Epidural Poll!

[U2_rocks!]

I had all 3 of mine without an epidural, or any pain relief at all. It wasn't easy at times, but I always knew I didn't want to introduce drugs to an already-unpredictable process. I just mentally prepared for it like it was a marathon or something, and worked my way through. I must say, I appreciated it the most right after the births, when I was able to hop up and hit the shower right away. I never had any weird drug reactions. In fact, because I wasn't getting any drugs of any kind, I didn't need to have an IV in at all - I wasn't likely to require fluids, or to have my blood pressure crash. For me, having babies wasn't a huge medical event, though I did have equipment on hand in case it was needed.

 

[cruiserkaren]

I went to the OB today and got the handout on what they do as standard procedure, what my options are, etc. Pain management is up to me, but it says this: "Labor, unfortunately, is a painful process. It is also an unpredictable process and we thus encourage you to have an open mind about your pain control needs. Some labors are quite rapid and tolerable while others require a great deal of patience and intervention."

That's great that they put that in there. I know with my first I seriously never even considered NOT getting an epidural. It was just going to happen. I wish I would have understood the "unpredictable process" a little more!

 

[Olaf]

I had one, but I couldn't feel when it came time to push, and they had to let it wear off. It did allow me to rest for a bit though. DS weighed nine lbs 11 ounces and was 23 1/2 inches long, and I was in a world of pain. Unfortunately, my labor nurses neglected to tell the doctor that they'd had to let the epidural wear off when they took me into the delivery room, and he proceeded to give me an episiotomy with no local anesthetic.

 

[mjkacmom]

I had all 3 of mine without an epidural, or any pain relief at all. It wasn't easy at times, but I always knew I didn't want to introduce drugs to an already-unpredictable process. I just mentally prepared for it like it was a marathon or something, and worked my way through. I must say, I appreciated it the most right after the births, when I was able to hop up and hit the shower right away. I never had any weird drug reactions. In fact, because I wasn't getting any drugs of any kind, I didn't need to have an IV in at all - I wasn't likely to require fluids, or to have my blood pressure crash. For me, having babies wasn't a huge medical event, though I did have equipment on hand in case it was needed.

A lot of women mention that one of the positives about natural childbirth is the ability to be up and about afterwards. I had epidurals for all 3 of my regulation deliveries (c/s with twins), and by the time my OB was done sewing, I was up and about with 2 of them (my OB had to back in for the placenta with #1, so I needed more epi) - actually, with #2, I got the epidural right after my water was broken and pitocin started, and never felt a single contraction, and pushed ds out 3 hours later - since it was completely pain-free, I felt awesome!

 

[U2_rocks!]

A lot of women mention that one of the positives about natural childbirth is the ability to be up and about afterwards. I had epidurals for all 3 of my regulation deliveries (c/s with twins), and by the time my OB was done sewing, I was up and about with 2 of them (my OB had to back in for the placenta with #1, so I needed more epi) - actually, with #2, I got the epidural right after my water was broken and pitocin started, and never felt a single contraction, and pushed ds out 3 hours later - since it was completely pain-free, I felt awesome!

Is that the norm though? I have always gotten the impression that it isn't that easy to give just the right amount of meds via the epidural so that the pain during labour would be removed, enough sensation would remain to enable pushing, and it would have worn off enough to be up and around right after. Also, in many cases it's not the numbness that keeps women down - it's their body's reaction to the meds (e.g. sometimes their blood pressure crashes, sometimes they get awful spinal headaches etc.).

Giving birth without meds is hard work, there is no question, and if I could be assured that I would have had one of those "easy" epidural experiences, perhaps I would have changed my mind. But there are no assurances, and I preferred to deal with my natural pain than to deal with some other strange occurrence brought on by the epidural. I felt like I was more equipped to deal with something that my body already knew how to do, than to deal with something completely alien.

 

[mjkacmom]

Is that the norm though? I have always gotten the impression that it isn't that easy to give just the right amount of meds via the epidural so that the pain during labour would be removed, enough sensation would remain to enable pushing, and it would have worn off enough to be up and around right after. Also, in many cases it's not the numbness that keeps women down - it's their body's reaction to the meds (e.g. sometimes their blood pressure crashes, sometimes they get awful spinal headaches etc.).

Giving birth without meds is hard work, there is no question, and if I could be assured that I would have had one of those "easy" epidural experiences, perhaps I would have changed my mind. But there are no assurances, and I preferred to deal with my natural pain than to deal with some other strange occurrence brought on by the epidural. I felt like I was more equipped to deal with something that my body already knew how to do, than to deal with something completely alien.

Not to brag, but I am an amazing pusher! Seriously, I refused to push until they topped me off, and my 1st took the longest - 20 minutes. I guess that probably means that I pooped all over the table! I know I was lucky in that they worked, well, with no issues - my sister ended up with the spinal headache, and it was a nightmare! I am truly impressed with those who give birth without drugs - I admit to being the biggest baby, and I couldn't do it!

 

[Fintastic]

I had an epidural with DD and it was great! I never even considered going natural.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I voted I wanted one and I couldnt have one

I have had 3 back surgeries so its pretty much known it was a no go.
One anesthesiologist looked at my spine, I didnt know why, I never even asked for it, there was so miscommunication. She just said, no way!!

The lst was the worst, the 2nd one was not that bad and the 3rd one was a breeze. The times were 14 hours, 6 hours and then like 1 1/2 hours.

