So I was watching A Baby Story........

[mjkacmom]

I can´t see anyone here who wants to make epidural wanting mothers feel like criminals. That certainly isn´t my intent. I´ve had an epidural myself (didn´t want it though and made sure never to get one again). However, it does make me sad when women don´t know what risks are involved.

Do you really think pregnant women don't research everything to do with childbirth? That only those who are do or die unmedicated birth nazi's research? I've read the risks, and chose to have an epidural, because those risks were worth it to me. I experienced pitocin-induced labor for several hours with my first. By the time it was in place, it was time to push. Therefore, with #2, I asked the anesthesiologist if she was going to be around, and she said she was heading into a c/s and would be gone for more than an hour (this is what happened with #1). My OB gave the okay, since I was at 4. Within minutes of numbness, the contractions on the monitor were off the charts.

 

[Freyja]

Do you really think pregnant women don't research everything to do with childbirth? That only those who are do or die unmedicated birth nazi's research? I've read the risks, and chose to have an epidural, because those risks were worth it to me. I experienced pitocin-induced labor for several hours with my first. By the time it was in place, it was time to push. Therefore, with #2, I asked the anesthesiologist if she was going to be around, and she said she was heading into a c/s and would be gone for more than an hour (this is what happened with #1). My OB gave the okay, since I was at 4. Within minutes of numbness, the contractions on the monitor were off the charts.

Of course I don´t think that and for you to imply so is absurd. However, there are LOTS of women who do not do proper research. Do you honestly believe that all pregnant women do research on all the risks involved with various pain meds? I´m glad you had a healthy babies and births that went well.

 

[TheZue]

Not everyone has the option of having their birth go as planned. People need to calm down and stop being so judgmental.

I have no doubt had I been alive 100 years ago both me and my son would have died in childbirth so I have no problem with modern medicine. For me I didn't have the epidural until 16 hours of labour where I was passing out between contractions, so my perception of the situation was 100% pain 100% of the time...there is no mental prep for that for hours on end. In the end when my son finally needed to get out NOW that epidural made it so they got in there within five minutes. I have no doubt it saved his life. If anything they should have stepped in hours earlier.

And before you say "Oh but the epidural could have raised the chance of him becoming a c-section" don't. I didn't progress in the 16 hours before the epidural, he wasn't going to fit. I wasn't classified a high risk labour although my son is third gen c-section. Natural labour is wonderful, but if you ever get a chance to go a 19th century grave yard the number of young dead women is shocking. There are risks either way, but I'll take my chances with the 21st century methods.

 

[pigletgirl]

It's interesting that we're talking about this, because just recently my roommate and I were watching a documentary from netflix called 'Pregnant in America'. It talked alot about how the c-section rate here (US) is 29%! The WHO recommends it be no higher than 11%...

Also, it listed the 15 major complications or so from an epidural, and I had no idea! Its really scary how OB's these days are treating their patients. I know its pretty much out of convienence and malpractice, but still!!! Its really insane and rediculous.

I haven't ever been pregnant nor given birth, but I'm already seeing what I don't want in a birth.

Also, I just wanted to add that when I'm in pain, its pretty hard for me to stay in one position. I like to move around, so I can imagine being strapped to a hospital bed, will not go well with me!

 

[Robinrs]

I guess with full epidurals any position is comfortable

That being said, if doctors and midwives helped more women be comfortable during birth, a lot less women would need epis.

Not unless the doctor or midwife was a magician!

Give me epidural or get me outta here!!!!

 

[TheZue]

I really wonder with the c-sections how many are like my husband's family where they are getting into multi generational patterns. Where these people would have died 100 years ago they are now alive and well passing their genes, and in my husband's case their giant heads, on.

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

I´ve had 2 waterbirths and loved them! Best thing ever. If you ever can have a waterbirth I highly recommend it.
Last waterbirth, 2 years ago, DH was in the tub with me and we delivered DS together, while the midwife watched

It would be nice. But since I love our hospital too much to switch I'll settle for the shower. I did have 2 epidurals but being able to sleep for a few hours made all the difference. In both cases I went to 10 while I slept. And trust me, the urge to push was there both times. No mistaking that!

My first born was 26 hours and my second was 13. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed for half that time if we have a third.

I was able to catch our second born. The doctor told my husband come catch your son, but since he's caught a few already (he's a FF), he told me to do it. There is no feeling like it in the world. I'm sure your DH was so proud!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Not everyone has the option of having their birth go as planned. People need to calm down and stop being so judgmental.

I have no doubt had I been alive 100 years ago both me and my son would have died in childbirth so I have no problem with modern medicine. For me I didn't have the epidural until 16 hours of labour where I was passing out between contractions, so my perception of the situation was 100% pain 100% of the time...there is no mental prep for that for hours on end. In the end when my son finally needed to get out NOW that epidural made it so they got in there within five minutes. I have no doubt it saved his life. If anything they should have stepped in hours earlier.

