Childbirth - Epidural or No?

[golfgal]

I had a 100% natural birth...I pushed my baby out of my hoo-ha. That's totally natural.

And to make me more comfortable doing it I had an epidural.

Heck, I had 2 "unnatural" births but I have 3 kids to show for that so what is wrong with that??? (2 c-sections, second one was twins).

 

[EthansMom]

With my first child, I didn't want the epidural... endured several hours of agonizing back pain during my labor before I finally conceded and got the epidural at the last possible moment. Gave birth within 30 minutes of getting the epidural.

With my second child, I requested the epidural as soon as things started to get pretty uncomfortable. It took the anesthesiologist quite a while to get to me (busy day) but when he did, he hooked me up with a clicker so I had complete control over the dosage. I felt MUCH more in control of my pain relief, slept through about half the labor, and recovered much quicker.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I've given birth 3 times and had an epidural with the first and went natural with the last two. Everyone has a different experience and it's really hard to prepare for giving birth to your first child, because you never know how your body is going to handle labor until you go through it. I feel much more strongly about the need to have a midwife present for labor and delivery (Dr. usually only gets there in time to "catch") than I do about whether to have an epidural.

When I was pregnant with my first, I was adament about having an epidural. I went the entire pregnancy thinking that as soon as I had that first labor pain, I would get the epi and everything would be hunky dory. Unfortunately, reality quickly came and slapped me in the face. A month before my due date (I was on bedrest for pre-eclampsia) my water broke around 7 one evening after eating a big bowl of chili (warning - don't eat chili if you think you are going into labor soon ) Dh and I were very anxious and went to the hospital around 9pm (another warning- if everything seems to be OK don't be too quick to go to the hospital. Getting there won't make the baby come any faster and will just mean more time in a hospital bed.)

In the hospital, I quickly began having severe back pain that was constant instead of contractions that were spaced apart. At that point, I called the childbirth educator a liar because she had told us that we would have these nice breaks to recover in between contractions. Little did I know the baby was turned wrong (sunny side up) and was being pushed into my spine which was causing the constant pain. The L&D nurses were not very helpful, and when I asked for an epidural they told me that it was too early and I could be laboring for several days (I think they really just didn't want to have to call and wake up an anesthesiologist). They told me that the monitors weren't picking up any major contractions and that I couldn't be in "that much pain" yet. So, I was put in a room for overnight and pretty much forgotten about until the next morning (poor dh had a long night pushing/rubbing my back and trying to do anything he could to help me). Around 7am the anesthesiologist finally strolls in with my epidural and by that point I was in agony. He had me sit up and lean over while he prepped my back. I didn't see the needle, but by dh's description it was pretty large. The only problem was the Dr. kept trying to put it into my back and would hit bone (and you could hear it). He tried probably 3 or 4 times which was painful for me and dh turned pale and almost passed out. He finally got it in, but something wasn't right with it and I remained in a lot of pain. Soon afterwards, a new L&D nurse came in and realized that the baby was turned wrong and then attempted to manually turn her. She wasn't successful and ended up calling my Dr. to let him know what was going on. Finally the Dr. arrived and was successful in turning the baby (guess he had longer arms).

By that point I was fully dialated, my bp was skyrocketing and dd's hearbeat was dropping. I tried pushing for 30 minutes, but was too exhausted to get her out. The Dr. had to get her out quickly, so he used a vacuum and pulled her out (dd's cord was wrapped around her neck, but thankfully she was fine). I won't go into graphic detail, but there is a reason why you should gently push and ease the baby out of your body. I ended up with a lot of sticthes and the Dr. at first tried to sew without any anesthetic because he did not realize that the epi had not worked.

It all ended well. I had a healthy, but small baby girl who has been a complete blessing to our family from that day on . I would go through her labor for her again if I had to. The epidural exprience completely changed the way that I looked at childbirth. It made me realize that having a midwife who will be by your side for most of the labor is important (you can't always trust the L&D nurses to be as attentive as they should, particularly in the middle of the night). My last two labors were much easier and less painful and I was much more prepared to deal with them. I would have loved to have had them at home instead of a hospital, but that wasn't an option for me.