I have a very high pain tolerance too so that helps.

 

[mhsjax]

I always knew I didn't want an epidural b/c I am just deathly afraid of needles, plus what my sister went through. It REALLY irritated me when person after person after person after person after person.... would tell me something like this. I was already nervous about the whole thing, trying to build up the courage and confidence to deal with my upcoming labor...and then every woman I met felt it was her "duty" to tell me how wrong I was, or laugh (roll eyes) at how "ignorant" I was about childbirth pains, like I was stupid or something. I know it was rude, but I finally just started replying with a smile, "Well, some of us are just stronger than others."

I know you probably mean well, and so do the MILLIONS of people who say the same line, but why is it considered bad for someone to say something negative about epidurals, but at the same time, women can try and make you feel stupid or ignorant for wanting a natural birth. And WHY WHY WHY does every woman tell a pregnant woman how horrible and painful birth is!! That is SO irritating!! Girls are nervous enough w/o your bellyaching already....

It's like each side has their own "club" and they are trying to recruit you for THEIR club and make you feel inferior if you are leaning toward the other side...

Can you tell this is one of my pet-peeves????? Sorry for the rant....

I understand your rant, and everybody should mind their own business, by the way, My pet peeve is women who think they are stronger or better because they had a drug free delivery, get what I mean.

 

[catherinesmom]

I was unable to avoid one with my first, but had a natural home birth with my second.

I see that you are in NOVA as well. If you are interested, PM me and I can give you some local resources that might help you have your baby without an epidural.

 

[Stitchfans]

Yes for second DD I did. Not for first DD.

 

[ReneeA]

I had an epidural at about 6 cm with the first. I was in a little bit of pain - felt like bad cramps to me, but then I was told they were going to break my water so NOW would be the time to get an epidural. It was my first baby, and I thought, "What the heck...I'll get the epdiural." I was glad I did - DS was over 10 pounds and 23" long and it took me 2 hours to push him out. I was thankful for it in the end.

With DD, she had a posterior presentation - terrible back pain. My water broke at home, I piddled around here for a few hours getting ready, contractions eventually started on their own. I was about 5cm when I finally got to the hospital. Back labor kicked in and I begged for an epidural - I mean tears rolling down my face. I am allergic to iodine and the nurses couldn't find antiseptic wash. They looked for it for almost an hour, and I kept progressing. I FINALLY got the epidural, and DD slid right out a few minutes later. It would have been a total waste of time and $$, except for the fact that I ripped in the same place as with DS, and was numb while being stitched for a long time.

 

[zalansky]

I voted yes even though both my kids ended up c-section babies. As my doctor said during the class for mother who were about to deliver..."the hospital doesn't hand out awards to the mothers who chose not to have epidurals." The choice for me, was why go through pain if i don't have to?

 

[OceanAnnie]

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?

I was scared to death of getting an epidural. I had made up my mind I would not get one. My friends told me, "Don't be a hero.", but I wasn't going to do it. I thought I was tough, too. Humph.

I did it. It was the best thing I did during delivery. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. All my fears were blasted away by contraction pains. It whipped my butt. I begged for it. I was in so much pain, I didn't even know the epidural procedure was over. I was so thankful. I cried.

 

[quentina]

Yes, could not imagine delivering my 9.5 lb son without.

Personally, I think whomever invented it deserves the inventor of the year award.

It was wonderful!!

My last 2 kids, I adopted. I joke often when people ask the "should I or shouldn't I" question. My answer is, I adopted and I got one!

 

[kimluvswdw]

I have had it done 3 times and everything was fine.

 

[ElizK]

I did not want one, nor did I have one -- with either of my two children. I was much more afraid of the needle in my back than I was of the pain. Fortunately, both my kids came VERY quickly. DD16 was 10hrs from the very first labor pain until I was holding her (10 mins pushing), and DD13 came in 8hrs. A piece of cake (ok, so maybe the years since then has jaded my memory somewhat. BUT, I'd do everything again the same way). I'm one of those women who could have given birth in the fields and gone back to work right away.

Oh, and it probably helped that both my girls weighed only 6.5 lbs each.

 

[FJJM0621]

I had an epidural for both pregnancies.

First one I was way too numb - couldn't move my left leg & was hard to "feel" where to push.

Second one was perfect - so perfect that I was able to feel my son crown - but I freaked out because I didn't want to feel any MORE pain & the Doc just locally numbed me.

If they come at you w/ pitocen to help you along you will be screaming for the epidural...just MHO. I thought I wanted to get to 7cm then get the epi - but they gave me pitocen & I never felt pain like that - no way was I going to be in pain - what for?

I am crazy afraid of needles too, but I wanted to feel no pain.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I had an epidural for both pregnancies.

First one I was way too numb - couldn't move my left leg & was hard to "feel" where to push.

Second one was perfect - so perfect that I was able to feel my son crown - but I freaked out because I didn't want to feel any MORE pain & the Doc just locally numbed me.

If they come at you w/ pitocen to help you along you will be screaming for the epidural...just MHO. I thought I wanted to get to 7cm then get the epi - but they gave me pitocen & I never felt pain like that - no way was I going to be in pain - what for?

I am crazy afraid of needles too, but I wanted to feel no pain.

I'll second that.

 

[JVL1018]

They were awesome, I wish I had one right now.