions from about the 6cm point until delivery. I had one injection, which actually did help me get back in control. Otherwise I just used breathing and relaxation techniques.
Many doctors have quit using gas , as they delivered too many babies who did not breathe because they had been over-anesthetized or were stillborn due to lack of oxygen. Oxygen itself is given, but has no pain relieving qualities.
It's my experience that the more informed you are with delivery and the process, and if you have a coach and doctor/midwife you trust, the easier it all is. The pain itself was manageable, and as delivery got closer, I actually noticed the pain seemed to diminish. I don't know if this was due to my excitement or a natural process of the body- I have read both arguements to explain it.
The best person to discuss this all with is the person who will assist with your delivery. They can give you answers based on your particular situation and help you make an informed choice based on what is best for you. The pain associated with delivery can be managed, but it needs to be a choice based on what is best for you- not what the majority opinion is. That is something only they and you can decide.

Answer 2

Yes, you can get drugs through your IV, such as Demerol, although, there are draw backs to it, besides the fact that it could make your baby sleepy or unresponsive after birth, it does not last like an epidural. They can give it to you a few times, but the effects of the drug wear off sooner every time you get it.
I am pregnant with my third child, and had epidurals with both, however, with my second the doctor forgot to prescribe it, so I got it at the last possible second, and I was induced, so the labor was fast, and the effects of the epidural didn't fully set in until after the baby was born. That really, REALLY sucked!!!!!
Childbirth is painful, and if someone tells you different then they are lying to you. The best thing is to prepare for the pain. If you expect it to be horrible, then it won't seem as bad.
By the way, epidurals have side effects too, such as hot flashes, and nausea.

Answer 3

Depends on where you are. In England, my friends tell me gas is quite popular in some areas, more popular than epidurals:

http://ramanathans.com/Inhalational%20Analgesia%20web%20chapter.htm

In some areas of the U.S. epidurals are a big deal to get one, they may only have one anesthesiologist on call for the hospital in small rural areas and you have to plan ahead to get one. Some hospitals are more geared toward "natural" birth. For instance I work for a health care system with several hospitals in the same metro area. Our hospital has a 95% or higher epidural rate, another of our hospitals only 30 miles away, their rate is less than 50%. Of course birthing centers with midwives are geared toward those interested in a medfree delivery.

Sometimes other drugs like nubain, fentanyl, demerol, stadol are given IV but usually just during the short time until the anesthesiogist gets to the bedside. For those here who may not know, an epidural for childbirth is not just "numbing medication" it's generally a combo of local anesthetics and opioids. So, yes you are getting opioid drugs and so is the baby, although the dose that reaches them is fairly low. Sometimes the anesthesiologist comes and gives you a bolus now and then, other times they are on a continuous epidural pump the anesthesiologist sets up when he places the epidural. Common local anesthetics include lidocaine and bupivicaine and common opioids are morphine and fentanyl.

I am often surprised by women who refuse even one vicodin after childbirth because they "don't want it to get to the baby" but they are obviously in pain and suffering. I generally let them know that they received many mcgs of fentanyl from the epidural (or if they had a duramorph spinal for their c-section), plus a couple of mgs of fentanyl or dilaudid in recovery, all of a sudden they have a fresh perspective and I see them waver. Well - maybe a tiny pill filtered through their stomach, liver, bloodstream and breastmilk doesn't seem like such a big deal!

Answer 4

they gave me something thru my IV that was suppose to "take the edge off"....all it did was make me tired and loopy and then i got frustrated bc i wanted to sleep but was in so much pain that i couldnt so i ended up getting the epidural.....I would recommend the epidural though...it worked wonders!!

To answer some peoples questions about feeling with the epidural. I did feel a lot when I was pushing bc they made sure to take my epidural out well before I was suppose to push so I would mostly get the feeling back.

From the looks of all the ratings...Looks like someone reading this question has a problem with epidurals haha....

Answer 5

they have drugs they are in a position to administer with the aid of a iv yet to me they didnt look to final very long so i endd up getting the epidural.earlier each thing its rather like eek because of the fact they tell u with regard to the issues u can get anda couple different issues if not executed good yet hell it grow to be nicely worth it for me and it labored great the two situations i could not sense a undertaking!!!that's exactly what i grow to be going for lol.the place did u hear the epidural would not artwork on obese women human beings i'm 5'7and weigh 260 and nicely as u examine i had not issues.

Answer 6

yes, there's heaps! ask your doctor to explain them or check out a birthing book. Ive had 3 vaginal births and used only the gas with all 3. This sounds odd but I think you should feel the baby come out! My friends all had epidurals and apparently you don't feel anything down there at all... :( My mum always told me to think of woman in countries that have no pain relief at all and be appreciative of what you have

Answer 7

There is this drug, very similar to morphine that they put through your IV, but the only thing that will do is get you drowsy and stupid, and you don't know what is going on, and when it comes time for you to push, you don't know what is even going on, and you are so drugged up you can't push...SO! in other words, just stick to the epidural, and just to let you know, you can keep the epidural going even when pushing, before I began to push, they had set up another bad for me...don't take your chances.

Answer 8

They gave me IV Fentanyl. It didn't really ease the pain of contractions, but I kind of fell asleep between each contraction (for a minute at a time, but it was still a little relaxing). I'm so glad I didn't get an epidural though.

Answer 9

There is a reson why it is called LABOR! It hurts and believe it or not, women all over the world give birth without ANY medication to "take the edge off." Have two no pain relief other than meditation. Course then my mother did tell me she would disown me if I yelled lololol. Asian thing maybe.
Yes there are other options ask your doctor

Answer 10

I did use laughing gas and this is all i used with my second i used epidural and loved it and know i plan on using it with my thrid. But i have known women to have used demrole .