Should I use an epidural during labor and delivery?

Question

OK- Here's the thing: I am 32 weeks pregnant, and I still haven't decided what kind of medications I want to use during labor and delivery. I kinda want to use just a "local" anesthetic, but people have told me that isn't strong enough. Should I use an epidural??? HELP!

Answer 1

A local anesthetic isn't going to do a darn thing for you - they only use that right on the perineum if you are likely to tear or they need to do an episiotomy. It is NOT for labor.

Your only (medication) pain relief options for labor are the epidural and IV narcotics like Nubain or Fentanyl. The IV meds usually don't work very well either - they can "take the edge off" your contractions so they might feel less intense at the peak, and you are able to relax more fully in between, but you will definitely still be uncomfortable when you are in active, hard labor. Also, IV narcotics cross the placenta and will affect the baby just like it affects you, making them sleepy - so it is not a good thing if the narcotics are administered close to delivery, it can affect the baby's respiratory efforts and sometimes the baby needs a little help to get enough oxygen at birth.

An epidural is the most effective method of pain relief. It makes you very numb from your nipple line down. It does NOT take ALL the pain away - especially for the actual delivery, you will feel more pressure and cramping - but trust me, it is totally manageable and is nothing like if you went at it without the epidural.

The placement of the epidural isn't painful either - the worst is when they numb your back with local anesthetic, you'll feel the poke and a burning sensation that lasts about 10 seconds. You will not feel the actual placement of the epidural catheter itself - maybe just feel a dull ache or some pressure in your back but that's all. Complications are extremely rare, and epidurals are generally very safe.

Answer 2

It is impossible to give you a "yes or no" answer. Ultimately, only you can decide this.

I can, however, give you my opinion. I would recommend getting an epidural.

Everyone's labor is different. Some labors are more tolerable than others. Some women's are so easy that they can choose to not have drugs (and good for them), while other women have more intense labors and need relief. My labor was the latter... and I am no "wimp," as some of these answerers are implying. I tried Lamaze but my labor was too intense for it. The epidural provided immediate relief, and I actually enjoyed the process of childbirth after I received it.

You do not have to choose to have an epidural right now, but keep your options open. No matter what anyone says, you are not a wimp or a failure if you have an epidural. To imply that one who has a natural delievery is a "better mother" is immature, selfish, and, quite frankly, stupid.

I knew a woman who firmly believed that taking any form of pain relief during labor meant you were weak. After her son was born, she was in so much pain that she didn't want to hold him. So make sure you are making the best decision!

Some people will try to scare you into thinking that an epidural greatly increases your risk for C-section. FYI, a 2001 study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and a 2002 study by Cornell University and the University of Ontario showed that epidurals do not increase the likelihood of a caesarean section.

Ultimately, it is your choice. I wish you a happy, easy labor and a healthy baby!

PS - Remember, when people are trying to scare you with stories of side effects, that not all women have them. I had no side effects at all. And regarding episteotomies, a small cut is more manageable for doctors than an out-of-control tear. And if a baby is coming out of there... well, sometimes somethings gotta give, epidural or not!

Answer 3

I have taken 2 epidurals and just delivered my third with no medication 2 weeks ago. The epidurals were fine, they worked both times, but my natural labor was by far the best experience I have ever had. When I was almost to the end I thought I would not be able to take it anymore and then before I knew it, my son was born in like 2 pushes. Once you get to a certain point, the point where you think you can't do it anymore and start re-thinking the decision about getting the medicine, then you are almost there and the pain does not get any worse. Once you start pushing you don't feel the contractions any more, just pressure, which you are going to feel with the epidural anyway. And then as soon as your baby is born, you don't feel any pain anymore. Good luck with your decision.

