Childbirth - Epidural or No?

[Planogirl]

Okay, DIS ladies (and gents) - I'm 12 weeks pregnant with my first child. In an attempt to distract myself from nausea, I have a poll...epidural or no? I'm familiar with the benefits and drawbacks, and I'm not subbing a DIS poll for medical advice but tell me your stories and opinions.

Hey, how nice! I didn't know.

As for me, I asked for the epidural long before my due date. I had crushing pain on some muscles in my abdomen and it would have been nice to have one for a month or two.

I personally see nothing wrong with it. I saw no sense in suffering when all I wanted was a baby. I didn't feel the needle going in and it was simply bliss once it was in place.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I cannot vote!

I believe an epi is a personal choice.

I delivered 2 with epi and my personal experience is that my body is oversensitive to any type of "med". With my 2nd, I was paralyzed for 10 hours AFTER delivery and the staff was all finished with me. At the 10th hour post delivery (not sure when they cut the meds), I felt a tingle in the very tip of my toe. FYI--the only reason I got the epi is that we had to switch on pitocin to augment labor and despite my midwife being very gentle, I had such an unpleasant experience with my first and a doc who seemed to put the pitocin in overdrive, that I just didn't want to have to deal with that at all. Otherwise, I had been doing fine all day. Just baby's health required that intervention and I just wasn't up for it without the epi.

I opted to not have it with my 3rd who ended up being born at 10lbs 14 oz. I was not trying to be a martyr and we didn't know that he was that big. It was very very painful, I don't have a high threshhold for pain. I was begging for an epi towards the very end and they told me there wasn't time. But I made such a fuss, that they started the IV drip. They told me it had to empty before I could have an epi and the baby was out before the bag was even half empty. I don't regret begging for it, but I'm glad that I didn't have to have it. I'm just not into the numb feeling. It heebs me out. So I'm glad my son came before I got the epi. That delivery was my first and only start to finish unaugmented labor. I was in labor at midnight, 6cm at arrival at the hospital about 2:30 or so and he was out by 6am or so. He is my only baby that I dilated for ahead of labor. Between week 36 and week 39, I was 1cm then 2cm. He was born on his due date exactly.

I won't say it wasn't that bad. I had some post partum issues from being unwilling to stop pushing when told and slow down to allow everything to slowly stretch and ended up with some nerve issues for the next couple of months.

Now that I know what to expect, I still plan to go no epi this time (again--the idea of post-delivery paralysis is just unappealing to me.)

But me telling you what to do with your body and your delivery--I just don't feel comfortable doing with it. I don't think you should be asking us to vote for your delivery--not so much that it is med advice...but I just can't have strangers suggesting what I should do with my body.

It will hurt--very much. All I can say, since this is your first--is look into some Bradley classes if you truly intend to do your best to go med-free.

And you should not feel that you have something to prove....
nor should you feel guilty about changing your mind.
As someone said, your goal is to deliver a healthy baby and whatever is good for you, is what is good for you!

IT IS YOUR CHOICE!!!!

Drug free can be done--but you really must be mentally set for what that involves. I know with my first, I wanted to be drug free--but the unknown and all that was happening...I really felt unprepared. Plus that durn OB who eivdently doesn't want to be bothered on a Sunday--put it in overdrive and I could have killed him.

An epidural is not a chicken's way out--I have to say that many times, it is the wiser choice.

I just personally do not like the side effects that I had been experience (even on a light dosage with my first--I feel absolutely nothing.I watch monitors to know when I am contracting for pushes and such b/c it annoyed me to have people tell me what to do and when to do it. I had no pressure, no feeling, no nothing. I don't know if that is unusual--but it is not something I enjoy.)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Those whose reason for skipping the epi are because you are afraid of needles, didn't you have any contact with a needle during your pregnancy?

I totally get the fear, one of the reasons I don't get a flu shot is because I hate shots, so I am there with ya on that!

I have an extreme phobia of needles. I try not to think about it with an epi. The first anesthesiologist whom I warned about my phobia and the possible consequences of my phobia--passing out--yelled at me and treated me like a child. Never mind that I was following what a dr. told me many years ago to tell anyone when it comes to a needle.

I avoid any needle that I do not 100% NEED. Me dealing with needles during prenatal care is not something I look forward to at all and I follow my silly little protocol. I avoid any and all non-mandatory needles.

