I've got all the facts about using both and trying to make the birth plan. I am just not sure and thought maybe some of you may know from experience. Thank you!
2007-02-03 00:23:48 · 14 answers · asked by meme 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I have had 3 awake births. My son, my first child, was born without any pain control at all. I still wanted more children! Didi it hurt, YES but only for a little while. My 2nd child, oldest daughter was born with narcotics. I fell asleep and woke up to her head exiting the birth canal. My my 4th child, she was taken by emergency C Section, I had no choices, so My last baby was a c section also, but with the epidural, I felt NOTHING. I don't know how I would have pushed her out, but lots of women do. If I was to have another child with natrual child birth, I would choose no medication. Both mom and baby are more alert and you honestly forget the pain while you are holding you new baby. Doc will give you a local if he needs to do any stitching, if you don't get pain meds. PLUS if you are going to breastfeed, you probably shouldn't get the narcotics, or your baby will be groggy the next day.
2007-02-03 01:14:40 · answer #1 · answered by Renee B 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
An epidural causes you to feel almost paralyzed from the waist down. True you will feel no pain, except from the needle going into your spine, but you will have to be told when you are having contractions because you will not be able to feel that either. I didn't have an epidural (too scared of the needle), but my mother did, and told me that she regretted it because she missed the experience of feeling the baby coming out.
With narcotics, the drug will enter the babies blood stream. True it will ware off eventually, but the baby's APGAR scale (the way they measure the infants reaction time among other things) will be affected. I was always afraid of permanent damage from the drug.
Why not make your birth plan a natural one. I have 3 children and used only my lamas training to help control the pain. They teach lamas classes at the hospital for a small fee. I know that it is very difficult and scary, but you should try it. If you are in too much pain, you will still be able to receive the narcotics.
I am very happy with my choice of natural delivery. Each one was difficult and painful, (I won't lie about that) but absolutely wonderful in it's own way. When you are holding that child you will feel so relieved and happy, you won't remember the pain. I wouldn't change the experiences for the world. Honestly, I was more afraid of the epidural needle and the drugs than of giving birth.
I hope this was helpful. Good luck with whatever decision that you make.
2007-02-03 09:53:53 · answer #2 · answered by Tink 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just remember that if you go the narcotics route the baby will get it too! I had a c-section after 12 hours of labor (without pushing) with an epidural...did not feel a thing. Also know that they can only wait so long before they are unable to give you an epidural anymore when you are in labor...my friend found out the hard way!
2007-02-03 08:35:03 · answer #3 · answered by amyjo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you had to choose, I would probably say the epidural. They can make giving birth more difficult though, because you are flat on your back and gravity isn't on your side.
My son is 1, and I had him with no pain medication. My motivation there was simple: I am absolutely terrified of needles. I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was so amazing... yes, it hurt like crazy, but when it was over, there was such a feeling of relief like I've never felt before or since. I took a Bradley class, and it really prepared me for what my body would be doing throughout. That helped the most.
Whatever you choose, I hope it goes well for you! Either way, your goal is the same: a healthy, beautiful baby. Good luck!! :)
2007-02-03 09:33:04 · answer #4 · answered by JK 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd definitely go for the epidural. With the narcotics, you're not as able to be awake and aware as you are with an epidural. Also, the epidural does not affect your baby, and narcotics do.
2007-02-03 08:33:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say epidural. It doesn't make you feel woozy or out of it. You'll want to be coherent to see your baby enter the world! I didn't feel "paralyzed", they can turn the medication up or down if you're feeling too numb. They also turn it down or totally off in most cases to push. You need to feel to push. My kids all came out awake and extremely healthy and ready to face the world, not anymore or less sleepy than a baby delivered with no drugs. It is hard work being born!!
Let me clear up one myth before you really decide. THERE IS NO NEEDLE IN YOUR SPINE WITH AN EPIDURAL. They place a catheter in your spinal space (it's a tube, basically) and not into your spine or spinal cord.
2007-02-03 10:52:29 · answer #6 · answered by Trouble's Mama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a guy, I feel funny answering this question. But, I can tell you that my wife had the Epidural, and it made all the difference in the world. My sister had nothing, and wishes she would've had the Epidural.
2007-02-03 08:33:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been told that the epidural has none of the drug get into the baby's system.
Any drug the give to you in the IV or by way of a shot or any gas you may get WILL go into the baby's system.
That's what I was told by my doctor any way.
Anything you do or don't do has risks that come with it. Talk to your doctor about this .
Good luck & happy birthing day. ~;}
2007-02-03 08:38:23 · answer #8 · answered by ancestorhorse 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
omg i couldn't do the labor without an epidural, I tried doing just the pain meds... not going to happen.. didn't do anything for me... best to go with an epidural.
2007-02-03 08:48:10 · answer #9 · answered by sleepyincarolina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definately the epidural !
2007-02-03 08:39:42 · answer #10 · answered by JiminyCricket 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