Natural or epidural?

Question

Tell me about your birthing experience(s)..
or if you're pregnant, which way you plan to go!

Congrats to new mommies/pregnant ladies by the way!

would you recommend the epidural, pain wise how much did it help?
im terrified of the needle but i also suck at dealing with pain so im totally unsure! lol

Hello MaryRose
lol sorry i didnt make myself clear my dear...i wouldnt base my decision off of other people's answers, i like knowing everything there is to know and i find comfort in hearing other women's stories. for the record i plan to have a natural birth as well

:) thank you to everyone for sharing your stories, youre all brave and amazing women

Answer 1

well, with my first I said I wouldn't get an epidural, and started having light contractions that got heavier throughout the day. went to the hospital and contractions were very painful.... so I decided at that moment I wanted the epidural... I was 4cm dilated... after 3 hours I gave birth, you get to enjoy the last few hours of giving birth. I did an epidural with my 2nd too, (not from the beginning of labour, where I just handle the contractions anymore) and that's how I plan to give birth to my 3rd. wouldn't do it any other way.

Answer 2

I had an epidural with both my children. The first one was a very long labor and I didn't get the epidural until I had been in pain for 24 hours. It was a welcome relief. However, I did not feel a lot of the urge to push and they had to use suction to assist in delivering the baby.

The second time I was induced. I was given an epidural very early on and still had a lot of pain. I don't know if the epidural didn't work well or if the pitocin was just very strong. Either way, they had to end up giving me extra pain meds thru the IV. The plus side is that I was able to push very well and didn't require any assistance.

Comparing the two, I would definately say that the first was easier. The second was a lot LOUDER. But I was able to tolerate the pain of the second well. My husband is a great coach and did all the breathing and relaxing techniques with me.

I'm currently pregnant with twins and plan to get an epidural again. I can't imagine going without. I certainly have respect for the moms that do it without drugs. You can call me a wimp if you want. I just think that the less pain the better.

As far as side effects go. I had no real bad ones. I still have a little bit of a scar from the needle on my spine, not really noticeable to the naked eye, but I can feel it with my hand. The area where they inserted the needle was sore for a few days afterward, but believe me that was the least of my pain. All in all, I think that epidurals are one of the wonders of modern medicine.

Answer 3

I plan on having a natural birth. I will only have an epidural if it is necessary (e.g. my labor has stalled and I NEED something to relax my body). I will NOT take it because of pain alone. The reason for this is not because I want to be a hero, but because epidurals come with some serious risks and side effects that no one ever talks about. I seriously don't think most women are even informed of them. And, the person who said that the baby does not get any of the effects of the epidural is just absolutely wrong. Everything you put into your body crosses the placenta to the baby. An epidural is no different. Babies born to mothers who have had epidurals are less alert and often have trouble nursing. Not to mention that epidurals can also lead to fetal distress. And that's just the beginning. You can visit this website for more information: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html It is neither specifically for nor against epidurals so you can trust it. Please do some research before listening to people on Yahoo Answers.

EDIT: Hi, sorry to come on so strongly - I didn't think you were just going to listen to these people, I was just trying to encourage you to do research. I don't think my link worked before but I entered it in there again. Hopefully it will work, because it's a good one.

Answer 4

I was soo going to do it natural. I waited so long to have my son that I did not want to be druged up and miss anything. That all changed as I thought I wpould go into labor at home and it would happen slow and I would have time to work into my contractions. HA HA that is not what happened. I was hospitalized 3 weeks prior to have my son and was starting with an induction at 10:00 on a sunday night. I had been given another dose of sitotec( I think that how you spell it) every 4 hours until the following morning. My contarctions started off as painful cramps and I called my husband at 7:00 am. He got there at 8:00 am and I was in so much pain I could not walk. My contractions were 30 seconds apart and very strong. I went 6 hours doing that and they finally gave me a shot to ease the pain and that slowed my contractions to 2 minutes apart but then my cantractions were not as strong. They then gave me pitocion and the epidural. I ended up having my son at 1:00 am the following morning. My labor from the 1 st conraction to the time he came out was 22 hours. I ended up with the epidural head ache and that was absolutly miserable. They had to do some kind of blood thing to my back to ease the pain from the head ache. It was awful.
All in All though I think if you get induced and need the pitocin you should get an epidural. I do think however if I would not have had the pitocin I would have been fine with the shots they gave me which eased the pain of the contractions. It is not the pushing the baby out that hurt so bad it was the damned contractions. I can not explain the pain I had from mine.
So if you do not need pain meds don't get them if you do read about them before you make choice. But be open to both as your experience is always unique to you! Good Luck and enjoy!

Answer 5

I had an epidural. My water broke but I never dilated, so they gave me pitocin. It was hell. I had no side effects, my daughter was alert and scored 9/10 on the Apgar scale (her hands and feet were purple because she came out with the cord around her neck) and only pushed 20 minutes.

It helped GREAT painwise. I had only slept two hours that night and was exhausted. I got to take a half hour nap, which was definitely beneficial. I didn't feel any contractions, but I did feel the delivery and when my midwife stitched me up. I actually told the nurse when it was time for me to push-last they had checked I was still at 4, but I felt the pressure-bad-and knew it was time.

I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants pain relief. I am terrified of needles, but by that point, didn't even care. The anesthesiologist gave me a local anesthetic, so the epidural itself was mainly just 'pressure'. It's quick, and hurts 1/1000th less than the pain of the contractions. A pinch, some pressure, then relief.

