Epidural Poll!

[acejka]

I have no intentions of having one, not because I don't think its not going to hurt, or because I think I will be more of a woman going through labor naturally, but because I can't stand the thought of a needle in my spine, the costant worry of one slip up and I could end up brain dead, I know they are safe and women get them every day, but I want to try to last as long as I can without one, because I am too fearful of the needle, I mean come on my great grandma had 16 kids and there were no epidurals back then, my other great grandma had 12... I think they might have stopped if it were that bad...

I know every woman is different, and that I might end up being in the worst pain ever and getting one in the end, but my plans (and I know they change!) are to not have one... I think I'm pretty tough though... I survived a car running over my legs and stomach, I've passed kidney stones, and I get mind numbing can't walk cramps once a month...

So to anyone who feels like answering, did you get one? Anything you care to share about the experience, without or without one?

 

[rcraw45425]

Had one both times, but I also had pre ecalpsia both times and wound up on bed rest and had to take both of my girls early via C Sections. For my first my OB actually did it himself and I had utmost confidence in him and his technique ( he did it slow to keep my BP from rising anymore than it already was). Truthfully, I would not concider not having one, but that's just me. Whatever works for you is what I say.

 

[rparmfamily]

I've never had an epidural.

I am lucky though because I have fast labors and manageable contractions until about 7cm. Transistion (the last few cm's until full dialation) is VERY tough but it's tough for all women but I can make it thru those last few cm's and have my baby. I have felt so good, like almost "high" after giving birth. I love getting up and walking around and not being treated like an invalid. I'm my own woman and I love the feeling of power/strength natural childbirth brings. I know it sounds silly but I can't describe it.

Now had I had long labors and pushed for hours I might feel differently, but with both of mine, I had them within a few hours of having bad contractions.

Honestly I doubt I'll have one w/this new baby, I plan on NOT having one, I want to go natural again.

 

[binny]

yes and for all 3.

The first one was horrible. They put it in the wrong place and had to redo it. That was the worst. that labour was 49 1/2 hours long and I got an epi after about 30 hours. That was enough for me.

But the other 2 were ok. Would do it again.


Youve heard the joke "when should I get an epidural?" "as soon as you find out youre pregnant!"

 

[luvmy3]

I had one for my first 2 and I didn't have one for my 3rd because there wasn't enough time (very short labor).

 

[freckles and boo]

I had one with my first daughter. The second came so fast that by the time I got to the hospital it was really too late. The goal is to have a safe delivery, however you choose to do it. The end result is the same - a baby in your arms.

 

[cruellababy]

well my 1st c-section was an emergency one and I had an demerol drip-not Cutting it! So they induced, and I was in the most HORRIBLE pain-and I was pulling my Dh's shorts down w the contractions-so anesteasologist? sp? came in put epidural in and evreryone was laughing-why? Because I told him he was better than JC-the pain was gone Fast forward to scheduled c-section 2-he was my BFF!!!! You don't need to experience pain to make the delivery of your prescious baby worthwhile-words to me from a VERY wise Ob/Gyn.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Had "natural" childbirth. No epidural. Of course, it hurt, but I kept thinking to myself that by the next day it would be behind me & I would have my child.

For my first child I was well rested, well-hydrated, and prepared. For my second child, I had shampooed our living room rug by hand earlier that day, and was physically tired. I could handle the pain much better for the first than for the second.

 

[happygirl]

I had with both my babies there were Csections. I'm terrified of needles I have them use butterfly needles, the needles they use on kids. When I had both of miine I never felt the stick

 

[All American]

You bet I had one. I just made sure I never looked at the needle. In fact, one of the nicest compliments I got during my pregnancy was from the guy who administered the epidural. "You're really thin," he said. "That makes this really easy." *sigh* I don't think he'd say that now. . .

 

[castleview]

Went natural the first two times and had an epidural the third time. GET THE EPIDURAL!! While you're doing hard labor and contracting, the thought of the needle in your spine will be meaningless.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I had one both times.

First time I got it right before they broke my water. It was heaven. I'd been in labor for 2 days at home but not progressing. (They broke my water cuz it was bulging and it totally kickstarted me) But it really gave me rest I hadn't had for 48 hours. It went fine, barely hurt. Wasn't the perfect epidural because one side was a little less numb..but it still helped me enough. I am SO BEYOND grateful that I had one because I hemorrhaged after birth and the doc had his arm up to his elbow inside of me and shoving on the top with his other. I felt SOME of this (as my epi was turned off right before pushing..it ran out they never refilled..) and the little that I felt was excruciating. I can't even explain.

I had one for my second. I was induced and went as long as I 'could' or wanted to without one..ended up being about 4 hours and then I wanted it. Again, very glad I had it for the same reason. Post partum hemorrhage is awful as it is, but at least I didn't have to feel all of it. I can't imagine.

I'd never try to change someone's mind. Everyone has to make their own decisions. But if you're worried about the needle and the needle only, don't be.

 

[rparmfamily]

I personally thought getting the IV in my hand was the worst part LOL!

