Meds during labor?

Question

I am 39w2d, and will probably be scheduled to be induced sometime next week because I am not dilating at all. I have also had complications with the baby, which is why they want to induce earlier than 42 weeks. Anyway, my question has to do with pain medication. I am debating on getting an epidural, but I have heard it can cause back problems and such. What was your experience with the epidural? Or if you used some other form of medication, did it help with the pain? Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

I was in labor for 30 hours and was finally given an epidural during the last 3 hours of labor. It was a godsend!! I understand your concern, but I was exhausted after being in constant agony for over 24 hours and I needed a break.

Answer 2

I had one child and had an epidural and one child natural, and actually when it came to actually delivering I don't think that there was a huge difference. The one that I had an epidural with was because I was in labor for 20 hours and the pain was excruciating! The other (natural) was a total of 3 hours, so there just wasn't time for one, but I really wouldn't have needed it anyways. I guess it is something for you to think about-you need to decide if you want it or not. Then, at least you know what you want for your options. If you would be interested in having one I would let the Dr. know because there isn't a very large window of time in which you can actually get one. Maybe figure on going natural, but knowing that there is something for you if the pain gets unbearable. I had no side effects from my epidural. I couldn't push but the nurse held a towel and stood at my feet and I held the other end and we both pulled and it all went well!! By the time it was time to deliver I was able to push.
GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

First of all, congradulations on your baby. I was induced at 37 weeks due to gestational hypertension which eventually turned into preeclamsia. They put me on Pitocin to start the contractions. From the begining I vowed to not get an epidural because I heard of freak stories where people became paralized and having life long back problems too. Well, let me tell you, Pitocin is a STRONG drug. It made the contractions VERY strong and VERY close together. It made me sick to my stomach to the point where I was vomiting excessively. I lasted until I was nine centimeters dialted with no medicine. At nine centimeters I begged for an epidural, even though they tried to convince me otherwise because I had gone so far with no drugs. Well, I got the epidural, and I felt no difference because 10 minutes later, I started pushing and 20 minutes after that, I had my now 9 week old baby boy. I suggest that if you get an epidural, get it in the beginning of your labor, don't wait until the last minute like me! Good luck either way, it's well worth it in the end.

Answer 4

I was induced and they broke my water and boy, did I really need the epidural. I did not have any ill effects except for some nausea after the delivery. The epidural worked for 12 hours, but it wore off by the time I was pushing and they wouldn't give me any more, so I felt all the pain when she was actually born. She ended up being 9 pounds and I don't think I could have done it without the epidural, even if I only had it part of the time.

You have to make your own decision, but whatever you choose will be OK. It's not pretty or pleasant for anybody but we all get through it! Good luck!

Answer 5

I have had five children, 4 of which no epidural and the last was a c-section with an epidural. I hated it. It didn't hurt to receive the epidural, that was nothing. I couldn't stand being so numb and not having control over my lower body. Plus they placed leg compression things on my legs to keep the circulation going and that about made me nuts. I made my OB take the epidural out 10 hours after my c-section. I have not noticed any back pain, but I have heard of people who have back pain years later. I would much rather have a little demerol or stadol via IV and feel the pain. Once the baby is born you are pretty much free to move around.

Answer 6

I didn't have an epidural. My first child was induced, and they gave me Stadol which is a muscle relaxant, not a pain killer. It made me feel really high which I didn't really like, but it did help. I was getting tired of being in the bed and having the iv and the monitor and it did help me to relax but didn't interfere with my ability to push when the time came. With my second child I didn't have any drugs at all. I think that you recover faster if you don't have drugs, but I think that if you feel that you need them you should have them. I recovered a lot easier with my second, but I was only in labor for 1 hour and 45 minutes with him. I was in labor with my daughter for about 8 hours after they induced me so I don't know if I recovered faster because I didn't have drugs or because the labor was shorter. Either way, just keep an open mind. If you want to have the epidural then do it, but you don't have to if you don't want to. There are other options available. Best of luck to you.

Answer 7

i had an epidural with my first 2 kids and plan on having it again with my 3rd due in march. i didn't experience any complications with it at all. My legs didn't go totally numb like so many people have happen, so i was able to easily and effectivly push. I had a really good anestetician (spelling) and he gave me just enough that i could still feel the contractions although they were no longer painful so i knew when to push. I had no back problems at all. I wouldn't worry so much, as with anything, unexpected problems can happen, but usually don't. After it was all said and done..my back didn't even hurt. I had a very very small scab and a little soreness in an area the size of a dime around the site and that's it. It made me so much happier than trying to go it alone.

Answer 8

All natural all the way. Two babies, both in the upper 9 to lower 10 lb range. No stitches. Out and done in 12 hours.

But not for everyone. You need a really good support system. A strong husband, a doctor or midwife who will support you, maybe a tub. I wouldn't ask for the epidural when you walk in the door.
But maybe you should let your doctor know not to offer it, just let you ask for it.
Also, the times you really want it, you can't have it anyway. Anyone could labor thru the first 6 cms. It's the last 4 and the pushing that you want some pain relief, and it's too late then, you need to be able to feel, to push.

Good luck!

Answer 9

I was given an epidural to numb me from the ribs down during my c-sections. I had no problems except for when I had my second daughter, the OR was so cold and my nerves were shot so I kept shivering uncontrollable and the needle from the epidural poked my spinal column and it leaked spinal fluid for awhile and that causes massive migraines but if that happens you could wait until the hole closes or have a blood epidural which in some way stops the spinal fluid from leaking but I just dealt with the pain since I was sick of needles poking my back.

Answer 10

I have had an epidural with both of my past pregnancies. It worked wonders, except the last time because it didn't have time to work, she was coming out as they were putting it in.

I have spine problems, form when I was younger and the epidural did not effect it. I did however have a slight stinging a the needle site for a few months after, but nothing I couldn't handle, it felt like a bee sting.