I wants some opinions because my mom keeps telling me that having the baby natural does not take as long but an epidural takes extra hours because you can not feel anything. What's your thoughts on this situation? I have also heard that some people end up having back problems after getting an epidural.
2007-03-28 02:24:04 · 22 answers · asked by cadenjoie321 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I have two kids and with both I got the epidural. I plan on having another child and will get one then too. It was a good experience because I still felt contractions, but was not totally uncomfortable. The wait time wasn't bad for me either. With my first child, I got the epidural at around 7 am and she was born at 1:17 p.m. Yea, that's six hours, but a "comfortable" six hours. But to those who have it natural, I gotta hand it to you!
2007-03-28 02:34:26 · answer #1 · answered by Peppermint 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had an epidural with my first pregnancy and, no I couldn't feel anything, but, I was only in labor for 7 hours. So, as far as extra hours, I think it depends on the person and their ability to push with the epidural. And now that I am pregnant again, I plan on having an epidural with this one also. I have also not had back problems from this. Again, I think it just depends on the person, and their choices.
2007-03-28 02:46:20 · answer #2 · answered by dolphins_chic_69 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm all for an epidural, but then again, I've been prone to countless complications in the past.
If you can do it without drugs, more power to you, but they have something called a "walking epidural" which will not numb your legs. You may want to ask about that instead. It will give you some mobility, but will take the edge off of the pain.
It USED to be thought that the epi slowed down the progression of labor, but now, there is evidence to contradict that belief. It can, however, slow down the delivery stage.
Talk to your OB about your pain relief options if you have to have them. The epi is by far the most popular, but they DO have others.
Good luck to you.
2007-03-28 02:49:59 · answer #3 · answered by <3 The Pest <3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had three children and I have never had an epidural. I have had them all fast. I am talking 3-5 hours fast. My first child was even 10 lbs. 2 oz. I guess I wouldn't know what the difference would be if I ever got one since I have nothing to compare it too.
If you really want to worry about getting one... I have a friend that was temporarily completely paralyzed from her epidural. It ended up in the wrong place and the medication traveled into her spinal column. Scary!!
2007-03-28 02:34:19 · answer #4 · answered by mrslet02 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
With my 1st I had pitocin and an epi. I think I had those things because I did not really have a birth plan and when you are in the middle of labor you will say anything. The epi did not really work for me....I felt everything and it just made my legs feel like they were numb and super heavy. Also, when you have the epi you cannot move around & get up to walk. Walking around will speed up your labor....gravity is your friend when you are waiting for the baby to descend and engage!! I am due in Nov. and I am definitly going to go the natural route this time. Also, as far as the pushing thing goes do not push like you are having a bm I mean seriously, we do not poop babies out. Start doing your Kegels now if you haven't already because that is what you should use to push. That will make your delivery faster.
2007-03-28 03:01:59 · answer #5 · answered by incubator 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's up to you. Try it naturally, and if you change your mind, it's no big deal. The anesthesiologist's feelings will not be hurt if you choose to go naturally, especially if you deliver in the middle of the night!
There is risk associated with epidurals, but they are safe and usually effective. There are much bigger risks associated with pregnancy. (If you want to be scared, look up amniotic fluid embolism, placental abruption and HELLP syndrome)
An epidural may prolong your labor, but by an average of 45 minutes. Remember, though, that's a comfortable 45 minutes for most women.
Whatever you choose, make it YOUR choice, not your Mom's. Good luck with labor, delivery and the new baby!
2007-03-29 17:23:31 · answer #6 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had all three of my children natural. It hurts, especially when I was dilated at a 6 and up, but once I had them, I recovered in amazing time. I was up and walking right after. My daughter, however, had an epidural, and is still occasionally experiencing back pains, and her daughter is almost 2. And while she was in labor, she didn't know when to push as she couldn't tell if she was having contractions. I recommend natural, with the occasional shot of something (nubain, i think it's called). But of course, people change their mind when the pain gets intense!
2007-03-28 04:03:52 · answer #7 · answered by cyndi a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hun, I have had 3 little terrors (bless) two with epidurals and one natural not even gas and air (woohooo for me lol). My advice to u is not to set anything in stone, just go with the flow so to speak,
if the pain gets too bad then ask for pain relief, believe me u will know when it gets to the stage of not being to handle it, and by the way the birth of my last son (natural) took a whole lot longer than the other two with epidurals.
I have also never heard of any back problems being directly contributed to an epidural.
good luck and congratulations xxxx ;-)
2007-03-28 02:57:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was in labor for 6 hours with my first one and got my epidural 2 hours before she was born, I couldn't feel any contractions but I felt my push pains. With my second one labor was so short there was no time for an epidural, and with my last one labor was about 4 hours with epidural given 3 hours before she was born. Even though I couldn't feel anything I never had any trouble pushing with any of them, I've never pushed over 10 minutes.
2007-03-28 02:53:04 · answer #9 · answered by Jennifer L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to research the pros and cons of the epidural. There are a lot of risks associated with it that women don't know about. I had an epidural the last time...it was the worst decision of my life. I had a "wet tap," and in fact I was told it was one of the worst wet taps they had ever seen or heard about. I ended up in far more pain than the contractions were. All I remember from my delivery was the pain from the wet tap (which was a spinal headache). This time, I researched my options and came up with a better solution for me: hypnobirthing. I'd advise you to look at all your options before making any decisions. Best of luck.
2007-03-28 02:41:11 · answer #10 · answered by duckygrl21 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