Epidural. To Want or Not to Want???

Question

I am 28 weeks and I have been doing alot of research on natural birth. I have a very high pain tolerance and I hate not being in control of my body. My doctor asked me if I wanted the epidural and I said "No". He followed with "Yes you do". This is my first child and I understand that labor hurts like the raging fires of hell, but that is a risk I am willing to take. I am in no way afraid of needles, I just dont like pain medication of any kind. I know I dont want the epidural unless something goes wrong. I am not stupid or crazy and I have read other peoples answers. I am still kind of upset about the doctor trying to push the epidural on me. I want to breastfeed and I am afraid it will have an effect on the baby. I know every woman is different but I dont even take Tylenol for a headache. Anyone have any good advice or stories about natural labor?

Answer 1

The reason they push it is because they really don't want you to change your mind when the labor gets really painful and it's too late for an epidural.

I personally recommend getting an epidural, and I can promise you that you would be thankful if you got one.

However if you want a natural birth then go for it.

Answer 2

I had an epidural because the pain wasn't all that great but then again everyone has a different tolerance. I just wanted to enjoy the labour and I can tell you that I am glad that in our day we are only so lucky to be blessed with such a pain killer. You can still feel the pressure of the labour but without any cramping at all and I can't think of anything much nicer than that!
IIt by no means affects any other part of your body but the mid section so you are fully alert and because you are not ingesting the medication it will not have an affect on nursing your baby.
It does come to a point when you will not be able to get the epidural anyways ...I think it is at about 7+centimeters dialated and then you are on your own anyways.
I think anyone who has had an epidural will surely agree it is a great thing and wouldn't dream of going through labour without it. I know we would all like to be strong like our mothers and grandmothers but I also think given the chance especially on the duration of the labour they too may have agreed to give it a try.
I think your doctor has just seen enough during their career that most do go for it.
I do commend you on your determination to go completely natural and I wish you all the best during your pregnancy, labour and future motherhood but don't completely rule out an epidural...leave it as an option in case you need a nice break from the pain.
Happy diaper days ahead!!!!

Answer 3

I am a nurse, and have had an epidural with all 3 of my kids.I also worked for a major women's hospital in the postpartum unit, and the worst I ever saw was a spinal headache which I only saw 2 patients out of thousands get.Many women say they want to 'go natural' until they get there, and realize how painful labor is I'd say 98% of patients I saw got epidurals, and the majority of the 2% left where either too far along (in dialation) to get one or they were'nt allowed(no prenatal care etc.)And the epidural is actually safer than IV narcotics which can affect the babies respirations, and can make them sleepy.As far as breatfeeding it has no effect.Anyway I'm not tryin to push this on you.I'm just sayin if you broke your leg you would take pain medication.If you do it without more power to ya!But I'm stickin with my epidural.Oh btw you don't feel drugged up @ all, I hate pain medication as well, but this does'nt make you feel like you are drugged up.

Answer 4

Well im with you on this. I think it was wrong that your doctor tried to push the epidural on you. I dont agree with that at all. Im 37wks pregnant and unlike you have a VERY LOW pain threshold LoL. Regardless, i still dont know if i am willing to go that far to relieve the pain.

I have heard so many stories about labour pain and what it feels like. Some say it didnt hurt at all - they just felt pressure/contractions with some back ache and thats it. Then there are the ones where they tell you it felt like they were dying.
I know im going to be in for a rough and bumpy ride - ive been getting preterm pain now for 4 weeks with no end in sight.

My Midwife and Doctor thankgoodness never pushed anything on me. But yet again they havent asked me what i want. I was just told to write a "birth plan" down that way when the time came i knew what i wanted. But i dont need one of those (for myself anyway). If something goes wrong or if the pain is severe i have no problem asking for painkillers. Ive read all the information about what is available: TENS Machines, Pethidine, Epidural, Gas. You name it. Just that i at least try without first.

Even though i cant say from personal experience - one of the best stories i have heard about is "water birthing". Its great on your body by preventing pain (because of how light your body is in water) and it has absolutely no side effects on the baby as bub comes out. Some Mum's get scared because their bub is being born in water and could choke. Its absolutely not true. The umbilical chord continues to supply oxygen to the baby until he/she comes out of the water and there is no danger to the mother and the child. Just less pain. The only downside to water birthing is you cant get into the water too early. This prolongs the labour and can make it a little more painful. So the best time to hop in is usually as u go through the next transition stage of labour just before you start pushing.

Maybe try Googling it and see what you can find. If you feel uncomfortable about talking to your doctor about it because of the past advice he gave, get a second opinion and see if you can meet any ladies who have had water births and can tell you their stories. Good Luck!

Answer 5

You sound like you're very certain and unafraid, so you just stick to your guns. Doctors often have a nasty habit of being complete know-it-all jerks.

Remember, the women who get epidurals are the privleged few in this world. Childbirth is something that women can withstand and do every day.

But you miight want to say to yourself now that if you do find you want it, you won't beat yourself up about it. If this is the first time you're entering such a major event as giving birth you can't necessarily be sure 100% that you know what you want.