MaryRose, I didn't say NO babies show effects, I said MY baby. She was alert and nursed right away, with ZERO problems latching on. Read a little bit closer before you start throwing around accusations.

Answer 6

During my first pregnancy I swore that the last thing I wanted to do was to take drugs during labor. However, the labor/delivery were nothing like I would have imagined or hoped, and ended up having quite a bit of medication. I went 10 days overdue, they had to induce me, they gave me a bit of morphine, and yes, I did have the epidural. I was a bit out of it, but I can tell you - the pain was still there. It wasn't horrible, and of course I got my beautiful daughter out of the deal, so it was well worth it. But I can tell you - I can't imagine what the pain would be like if I wouldn't have had the epidural. Because I was induced, however, they said that the contractions may have been a bit more severe due to the pitocin they gave me. Long story short: don't set yourself up for anything. You never know what to expect during your labor. But - don't be afraid to take the epidural. I know some people say its wrong and bad, but I really don't think the doctors would offer you something that was going to harm you or the baby. The baby does not get any of the effects of the epidural directly into their system, so that makes a big difference. Ask your doctor or midwife for some info about all of the ways you can help to releive pain during labor. Good luck!!

Answer 7

I've had 2 babies and am pregnant with #3. I did not have the epidural with the other 2. I didn't really ever consider it and it was actually never offered to me. However with this one I'm on the fence. I don't want to go through the pain again, but I already have back problems and I've heard the epidural can cause permanent back trouble. It is probably rare, but it scares me still. I think I'll do without this time too. I did it twice before! Good luck to you!

Answer 8

I have had 6 kids so I couldnt begin to write it all in this space... but I have experienced every type of birth, and am grateful for the experience and that God blessed me with 4 sons and 2 daughters.
I had my first... 24 hrs of labor, epidural, forceps and a vaccuum..ouch that episiotomy hurt like hell after !

I had my 2nd really fast and had very mild pains and she was out in a few pushes... I was in total disbelief after how I had my first.No drugs , all natural.

My 3rd child was the WORST one of any of my labors... it was only 2 hours from start to finish but HORRIBLE back labor .I remember that birth vividly... it was not nice... no drugs, all natural.

My 4th was not to bad in under 2 hrs and really not that bad and no drugs again...

My 5th child was 4 hours and when I asked for an epidural... I didnt get it until 9 centimeters by the time he came and was shocked they let him give it to me. Was nice to have it for the pushing..

My 6th child was an emergency c section on this mothers day and I hated the whole thing and would never want a c section ever again......

Answer 9

I had my son naturally without an epidural.
I was in labor (at the hospital) for 6 hours, transition for a little while and then pushed for 30 min.
Personally it was not that bad for me, I found squatting and rocking around in that position, or being on my hands and knees very comfortable. It felt like menstrual cramps only more intense, but with my partner rubbing my lower back w/ the heels and palms of his hands, it helped soo much... The sensations at that point weren't pain so much as intensity of emotion, is what I would call it.

I am pregnant again and I am 100000% certain I will have this baby without the epidural as well, no matter how intense it gets, I feel that is a necessary part of the experience.

Again, this is merely my experience and my opinion on the epidural.

I highly recommend you research all angles of pain relief in childbirth... there are lots out there, besides the epidural.

Lamaze
http://www.lamaze.org/

Hypnosis (hypnobirth)
http://www.hypnobirthing.com/

Yoga
http://www.yogabirthritual.com/

Meditation
http://www.calmbirth.org/

Massage
http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/551

Changing Position
http://transitiontoparenthood.com/ttp/parented/pain/positions.htm and *Bonus* http://www.mjbovo.com/Pregnancy/LDPositions.htm

Waterbirth (or at least Taking a warm bath or shower)
http://www.waterbirth.org/

Distraction
(music, a picture, focusing on a certain spot, etc)

Answer 10

I had two natural births without epidural.

1st was by induction at 40wks (i had pre-eclampsia) with only the gel and breaking waters to get things moving. Took about 8 hours from waters breaking and was the hardest most intense time of my life. I started getting hysterical because the contractions were too close together and lasted for about 5mins each with a 1 min break so they gave me pethedine to calm down and I pushed for 2 hours to deliver my 9pound baby girl!

2nd was easier by far. Natural labour at 40wks 2days took about 9.5 hours and was gentle and easy like period cramps but slowly getting stronger till about an hour before delivery when I had a shot of pethedine and delived my 8 pd 2 oz boy in 5 pushes.

I always thought I wouldn't have an epidural because I had researched it thoroughly and didn't like what I found. I ended up asking for one in my first labour after about 6 hours but by then it was too late and you know what....I'm so glad I didn't get one. I even thought when I was pregnant again that if the 2nd labour was like the 1st I still wouldn't do it because if I've done it once without I can do it ten times again!

I suppose its down to personal pain thresh-holds but even my doctor said to me, I"don't know how you did that cindy" after my first and I took that on board and thought well it can't be anyworse so why bother with a huge needle getting stuck in my back and taking all the risks associated with it if its not medically necessary.

I'm certainly no marter or saint or hippy or alternative person but just hate the thought of it. Afterall its only one day or less out of your whole life. Why take risks that aren't essential to the well being of you and your baby??

Congrats to all the ladies having babies at the moment!! I'm due for AF today but no sign yet, so I might be going to do it all over again!