How bad does having a baby natural hurt?

Question

I don't want an epidural. Is there anyone who had a natural birth and was it bearable. Also any thoughts on why you think woman should not get epidurals. Aren't there some small risks with very bad outcomes like becoming paralyzed as a result.

Thanks

Answer 1

I've had three kids. Spinal block with the first, natural with the 2nd and a shot of nubane with the 3rd.
There is a lot less afterpain with a natural birth but it does hurt. Feels like you're trying to poop out a watermelon. I do not recommend a spinal unless you have to have a c-section. I had spinal fluid leak out so had a hellacious headache when I'd sit up but when I'd lay down it felt like my back was going to break in two.
Try it natural, some women can tolerate the pain better then others. They can always give you a shot if it gets too bad. I had the shot with my 3rd because he was face up and his hard head was pressing against my spinal nerves and that hurt worse then having the 2nd one natural.
After I had my 2nd one, I was ready to get up and go home within 30 minutes of having him.

Answer 2

Well child birth is different for every person. My sister has had 3 natural child births and says she will never have an epidural.

I delievered my daughter natural and I would never have an epidural either.

You have to remember you will not make up your mind till you are there in the delievery room and going through the labor process yourself.

You can't always listen to other women when it comes to your question because everyones delievery is different and some people have a higher level for pain and some don't. You could always go with the natural child birth and use the hot tubs they have at the hospital to calm some of the pain and remember to breath.

Epidural's do have some side effects like any other drug out there. Yes if the anisteologist hits the wrong spot it can cause you to become paralyzed.

I have a friend that had an epidural with her last 2 children and she says still that she can feel the pain in her back from the epidural and they had it in correctly its just it sits in your spine and some women will feel some pain after for a few years.

I hope this all helps.

Answer 3

i had one with my first...it took them about 45 minutes to get in..im not even sure what the problem was. All I know is I was super uncomfortable and could feel the blood running down my back like someone had poured some warm water on it. It was horrible. Then the thing only lasted about an hour and my contractions were that much stronger. The pain of labor is intense but well, us women can get through it. It's a pain I can't even explain but as soon as the baby comes out it's like it never happened! I mean it's like it suddenly goes away (well, mild contractions continue to get the afterbirth delivered.) Do a web search for the pros and cons of having an epidural. I'm 37 weeks pregnant with my third child and I'm not sure if I want to even try that again. I've been debating and I'm not even in labor yet lol. I guess I'll see when the time comes. The one thing I do have to say that was great about it, it gave me a chance to relax and jst wait for the time to push. It does make it a lot better, if it goes well, in my opinion but well, everyone is different. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 4

I've never had an epidural, so I can't give you a comparison, but my natural birth was managably painful. The important thing about the pain of childbirth is that it is not constant, and it has a purpose. If I compare childbirth to when I broke my arm, or even some really bad migraines, I'd take the birth every time. When I felt a contraction coming on, I'd assume the most comfortable position and ride it out. When they started getting longer and more intense, I began reciting a poem I like in my mind. The contractions were never longer than the poem, and it helped me put them in, I dunno, some sort of perspective. During transition I think I was in an almost hypnotised state, but, hey, it worked.

One payoff was in the pushing stage. I was able to activly work with my contractions when I needed to, and stop myself from pushing when the midwives needed to resolve a cord wrap. Being fully aware of my labor was important to me, and I believe it helped things go more smoothly.

If you don't want an epidural, don't have one. Just make sure you have a birth team that will help you have a good birth. (the only time my contractions were truely horrible was when they came while I was lying on my back. you want to be able to move around and find comfortable positions.)

Answer 5

I had my daughter without pain medication. I just told myself if at any point it got absolutley unbearable, I would get an epidural. If someone needs it or wants it, I don't see a problem with it. My pain tolerance may be higher than someone elses. I didn't think it was as bad as what I imagined it would be through my pregnancy. I am planning my second labor/delivery the same way. If I need it, I will get it. I think that a headache is a more common negative outcome than the risk of paralysis. Also, sometimes it can numb you so well that it takes longer to push because you can't tell where you are pushing from. Good luck!

Answer 6

I'd say it depends on your pain tolerency and how long your labor is. I had my 2nd child natural because my epidural didn't work, and it wasn't that bad, but I have a VERY high pain tolerency, and my labor didn't last but about 3 hours.
The risk of becoming paralyzed with an epidural is low. But, some people have back pain after having one.