I apologize for writing so much, but one other thing I learned from my first childbirth was to have someone present (friend or family member) to record the birth. With my first child, I would have been horrified by the suggestion and never considered it. But I had my last two children being born recorded and I really regret not having that moment when oldest dd came into the world available. It is the most magical moment of your life and there will never be another one like it. There are ways to angle the shot that is not graphic and respects your privacy, but can still record that moment.

To the OP - good luck with the remainder of your pregnancy! It will be over before you know it, so appreciate each moment even if it is a queasy one.

 

[HM]

Both kids...no epidural.
First was a long tough labor, but it may have been worse if I hadn't been able to feel my lower regions.
Second was fast, too fast, no need for it, even if I'd wanted it.
I survived both feeling very proud of my accomplishment.

 

[2girlsmom]

I said go in with an open mind, but if I were to have another one, I would NOT have it.

DD#1- 7lb7oz, no epidural I am certainly NOT trying to tell you it wasn't painful, but it was not the worst pain in my life, and at the end was the baby. This wasn't intentional not getting the epidural though, the dr wouldn't allow till dilated to 4 and I went from 3 to 10 in like 40 minutes, no time to get one.

DD#2- 7lb8oz, induced and epidural. Epidural caused my legs to be numb, outside of belly to be "asleep" feeling. However, did NOTHING for the internal muscles cramping, so this delivery was every bit as painful as the first.

Also, within 2 years of dd#2, I have severely herniated discs pressing on the nerves, AT THE SAME DISC WHERE THEY DID THE EPIDURAL...

Now, maybe they did something wrong? I don't know, I do know that getting the epidural was quite painful, didn't work, and I will have pain and weakness/issues with my leg from the disc problems for the rest of my life, and may have to have surgery on it at some point.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I picked go in with an open mind.

My plan was to not have an epidural, but I also know I am a whimp, so I didn't know what would happen. Also, I was PETRIFIED of the thought of that needle going in my back, and something possibly going wrong. (I have scoliosis, and have dealt with intense back pain all my life, and also knew that the scoliosis could affect the placement and effectiveness of the epi.)

With Ds, my 1st, I had a birth plan written out that was for a completely natural birth. I did go in knowing ANYTHING can happen, and I didn't know how I would handle the pain, so I was open to options, just wanting the outcome to be a healthy baby. Turns out I had back labor all day, but didn't know what it was. I finally fell asleep, only to wake up to uterine contractions at Midnight. DH looked at his watch, and they were less than 5 min apart. We called the Hospital, and they told us to wait a couple hours, but thank Goodness DH didn't listen. We got to the hospital, and I was already 8CM, and they strapped me to a bed. I was begging for an epidural, but it was too late. I checked in to the hosp. at 12:30 and Ds was born at 3:36. Recovery from that delivery was very tough, since he almost came TOO fast. It was about 3 mos. before I could sit comfortably.

With DD, I had been having some irregular contractions Thurs. night, so called the Dr. Fri, and she said to come in to the office. I was 4 cm, and she sent me over to the hospital...she felt that was best since DS had come so fast, she didn't want to send me home, and possibly have me have an even faster labor since this was my 2nd, and not make it to the hospital in time. We discussed the Epidural before she broke my water, and I wanted to try without (figured I had done it the last time, plus I was still afraid of the needle) but I also knew that this labor could be much longer or more intense, since she was breaking my water. She broke my water at 2 ish, I walked laps arounf the hospital for a while, and DD was born at 4:30. I did ask for an epi at some point then too, but again, too close to delivery. My Dr & Nurses were great with her, helping me change positions to get through. Because she came a little slower, my recovery with DD was MUCH easier.

OP, whatever you decide, I wish you a happy & healthy pregnancy & baby!

 

[Janet Hill]

Frankly, the idea of someone putting that enormous needle into my back freaked me out way more than childbirth pain. I didn't skip an epidural for bragging rights or because I was trying to be superwoman or because I thought I'd get a special no epidural prize. But I'd read about possible side effects and seen the procedure done to someone else and there was no way that that needle was coming anywhere near me.