An epidural isn't a NEED until I decide that it is. And in those instances, I've sucked it up and dealt with it. But it required more serious bracing utilizing 2 people and a conversation to keep my mind completely away from that needle.

And don't get me started on the heebs I get knowing that I am lying down on this evil needle.

 

[MinnieTink]

1st child The nurses told me that by the time I asked for it, it was too close to time to push so I had to tough it out. It was unbelievable. Painful. But your body takes care of you with that adrenaline rush. Whoo!!

2nd child. I asked for an epidural earlier because I knew better! The anesthesiologist was awesome. Very little discomfort with the actual epidural. The birth was... Well I could have been on a beach with a margarita, that's how relaxed and pain free I was

3rd child. Same hospital different anesthesiologist. HORRIBLE. He went in to far with the needle and gave me a spinal. It hurt. When I straightened out I felt like someone hit me in the head with a baseball bat. I had an intense headache and almost passed out. The baby was in distress. It was a very scary situation. Thankfully my son was fine after the worst delivery of all 3 of my kids. I had a lot of bruising to my back so it was painful to lay down. And I was on medication because there were concerns that I had lost or was leaking soMe spinal fluid. Oh my. I had numbness in my left leg and foot for months. Then I had that pins and needles feeling for a while longer. I am fine now.

My experience with my 2nd child was EXCELLENT tho so if I was to go for a 4th I would get the epidural.

 

[Green Tea]

I have done it both ways. First with nothing. Second with the epidural. (I had no option on the second delivery because they were suspecting it may end up being a quick change over to a c-section.)

Honestly, I found the most painful part of either being the ripping of the tape holding the tubing from the epidural off my back. Even with the epidural I kept one area that would not numb. I don't know why. I kind of fixated on that spot because I knew I shouldn't be feeling it.

I would go in with an open mind but not think twice about deciding to take the epidural. I am likely in the minority; I didn't find labor that bad. Maybe it was just I was expecting it to be as bad as all the horror stories people loved telling me for 9 months with the first one. It really wasn't in my experience.

Medicine is there for a reason. If you need it, take advantage of what is available. If you find you don't need it, then that is great too.

 

[Aisling]

My first came so fast, there was no time for an epidural. With my second, YES YES YES I got an epidural! While I was suffering in labor for so many hours, all I could think of was OMG this is modern times, why am I suffering like I'm giving birth in Little House on the Prairie!!

So I had the epidural, and I thank God for pain relief.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I had 3 with the epidural, 1 without (not by choice).
It only really worked the first time. I have super fast labor which sounds great but really isn't I go from zero to I feel like I am going to explode in about 6 seconds. No joke.
My first labor was 6 hours. Each time it was cut in half. Last time I almost had her in the car.
I would like them to start the epidural now to insure that I will not have pain and there will be time to make sure it is working.
No I am not kidding.

 

[waltskids]

With my DS, I had no time to get an epidural since I had precipitous (short) labor which only lasted a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes. By the time I realized what was happening, I was rushed by ambulance and actively pushing by the time we got there. So for DD, my labor was induced for fear of another very fast labor (I was walking around at 4 cm, which happened the first time too) and I had an epidural which was WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!! Labor was also very fast after the induction, but I felt no pain like the first time. The only discomfort was the minor burning when the epidural was inserted, then it was bliss!

My advice: if you want one, that's great, but be prepared just in case it can't happen. Best of luck!

 

[RunningGirl]

No epi for me either time. I was paranoid of the needle in my back. With both I labored for about 8 hours and pushed for less than an hour, so they were pretty easy. I walked laps around the ob unit with both, which really helped progress my labor and keep my mind off it. I didn't get into bed until they made me.

 

[EMom]

Keep in mind, I have never given birth. But I had made up my mind long before we even tried to get pregnant because of two instances I knew of.

Our next door neighbor went to the hospital to have her first baby. We saw the husband a couple of days later and he looked like crap. So we asked how the wife and baby were doing and he said the baby was good and the wife was better. Better??? Turns out that somehow the epidural meds went the wrong way (up instead of down) and deadened her from that point up. She almost died.

Several years after that, in my hometown, a doctor's wife (of all people) died from complications from her epidural.

My sister and I are both weenies about pain and make no bones about it. But she had no epidurals and took other meds (Demerol, mainly) to basically make her not give a rat's hiney if she hurt. That, I could handle. We both have migraines that make you pray to pass out, because that's the only relief you'll get and she assured me childbirth did not compare to our migraines. (Yes, ours are extreme.) At the time, my ob/gyn also had migraines and laughed about that, because he understood the level of pain I was referring to.

