i am 26 yrs old 13 weeks pregnant with my first child i haven't decided if i want an epidural or not?

Question

i would like a natural birth with no injections of any kind but im not sure i would be strong enough
can someone please give me some advice on labor...... or things i should know about when labor approaches.. i want to be fully prepared for the excrutiating pain everyone talks about..........


thank you god bless you all

Answer 1

Well you have long time to decide so I would recommend that you take a class at your hospital so that you are fully informed. After that you will want to write up a birth plan but keep in mind that things don't always go as planned so keep an open mind.

Answer 2

Here's an article on epidurals:

http://www.mothering.com/articles/pregnancy_birth/birth_preparation/hidden-risks-epidurals.html

Based on this information (and this is good science here) I decided not to have one with my daughter. I ended up with a pitocin-induced labor (which is much harder than just going into labor naturally) and used no pain meds. They're just not worth the risk to me. Doctors don't tell you about the risks very much if at all. Just make sure to do your research.

The thing to remember is in labor is that the baby WILL come out. You're not going to die, and if you don't have an epidural you can even get into different positions to help the baby come out faster and cause you less pain. Laboring in water is very helpful.

When I hear people say "I couldn't have done it without the epidural" I just think "What would you have done? Died?" I mean it's not that terrible. You just get it in your mind that you're not using pain meds and then you don't. I don't know anything about excruciating pain with labor. It's just not that bad as long as you are prepared and willing to work with your body instead of against it.

Take a good childbirth class (not one through a hospital- try Bradley or Birthing From Within) and get a doula and you will do fine. Epidurals are just not worth the risk. Most people who have them end up fine, but if you were one who didn't (or your baby was) you wouldn't care what happened to "most people"

Answer 3

When I was pregnant with my son I wanted to go natural. I wound up getting the epidural though. I didnt decide until I was in the hospital in full blown labor though.

Every pregnancy and delivery is different. You could have a quick delivery and not want onw, but you could also be in labor for a long time and decide to get one.

I wouldn't stress about it, wait and see how things go when you go into labor. The reason I got one was because I was 2 weeks over dur and had to be induced. The meds they gave me made my contractions stronger and more painful then they would have been normally. I opted for a pain killer rather then the epi stating that I would not have one and to please not ask me every 5 minutes, but after the meds wore off my labor was so intense that I begged them to give me the epidural lol.

Ask you Ob/Gyn at your next appointment about the epi and other options you have available, they should be able to give you a ton of info and help you make an informed decision.

My best advice is to enjoy being preggo, dont stress- and decide when you get into labor what is the right choice for you!

HTH

Answer 4

I would research your options of pain control. Relaxation techniques work well also. Each of us have our own little tricks. Mine was glaring at the hubby...anyway most hospitals will give you IV medications before epidural. I was able to enjoy the epidural with my second and I only pushed for 15 mins. The pain of labor/delivery is a lot more bearable than routine pain because the pain immediately stops as soon as the baby comes out.
The most important thing is a great outstanding labor coach. My husband sucked with both...he just stood there with the first; he was on the laptop for my second until he finally left for the last half of labor. If you have a really good coach than most of the time they'll (the coach) work with you to alleviate your pain levels and help you focus. Good luck!!!

Answer 5

You can not imagine what it's going to be like no matter how many tell you what it was like for them. Take lamaze and learn breathing and other techniques to help you. But when you're in labor don't feel guilty if you need some pain medications. I wanted to have nothing but the pain was so overwhelming that I did take Stadol through the IV to help relax me. I didn't want an epidural and got through without one, but not everyone can do that. I hope you have the natural birth like you want, but dont feel guilty if it doesn't end up that way. There's nothing wrong with not feeling pain. I take the Novacine when I have a cavitry filled.