Investigate other options for pain relief - like laboring in water, for instance. If you really don't want drugs, you make sure you do your homework and have someone there to back you up! If you can afford it, you might want to consider a doula to labor with you.

I sat in on a childbirth class in Sweden once, where they have a rather different attitude towards the whole experience. (Their pain relief methods include gas, electronic pulses and acupuncture - a much wider array than "have an epidural and be quiet.") The midwife leading the class answered lots of questions about epidurals, and although she made clear any woman wanting one would get it, she did say "Once you take away the pain, you can't get it back." Meaning - you can't feel the same way to get through contractions, pushing - or to get up and walk around. You're also distancing yourself from the experience.

And a Swedish mother I talked to told me how she was planning on an epidural but her labor progressed too quickly so she couldn't get one - and even though in the moment all she wanted was the drugs, afterwards she was incredibly proud that she'd done it without.

You hear childbirth is painful, but it's not pain like a broken bone. It's pain like running a marathon. Every muscle may be aching, you may be screaming, but you know there is a finish line - with a really great prize at the end.

Answer 6

I also have a high tolerance for pain and did all mine natural except for the one who was an emergency C-section.

Don't let anyone push you into something you do not want. You'll always have the option of choosing it during labor if it gets to be too much for you. Trust me, the guys with the epidurals are never too far away from Labor and Delivery - lol

For me, I would up having an epidural hydrocortisone for a herniated disk many years after I had my babies. My response to the procedure? I told the guy "I can't believe women go through this JUST to have a baby!" It was very uncomfortable... and I can't imagine having to contort my body like that while in labor.

I also asked my doc to write in his orders for post-delivery that I could have Extra Strength Tylenol for pain because it's all I needed and the order has to be written. Some docs only write for Percoset and Tylenol 3 (that has codeine in it.)

Best to you... and good luck! Remember that if Labor and Delivery was that awful, no one would ever have more than one baby :)

Answer 7

I had my first 3 children not only at HOME, but with no with no pain medication at all. No Tylenol no nothing! While the joy of childbirth was and is a wonderful blessing it CAN also be very tramtic, and unless you are very determined and ready for this then I would reconsider. I would not assume to tell you what is right for you and your child. I think you should go into labor with an open mind and PLAN on not having medication but for you to know that it is there if you feel that you need it. I had my last with an epidural, and for me it was such a pleasant experience, I know that it is different for everyone( I also have a high pain tolerance and didn't feel contractions until I was dialated to a 3-5 with all of my children) I would definately find a new dr. b/c your dr. should support all of your decisions unless it puts you or your baby in danger, and I would not want a dr. that tries to tell me what I want and do not want when I know my own mind. Good Luck

Answer 8

I don't think an epidural leaves you "not in control" at all. I have had many successful epidurals BUT I have also known people who had successful natural births. I would strive for the natural birth but remember that there is a certain point where you will not be allowed that epidural and there will be no turning back so communication is key. You will not be a failure if you change your mind. Also, if your doctor is not respecting your wishes, you might consider one who does. You obviously aren't making this choice lightly and it is not an uncommon one that will risk your health either. I think it is wonderful you are doing this and very brave. Good luck and have a happy healthy baby!

Answer 9

I did not have anything for pain during my labor. When the doctor did the cut to deliver, I had a local.

It was very difficult and if I had to do it over again, I would have opted for some pain medication. They won't give it to you if the baby is at risk. You don't have to grit it out anymore. You can be comfortable during your labor and delivery.

My daughter gave birth six weeks ago and had an epidural. She still was uncomfortable, but not in serious pain. She breast fed immediately after delivery. She is fine and the baby is too.

Answer 10

I felt the exact same way you do with my first child. I decided not to have an epidural. The pain was terrible but I made it through. I don't regret it one bit but I was in pretty bad shape after (tired mostly and weak. That made it REALLY difficult to deal with my baby at first especially since he was born at 2:30AM and I was breastfeeding. All I want to do was sleep. With my second, I opted for the epidural. The labor was so easy and when it came time to push he was out in 10 minutes. I felt GREAT. i was on the phone within minutes telling everyone. I even went home the next day and had the energy to take care of him. So based on my experiences leave your options open. If the baby decides to some at night take the epidural so you are rested enough to care for the baby. If he/she decides to some during the day and you've rested you may feel energetic enough to take on the challenge of a natural labor. Whatever you do don't let the doctor decide for you. Make your own decision but don't feel bad or guilty if you decide to take the epidural. By the way, I had problems breastfeeding either of my kids. Latching on was an issue with the first but once we got past that it was smooth sailing. With my second, they gave him a bottle until the meds were out of my system but he had no problems latching on and was breastfed until 1.

Answer 11

Wow, you sound just like me before I had my daughter. It's up to you, you don't have to decide until you're in labor (thought there's a certain point in labor that's too late to get the epidural.) What I did was go without pain relief UNTIL I decided I wanted it, whish was at 7 centimeters. For me it wasn't even pain, just very *intense pressure.* You say you want to be in control, I understand that, but let me tell you you're not 100% in control during labor and delivery. Your body is following the instinctive routine of delivering a baby and you're just along for the ride.

Make the decision that's right for you. Today's epidurals do not make the child groggy or unable to breastfeed.