To get the epidural or not?

Question

I'm working on my birth plan, and can't decide whether or not I want an epidural. I would love to give birth naturally, but I know the pain is going to be out of this world, making me think I should get the epidural or some other medicine.

Any advice or input from mothers? Did you do it naturally or with medication? What were your experiences? Which would you recommend and why? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I've had two naturally, it isn't that painful and I would never allow someone to put a needle in my spine. Also after what happened when I transferred to the hospital from a homebirth with my first I will NEVER birth in a hospital again.

That being said it is ridiculous that you are making this choice now. Tell them you don't want one so they won't be forcing on you, or asking every 10 seconds. If you need one you will ask, seriously. But why would you assume that you would need medication ahead of time? That's like me deciding now that at some point I will get a cold during the winter, do I want antibiotics or not? Well obviously not unless I need them.

Answer 2

i had a epidural with my son. it helped tremendously. but there were some downfalls. the doctor performing the epidural messed up the first time and had to poke me again. at the time i didn't feel the pain but afterward i did. the pregnancy went perfectly but after everything wore off i had terrible pains at the site of injection. so my only suggestion is to try and find out who will be performing the epidural, how long they have been doing it. i also spoke to other women who had the same doctor and they also complained of pain. so i would just ask your obgyn if they have any clue on who will be performing the epidural and do some research on them. otherwise that was the only bad thing that happened with the epidural, it made labor much easier. hope i helped!

Answer 3

I had an epidural both times. I wouldn't do it without one, personally. If you really want to try without, put on your birth plan that you will decide about pain management as things go along in your labor. That's what I did, I left the pain med question open ended and made the decision when I was there. That being said, if I was to have a 3rd, I would sign up for the epidural immediately. LOL It's different for everyone, do what feels right for you when you're in the moment. It's difficult to say before you're there and in labor what you think will be right. Good Luck!

Answer 4

I have worked in an L&D for the past six years and have seen labors with and without epidurals. Labor is extremely painful for the average woman and it is hard to remember the experience when you are in severe pain. Women who chose the epidural sleep through most of the labor and have more lucid memories of the birthing process which makes it even more special. Also, partners and family present are less anxious and are able to be more involved. Not to mention, the labor process itself can be faster since your body is in a relaxed state and you are not fighting it so much. However, the decision is totally up to you and you should not do anything that make you uncomfortable. Speaking with the anesthia team or physician at your facility will help to answer more specific questions and help put your mind at ease.

Answer 5

I have two kids and I had an epidural with BOTH!! I was told that getting one impedes labor progression but my first labor was 12 hours (epidural after about 6-7 hours) and the second one was 8 hours (I was induced; epidural after about 5-6 hours). There's other pain medicine as well. I was sleep for most of my second labor, thanks to the Demerol; as I was waking up, it was time to push!

Two of my friends give birth naturally with no meds and they both said it is indeed painful. If your labor is progressing too quickly, however, you won't have time for an epidural--which is what happened to one of them. Either way, you still feel a child ("pressure") passing through your cervix You really have to decide what you feel is best...and trust me, your answer can change once you are in labor. Please don't feel guilty about it either!

My advice is to go as long as you can without it to avoid the possibility of complications and slowdowns. Waiting until the half-way point (about 4 cm) is usually the best time to get it.

Best Wishes!!

Answer 6

I wanted mine with no meds, but when they checked my cervix and it went from not dilated to four centimeters in 0 seconds flat, I started having anxiety attacks, and um telling someone who's having anxiety attacks that their doing anything wrong, (even breathing) makes thinks worse not better.
So since the attacks were causing his heart rate to drop I decided it was best to be medicated, to calm me down. They gave me Demerol and then the epidural.

epidural, ahhhhhhh....

Vaginal birth is Natural Birth, weather you have an epidural or not. Your still pushing , and the baby still comes out the same way.

Just don't let them give you the drug to induce contractions. ( I think its petosin) They gave me that because it's normal procedure, even though I was progressing normally, and didn't need it. It caused me to have stronger contractions, which caused my water to break when my son wasn't in the right position. He dropped on his umbilical cord, they couldn't get him to move off, and i had to have an emergency c-section cause he wasn't getting oxygen. I also saw another girl on here told a story very similar, about the petosin.

I would tell you to make sure you have all the paperwork filled out before hand in case you do want an epidural, then if you want you can try it without but you have the option to change your mind while your in labor. Just don't wait to long, if your already pushing, its too late for the epidural.

By the way I had a very strong connection with my son, and I had a c-section, and when he was delivered they took him first to make sure he was ok becuase of the lack of oxygen, they then let me kiss him, and they took us to diffrent rooms for 30 min. for recovery. I actually kept my son in my room with me the whole time I was in the hospital. When I was discharged they were supprised because there was no time on there log that I had asked for him to be taken to the nursury.
I enjoyed the actual labor proscess more, after the epidural. I was able to relax, and talk with my husband and family, My husband was able to relax to because he wasn't worried about the pain I was in.

Answer 7

im pregnant now and discussed this with my mother... she has 3 children. The first was with an epidural, the second was without. Mum said the bond she felt by deliverying naturally was more intense than when delivered using epidural. With epidural they whip the baby straight away to check all is ok. With natural birth the baby is passed straight to the mother strenghtening that bond. Hundreds of millions give birth naturally around the world... and get through it just fine!

Answer 8

I had 1 epidural and 2 natural. My epidural experience was a bad one. I also hate needles and didn't want to give them another chance to screw up my back. Natural hurt, but it was faster and I remember clearer. I also could get up after the birth and had use of my legs. My 4th child will be natural. I feel more in control with natural childbirth and like I said, I hate needles!

Answer 9

You made a birth plan, that's great to plan ahead hun, but babies usually do their own thing, but nevertheless a plan is always good. My advice, if you do without meds...more power to you girlfriend you will be my hero, if not don't sweat it, you won't be the first or last. remember every labor and delivery is different but they are all special. Personally I had epidurals with both kids...not trying to scare you but my contractions felt like being hit in the back with a sledge hammer, but after it's all said and done, you'll have a story to tell...Congratulations and Good luck

Answer 10

I had both of my sons naturally and wouldn't have done it any differently. The second one was a better experience because I was not induced like the first one. With both of them I was able to manage the pain and no after effects of medication. That being said if I were you I would leave your options open. You have no idea what kind of labor you will have or how you are going to feel when it actually happens. How about writing something like you would prefer to have a natural childbirth but would like the option of having drugs if you choose to. Good luck!