I have no issues with other people getting an epidural, but for me, the idea of the procedure was way worse than the pain it was supposed to relieve.

Me too. My other fear was not being able to use my legs. Like what if I was in the middle of labor and wanted to take a walk.

Number 3 was an emergency c-section and I was knocked out. I'm way too claustrophobic to be strapped down while awake.

 

[Becky2005]

It's you will have no clue until you get there.

I had an epidural with baby #4 and LOVED it. I never got one with the other 3.

I was more scared of the needle in my back than anything else. However, after my last one -- I thought "I was an idiot" for not getting one sooner.

I wouldn't have been allowed one for baby #2 though -- he was born 45 minutes after I showed up at the hospital -- my water hadn't broke, they broke it & he pretty much shot out.

#3 was horrid delivery & I should have just asked for the dang thing & been done with it. That's what pushed me over the edge for #4 -- I remembered what #3's birth was like and had NO DESIRE for a repeat.

I will warn you something that NOBODY told me with my first & I wish they had. You CAN deliver fast on your first kid. All I ever heard was the horror stories about hours & hours in labor. So, when within an hour of having hardly any contractions to holy cow, this is painful & I need to push (the nurses didn't believe me, thought baby was on a nerve, double-checked then ran out of the room to call the doctor again!!!). I honestly thought something was severely wrong since it happened so quickly. I was expecting it to take a lot longer, so the whole time I was freaking out inside thinking there was a major problem and terrified about it.

From the time I arrived to the time my first baby was born was 3 hours! I didn't think it was all that fast but they pretty much said it was & by baby #4, they just told me, you have the slight HINT of anything...you call. I didn't even have to give them times the last time I called, I called answering service said "I think I'm in labor" their answer was "go to the hospital, we will page the doctor". He probably was the one with the longest labor since I showed up earlier but still was probably less than 8 hours total.

 

[MizTink]

i had epidurals with all 3 of my deliveries. wouldn't have had it any other way!! and i took advice, like you are, from everyone. my dad was an L&D nurse for 20 yrs, and i had A LOT of advice from him too!
my first grand child was born 3 months ago. her mom thought she wouldn't want an epidural. by the time she got to the hospital, she was asking for it. turns out she was too far along and didn't have time for ANYTHING! she was lucky the doctor was even there!!!
i would suggest going in with an open mind. but if your hospital requires pre-certification, get it. otherwise, if you decide you want the epidural, but didn't get the pre-cert., they can't give it to you no matter how much you beg!!

 

[NMAmy]

To be fair, I've never given birth, but I've sat in on these conversations and this explanation is dead on! I've listened to new mothers wax on poetically about how their birth experience was perfect and the only way to do it which is usually followed by someone at the table rapidly stepping in with why they are obviously wrong... I usually go to the bathroom once this starts in the hopes it will be over when I get back.

Personally, I think you get the baby either way so do what feels right for you. For me, I would get an epidural, I think. I feel no need for the "magic" of natural child birth. (I heard all about the "magic" of losing your virginity and boy was that a lie! )

Neither was particularly magical.

Oddly enough, I have NEVER had this discussion with anyone in real life. I have no clue if anyone I know did or did not have an epidural. I have seen this several times on these boards, though!

 

[CathrynRose]

Baby One - I went 9 months thinking I wouldnt need one.

When I went into the hospital at 6 cm - I changed my mind.

However, following that epidural, I had the worst, worst, worst back pain, at the poking point. I'd get these shooting, nervey pains - that hurt so terribly bad. That lasted almost 4 years, until I got pregnant again.

Baby Two - I knew how terrible it hurt, so had every plan on getting one. And did. However whatever epidural #1 messed up, epidural # 2 knocked back into place. Never had those pains, again.

All that being said - even those wicked pains I had for years, I'd probably get one again. It's so painful (for me) in labor, that I don't *care* and just want that pain gone. KWIM?

 

[Jenvenza]

Open minded for sure!

