What kind of medication should I take during childbirth?

Question

At first, I was sure I wanted an epidural, but after hearing some not so good things about it in childbirth class, and learning of my other options, I may reconsider. I dont want to feel any pain of labor, or the misery of contractions in the later stages of labor. Would like some suggestions and info on anesthetics from women who have had the experience of giving birth.

Answer 1

When I had my son I had decided that I was not getting an epidural (I'm sure I heard similar stories to the ones that you heard). Remember that hundreds of babies are born every day and you rarely hear about any issues with epidurals.

I was induced so I went from 0-10 centimeters in less than 9 hours. I have a very high pain tolerance, but my contractions got so intense that I couldn't move when they occurred. I shook uncontrollably and thought I was going to die. (PLEASE DON'T LET THIS SCARE YOU, EVERY LABOR AND BIRTH IS DIFFERENT!!!)

I felt so horrible that I decided to get an epidural when I was 3 cm. I felt like a complete failure until the pain went away! I felt SO much better. I was able to relax and actually took a nice nap (I didn't know that it would be my last nap for a few weeks)!

Once I started pushing, my epidural started to wear off (the pain of actually pushing my child through was NOTHING compared to my contractions!).

***My advice to you is have an open mind. Try to go in without getting the epidural. But, if the pain gets too intense, there is NOTHING wrong with asking for some pain relief! We have the technology and it wouldn't be in practice if the benefits didn't outweigh the risks.

Don't worry too much, your body will tell you what you need!

Best wishes for a safe and wonderful delivery!

Answer 2

I have a 9 month old daughter and I am expecting again in november. I had an epidural with Kayleigh and you can bet I am going that route again! In child birth classes they will try to talk you away from any drugs at all, but I talked to several doctors before my first labour who reassured me that women get epidurals all the time, and the risks are no higher than risks associated with any other drug used in childbirth. When I went into labour the pains were awful...awful! and after the epidural my mom and hubby were telling me when I was having a contraction because I couldnt feel the pain and was talking right through them. It was so amazing, because I got to actually enjoy the birth of my daughter because I was not so focused on pain and what not. I have SEVERAL friends who have also given birth in the last couple years, and they all had epidurals also and would say the same thing...couldnt do it any other way! Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Answer 3

I had one with the epidural and one without. I had the epidural after a sever back injury and a premature birth. My child nor I suffered no ill affects. I did have one nurse say to me a few weeks before the birth that it isn't that bad and you are better for not taking any drugs at all. My experience is that I could not push effectively with my first (no epidural) it took 2 1/2 hours to push my little 6 lb baby girl out. With the epidural my son was out in 10 minutes (5 lbs 8 oz). He was much less tired due to the shorter trip, that is how my doctor explained it.

Doing it natural doesn't make you a strong mother, being there for the next 50 yrs does.

Don't let anyone scare you, the instructor of your childbirth class is in the business of teaching the natural way and is a little bias against all interventions.

Do what you need to do to get through the pain. The real work starts when you get home..........

Answer 4

I have had 6 children ..my sisters and brothers also had bunches...my children had 11 children.....I was there for most of them.....many young women want to do natural childbirth. I don't recommend it. Just when you get to the end of the labor you run out of energy..your body is so tense you won't push..and labor slows or stops.
I do recommend an epidural so that you and the baby stay safe and let your body relax so labor continues. I hated the spinal and local anesthesia just don't last long enough...so the choice is yours and until we are all perfect again in the new system we will have pain with childbirth...Try to make it safe for you both.

Answer 5

i also thought that i didnt want the epidural. the thing is that with anything there are risks. if the pain is too much you just have to trust god not to let anything bad happen to your baby. and trust me, its a good place to start, cuz i worry about every little thing my baby does all day. i always think she's going to choke, i check on her every night before she goes to bed, and i am completely consumed by things like car crashes and west nile. lol. i've driven myself absolutely crazy over the past year that she's been here. way more crazy than i drove myself over trying to decide on what your going through. i did the same thing. i researched every kind of option (sorry dont remember any details), and i even watched an epidural getting done online. the thought of a needle going in my spine sickened me. but when i was in the hospital and having major back labor i decided to get one. i was only 5 cm and i didnt want to know just how bad it can get. i lucked out too, cuz some doctors turn it off when its time to deliver, but my doctor gave me the chance to push with it in. hun, i didnt feel a thing. they were telling me when i was having a contraction. and i was making small talk in between. i never even squeezed my husbands hand. when she came out, i was quite sure i was dreaming because i didnt feel a thing. it was just a workout. no pain. i dont feel like any less of a person either. however, i am still scared to get pregnant, because i really dont know just how bad childbirth can be.

Answer 6

every childbirth is different. i have four children. the first, they actually put me to sleep. had absolutely no labor pains. woke up and they said i had a baby girl. Dr's. do not use this option anymore. 2nd and 3rd i opted for Demerol. the medication only lasts a short time so if you are in hard labor they will not give you more until the time is right for dosage. 4th child i had an epidural before my labor pains started. i asked for this. they knew how scared i was and i did not have one labor pain. yes it was difficult to push, but i felt nothing. totally numb from my chest down. remember each Dr and anthstegolosist is different. you have to tell them what you want and when you want it. labor pains hurt bad. no getting around that. the best of luck to you.

Answer 7

Why decide now?

In my opinion, keep your options open. If you want to try a natural childbirth, start with that. If you find that after hours and hours and hours of labor the pain is so great you can't seem to relax enough, go for an epidural. There is no shame in asking for pain relief. After mine, I was able to take a short nap, I finally dilated and had the baby within an hour.... after 22 hours of stressful, drug-free labor.

Answer 8

I am 36 weeks pregnant with my 3rd baby and I can tell you I don't know of any drug that completly takes away the pain of labor.. except if you were to have a schdule c-section which requires an Epidural.

I had Demerol(?) with my first one and it did take away some of the pain for awhile and allowed me to rest but it was actually worse when I woke up in full on labor and the epidural did not work..AHH!!

With my 2nd I had the epidural early on and it was wonderful! It did hurt but not nearly as bad as my first. Mostly I just felt alot of pressure durning the pushing.

I would certainly countinue to research all of your options but as far as I know the epidural is the best way to have a more enjoyable labor..not that any labor is enjoyable..until you see that sweet baby!!

Best of luck & Congratulations!!

Answer 9

I had pitocin because I can not feel labor pains and I had to be able to feel them in order to know when to push, I also had an epi after I felt the ONLY labor pain which made me almost vomit. I didn't have anything to sew me back up but always had control of my legs and could walk as soon as I was sewn up. Then 3 hours after I gave birth I had my tubes tied and was given Oxicodone for pain {second child} With my first child 13 yrs ago I didn't have anything it happened so quickly and due to her small size they feared any amount of meds would be detrimental to her

Answer 10

I didn't use anything in either of my two labors. Relaxation really worked for me so it was very easy to say no when I offered drugs.
If you want to try to go natural practice relaxing at home with some music you take to the hospital with you and that way it will be easier when the time comes.