I am 38 weeks, 3 days and had my mind made up to have an epidural. Yesterday, when I mentioned this to my sister, she freaked out. She is younger and has no kids, but is almost finished nursing school and has witnessed a few births. She told me a horror story about a birth she say where the woman couldn't push properly because of the epidural and therefore put her baby in some danger. I don't want to danger my baby in anyway, but I thought the epidural didn't impact your ability to push. I'd love to hear about any relevant experiences.
2007-10-28 15:32:14 · 15 answers · asked by islandally 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
no offense to your sister, but she is a nursing STUDENT....and she saw ONE birth with some problems. Thousands of women have epidurals everyday, and most of them do just fine. I had one at 6 centimeters after being in labor for 9 hours. After I got it, I wondered why I waited that long. THEY ARE FABULOUS (or it was for me, anyway).
2007-10-28 15:40:46 · answer #1 · answered by Jamie D 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Boy I tell ya when ppl are in school they can come across like know it alls lol. I hope if she is in your delivery she doesnt give the Registered Nurses a hard time as it will only piss em off (meaning your nursing student sister) There are different things that could go wrong during any birth but thats the risk you take when delivering that doesnt mean it will neccessarily happen to you. I would advise you since you dont know how long you will be in labor you need to read over the epidural paper and get informed before totally being against it. I know there have been ppl who say they are gonna be a natural birth then when they are too far along they end up changing their minds which at that time its too late and then if they try to give it to you it wont have had time to take affect.Please remember the epidural will help with the pain but not totally take it away. There is nothing wrong with getting an epidural it doesnt make you less of a woman to not feel the pain.
2007-10-28 22:50:30 · answer #2 · answered by Sugastack 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
During my first delivery, I turned down the epidural, then demanded that they call the anesthesiologist back after my next contraction because the pain was so bad. There are a lot of women here who swear by epidurals, but you need to do what's right for you. I'm due any day now, and plan to have one if the pain gets bad. There are side effects to most types of pain relievers that they could give you during delivery, some have more severe impact than others, but it all depends on how you weigh it. Don't let your sister freak you out. Discuss these options with your doctor prior to going into labor, and make sure if you have any hesitation/fears/concerns that they are addressed before your body is put under the stress of active labor.
Good luck! Almost there!
2007-10-28 22:41:39 · answer #3 · answered by samantha 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you just wait and see when you're in labor. I had planned on a totally natural birth, but ended up getting Stadol through my IV to help relax me and ease the pain. I also had a nerve block, which numnbed my birth canal so I still felt contractions, but didn't feel the pain of my my daughter in the birth canal and coming out. I didn't have an epidural and don't plan on it this time, but you never really know until you're feeling the pain. And remember, there are other pain relievers, like the ones I mentioned, that are not as strong as an epidural.
2007-10-28 22:36:30 · answer #4 · answered by Melissa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After six hours of labor and no progression my doctor told me that getting an epidural would help me relax enough to progress and dilate. I decided to get the epidural and within an hour and a half I had my precious baby girl in my arms!!
I would try to go through labor for as long as possible before the epidural. Once you get it you have to stay in bed for the rest of the labor. It's good to walk around and get into different positions while you are in labor to help the baby come down.
Research and develop your birthing plan. There isn't just one right way to do it. Everyone is different and you need to do what you feel is safe and comfortable.
Good luck!!
2007-10-28 22:53:22 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Humble Proclaimer♥ 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, I went into my delivery with a very open mind, and the "I'll see how it goes" policy, regarding pain relievers, since I had to be induced at 41 weeks, i couldn't move once the contraction started, so I was lying there hooked on every possible monitor there is, and the pain started getting really bad, so at 6 cm I asked for the epidural, and It was great, I didn't feel any numbness, and i certainly felt when it was time to push. So don't get scared, although there is different side effects to it ( for me it was the itch all over my body...) Its nothing compared to the pain... So in a nutshell do what it feels right... but I definitely advice you not to endure too much pain, you'll need the energy for years to come! congrats and good luck!
2007-10-28 22:57:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I thought I wanted to do in natural and when I was admitted the Dr. told me that I was getting an epidural- I was so mad! I wanted to experience labor on my own- and I did. After the back labor started I asked for an epidural. It was so worth every bit of it- and the minor pain and uncomfortableness of it was totally worth it. It made my delivery so much more meaningful. When it was time to push they shut off my medicine so that I could feel the pain and pressure to push.
Don't be scared but do go with whatever feels right for you. You have a lot to look forward to! Congrats!!
2007-10-28 22:41:05 · answer #7 · answered by newmommy3 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
well i was scared about an epidural when i was pregnant and thought of a natural birth to be my choice but after 18 hours of labor i decided to get an epidural. it was fine for me. it didn't hurt that much to get the epidural which i thought was really scary but it was not really scary. The epidural helped me a lot and it had no consequences for me. good luck and don't let anyone else tell you what to do make your own choice! you are the one that will have to go trow the pain you have to decide :) Also the doctor wont let you get an epidural if there are risks so dont worry
2007-10-28 22:48:47 · answer #8 · answered by annelis 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes there is a chance of that happening, but it is so low that it shouldn't affect your decision, plus you will be surrounded by medical professionals that will not allow anything real serious to happen if they can help it. I had an epidural, and it was pointless. It didn't go in right and only numbed my right thigh, and the pain wasn't as bad as it is made out to be. I have had worse pain from everyday things. But it is all up to you, and you won't really make up your mind until the point in time comes that the doctor is asking you if you want anything for pain, instinct will lead you from there.
2007-10-28 22:56:47 · answer #9 · answered by Krazycowgirl 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Honey, there are no blue ribbons for bravery during childbirth!
It isn't your sister having the baby. If you feel that an epidural will help you, plan to have one. It doesn't cover all the pain - just takes the edge off.
If you're in the US, you'll only have 2, maybe 3 days in the hospital post-birth. It's not a lot to recover, so I think there's something to be said for making birth as easy as possible.
You've got time for heroics during the round-the-clock feedings in a few weeks! Good luck.
2007-10-29 00:11:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