Here is my little story!

I was really scared of having the epi. They showed us the needle in a birthing class and I almost passed out. So I thought I would see if I could handle the pain.

My due date came and went and two weeks later I was going into the hospital to induce. Something else I didnt want. I went into the hospital around 8pm and before they could start the pitocin, I started having contractions on my own, around midnight. It wasnt too bad! They asked if I wanted IV pain meds to knock the edge off and let me rest and I said yes. Boy, they acted quick. I looked at my husband, giggled, and whispered "I am "bleeped" up!" He just looked at me like I was crazy. Well soon after, for some odd reason, they decided to go ahead and give me the pitocin. I was perfectly fine with no epi at this point. Though I am glad I only decided for one dose of the IV pain meds. The pitocin kicked in quick and that's when the pain started. This was around 3am and by 5am I was begging for that giant, scary needle to be put in my back. The epi wasnt nearly as bad as I thought it would be. But I was in a lot of pain at that point. I wasnt in hard labor for very long - only 2 or 2 1/2 hours, so not bad at all! About an hour after the epi, I had no pain whatsoever. This was around 6am or 7am. By 10am, I said I wanted to roll over - which I couldnt do by myself since I couldnt feel anything below my waist - and they decided to check me and I was at a 10! Doctor came in and 10 minutes and 3 pushes later, we had our little bundle of joy!

Not too bad for a first timer!

Good luck and remember whatever you chose, is the right choice. No matter what that is!

 

[Freyja]

I´ve had 1 c-section, 1 ******l birth with epi and 3 totally med free, natural births. Two of them were waterbirths.
I had no complications from the epidural what so ever but doubt that I would ever choose one again. At least I didn´t in the 3 births that followed. I can not even begin to compare how much better I felt AFTER the med-free births than I did after the epidural. I was home within 5 hours after the last 3 births but stayed for 36 hours after the epi.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

Go with an open mind. If you are leaning towards going natural - great!!!!! But sometimes things don't work out as planned so be open to all the other possibilities.

Some women have easy easy labors and deliveries - they are the ones who could be back working in the fields the next day. I didn't have this experience but know people who have... they are often a bit mystified by all the fuss over an epidural.

Some women have long drawn out labors with all sorts of complications and IV pain meds and an epidural can help even if you really don't want to go there.

A woman can have vastly different labors with each pregnancy - and there is no way of knowing what your experience will be, especially with the first pregnancy. Don't psych yourself out ahead of time - the open mind really helps. I had an epidural with my first delivery, and did not with my 2nd.

with my 1st delivery, I was adamant that I would not have a c-section, wanted to go natural etc etc. Episiotomies were barbaric, etc. etc. etc. I was induced due to a medical condition, and all did not go smoothly. Long hours of painful labor, finally agreed to an epidural and was able to rest for a few hours. Then 3 long long hours of unproductive pushing and the epidural was wearing off and it wasn't pretty. Episiotomy, forceps, nasty tear, and it took weeks to heal back to normal, I'm not so sure a c-section wouldn't have heald faster...

2nd delivery, again induced for medical reasons, was told I would probably end up with a c-section but the doctor agreed to let me try labor. So when things started to get more intense, I asked for an epidural, then it would be in place for the inevitable surgery. Nope - can't have one, you need to feel/push 100% if you want to try v@g!nal birth. I had asked at noon, thought I still had many hours to go based on my first experience. Turns out I only had a hour to go, it was a short labor, just a few pushes, small episiotomy and no tearing. Much much easier.