I figured I've lived through many, many migraines and had nothing to show at the end except barf or unconsciousness. With labor, I'd get a baby at the end. So they could drug me enough to get me through it. But the one death and other near death from epidurals were too close to home. I didn't HAVE to have one, so I would have opted out. Plus, the way the procedure works freaks me out because of a phobia I have. I can handle needles when it's a shot. But needles in my veins or something like that make me dang near hyperventilate. All my mind sees is a needle inside, as if I am in there, with the blood (or whatever) rushing by it. It's a foreign body and I want it out. I hate it when I have to have IVs. Hate it. I'd have never made it through an epi.

 

[quentina]

Anyone who considers childbirth without needs more than an epidural

It was amazing..., incredible.....whomever invented it deserves some type of amazing award.

 

[cybrkitn]

BTW, let's not forgot our friend Demerol...

Ah yes, Demerol...I was in and out of it after I gave birth to DS7. So much so that I couldn't hold DS for too long b/c of it. DH got to hold him and boy was he in his glory while I felt like a rag doll, lol.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

First DD (11) was emergency Csection so I had a spinal block..best invention ever lol..

Second DD (5) planned Csection so again a spinal...though I was put under completely when I hemmhorraged after the surgery lol..said I would NEVER have another child..

STB Third DD (scheduled Csection Jan 20-25..havent decided on exact day yet) will be another spinal...

Hmm, I guess I am not the person to ask lol..but for first DD I "planned" to have an epidural cause I am a whiner and NOT good with pain lol..

 

[ontariomonkey]

I think that it's important to try for a natural birth because it is safest for both Mum and Baby.

BUT it's also important to remember that every labour is different and that you can't always plan for what will happen. If you miss a couple of nights of sleep before the labour, if your baby is in a bad position, if your baby is needing to be continuously monitored, these may affect your ability to deal with the pain naturally.

Also with a first baby, you have no idea what labour will be like and how you will cope. You need to allow yourself to use drugs if you truly need them. But if you don't at least try to go natural, you arent' giving yourself the oportunity to see if you can do it. It is very gratifying to come through the birth experience learning that you are stronger than you thought.

Enjoy your pregnancy.

 

[Piecey]

I say go in with an open mind, but I suggest getting it.

I went in unsure because the idea of a needle in my back terrified me!
I'd been at the hospital, in active labor, with my water broken about 6 hours when they asked if I wanted it because the anestheseologist would be on the floor to do someone else.. and if I waited it might take him hours to get back.
So I thought hey! why not.

I am soooo glad for sooo many reasons that I got the epidural.
(We now know) that his head was too big and never fully entered the birth canal, so I didn't dilate as quickly as I should have.
The epidural wore off on me twice and the pain in those hours was more excruciating than any pain I'd ever felt in my life. Back labor.. and Lucas was twisted so contractions kinda squished him in very painful ways. I ended up hyperventilating and needing oxygen from the pain when the epidural wore off.
(Though I do believe it was partially because I went from NO pain to excruciating pain with the contractions that were 2 min. apart... there was no building up and not much of a break)
So about 16 hours (and 2 worn off epidurals) later I had a c-section.
So I would have ended up with a needle in my back anyway.

So I'm a huge friend of the epidural. I didn't feel a thing when he did it and thought he was lying to me when he told me I was done.

 

[luvmyfam444]

I had it with all 3 of my births - best drugs ever! I played Uno with my 1st dd while sitting in the hospital waiting on #2 to be born.

I will say though that with the 1st two I had a strong epi & I felt NOTHING - they told me when to push & I did - had pitocin with all 3 as well.

the 3rd on my epi wasn't as strong I'm guessing they used less? but I could feel a little & it was amazing to feel sensations & not pain...I could feel the urge to push with #3 & had never felt that with the other 2.

I'm not sure how that was different - I didn't ask for anything different - maybe it just didn't take as well or it really was a lesser dose...IDK

I do not have a high tollerance for pain - you know you better than anyone else - do you have to take something for any minor pain/headache, etc or can you tough it out without meds?

My dd (now 6) doesn't cry with shots & I would venture to guess that she'll be the woman that can go without the meds.

Just make sure you watch the video & sign the papers 'cause if you don't then you're out of luck if it gets too bad for ya.

