Epidural vs. Narcotic Pain Relief...?

Question

I'm about 34 weeks pregnant and the whole idea of labor scares me. Im trying to decide what the best pain relief option will be. I've heard so many horrible things about the epidural and so many horrible things about narcotic medications such as demerol. Which would work better for baby and I? If you've had either or, can you share your experience with me? Thanks so much!

Answer 1

The best case scenario for an uncomplicated, low-risk labor and birth, is to not use any unnecessary medications or interventions. This is what is physically best for mom *and* baby, in a *normal* labor and birth. All experiences are different, though, and many complications can arise which require the use of medications/interventions, or the meds may at least be helpful in resolving certain issues (failure to progress, exhaustion, mom over-anxious, etc.).

Epidurals numb you from the waist or chest down. Once you're given an epidural, you are stuck in bed on your back, which is not an effective position for laboring and assisting dilation. Epidurals can cause a drop in blood pressure, requiring blood pressure meds, which all affect the baby. Epidurals can cause a fever, requiring both mother *and* baby to take antibiotics because you can't take the chance in case it's really an infection setting in. Antibiotics can seriously interfere with many things in the newborn, including breastfeeding. Epidurals can slow down labor, requiring the use of Pitocin to get things moving again. Pitocin increases several risks for mom and baby as well. Every choice you make during your labor will have a snowball effect on what happens next, and all can negatively affect the outcome for mother and baby. And I haven't even mentioned the headache and sometimes back pain that can occur once the birth is over.

Narcotics do have some of the same risks, especially risks of depressing the newborn's breathing, heart rate, and sucking reflex (epidurals can do this as well). But in general, they are in and out of the mother's and baby's systems faster. The downside is that they are far less effective than epidurals. The results vary from woman to woman; some women experience no lessening of pain, but the narcotics cause her to not really remember it afterward. Sometimes they will "take the edge off" the pain, only to a slight extent, but enough to let the mother continue laboring in control of the situation. Sometimes they do nothing, and an epidural is needed. More meds in both mom and baby's systems, again.

Nothing we do to ourselves or our babies during the labor and birth process is without consequence. Interventions as simple as external monitoring devices (which keep you on your back for extended periods) and IV fluids (which can dilute your bloodstream, therefore dilute the labor hormones, slowing labor and requiring use of Pitocin... see how it snowballs?) can alter the course of our birth experience. Even making the choice to have a 100% natural, drug-free labor can end up being a bad thing, if the mother and/or baby would be better off *with* a particular medicine or intervention, and the mother stubbornly refuses due to her desire to continue on the natural course for her birth.

The BEST option for you, is to educate yourself beyond the basics, of the most common labor medications and interventions, when they are necessary or indicated, and what the consequences of each can be. Educate yourself about common labor complications, and what course of action the doctors in your area/hospital usually take when these complications arise. Then, when the time comes, you can be a partner, a participant, in creating the best, safest, healthiest labor and birth experience for yourself and your baby.

Congratulations, and best of luck!

Answer 2

Narcotics can reduce the rate of breathing, and thus, cannot be used near the end of labour, to make sure that when the baby is born he/she has no difficult breathing. The most common side effect for the mother is constipation.

As a mom, I must say most women want the most pain control near the end of the labor.

Epidurals use narcotics injected into your epidural space in your spine. Because the medicine is going into your spine, it will not hit your blood supply, and therefore will not go to your baby. However, some women can get a bad headache from the epidural.

In my personal experience, I am glad I had an epidural. I was really nervous about getting it inserted, but it actually hurt less than the IV. Once it was in it was hooked up to a machine, so that if I was sore I could push a button to get medicine.

I was even able to have a nap in the delivery room!

Remember, the horror stories travel much more than the success stories! Many woman have safely used either drug, if that was not the case, they would not be used anymore.

Answer 3

I feel for you since I am also scared of labour. I am 39.5 weeks along now so it's coming soon. What horrible things have you heard about epidurals? I am an RN and did a lot of research on them. Epidurals are the way to go, well over narcotic meds like demerol. But the key to epidurals is they can slow down labour and make it a bit less effective for the woman to push her baby out. If you get an epidural, it's best to wait until you are 5 cm along and try and bear it till then....use the laughing gas...if it will work for you. The risks associated with epidurals include a longer labour, might get a headache afterwards, and there is a EXTREMELY small chance of paralysis...1 in 100,000. The demerol apparently gets to your baby a heck of a lot quicker and apparently I heard from friends that it doesn't work.

Answer 4

I've had both during my last pregnancy. First I got the demerol and it was like I was in a coma. I don't remember anything that went on, what people were saying to me...it was terrible and I would never go through that again. I basically slept through my entire labor without experiencing any of it until the end. My husband was amazed, though, that the contractions were pretty intense and I would sleep right through them. When the demerol wore off, the contractions were unbearable. I got an epidural and was at least awake enough to push. I didn't feel the pain of the contractions but I was able to feel the pressure to know when I could push and to feel the baby coming out. I am opting to hold out for as long as I can, but I'd much rather go for the epidural this time, but will never take demerol again. I would definately recommend the epidural.

Answer 5

I have to have C-sections, but before I knew this, I went through labor. I wanted to try it without medication, then when it got too much for me, I moved to a narcotic then the epidural. My doctor was fully supportive, and I recommend doing it that way. The epidural/spinal is the worst pain I have EVER felt, but they work. You can get out of bed with a narcotic, but not with the epidural.

Answer 6

I think you should plan on an epidural. The demerol and stadol make you feel all drugged up and woozey(these will also be in your baby's blood stream as well, which may make them feel the same way you feel). The epidural is going to help you relax and get some rest while being in labor. Then again, you never know how fast your labor is gonna go, so you really should wait until you're in labor to make your final decision. Keep your options open. You may be stronger than you think and not need or won't have the time for anything. I was scared too, but labor ended up not being as hard as I thought and I went all natural with no drugs or epidural at all. Make sure you educate yourself as much as you can on the epidural, drugs, and all natural delievery. Good Luck.

Answer 7

I had an epidural with both my births. I had a great experience. Having the epidural is weird feeling - but not exceptionally painful. The good thing about it is you awake and aware just not in pain. I would think the narcotics would make you "loopy" and you need to be clear-minded when it comes to the pushing. Also the narcotics would make the baby loopy too I would think. I had great luck with the epidural!!!

Answer 8

Try to go without and work your way up. Do some of the exercise/walking options until the point you cant stand it. Then get narcotics then the epidural if to that point. Go in thinking with an attitude that you wont need anything.

Answer 9

epidural narcotic pain relief

Answer 10

I refused to have Demerol because I had heard so many bad things about it. I did get an epidural and it was wonderful. The pain went away almost instantly, my son had no side effects and I have not had any back problems because of it.

I will definitely not hesitate to have one again.