Answer 7

i didn't want an epidural either. i did 13 hours naturally...just in labour and riding out the contractions. which weren't any worse than my worst cramps...but i always get BAD CRAMPS sooo.... but then i got tired and didn't want to deal anymore...so i had the epidural...thank god cause i was in labour for 12 more hours!!!

and the epidural didn't hurt or anything and it wore off before pushing so that was cool.

i felt her come out...but it didn't hurt...i can't describe it...i think it was so stretched out down there that it was just naturally numb.

our bodies are made to do this....it isn't all that bad. people make such a big deal about it...but women in other countries do it naturally and in fields and whatnot.

relax...you'll be fine. the risks of being paralyzed aresmall and they don't mean paralyzed forever...only until it wears off. but i've NEVER known that to happen to anyone and i know lots of people who've had an epidural.

congrats!

Answer 8

I won't lie - natural childbirth is painful, but not unbearable. (Just think, women have been doing it for ages!) There are methods other than drugs to help you relax and refocus during labor, and I suggest that you learn as much as you can about them - whether you choose Lamaze classes, hypnobirthing, or something else. I also highly recommend finding a birth doula to assist you during labor - she'll be able to suggest positions to help ease pain, and help your partner know how to help you as well. If you can't find a doula, at the very least plan to surround yourself with positive people who support your choices during birth. So many people will tell you horror stories about "how bad" natural birth is - try to distance yourself from them. You CAN do it if you want to and set your mind to it. Consider discussing a birth plan with your OB or midwife and taking a written copy with you to the hospital where you plan to deliver - that way everyone will know your wishes without you having to remember to vocalize them.

As for epidurals...there are many risks involved, some minor and some quite serious. The least of the effects is that it can cause nausea/vomiting or a severe spinal headache in the mother (and yes, they can result in paralysis, nerve damage, etc.) They don't always control pain as evenly or thoroughly as they should. They very often prolong labor - leading to the need for a labor stimulating drug (Pitocin), and very often lead to fetal distress as well. I admit, I am biased against epidurals as I had one with my first pregnancy - I didn't know the risks involved then - and it was the absolute worst part of my labor and delivery.

I am attaching a link below that outlines the risks associated with an epidural - there are many more than I've listed here. I also recommend reading "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth", by Henci Goer. It's fascinating reading for a pregnant woman, and absolutely supports your desire to give birth naturally.

Best of luck to you, and congratulations on your coming baby!

Answer 9

I have had three unmedicated births. Your attitude going into it makes a HUGE difference. If you go into it expecting it to be the worst experience of your life, it will be. If you use positive affirmation and go into it thinking, "I can do this! It will probably hurt some, but I can handle it!" Then you probably will handle it!

I tell moms that the key is education, preparation and support.

Educate yourself about labor and birth. Learn the potential risks and benefits of different interventions. Learn as much as you can. Read a lot!

Preparation. Learn and practice coping techniques. Deep relaxation. (Getting a massage every month during pregnancy will help you learn to totally relax, will keep away pregnancy aches and pains and will also help balance your body, making labor easier.) Consider chiropractic care as well. Consider gettting a birth ball/exercise ball. Practice squatting. Write up a list of affirmations. Consider buying aromatherapy oils (peppermint for nausia and lavendar for relaxation).

Support. Consider hiring a doula. (Some hospitals will provide one for free if you ask in advance.) Make sure hubby and your caregiver understand your birth wishes. Write a birth plan and discuss it with them.

In labor, use specific words to describe what you're feeling. Don't just think "pain" or "hurts" but instead specific words like: stretching, pressure, burning, etc. These more specific words make things less scary and easier to deal with.

Remember that often times, the point where you think "I can't do this!" actually means you are getting close to the end!

Consider having a waterbirth. My two waterbirths were amazing. It provides SOOOOooooooo much pain relief! Some women call it an "aquadural" because the pain relief from the warm water is that great.

Answer 10

i've done it both ways.. buy only b/c the epidural woudlnt work in one of my labors.. and yes its excruciating... being paralyzed is an extremely small risk. After having my second natural i didnt even want to try an epidural for last child, i figured it wouldnt work anyway. i made it 20 hrs into labor and i was in so much pain the doctors were begging me to get one, at that point i lost my will power and was simply exhausted so i got one, thank god b/c my last labor was my longest and also resulted in a 4th degree tear with a lot of blood loss and more stitches than you can count.. i woudlnt want to have experienced that WITHOUT an epidural. no thank you!