 

[pooh4evr]

Well - I have had 3 inductions and 3 epidurals all worth it! DD#1 was induced because she was 2 weeks late and no progress- started with cervadil, then pitocin a few hours later water breaks then epidural about 20 min later then she was born about 4 hours later thanks to the vacumm total labor from cervadil until birth- 16 hours- not too bad -- #2 induced because she was predicted to be bigger than #1 (8 -4oz) and I had problems with her so - I was given pitocin at 8 am WHOAAAA fast and furious almost missed the epidural barely got it at 7 cm - WOW she was born at noon- 4 hours from pitocin to start labor until birth!! #3 was induced 2 weeks early because my blood pressure was high - again pitocin and an epidural-- really hated it when they broke my water - that hurt! she was born in 6 hours. Each time I got the epidural I wasn't thrilled about the big needle or anything but you just have to clam yourself and breathe- you can get through it- I always figured it would help me have a more comfortable positive birthing process (well for me, Dh, the Dr and nurses... people next door...) besides who am I trying to impress by going natural it still hurts with the epidural its not like you can't feel ANYTHING - whatever you choose you can do it!! It is all worthi it in the end!

 

[Feralpeg]

After 18 hours of labor, it was decided I needed a C-section. I was very happy to have the epidural.

I also had one after my hysterectomy. I had a lot of complications during the surgery. Afterward, I was in a lot of pain. They tried giving me all sorts of things. Nothing helped. They finally did an epidural. Wonderful!

 

[tazdev3225]

I had 3 children back in the years where you nursed and only had "natural" deliveries. I toughed out 24+ hours of labor and 4 hours of pushing with my DS who got stuck. DD1 I still went in thinking the only right way was to "suffer". After another 24+ hour labor she was an emergency c-section and I was knocked out. DD2 was a planned c-section but because of a serious back injury in a car accident the dr wanted me knocked out.
I have been fortunate to witness the birth of 3 of my grandkids. My DDIL and both DD's had epidurals and were able to enjoy their deliveries. I don't know that I would change what I did because I am more afraid of needles than I am of pain. Seeing how easy it was for my girls I say go for it. They were in such great shape after they deilvered because they didn't have to endure the pain. I couldn't even stand up straight for a week and they were running the hallways within hours. Good luck with your decision and have a great pregnancy, delivery and a healthy baby.

 

[skw444]

With dd#1, I went in planning on having the epidural. My water had broken on it's own and they decided to start me on pitocin. I don't recall being in unbearable pain, but my midwife suggested I go ahead and get the epidural. Absolutely no pain whatsoever. When it was time to actually push, I couldn't even feel the contractions and the midwife had to tell me when to push. 2 pushes and out she came. However, they did have a difficult time delivering the placenta and the midwife made a comment that it was good that I had the epidural since I couldn't feel anything while they tried delivering the placenta.

With dd#2, since I recalled absolutely no pain with dd#1, I figured I go without an epidural. Well, I waited until I could not stand the pain any longer and they came in with the epidural. But it did not take on one side at first. All I remember with dd#2 is the intense pain. They came in a redid my epi and it started working on both sides and I finished the delivery with no pain, but if I have another child, I'm planning on the epi from the beginning.

 

[ZachnElli]

I had 2 epidurals in 2 completely different hospitals in different states and they both worked perfectly. The only thing I'd do differently is say no to the demoral with my first child. Hated the demoral. I have a birth defect in my back, my last 4 vertebrae and tailbone are fused together, no discs. So I knew I wanted an epidural as long as I could have one, I just don't have the flexiblity in my back most women (with discs) do. I also had back labor with my big headed firstborn, lol. My best labor though was my 3rd child, he's adopted, so somebody else did all the labor!

 

[MerMom60_94]

When I was pregnant I had it all planned out on how I would get through the pain and not have an epidural. Well, it turned out DD was breach and I had a scheduled C-Section which meant I had to have an epidural. This was not at all what I had planned in my head! Go with the flow and do what you need to do. A whole generation of women used to get knocked out completely to give birth and their babies survived it just fine.

Oh, and my tip to you: since my C-section was scheduled ahead of time I was able to spread the word on when the baby would be born. That meant, as soon as I got to my room I had visitors showing up. After the C-section I was given an i.v. with pitosin (sp) to shrink me back down. Basically, it gave me contractions around the time guests were arriving to my room . I had to gracefully get DH's attention to have him ask everybody to leave. If, by chance, you are scheduled for a C-section - ask that people hold off on visiting until they get your go ahead. You may find you need a little space / rest.

Congratulations on the impending birth of your child!