What are other options for drugs other than an epidural and what are the differences between them? \?

Question

And, isn;t there a chance of being paralized form an epidural too? What are my choices, what should I do regarding taking drugs to give birth?

Answer 1

You should go and purchase the Book, "What to Expect when you're expecting". That book goes over all the pain medication options, and the pros and cons of each one. Epidurals are probably most common, and totally safe. There are risks with everything, but they are administered so often that the chances of you having some sort of difficulty or adverse effect with it are slim to none. You can have shots of Demerol instead of an epidural. There is also combinations of painkillers. Basically, go get that book and read it carefully. You should be the one to totally investigate your options and then discuss then with your Dr. well before your due date. Good Luck

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry about getting paralized from an epidural. I wish that for the first four births i would have had the epidural (i was scared too) But, as long as you do what the doctor tells you you'll be fine. In fact you won't feel nothing but a little pressure when it's time to push. The other choice is Demoral. And honey, that doesn't do much! It will dull the pain a tad but when you're contracting it's a whole other story. With my fifth child i had the epidural, with the contractions i barely felt the pain of the epidural. I did what the doctor told me to do, (Which was to either sit still or lay still..in my case it was to lay still on my side on curl into a ball) After about 3 to 5 min from the belly down I couldn't feel a thing. And i was HAPPY!!! The only way one could get paralyzed from an epidural is if the patient did not do what was told and the anesthesiologist hit the wrong nerve. And the paralization isn't permanent if the nerve wasn't badly damaged. GL on your decision and with your baby :)

Answer 3

I don't know what else they can offer you to help with the pain. I had an epidural with the birth of my daughter, and I tell you - it was heaven sent! It was wonderful actually being able to get through a contraction without crying or hyperventalating by doing those "breathing exercises" they teach you in lamaz. Would I do without an epidural? Only if my baby's life depended on it. . .

The chance of paralization is very small. The only reason there is a chance is that they inject the medication right directly into the spinal cord, between two vertabra. There was slight discomfort during the actual epidural, but the results far outweighed the risks for me.

Best thing to do is to speak to your doctor and find out the options, risks and what will be best for you.

Answer 4

Epidurals are wonderful things. I was so nervous about getting one and I tried the other drugs. Nubain is very very nice. Althought with any other methods besides an epidural, at some point you cant have anymore.No matter how much pain you are in. And if you can make it through giving birth without drugs then labor should be no task. SO I'd ask for nubain if you are wanting to try something different. Yo uwont feel anything liek contractions just liek an epidrual but it wears off. I promise you that when your labor starts, you do NOT feel that needle in your back. Other pains will take over your thoughts lol. And it is a very very very slim chance of you being parralized. Someone holds your front liek around your shoulders and its not as bad as most say. It is a very nice thing to get. The only drawbacks are a lot of me and my friends have a had back troubles since getting our epidurals. But its nothing major.

Answer 5

I would suggest going over all of your options with your doctor. But I will share my experiences with you.

I had a little bit of a pain killer in the IV during labor... the problem with that was it was of no use when it was time to deliver because it wore off, and they don't want to give more when the baby is so close b/c they don't want the baby to come out drugged.

The second delivery I did it all natural... nothing just a lot of support from my coaches. And the doctor did "ringing". It wasn't bad.

With my third child I had the epidural. I believe it was great. I was scarred but then when I couldn't take the pain anymore I requested it. It worked great. No side effects. You just have to be as still as possible. Your partner or nurse can help hold you still. I wouldn't worry too much.

You can always go in and see how much pain you can handle. If you need something... ask. There is nothing wrong going in and changing your mind. I would suggest trying it natural and see what happens from there. Best of luck to you. And congrats. Hope this helped a little =)

Answer 6

Let me give you my three examples to help you with your thoughts on an epidural....my first pregnancy: I went into labor and wanted an epidural, all the while knowing I shouldn't have it, but being in too much pain. Because my doctor knew I didn't want one, he didn't give me one and everything turned out fine in the end. Second pregnancy: I screamed for an epidural again and this doctor gave it to me, I was completely incapacitated and the delivery took an extra 2 hours because I had no ability to push. Third pregnancy: I bottom line told the doctor no epidural and the labor and delivery was so short (4 hours) I never needed one. So, my experience with epidurals is that even though the pain can be unbearable at times, try not to have one. I think it is best. Prayers and congratulations!

Answer 7

I really don't think any dr will be giving you morphine...the drugs go right to the baby too. I had one shot of demorol. That didn't even touch the pain. I went to fast to get an epidural. If i have a 2nd get, believe me, I'll be getting the epidural. The pain was INTENSE, EXCRUCIATING. Get the epidural so you can relax and try to enjoy.
I have heard that the baby is not as alert when they first come out if you get the ep. because the drugs affect them as well.

I'm sure your dr would have the best info for you.

Answer 8

the chances of becoming paralyzed are extremely rare and only happen if it's not done properly. I didn't want an epidural with my last baby but i ended up having one after i used other painkillers that didnt' work. you can you stadol and demerol, but they will only make you high as a kite for about 10 min. then the pain will come crashing back. i would suggest the epidural but get a spinal first, thats where they numb the area they put the spinal in, so you don't even feel it when they put it in. and you can have them turn it off when you are ready to push like i did, otherwise you won't be able to feel how hard you are pushing and may tear worse than if you don't continue to have the epidural. good luck!

Answer 9

There are 2 different types of meds you probably get a chose of. One is called Systemic Meds. Systemic painkillers such as narcotics dull your pain but don't completely eliminate it. You may also be given a tranquilizer — alone or in combination with a narcotic — to reduce anxiety or nausea, or to relax you. Systemic drugs are either delivered through an IV line to your bloodstream or injected into a muscle, and they affect your entire body rather than concentrating pain relief in the uterus and pelvic area. They may make you feel sleepy, but unlike the general anesthesia that's often given for surgery, they won't make you unconscious. A lot of hospitals use Nubane.. which I got with both my pregnancies. In England Nitrous Oxide is commonly used but very rarely used in the US.

The other type of pain relief is either an epidural or spinal or combined spinal/epidural block. A combined spainl/epidural block is a newer technique that offers the rapid pain relief of a spinal and the continuous relief of the epidural. I also got this with my second pregnancy when the nubane didnt do anything.

I am 7 wks pregnant and will be going to lamaze classes to try to have this one natural: since is will be my last baby I would try having one without pain meds but Im also aware that I have a low tolerance to pain so pain meds are an option I am fully open too :)

This web site should help you with the pros and cons of each type of pain relief. Good Luck and Congrats.

http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/childbirth/164.html?ccRelLink=&url=%2Frefcap%2Fpregnancy%2Fchildbirth%2F1491094.html&xTopic=givebirth&bus=content

Answer 10

There are risks with everything really. I was going to have the epidural when I gave birth to my son at the beginning of this year. I didn't go ahead with it in the end. I coped on gas and air, along with controlled breathing techniques. The gas and air didn't take away all the pain, but it relaxed me a great deal. I was able to leave the hospital 4 hours after giving birth as everything went very well. Good luck and I hope all goes well for you and baby