Answer 4

You don't have to decide yet. Just tell them you want to have the option. Epidurals are not the 100% pain free way to go for everyone. Some women end up with windows and no pain relief at all. The risks associated with the epidural to both mother and child may also be a hinderance to you. Just research it out. I wish I had. It would have prevented a most unpleasant delivery and a great deal of pain (with the epidural, I might add). Decide when you're there what is going to be best for you. Best of luck.

Answer 5

I think you should wait until you're in labor. You may be stronger than you think. You may be able to handle the pain of labor and make it through all natural with absolutely no locals or an epidural. I thought for sure I was going to have to get an epidural, but the pain wasn't all that bad and I managed to make it will nothing.

I've also heard that local isn't strong enough and won't do much for you. If you can't handle the pain then you should just do an epidural. Do some research on the epidural, see if there are any long term effects.

Good Luck!!

Answer 6

Everyone is different in how they handle the pain. I was a wimp, I went straight for the epidural all 3 times and got it as soon as I was able to. I'm thinking this time about trying just a local. Why don't you try a local first and then as your labor progresses, if it's not strong enough, you can always ask for a epidural. Good Luck~

Answer 7

The advantage of an epidural is excellent pain relief that does not make you sleepy. Labor pain is not constant, it comes and goes, and an amount of IV medicine that is strong enough to relieve your pain during contractions is going to oversedate you in between contractions.

The major side effects are immediate low blood pressure which can affect the blood flow to the uterus (and baby), failure to work, and about a 1/2 to 1% chance of a spinal headache if the needle goes in too far and punctures the dura, allowing leakage of spinal fluid.

Nobody can tell you what you should do in this regard, because everybody has a different pain threshhold.

Be very careful of those who will tell you that they had multiple deliveries and it was not so bad, and that they did not need epidurals. They are not you! I have actually had women crying because they felt like "failures" when they got their epidural, because someone told them that they should not get one and that they didn't need one.

Answer 8

Everyone is different in how they manage pain. There are a number of pain management techniques, and they aren't all medication.

Remember, epidurals can sometimes 'not take' - so don't RELY on pain medication to be your failsafe.

If you ARE going to choose pain medication as pain management, I recommend either a spinal (saddle block) or epidural. Epidurals offer the most manageable pain relief, while spinals are the fastest acting. IV meds like Demerol and Stadol don't really help with pain, but allow you to be loopy and 'high' enough that you don't care that you are in pain and can sleep between contractions. I have not heard of one woman who has taken Demerol, Stadol, or other IV medication who has enjoyed it - they all regretted it,

I would urge you, even if you are set on medication during labor, to find another, non-medication, option as you never know if you will be one of the few who don't react well or 'take to' the medication.

Relaxation is the best pain management, along with staying active during your labor. Staying off your back and butt will keep your contractions less intense and difficult to manage. Practicing a mantra, visualization, self-hypnosis, guided imagery, and the like are all great and very effective pain management options.

I wish you all the luck and congratulations!

Answer 9

I was going to use an epidural until I read up on all of the different pain relievers during pregnancy and their side effects. Now, the only pain reliever I will use is a walking epidural, aka combined epidural. But, the hospital told me it might not be offered by my doctor because not everyone doctor uses it. It is the only pain reliever with no side effects. My sister had an epidural and the side effects are: 1) longer labor, which happened to my sister, 2) higher chance of having an episiotomy (you know where they cut you open) and my sister had to have that too, 3) urinary tract infection because you don't realize you have to pee; and my sister has that too but she didn't realize until now which is over a month since my niece was born so now she has a bladder infection, 4) harder to push because you are so numb, my sister said it took her forever to move her limbs, and the list goes on. Check out this site for more info: http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/plabor/0,,8jzw,00.html

Answer 10

You don't really have to pick. Just let your Dr. know that you want to keep having an epidural as an option. I never decided what I would do, I was just going to see if I could handle the pain. I ultimately did get an epidural, and let me tell you, it was so worth it. I was having back labor and ended up with a cracked tail-bone. The epidural really allowed me to relax and concentrate on having my baby rather than concentrate on the pain.