Did you choose to go without an epidural? and why?

Question

I choose to get an epidural, I had a bad reaction to it. Fever, Chills (shakes) and vomiting. I still wanted more after they cut me off though! So I just wondered why women wanted to go without.

Answer 1

From a male perspective, epidurals are the greatest invention when it comes to child birth. Nothing was worse than seeing my wife going through the pain of labour, and then after the epidural everyone's happy and relaxed... wonderful thing.

As our doctor said, you wouldn't have a tooth pulled without freezing... so why try pushing a baby out without pain relief?

Answer 2

I had my son natural--for a number of reasons. First, I didn't like the idea that the narcotics in the epidural cross the placental barrier. I wanted my baby born without any chemicals in his new little body. Second, I have a high pain threshold, so I knew I could do it. Third, I didn't want to be numbed--which I thought would hinder the different positions I could get into to help dilation. Now, I'm not one of those who thinks ALL women should go natural, just because I did. My labor was only 12 hours. If I had to go 20+ hours like some women do, I'd say "Bring on the epidural!!" Also, I have a high pain threshold, but for someone who doesn't, I can only imagine how hard it would be to go natural (because it hurt like a son-of-a-gun even WITH my high threshold). Overall, I just felt better about the natural method. Would I do it again? Absolutely--given the same circumstances. But, every labor is different....so who's to say!

Answer 3

I think some women choose not to have an epidural because they want to experience all of the sensations of childbirth. However, it is worth noting that epidurals do not necessarily diminish all of those sensations. I had an epidural which worked great on the contractions but never numbed the vaginal area. I had the urge to push and I felt every moment of my ten pound son's birth. I was told by the nurse anethesist that mine was a common occurrence -- for some women, the epidural only works on half of their body, for some women it doesn't work at all -- and then there are the lucky ones that don't feel a thing! :-)

Answer 4

I decided that I didn't want to have an epidural or any kind of drug during labor, or at least I would try! I have friends who have used an epidural, no problem and one friend had an even worse reaction than you!
I used the Bradley method, which is husband coached child birth and it was GREAT!! I loved it because it gave you all the information on what to expect.
Every woman has to choose what she feels is best for her, and everyone's pain tolerence is different. I didn't find the pain intolerable, in fact, I did most of my labor at home and went to the hospital about 1/2 hour before my bundle of joy made his appearance!
Congratulations!!!

Answer 5

I didn't have an epidural with my first child. (actually had NO DRUGS). With my second I didn't want it however I was having back labor and was in alot of pain. And I didn't have it with my third. Wasn't enough time for it. She was in a rush to be born!! =D Never heard of wanting more. It makes your lower body numb. I also thought it would slow down the birthing process. I wanted until I couldn't stand the pain any more to get the epidural.
I think your thinking of demoral or some other drug. Demoral made me sick. I had it with 2 of my pregeancies. I had the same reactions also but I didnt want more. It also had an effect on the babies. After the nurses said it doesn't.

Answer 6

With my first child I didn't have one and I had a painful but OK labor and delivery. It only lasted 4 hours. With my second I had an epidural and don't know if I would recommend them or not. It made me very sick on my stomach during and after the birth. Also, it only worked on one side and was very painful when they put the needle in. That was by far the worst part. I wasn't in any pain before I Had it but my nurse said it was time to get it. She kinda made the decision for me. I was 4 centimeters when I got it and think I could have done OK without. Good Luck.

Answer 7

I chose not to because I know that I always have a harder time recovering from the painkillers than from pain. I get groggy after I've taken painkillers, and I did not want to spend my first days with my new baby in a fog.
Also, I am far more afraid of a needle in my spine than I am of pain. The needle in the spine can cause serious problems if it's inserted wrong, as well as opening up the potential for infection in the spine.
Last, but certainly not least, the drugs can effect the baby and cause them to be less active and less able to breastfeed right away. I did not want to think of my precious baby being drugged.
I felt that my body was meant to be able to give birth to my son, and although it wasn't a comfortable experience, I was able to focus on what I was accomplishing.

Answer 8

I had an epidural but it didn't work. I ended up with a c-section because my son's head wouldn't fit. As for Brenda's little comment, if you go without drugs it doesn't make you a "real woman" . Being a good mother is what is important.

I look at it this way, I wouldn't have a root canal without drugs so why should I go through childbirth without it?

Answer 9

I went 61 hours without an epidural because of the way it effect the baby (baby is so sleepy they can't nurse) and the (deadly) risks involved. Plus the fact that epidurals are a big cause of c-sections (mom can't get up and move around which is what womans bodies NEED to do while laboring!)

Answer 10

I went without because I know people who have had really bad reactions to it. They just did a news story about a girl who dies from getting one, because bacteria got into her spinal fluid, and she died a few hours after the baby was born. I know they are generally safe, but it's not worth the risk to me. I had Stadol through my IV which helped relaxed me, and I had a nerve block, so I didn;t really feel the baby coming out when I pushed. It still all hurt really bad, but I'm glad I didn't get the epidural. Ahead of time I told the nurse that I didn't want them to offer it to me, because I might be tempted to say "yes" if I was in a lot of pain.