And before you say "Oh but the epidural could have raised the chance of him becoming a c-section" don't. I didn't progress in the 16 hours before the epidural, he wasn't going to fit. I wasn't classified a high risk labour although my son is third gen c-section. Natural labour is wonderful, but if you ever get a chance to go a 19th century grave yard the number of young dead women is shocking. There are risks either way, but I'll take my chances with the 21st century methods.

I think the point is that epidurals have their place. My last 2 babies were born by c-section because they were breech. Obviously, that was a medical emergency and I am 100% thankful for it. For, like you said, 100 years ago my baby and I would've died.

My 1st baby was totally natural and I'm thankful for that birth as well. There are many situations, like yours and mine, where medical intervention is necessary. A healthy mom and baby are the goal. I'm certainly not saying that if woman opts for an epidural then she is a wimp or not making informed decisions about her baby's birth. Every woman is different in how they tolerate pain or how long their labor takes.

However, it does *appear* that many doctors are quick to offer the epidural and I wonder if it's because of insurance. I think somebody on the thread mentioned that already. Birth isn't without risks, both natural and medicated. I was talking to my OB/GYN and he told me that his insurance policy is ridiculous due to the risk of being sued. I believe it.

 

[jemgumby]

Epidurals can slow down labor, too. It was scary getting the shot in the spine. I'm glad I couldn't see it.

They do have an advantage over IV meds in that the epidural meds don't enter the baby's system.

My epidural didn't slow down my labor. I was 6 cm dilated and had been dilating 1 cm for a week for a month. I had enough! I got to the hospital and they had to break my water, started potocin and then the epidural. Three hours later our DD was born and since my spine felt like it was going to crack in half (I had ALL back labor) I was glad I had the epidural and don't regret it for one second!

 

[mhsjax]

My epidural didn't slow down my labor. I was 6 cm dilated and had been dilating 1 cm for a week for a month. I had enough! I got to the hospital and they had to break my water, started potocin and then the epidural. Three hours later our DD was born and since my spine felt like it was going to crack in half (I had ALL back labor) I was glad I had the epidural and don't regret it for one second!

Oh that back labor is some kind of special isn't it? When the nurses and your Dr and the Anesth. look at the monitor and their faces drop because your contractions are off the chart and your uterus never completely relaxes and you come maybe half way down and then go straight back up to "off the chart" then you look at an epidural differently. If my nurse hadn't demanded my epidural when she did I was going out of the 3rd story window and I think she knew it. I wanted to die and I have a very high tolerance for pain. When I showed up at the hospital for my DD birth they were shocked that I really didn't feel anything other than slight menstral cramps and I was around 5. I was so traumatized by the labor of my first that I swore there was no way I would ever be without an epidural.

Again, I am not saying woman have to have them, but there was nothing short of knocking me out or an epidural that could have eased my pain during the first labor. To let me or have anyone force me to continue would have been barbaric and I honestly don't know if I would have survived.

 

[mickeyfan1]

There are a few posters on the DIS who believe thet they are true and correct about everything medical, based on something they read or believed they experienced. I think they would be recieved a lot better if instead of saying "Epidurals cause labor to slow" they could say " In some women experiencing labor, an epidural MAY slow contractions." Frankly, I would never have considered natural child birth, unless my doctor (and BTW, calling them the "Hired Help" shows some real Klass), who was much more versed in child birth than I, advised me that there was considerable risk to either me or my unborn son from an epidural or other anesthsia. Some people can go through the birthing experience with little pain, some can not. The decision as to whether you should have any type of anesthisia should be discussed with your care provider, be it a doctor, midwife or nurse practitioner. While this type of thread can have some valuable information, the DIS is not a medical community, and most posters here are relating only their own experience.

 

[jekajekalynn]

There are a few posters on the DIS who believe thet they are true and correct about everything medical, based on something they read or believed they experienced. I think they would be recieved a lot better if instead of saying "Epidurals cause labor to slow" they could say " In some women experiencing labor, an epidural MAY slow contractions." Frankly, I would never have considered natural child birth, unless my doctor (and BTW, calling them the "Hired Help" shows some real Klass), who was much more versed in child birth than I, advised me that there was considerable risk to either me or my unborn son from an epidural or other anesthsia. Some people can go through the birthing experience with little pain, some can not. The decision as to whether you should have any type of anesthisia should be discussed with your care provider, be it a doctor, midwife or nurse practitioner. While this type of thread can have some valuable information, the DIS is not a medical community, and most posters here are relating only their own experience.

QFT

 

[Piecey]

So many of the labor/birth practices I see on that show drive me bonkers. Do docs really still shout from 1-10 at the mom while she pushes? I'd be telling them to SHUT UP!

