Epidural or au natural???

Question

Just wondering how many of you had adverse affects from the epidural. I've registered for one, but I really want to try to do it on my own. (this is my first) I'm just a little nervous bc I've never experienced this before. I really want to try to go with out one but then again I don't want to hate the whole experience bc of the pain. So any of you who did it drug free for the first time, I'd love to hear your thoughts!!

Answer 1

I had an epidural the first time around and had the best labor and delivery. I was up and moving right after having my son. Up hanging curtains as soon as I got home. No healing process, nothing.

I'm due again in October and plan to have an epidural again.

Answer 2

Okay I did things a little backwards. This is my experience...
My first one I wanted to be as doped at they could get me. I am a sissy when it comes to pain and I couldn't even imagine giving birth without drugs. So I had the epidural. I got lucky because the guy was already on the floor. So I didn't feel any hard contractions at all. It was an easy delivery although it took 10 hours. I wasn't in any pain and pushed without problems. I was able to enjoy my son and move around in a few hours.
My next pregnancy I also wanted to be doped like I was before. That was not happening. My baby came too fast. There was enough time to put the epidural in but no real meds just the starter they put in first to make sure it's in the right spot. So with this delivery I felt every contraction and every push near killed me. It does hurt a lot or maybe it hurt more because I'm a sissy. I don't know. But it hurt. I was still able to enjoy my daughter, but I was more tired, and in a lot more pain.
So if you want to get an epidural I say go for it. There was no reaction for me. I had no problems. If you think you can do it with no drugs then more power to you. You are a better woman than me. I tip my hat to all women who have done it au natural.

Answer 3

I have 2 children. I did the first completely natural and had the epidural with the second. If I have a third I will do it with the epidural. I was so consumed with getting through the pain that it took 2 hours for me to push my daughter out and I was completly exhausted. With my son I had the epidural (my husband wanted it) and I was able to enjoy my labor, pushed him out in 10 minutes (pushing didn't hurt so I was able to push more effectively) and I truly enjoyed the whole experience and was much less tired even though my labor with him was much longer.

Having my first one natural didn't make me a real woman or a better/stronger mother, being her mother for the past 16 yrs has. You need to remember that once you dialate to a certain point you can't get the epidural (it won't have time to be effective) and that it is OK to change your mind. Try it natural and see how you do but make sure that the staff knows that you want the option. This is a decision for you first and how is your husband going to be. Mine crawled into the bed with me because he felt it was the only way to help with the labor and I can't imagine going through it with him in a chair across the room so if that could happen you may want the help of the epidural.

Good luck and this decision is yours, I am not saying that natural isn't doable I am just saying for me it isn't necessary and I would rather enjoy my child coming into the world.

Answer 4

I haven't had any adverse affects from my epidural. I am such a big baby when it comes to pain. I knew I wouldn't have been able to do it on my own. That is the worst pain that I have ever felt. I was begging for the epidural as soon as they started me on the pitocin (sp). They wouldn't give it to me until I dilated 4 cm. However it took me about 11 hours to get there and that was after my water broke. They gave me the medication through the IV but that didn't help. The epidural was great. As soon as it kicked in I was awake and I was actually enjoying the experience. I know a lot of people go natural but it is really a personal choice. I had to have it.

Answer 5

I wanted to try it natural too, but when I got to about 5cm, even my hair hurt. The anesthesiologist came in and asked if I wanted an epidural and I said no first, but changed my mind a few minutes later. My husband almost passed out when they gave it to me and I was told that they lose more fathers to the epidural than the actual birth. After that, I barley felt the contractions and only really knew (unless they were big ones) by the monitor. Afterward, I needed help getting into the wheel chair and then bed... and the bathroom. My one leg was numb for about 6 hours after my daughter was born, so I needed help the next day too. I also had some head aches the first few weeks, but have been fine since. There are risks, so you do need to think about that. And even if you get one, they don't usually give it to you until you're about 5cm. And I was told the pain lessens a bit after that.

My advise: everyone is different, try to do it without, but always keep it as a option. And remember, if you decide you want one, they might not be able to give it to you right away because the anesthesiologist might not be available right then. I'm going to try to go without it again on my next one, but I wont rule it out either.