Now my pains came with #3 with the afterbirth pains - they were so bad that I wanted an epi for them! Not as bad with #1...

 

[locolala]

I haven't given birth yet, and if this baby sticks around I will for sure get an epi. I've had 3 spinal taps (yes, three) and so I'm used to having needles stuck in my back. It just doesn't bother me too much anymore. I think the worst part of it was hearing the pop as it went in. The common practice at the naval hospital here is to first use lidocaine and then go in with the epi. I have scoliosis and hyperloditis, so I know for a fact (and been told by my ob) that I will have severe back labor. I can't have most narcotic pain meds, so I don't really have a choice when it comes to pain management.

 

[tessiemez]

In terms of my labor, epidural was probably the worst decision I made.

I broke my spine several years ago, and that concerned me when I was pregnant. I saw several different doctors, all of whom told me it wouldn't cause any problems, and couldn't affect epidural effectiveness.

I went into the hospital hoping not to have to get an epidural (but prepared to because I was induced) , but a few hours in when the labor was starting to really progress and they'd up'd my pitocin, I finally agreed to let the anesthetist in.

Because of my spinal injury, the epidural didn't work. Well, I can't say that. It completely numbed everything from my thighs down. I still felt all the pain of contractions. The epidural slowed my contractions and made my cervix stop dialating, so they up'ed the pitocin, which made my contractions stronger. They moved the epidural needle and reapplied, giving me another dose--same thing. Jelly legs that I weren't sure still existed, extreme pain from contractions. Then I started to undialate (went from a 7 to a 6). They maxed the pitocin, and gave me another epidural, and I went down to a five. They let me try to labor for a few hours, which I barely remember. Then they told me that her heart rate was down--probably due to the epidurals, but they wanted to do an emergency C-Section.

I have little to no idea what happened after I signed the consent forms. I remember them giving me something else--maybe a spinal block, I'm honestly not sure--which actually started to numb the pain a bit. I remember the OR lights above me, and I remember asking for my husband. I also remember asking for a breath mint, and telling the anesthetist she had Bette Davis eyes. :: Then I remember starting to FEEL them perform the C-Section. Then my husband asked if I could hear our baby cry, and I didn't answer, and then I woke up a few hours later in a recovery room. I was so out of it, I barely understood what was going on.

Obviously my case was NOT normal. But I do regret the three failed epidurals (they kept saying that if they moved it up it would work), and more than anything, I regret not getting to hear my baby cry or hold her as she came into this world. The C-Section and birthing process ended up creating lots of problems for both my daughter and I over her first couple of months.

It's silly, I guess, but I had a hard time getting over it. I guess I had certain expectations of meeting my daughter for the first time, and I sort of had to mourn that and get over it. Looking at everything I just wrote even baffles me a bit. (That having been said--being handed my daughter for the first time is one of the most precious memories I'll ever have.)

I've never met anyone else who's had an epidural fail. My sister-in-law and all my friends say it's a Godsend, and for them I'm glad it was.

 

[HelenePA]

Keep in mind, I have never given birth. But I had made up my mind long before we even tried to get pregnant because of two instances I knew of.

.

I was 50/50 before I had my first dd.. I wasn't sure what I was going to do.. well labor pains have a way of making up your mind for you.. her labor was the longest (8 hrs) and after 3 I was begging for the epidural. At that point they didn't believe I was in "real labor" they kept trying to have me hold off longer... Nope I got my epidural right after they gave me morphine so I was out of it for a few hours No pain + morphine= 2-3hrs is my max labor I can tolerate with out an epidural!

My boys were both non-epidurals. They were both 8.6 and 2 hour induced labors.. my 2nd dd should have also been a non-epidural but the nurse didn't check me (on purpose) before they gave it to me. I was actually complete but since I had asked for one at the start of my induction she wanted to make sure i got it... a whole 10 min before she was born.. heck it probably took longer for them to do the epidural than it would have been for me to just push her out (2 pushes)

 

[punkin]

We both have migraines that make you pray to pass out, because that's the only relief you'll get and she assured me childbirth did not compare to our migraines. (Yes, ours are extreme.)

My labor pains (I went natural both times but was willing to do epi if need be) were never as bad as my worst period (I used to have horrendous, climb the walls howling pain periods) so I never asked for an epi or anything else either. The Doctors and Nurses offered to call anesthesiologist several times but I kept waiting for the pain to get worse.