Answer 6

I had an epidural with my two kids. I was adamant that I wasn't going to take the epidural with my second baby but when the going got tough I gave in a asked for it. I wish I hadn't taken it because the baby was born an hour later anyway so I think I could have had him quicker if I hadn't taken it. It also didn't work 100% for me both times but did relieve A LOT of pain. After my first baby I couldn't move my legs for at least 10 hours but after my second I was up and about after 2 hours. I think the epidural works wonders on pain relief but physically sets you back after the labor and can sometimes leave you and your baby very tired. You need to think of all the pros and cons before deciding for yourself, but would I take the epidural again? I think I would actually.......sometimes the pain is too much. (sorry)

Answer 7

I had twins and 17.5 hour labour and did not find the pain very bad at all. I listen to a hypnosis CD the whole time and used a TENS machine and gas and air. I had the first baby and the second one was stuck so I had an epidural. I had no idea how sore I had been until it kicked in but I would have been fine without it had I not had to have had a vonteuse delivery. I worried about the pain too as I couldn't go through a period withou pain killers but the thought that I was going to see my babies soon really helped me. Good luck and try to stay relaxed about the whole thing - that really helps!

Answer 8

My first child I had a partial epidural. I was numb from belly button to hips( top of thighs) with my second child I did natural. It was so much easier the second time. I was able to care for myself and my new born much faster and much easier. It is completely up to you. The nurse would ask bout once every 15-20 min do you want pain relief so I don't think you need to make up your mind right now. But if you are wanting natural start taking birthing classes as soon as you can it will help no matter what you choose. Good Luck God Bless and Happy Holidays

Answer 9

Ok, I had an epi with the birth of my daughter and it made the experience wonderful. In fact, I played videogames and slept (the only really good sleep I've gotten since) during the entire dilation process. Despite what some people say, I did have an active part when it really counted - the pushing and I pushed her out myself.
My philosophy is contrary to the "me woman hear me roar" - why go through unnecessary pain when you don't have to? Your body is doing mostly all of the work on autopilot with little input from you during the first couple of phases. All the grunting is really your endurance. My pain tolerance is very low, so I knew I wasn't a candidate for natural births. As for the assertion, "women have beeing doing it for eons", women have also died from childbirth during those eons, so I am thankful, in this sense, that modern medicine has given women a choice. That said, it is up to you. It also places a big burden of responsibility on the anesthesiologist, but if he does it correctly and you have a wonderful hospital staff, it does work and it is not frightening at all. My daughter came out alert and ready to nurse :)

Answer 10

Everyones level of pain tolerence is different. But the biggest factor is your head. If you're afraid of labor, afraid of the pain, unable to see it as a few hours out of the rest of your life, unable to focus on it as just a job to get done, and to relax through the parts that you can, then you should consider some sort of pain medication.

Women have been having babies for eons, It wasnt until the middle of this century that they were treated for the pain. Up until that point they have all sorts of measures for helping themselves through labor.

Sit, dont lay. There are birthing balls, birthing stools (these are the most natural way to bith, and allow your body to function exactly as it was designed to) At least laboring, if not birthing, in a tub of hot water can really REALLY ease your labor pains. Staying active during pregnancy greatly reduces labor time, since you end up effaced and dialated so much quicker.

Getting an Epi means you will have to lay, on your back, in a bed, for the worst parts of your labor, while the pain is less, it takes longer, and is MUCH harder on your body, and even the baby.

You can take narcotics for the pain, but then you're sharing them with the baby.

Your other option, which is the most natural of all pain treatments, is probably the spinal morphine. While you'll be sharing some of the medication with the baby, the procedure is a one time deal, not a constant drip like an epi, so once its done you can get up and move. It doesnt stop the feeling to your legs and lower body like the other does. You might want to consider this.

Theres also hypnobirthing, which is new, but people say it works. Thers also accupuncture and accupressure for labor, you can hire a dula, things like that.

Personally, my whole family went natural. And we all have big 8-9 pound babies. If we can do it, anyone can do it. But its personal choice.

Some people have a lot of resolve and little fear, those people power through birth. Others have complications, fear, and worries, and that makes your labor counter productive, and you SHOULD get something for the pain, the stress of that situtaion will only make things worse.

I have a screwed up lower back, so i cant get a spinal of anykind. So i opted for water birth. I havent given birth yet, but I know some people who did the water birth and all of them swear by it. They've told me its the same effect as pain treatments. Its hot thought... and you're in a tub of icky water. But for me its an excellent choice. I have a back up plan of using the stool if i cant handle the water.

You have pleanty of time to check things out, ask others, and do some soul searching. Its your labor, and you will make the right choice for you.

Besides, you can always change your game plan once youre in it.

Answer 11

You don't have to worry about getting an epidural until you are actually in the labor room. Labor is painful, but I think a lot of the pain talk is over-hyped. During labor just remember to relax when the contraction come.