Answer 6

I tried to do it natural, but after being in labor for 30 hours, I cried mercy and had them give me a dose. The relief was immediate. You can wait for a long time to get the epidural. My advice is to try it natural and see if you can do it, if the pain is too much, then get an epidural. I was nervous about getting the epidural because I have had bad reactions to drugs in the past when I had surgery. I had no after-effects from the epidural though.

Answer 7

definately have an epidural. It is way to painful and tiring if you have a long labour without epidural. At least with the epidural you can just get your strength back and let your body do the work until its time to push. Epidurals are the best thing i have ever come across. and i will definately be having one for my second.
By the way, you can still feel the baby coming out so dont worry about that =) goodluck darlz xo

Answer 8

Go into labor with an open mind. I wanted to have my daughter naturally, but after 28 hours of labor I was so tired and needed to have an Epidural to get through it. I did make it to 8 cm before I did the whole Epidural thing.

Answer 9

You can get other things besides an epidural. You can get medicines through your IV that lessen the pain but don't completely block it like epidurals do. I had an epidural with my son and it was great, but my labor wasn't THAT bad so I wish I wouldn't have gotten it now. They had to tell me when to push and when I was having a contraction. It worked TOO well on me. lol I am 25 weeks with a girl now and I am just going to get pain meds through my IV instead of the epidural this time. There are other options besides epidurals though. Talk to your doctor about other options.

Answer 10

Drug Free!!
You should definately un-sign up for an epidural. They will push it on you like crazy. You should decide early on what your goal is and make sure everyone in the room is on the same page as you. That is the only way to get the birth you want.
I hung a sign on my door that said That kept it at bay. Then I was able to actually decide if that's what I wanted.
By the way I delivered 2 babies au natural. Abby was 9lbs 4 oz and Jack was 10lbs 3 oz. They were both beautiful deliveries. I was begging for a drug of any sort at the transition time, but who isn't? And by the way, you can't have it then...it's dangerous for the baby... it's too much for them to handle right before delivery. So, essentially drugs are really only around to make you more comfortable during the first 7 cms.
Also, I know a woman who got an epidural at 6 cms and her son wasn't breathing when he was born. (He is fine now.) Yes, that could be from a number of things... not neccesarily the epidural... but is it worth the risk? The down side is way too much for me to handle. The pain was over the second the baby was out.
I could feel everything and I didn't tear with either delivery. I also delivered my son in the tub and that was fantastic!
Good luck. And remember, make sure everyone knows what you want....especially your husband. (He'll be the one flagging down the Dr begging for him to put you out of your misery.)

After reading the other people's ideas for you I wanted to add this:
If you get an epidural you have to deliver in bed, on your back. I know that sounds normal but think about it. You can't walk around to help labor progress, you can't eat or drink, you can't pee (hello catheter!). I walked through all of my labors. I had 12 hour (or less) from start to finish with both of my kids.
Also keep in mind the type of support you will have. If you have a midwife, someone who advocates you and your plan, and a supportive husband, you can do it naturally. I pity women who say they got the epidural when they walked in the door. They have no idea what a strong wonderful feeling it is to know that you did this. You birthed your child. You alone. YOu didn't need a doctor, or a drug, you are in charge of your birth. I squatted for my first and I wouldn't have been able to do that if I had an epidural.

Answer 11

They have a pain med they can give through the IV. It has been 7 years since my last child, but it was called Nubain (SP?). I used it with all 3 of my kids. Only side effect I had was with my first child. They gave me too much and I didn't feel contractions. They had to tell me when I was having a contraction so I would know when to push.

With my last, I progressed too fast for a second dose so I had no meds in my system for delivery. It was painful, but nothing a few screams didn't take care of, lol. I was angry at the hospital staff for telling me I had to wait 15 more mins before I could push since they were in the middle of a shift change. It is more painful to try to keep a baby from coming than to actually deliver. The delivery in that case was a relief.

I am pregnant now and I am planning on doing it all without any meds. I figure I have done the hard part without meds, why not go for it all.