 

[Amy&Dan]

31 hours of labor, four of which were spent pushing. I didn't want one but after about 16 hours of labor (that was induced so I was being pumped full of drugs that pretty much weren't natural, so why should the delivery process be!) my doctor said if I didn't take it, I might not have the strength to push. My contractions didn't have much time in between and after that amount of time, I was really fighting against them which was stalling my labor. It took about three attempts and it was like 8 more hours before I got one that worked and it only worked about halfway on one side and maybe 70% on the other. But it took the edge off. Still by the time that one finally worked, I had been in labor over 24 hours. It was almost totally gone when I began to push and as hard as that was, it was good I wasn't numb and could get in a squat finally and get that son of mine out of there!

I look back on it 14 years later and feel almost angry that I put that much pressure on myself. I remember weeping when I finally "gave in" much to my doctor's dismay. I mean there I was, exhausted, and I was apologizing. I had a friend who had had a baby and said she was proud for being a real woman and that she had a high pain tolerance. I think that statement really stuck with me, I wanted to be like her and not "fail".

For baby #2, I had a scheduled C Section (breech) and a nurse anethesist (sp?) gave me one. He got it right on the first try, no problem. Where was he two years earlier??

Had I had a third baby, who knows? Take a wait and see. I was adamant but I didn't figure that induction into my equation. That really changed the ballgame for me.

 

[suzimar57]

had an epidural - but i was in such pain with labor, it didn't make much of a difference (and the plus side, didn't feel the needle, either)

 

[freckles and boo]

I personally thought getting the IV in my hand was the worst part LOL!

I agree. The six sticks just to get the IV started was MUCH worse than the epidural!

 

[momto2girls]

I'm the exact opposite. I never for one second considered not having an epidural. It wasn't even up for discussion. If there is a painkiller available, I'm taking it!

Ironically, I probably would have done just fine without it. I was 6 cm dilated when I went to get checked with my first baby. I wasn't even very uncomfortable. I thought I was in false labor. The nurse said that I seemed very comfortable and that I would be just fine without the epidural, but I just smiled at her and told her to get the anesthesiologist.

The second time I went in at 8 cm dilated. I walked in from the parking lot myself and had no idea that I was that far along. I thought I was in beginning stages. Once again, I insisted on it anyway.

I would have gotten it at the beginning of the ninth month if they would have allowed it.

 

[taylor1293]

I wanted one, but was denied for both children.

The first time my DD was a preemie and they were worried about her heart rate decreasing with the epidural. I managed to work through the pain and once she was ready to come she was out in a matter of minutes, no biggie. But I could not imagine pushing for hours without one, IMO.

The second time, my doctor was an idiot. Keep going home because he was sick, saying I wasn't progressing. There were other pain issues too, I went to the hospital in an ambulance two days earlier because of horrid pains...I believe now I probably had costochondritis. Even breath I took felt like I was being stabbed in the ribs. (add that to labor...fun, fun!). Anyway, they wouldn't listen, and only paid attention to how far dilated I was, not everything else (like the fact that the contractions were every 5 minutes). So, I suffered for quite some time. Then my water finally broke and I went from something like 3 cm to baby in 8 minutes! HA, caught them off guard!

Anyway, I am terrified of needles, so I wasn't sure I wanted one before going in, but once I was there and in pain, I knew I wanted it. I just couldn't get it!

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I had long hard labours (about 18 hours) and long pushing stages too, but no epidural. Sure, it hurt. As my doctor said "Yeah, it hurts like hell." But you know what? It's worth it. It's worth it because the minute the baby is born and in your arms, all the pain is gone and you feel so good!

To me, it's like running. Athletes compete in marathons and long distance races, and it's painful. Their muscles ache, their feet hurt. Well, labour is the same kind of intense physical activity. So it's painful, but it's worth it for what you accomplish.

The risks of the epidural are fairly small, but they are not zero. A woman in the small town where I lived died from complications of the epidural a few years ago, and a friend of mine suffered permanent damage to the nerves going to her leg. She has to walk with a cane now. It can also make it difficult for the baby to breastfeed in the beginning (it affects the baby's ability to suckle effectively). Unless I truly needed an epidural (for example, to have a C-section done), I wasn't willing to take those risks.

Teresa

 

[Tasmen]

I'm the exact opposite. I never for one second considered not having an epidural. It wasn't even up for discussion. If there is a painkiller available, I'm taking it!

I am the exact same way. There was never any doubt in my mind that I was taking the drugs. I'm thankful I went that route as well.

I ended up needing to be induced. Induction is some serious pain. Ow ow ow. I labored for about 12 hours from 1 to 4cm with only a little fentanyl and a shot of demorol in the booty. I couldn't get the epidural until they were sure my labor was progressing. The minute it was apparent I was progressing, the nurse offered me the epidural. 15 minutes later, I had a needle in my back.

I was also a bit apprehensive about a needle in the spine, but my desire to not feel the pain far outweighed my worry about the needle slippage. I /hate/ needles too. The only thing I really felt when I was poked was this weird electrical charge feeling. Otherwise, I felt nothing. It didn't hurt and I soon had relief from the raging contractions o' induction.