pain relief during labor?

Question

i am scared of getting and epidural the thought of a needle going in my back drives me crazy, and i want to be able to feel some of whats going on and have the urge to push. What other types of pain relief are there and where can i get more information about them. I go to the doctor tomorrow and i would like to talk to him about a few different choice. what did you use? Is it better to go with out any pain relief?

Answer 1

Go natural!!! It is awesome! Sure, a lot of people will think that your nuts, but it is an indescribable experience and well worth it. My husband and I took a natural childbirth class, the Bradley method. It was a twelve week class (time varies depending upon teacher) and very hands-on. How we see it, you don't drug your baby the entire 9 months, so why start during labor? (And yes, drugs do affect the baby!!!) Also, I'd recommend a doula who will help support you during labor. Your doctor may support you on these decisions and remember that a midwife is an option, too! Good luck!

Answer 2

I didn't have an epidural with either of my kids. I had the option of having one, but I decided that unless it was absolutely necessary I wasn't going to do it. When I had my son six weeks ago, they gave me some type pain medication that started with an "N" (sorry I can't remember the exact name) and I thought it worked better than the Demerol that I had with my first son. I was in a lot of pain and when they put it in my IV I was able to relax and even catch a little bit of sleep before I had my son.

I know how you feel about the whole needle in the back part. When I read about the epidural it scared the crap out of me and I didn't want to do it. However I had so many people saying I should do it that in the end I just left the option open. However, the nurse in the hospital told me I was better off without having it done. I guess there is a recovery period after you get one done, where if you don't have one done you are good to go right away. Just talk to your doctor about it ahead of time and I would say if you don't think you absolutely need one, don't do it.

Just my opinion :)

Answer 3

I had an epidural with my first child but it happened too late and as soon as the needle went in I was pushing and I didn't feel the pain med till after the birth. With my second child he came so fast there was no time for meds of any kind and all I can tell you is that the pain is not as bad as you have been led to believe and the second the baby comes you will not even remember feeling pain. It is a wonderful relief to feel the pain of pushing the baby out because the contractions during labor hurt worse than giving birth. Good luck and go natural!

Answer 4

I wanted to have a water birth because I always take hot baths when I have bad monthly cramps. Unfortunately the hospital near my home does not do water births. I studied up on the epidural and was surprised that it had no effect on the baby. I got it as soon as I could, and I was very satisfied. I only had an hour and a half of moderate pain and then the epidural. Labor was actually a great experience. I still felt enough to know when to push, etc. They can easily change the level of pain relief/numbness you're receiving so if you want to feel more they adjust the dose or something.

Answer 5

By the time they got to my room with the intrathecal (similar to epidural), I didn't care if the needle was as big as a telephone pole! I hurt so bad I just wanted the pain to stop, no matter how they had to do it. They spray your back with a numbing agent first and you don't even feel the needle go in. And then, whoo ahhhhhhhhhhhh, all of a sudden the pain is GONE! As soon as the meds hit, I had a sort of intuition that I could be pushing, so I asked the doc and she said, by gosh you're ten centimeters, yup, you can push! I never felt any "urge" to push, but because of the meds, I was very focused and very present for the pushing and was able to do it easily and with no pain.

By the way the Stadol or whatever they gave me early on was useless.

Answer 6

I went without pain meds but i wanted to experience natural birth.
I didn't have much pain and because i hate needles so much I didn't even need an IV either. It wasn't really that bad about 5 to 8 bad contractions but that was it and then you are able to push and that is a relief.
Good luck but if you really want to experience it go drug free. it is worth it.
momof4

Answer 7

There are pain medications they can give you through your IV. One is Nubain. I would suggest that. I plan on having it when I have my next kid. I personally have decided not to do the epidural anymore. I am too nervous when they put it in, and I have decided with my next one to just try Nubain. I would recommend at least some pain medication instead of going without, but I'm a baby when it comes to pain!

Answer 8

I hate the thought of that myself. I had some meds through my iv. They say that it works the best the first time and not so much after. It helped me. I still hurt and screamed and cried and kept asking myself what I was thinking wanting to do that again. But you know what, after it has all be said and done, I cant wait to do it again. I would share your fears with your doctors and see what they say, I waited till the pain got bad before I started the med so it would work better and I could enjoy it more. Congrats and good luck!!

Answer 9

The epidural is awesome. I'm a total wimp when it comes to pain, though.

I would check with your doctor about IV pain relief, but make sure you clarify that you don't want something that is going to make you stupid and delerious throughout labor and delivery.

Answer 10

My wife had an epidural with both our children, the pain relief far outways the needle issue. Get the epi, so you don't rip your hubby a new one when you are in labor!!