My OB is a quiet person. She didn't say a word! It was a bit unnerving.
The nurse counted quietly and then my DH decided to start pretty much screaming the numbers out at me.
Had I not been so busy at the time, I would have knocked my DH upside the head.

****

I'm another one of those people that would have died during childbirth if it weren't for modern medicine. Lucas was big so I was induced at 39 weeks.
He never got past my pelvic bone- despite hours of effort on my and my OB's part. This included some crazy, crazy positions.



I had gallbladder attacks (contractions caused them) and back labor... so I'm incredibly grateful for the epidural taking the edge off. I think it's a decision that everyone has to make for themselves - mine wore off a few times and the hours I spent without it were the most excruciating of my life, but I don't regret it one bit!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I have to say that I don't buy into the whole epidural slowing labor down. It never slowed any of my kids down. In fact I wish I could have slowed the last one down just a bit to get some pain relief. I have a condition where I have no labor and then I have it's "just about time" to push labor with no breaks between contractions. You cannot breathe through it. It is one long contraction. I cannot explain it any way other than to say that if getting an epidural consisted of them putting an icepick in my eye I would tell them not miss because the pain is so bad. (j/k well, sort of) I also have large babies.

I would never have a water birth because it skeeves me out. I am glad it works for some but I am not sitting in a tub of afterbirth. It holds no appeal for me. I can also say that my DH would not be interested in sitting in that tub with me either.

I only wish that the doctors would stop making birth positions convenient for them and instead make it convenient for the woman actually giving birth.

 

[jekajekalynn]

I have to say that I don't buy into the whole epidural slowing labor down. It never slowed any of my kids down. In fact I wish I could have slowed the last one down just a bit to get some pain relief. I have a condition where I have no labor and then I have it's "just about time" to push labor with no breaks between contractions. You cannot breathe through it. It is one long contraction. I cannot explain it any way other than to say that if getting an epidural consisted of them putting an icepick in my eye I would tell them not miss because the pain is so bad. (j/k well, sort of) I also have large babies.

I would never have a water birth because it skeeves me out. I am glad it works for some but I am not sitting in a tub of afterbirth. It holds no appeal for me. I can also say that my DH would not be interested in sitting in that tub with me either.

I only wish that the doctors would stop making birth positions convenient for them and instead make it convenient for the woman actually giving birth.

Im sorry..this made me laugh.. .. Im a bad, bad mom .

 

[jemgumby]

Oh that back labor is some kind of special isn't it? When the nurses and your Dr and the Anesth. look at the monitor and their faces drop because your contractions are off the chart and your uterus never completely relaxes and you come maybe half way down and then go straight back up to "off the chart" then you look at an epidural differently. If my nurse hadn't demanded my epidural when she did I was going out of the 3rd story window and I think she knew it. I wanted to die and I have a very high tolerance for pain. When I showed up at the hospital for my DD birth they were shocked that I really didn't feel anything other than slight menstral cramps and I was around 5. I was so traumatized by the labor of my first that I swore there was no way I would ever be without an epidural.

Again, I am not saying woman have to have them, but there was nothing short of knocking me out or an epidural that could have eased my pain during the first labor. To let me or have anyone force me to continue would have been barbaric and I honestly don't know if I would have survived.

Definitely some kind of special for sure!!! I remember the same thing with the nurses looking at the monitor and asking did you feel that? That was a big one and I am like no....She couldn't believe it!!! I am with you that back labor is horrible and I know if I didn't have that epidural I would've lost it and this coming from a woman who typed medical reports the day my appendix was bursting!!! I actually finished my work and then went to the emergency room thinking it was gas or something....So like you I have a high tolerance for pain but there is a point where enough is enough!!!

 

[robinb]

Do you really think pregnant women don't research everything to do with childbirth? That only those who are do or die unmedicated birth nazi's research?

That was totally uncalled for .

 

[locolala]

You ladies are really, really scaring me lol. I've gotta stop reading accounts of labor and delivery. It's not 100% that I'm having a c/s yet so I'm nervous as heck about laboring, lol.

 

[jemgumby]

You ladies are really, really scaring me lol. I've gotta stop reading accounts of labor and delivery. It's not 100% that I'm having a c/s yet so I'm nervous as heck about laboring, lol.

Sorry!!!! I was scared too, heck I think every woman is!!!! Just educate yourself and do what is right for you!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

You ladies are really, really scaring me lol. I've gotta stop reading accounts of labor and delivery. It's not 100% that I'm having a c/s yet so I'm nervous as heck about laboring, lol.

Don't stress out. Every person and labor is different. If it makes you feel any better I am having my 5th child so after everything it is worth it a million times over and obiously we keep doing it.