Epidural?! with or without?

Question

This is my first child. I am going to try and be strong..My mother gave birth to 4 children with no pain reliever, one with pitocin and one with extra wide shoulders:-p Im Sure i can do it, well i hope. Just wanted some to hear some of your expeirences, with and without a epidural! What would you suggest???? Keep im mind in petrified of the epidural needle.

Answer 1

I'm not getting an epidural. My mom had six births without it, and each of my sisters had at least 1 birth without it. Natural is generally the safest thing for you and your baby, unless there is some particular reason (other than pain) to get it - like your labor is not progressing. Despite what people say, the epidural DOES cross the placenta and get to the baby - even if it is just a little bit. I read a study that said that babies who were born to moms who got epidurals had more trouble breastfeeding in the first few weeks... and who knows what other complications can be. With an epidural, you are much more likely to have an episiotomy because you can't really feel down there enough to be very helpful with the pushing. You are also more likely to end up with a c-section. Also, one of my sisters who ended up with an epi. with one of her kids still has pain where at the injection site, nearly 2 years later.

So, my advice, commit yourself to not having the epidural, but if something comes up during labor and your doctor feels it's the best thing for you, don't feel like you failed.


oh yeah, and, remember that women have been giving birth to babies with no epidurals for thousands of years... and they still do it throughout much of the world.

Answer 2

I had an epidural (as it is perfectly safe and goes no where near the spinal cord (contrary to popular belief)). When they put the epidural in your usually in so much pain already it doesn't really bother you, you just want relief, plus they numb the area first. I went as far as I could without it, but the pitocin was kicking my butt. Unfortunately for me, the epidural only worked from the hips down, so I still felt all my contractions (pushing was the only thing that semi-relieved that when it was time)(must not happen too often as the nurse anestesist was stumped). The biggest drawback is that you have to remain in bed and it can slow labor. My labor went pretty fast but I had to push for 3 1/2 hours. I would go with the flow of your labor and decide at that point if you want the epidural. You may do fine without, or you may be in extreme pain and want the epidural.

Answer 3

I am DEFINITELY getting an epidural with the birth of my third child. I had one with my first 13 years ago and had NO problems with feeling the urge to push or anything during the birth. With my second 7 years ago, I was too far dilated by the time I got to the hospital for ANY kind of pain meds and I had to go natural. NO WAY I will do that again... And I too am petrified of needles of ANY kind yet was able to get the epidural no prob. Alot has to do with the fact that you don't see the needle. And you will have an IV needle in your arm or hand anyway so might as well...

Answer 4

I've had 3 children. The first two were natural, and one did involve pitocin to induce. The newest member is 8 months old and I had the epidural. Do yourself a favor, if it gets to be intense, go for it! I don't regret it one bit. This birth was much more relaxed which let me completely enjoy welcoming my new baby. I'm pregnant again and I'm going to ask for the epidural again. There is no harm to the baby and why suffer? You don't have to prove anything to anyone. Congrats and best wishes!! :)

Oh, and of course there is a needle but realized that something pretty large is coming out of an opening that isn't so large! :) I hate needles but a baby's head is much worse to manage!

Answer 5

I did not have an epidural. When I was pregnant I watched a show about a girl who died after getting an infection at the epdiural site. She died hours after her baby was born. That totally ruined it for me. I had Stadol through my IV to relax me when the pain got bad, and a nerve block, which are little shots on your birth canal to numb you so it doesn't hurt when the baby comes out. I think some people think their only options are getting an epidural or doing it totally natural, but it's not the case, there are things in between. I'm pregnant with baby #2 and will do the same as last time.

Answer 6

I feel the same as you. I'm due august 15th and i feel so strong about not using epidural. i heard so many bad experiences about it that I'm not even thinking maybe. Other mothers I know laugh at me when i say I won't take it and say I have to be a super woman b/c the pain is so bad. but u know what back in the days they didn't have a choice and they gave births, so why can't I do it also! Anyway, good luck to u. Hope everything goes well!

Answer 7

I took a hypnobirth class. It really helped me relax. I had cervadil, which acts just like pitocin in your system. I got through it without an epidural. It was hard work, but not impossible. Just remember that women have been giving birth for centuries without an epidural, and if they can do it, so can you.

If all else fails, ask for a tiny bit of demerol, then you don't have to worry about that big needle in your back.

Answer 8

I have three babies that I gave birth to without pain medication. I had them at home with a midwife. There are numerous side effects from epidurals that are never discussed with patients. When administering any type of regional anesthesia, both the entry of the needle and the medication can cause adverse reactions and complications. There is always risk of local anesthetic toxicity or high spinal block, postdural puncture headache, drop in maternal blood pressure, fetal distress, allergic reaction, neurologic injury, and inevitable slowing of the progress of labor.

Try the Bradley Method, it sounds far fetched at first but i used this three times and had great success. Look it up and read into it. It will help you. Don't drug your baby!!

Answer 9

OK i gave birth to my first 2 boys with an epidural, for me it was good for the first as it was a long and drawn out labor, worst thing is i couldn't feel the urge to push, second boy well by the time i got the epidural i progressed very quickly and again couldn't feel a thing...

With my girls i gave birth to both of them naturally and i felt a huge sense of achievement that i had given birth without any pain relief...

i enjoyed my daughters' births much more and when i share stories i find myself smiling like i am now...

anyway you give birth its fantastic you get a baby as a reward for all that hard work...

good luck

Answer 10

I also went into labor not wanting an epidural and being very very affraid of needles....about 16 hours into labor I begged for an epidural and it made my labor progress tremendously....I was at 4 cm for the first 16 hours and not two hours after I got the epidural my baby girl was here!! Just go in with an open mind....you never know!! My contractions were hurtning soo bad that I didnt even feel the needle .....Good Luck Sweetie!!

Also I tried the drug that they give you in your iv ...it would just make me really tired and would wear off quickly and they can only give it to you once every two hours...I was miserable...