I'm due in February and I've read about the pro's and con's of an epidural. I just wanted to know if there were any other alternatives for the pain. Just trying to hit all the bases.
2006-12-24 07:01:34 · 5 answers · asked by chris_afgirl 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Yes there are. You could have IV pain meds during delivery. You could also have a block done on the nerves in the pelvic floor just prior to delivery. I've had two kids and honestly the most painful part was the contractions before delivery. I had back labor with the first(which I could not have stood without the epidural) and stomach labor with the second(which I could have endured with just pain meds, but the anesthesiologist kept pushing for me to get the epi so he wouldn't have to come back later if I decided the pain was too much)
2006-12-24 07:07:43 · answer #1 · answered by Sissy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there are a few other meds that they can give you that help you ease the pain, but I don't know if it takes the pain away. With my daughter I was only in labor for 12 hours and thought I could do it naturally, but because they had to induce me my contractions were off the doctors monitors. I started crying and told the nurse I want drugs now!!!!! The nurse calmly said would you like something to subside the pain a little or an epidural to take most or all of the pain away. I told her the epidural cause I just couldn't stand the pain anymore. I got the epidural and it was great. Even during my delivery was it wonderful. I didn't feel anything but a little pressure during my delivery. I was pushing and didn't think I was doing anything, but the doctor said I was doing very well. But then they brought a mirror in for me to use to watch my progress with the delivery since I couldn't tell if my pushing was working or not. Sure enough I only pushed 3 or 4 times and it only took about 5 - 10 minutes of delivery and my beautiful little girl was here. I would highly recommend the epidural over anything else. Good Luck and any decision you make will be the right one. Happy Holidays!
2006-12-24 07:58:04 · answer #2 · answered by Nicole 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My sister in law couldnt get an epi the first pregnancy.. im not exactly sure why but it had something to do with her spine. The second pregnancy.. she went into labor too fast, and they didnt have time. Both times, they gave her a shot in her pelvic floor.. which she said numbed it a bit.. but it still hurt alot. She also had an IV started about 30 minutes before each birth, and they gave her a general painkiller.. but she said that did nothing for her during the actual birth, and it only helped after the fact.
I had an epi.. best decision of my life, however, at the point where you are actually actively pushing out the baby, epi or not.. it hurts, and it hurts alot. At least that was my experience. I hate to think what it would have been like without one!
2006-12-24 07:15:50 · answer #3 · answered by Kristin B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many non-medicated options click here for the full detail: http://www.brighamandwomens.org/painfreebirthing/nonmedicated.aspx
You can also request an appointment with the anesthesiologist assigned to your delivery and have all your medical questions answered in regard to medicating.
I tried natural for my 1st and it lasted so long I finally had to be medicated because I was too tense - I chose medication for the next to to expedite delivery. Every story is different but if you have all the facts behind you you will make the right decision. Good Luck!
2006-12-24 07:07:15 · answer #4 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes there is morphine or laughing gas they both do not help alot if you keep sucking back on the laughing gas really hard it kind of works both of them do not take away the pain like the epdural
2006-12-24 07:06:46 · answer #5 · answered by goodmommy22 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