Did you have an epidural?

[HelenePA]

Originally Posted by java

Yes for all 4 children!

No side effects. Why suffer when there is an option? no regrets.

I did not suffer with no epidural. My pain was very controlled with breathing. My longest pushing was under 20 minutes with #1... I pushed once for #4 and he was out. They tried to get me to stop mid push so I wouldn't tear with him but there was no holding that back.. #2 & #3 were 2 pushes... KEGELS HELP!!! DO YOUR KEGELS pregnant people!!!! The more you can control down the better!!

[tar heel]

Originally Posted by fun4me

Same here for me! I had 3 babies. The first 2 no epidural the last one with an epidural. My recovery from the last was much longer. I wonder if it would have been a faster recovery if I opted not to have the epidural.

Mine was with the third, too, and I've always assumed recovery would have been just like the first two without the epidural. I had to work so much harder pushing that my arms and chest were sore. It was almost like I was working against my labor.

[Footnotegirl]

Nope. Had to do an induction a week and a half overdue. No epidural, no other pain killers. The idea of having a needle anywhere near my spine and not being able to get up and move around easily freaks me out way more than ANY amount of pain would.

[disykat]

Yes with both.

The first one I finally caved 27 hours in, 11 of which had been constant pitocin contractions. The nurses told me they were placing bets how long I'd make it and I outlasted them all. I wish they'd told me that because I was holding out so wouldn't think I was a wimp! I ended up with a c-section at hour 36.

For the second I had a 12 hour trial labor for a VBAC. They did my epidural at that point before taking me in to surgery.

[SLP958]

Yes, I still think it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

[Tink-aholic]

I didn't because my providers told me that the Apgar scores of babies born with epidurals are usually lower than those of those born without. There have since been lots of conflicting studies, but I spend a lot of time on a Labor and Delivery floor every day and I can tell you that that is still the general consensus in my particular hospital.

I've seen the nurses tell the patients that it is fine and normal and okay to have a drugs...and then call them selfish behind their backs.

[North of Mouse]

Originally Posted by Tink-aholic

I didn't because my providers told me that the Apgar scores of babies born with epidurals are usually lower than those of those born without. There have since been lots of conflicting studies, but I spend a lot of time on a Labor and Delivery floor every day and I can tell you that that is still the general consensus in my particular hospital.

I've seen the nurses tell the patients that it is fine and normal and okay to have a drugs...and then call them selfish behind their backs.

Those nurses are definitely in the wrong profession then. The last time I checked there were no *medals* being given out for those that were able (or just wanted to) have their babies with no anesthesia. Some mothers act like you're a wimp to need something for pain - well, I know that some have much easier deliveries than others. I had one SIL that had 4 children, and they just literally slipped out. Someone like that can in no way understand what a *very* painful hard delivery is like.

It's a *choice* - no right or wrong. Everyone should be able to do what they feel is best for them, with no judging on either side. My three babies all had high Apgar scores. The epidural didn't affect that with them. We were all happy and healthy and that's all that matters.

Are you a delivery nurse? How would you have seen/heard that? I would love to know when a nurse would say something like that - would definitely have a word with her supervisor!

[Hardy]

I didn't either time. My first I was induced and he was born two hours later, very quick labor. It was good that I had prepared to not get one, bc there wouldn't have been time. My second, I wanted to be natural as possible labor was only really painful for the last hour, pretty quick as well, in fact she was born 5 minutes after the nurse claimed I was at 8. Needless to say the doctor didn't make it.

[Zandy595]

Originally Posted by North of Mouse

Those nurses are definitely in the wrong profession then. The last time I checked there were no *medals* being given out for those that were able (or just wanted to) have their babies with no anesthesia. Some mothers act like you're a wimp to need something for pain - well, I know that some have much easier deliveries than others. I had one SIL that had 4 children, and they just literally slipped out. Someone like that can in no way understand what a *very* painful hard delivery is like.

It's a *choice* - no right or wrong. Everyone should be able to do what they feel is best for them, with no judging on either side. My three babies all had high Apgar scores. The epidural didn't affect that with them. We were all happy and healthy and that's all that matters.

Are you a delivery nurse? How would you have seen/heard that? I would love to know when a nurse would say something like that - would definitely have a word with her supervisor!

[fairestoneofall]

Originally Posted by fun4me

Same here for me! I had 3 babies. The first 2 no epidural the last one with an epidural. My recovery from the last was much longer. I wonder if it would have been a faster recovery if I opted not to have the epidural.

i had an epidural with all three of my children. and i experienced three completely different recoveries!

first was a long time of pushing. they had to vacuum her out (and i had an episiotomy). that recovery was tough.

second was a quick three pushes. he was a pound smaller than his sister and i did not have an episiotomy (or tear).

third was a c-section. recovery for that one was the worst.

my recoveries had more to do with the actual delivery than with the epidurals.

[Tink-aholic]

Originally Posted by North of Mouse

Those nurses are definitely in the wrong profession then. The last time I checked there were no *medals* being given out for those that were able (or just wanted to) have their babies with no anesthesia. Some mothers act like you're a wimp to need something for pain - well, I know that some have much easier deliveries than others. I had one SIL that had 4 children, and they just literally slipped out. Someone like that can in no way understand what a *very* painful hard delivery is like.

It's a *choice* - no right or wrong. Everyone should be able to do what they feel is best for them, with no judging on either side. My three babies all had high Apgar scores. The epidural didn't affect that with them. We were all happy and healthy and that's all that matters.

Are you a delivery nurse? How would you have seen/heard that? I would love to know when a nurse would say something like that - would definitely have a word with her supervisor!

So nurses can't have opinions? They have seen far more deliveries than the average person, and I relayed their thoughts. I also respected the doctor, midwife, and pediatrician who advised me against it.

Why are you taking it so personally?

[diznygirl]

Everybody's pain level is different and every labor is different. My friend who had two children had to ask me what contractions felt like. My contractions with my first were through the roof! That epidural couldn't come fast enough. My second was different and they gave me pitocin and epidural to speed things along.

Each mom needs to make the decision that makes the most sense for their situation. There isn't one right way of doing it.

[North of Mouse]

Originally Posted by Tink-aholic

I've seen the nurses tell the patients that it is fine and normal and okay to have a drugs...and then call them selfish behind their backs.

Originally Posted by Tink-aholic

So nurses can't have opinions? They have seen far more deliveries than the average person, and I relayed their thoughts. I also respected the doctor, midwife, and pediatrician who advised me against it.

Why are you taking it so personally?

It didn't sound like, from the way you posted, that it was an opinion later, after the fact (or even in general). Sounded like it was a direct slam at certain person at the time of the delivery. Also, because you said you *saw/heard* this that maybe you are a nurse, and was near she/him there at the time. This would have been totally out of line, not like an opinion later among friends/whoever.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but no one should presume to know what types pain meds others may need for any type delivery. Our bodies/delivery situations are all different, and we should all be respectful of others needs. I also hold delivery room nurses to a higher standard in that regard, or they shouldn't be there.

So, yes, I take it personally, for myself and others that may have had a rough time, because it's a common misconception among some women that have had easy natural deliveries, to look on those that take meds as wimps (this last is NOT directed at you - but I've heard this many times in general).

[Feralpeg]

After 18 hours of labor, my daughter would not move down the birth canal. My blood pressure was very high. The doctor decided to do a c-section. They put in an epidural rather than use general anesthesia. I was wonderful. Instant relief for me and I was able to be awake for my daughter's birth.

[7165red]

I had 3 for back pain.