3rd Trimester
bridetobe6808
member
Bring on the drugs or a natural birth?
bridetobe6808
member
Up until yesterday I thought I was for sure going to get an epidural. We went to a 'prepared child birth' class last night and now I'm not so sure! It seems like the benefits of natural childbirth far outweigh the cons of an epidural. I didn't know an epidural actually slowed things down. I would rather take the pain and get the baby out faster than be in labor longer. Plus, the thought of not being able to even have ice chips with an epidural!? Really? Hmm.
Are you having an epidural or going natural? I think I'm just going to play it by ear and see how things go.
Compromise and Balance are key. JH.
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Re: Bring on the drugs or a natural birth?
After talking to my OB, she told me to just keep an open mind. I honestly think I'll go for the epidural mainly because I'm kind of a whimp with pain and the few contractions that I've had scared the crap out of me! LOL I know plenty of women did this without any form of medication before us, but I feel that someone thought of the idea for a reason. I want to be comfortable and my doctor reassured me that she would support either decision I would make.
I know this is in no way a comparison on the pain level, but would you get a root canal or your tooth pulled without any drugs?
Best wishes to you and your new family!
I went into my first labor hoping I might be able to do it naturally. Unfortunately, I was induced (pre-e) with pitocin and it makes contractions SO MUCH WORSE! I was begging for an epidural within 30 min. I never really felt what contractions felt like without the pitocin and epi.
That being said, with an epidural and magnesium sulfate (both of which can slow down labor) - I still only had a 6 hour labor from 2cm - 10cm.
This time around, assuming I get to go into labor naturally, I am going to see how it goes without an epidural. But, I will definitely consider it to be able to try to sleep a little!
I am a whimp--I know this I will be having drugs---heck there are some days I wish they could drug me for the back ache!
I know there are "risks" but its one of those small percentage chances compared to a pretty certain guarentee of pain.
7lbs 13oz 20 inches long
I am definitely planning a natural birth but in the end, none of us know how our birth story will plan out.
I have done tons of research though- I hired a doula, am taking a "comfort measures" class next week, am using a vision board with affirmations and listen to a cd of guided imagery/meditation nightly.
Reading the book "Natural Hospital Birth" really helped me a lot too- it gave me the confidence I was looking for while making me aware of how doctors and nurses try to intervene with natural birth.
I'm not sure that the epidural slows things down although it would make sense considering you would be choosing to numb the part of your body that you should instead want to feel the most (so you can push at the right time). Good luck to you, no matter what you choose
I'll hopefully be going the natural route. I hired a doula this time around and have been working through the Hypnobirthing program. I'm excited.
I have a blood disorder that will determine whether or not I can have an epidural on L&D day (depending on my counts), so I may not even be able to have an epidural even if I wanted one (which I don't). The way I look at it is it's a day or two of my life, and in the grand scheme of things, it's really not that long. I can suck it up during L&D to do what's best for my LO, and what women have been doing for thousands of years.
And let me be clear - I don't judge anyone for having the epi at all. It's there for women to use and it serves it's purpose and no one is "less" of a woman because they choose drugs. That's just silly.
*TW loss and children mentioned*
Apr 17: IUI #1 = BFN
May 17: IUI #2 = BFN
Jun 17: IUI #3 = Late BFP (18 DPO) | NMC 17Jul17 @ ~6w
Aug 17: IUI #4 = Cancelled due to premature ovulation | TI = BFN
Sep 17: IUI #5 = Cancelled due to overstimulation (10+ follies)
Nov 17: IVF #1 = Cancelled due to non-IF related health issue | TI = BFN
Dec 17: IVF #1 = Puregon 200, Menopur 75, Orgalutran, Suprefact trigger due to OHSS risk | 22R, 18M, 16F, 10B frozen
Feb 18: FET #1 (medicated) = BFN
Mar 18: FET #2 (natural cycle) = CP (beta 1: 54; beta 2: 0)
EDD: 07Jan2019 Team Green
My Rainbow Baby Boy born 03Jan2019
I was in the same situation as the OP with my first. I always assumed I would get the drugs until I went to a natural-focused prenatal yoga class and then went to a birthing class with similar philosophy and started to learn about the pros/cons of each option. I totally did a 180 around 32 weeks and ended up hiring a doula and having a natural birth.
I'm really happy I did it, it was a very manageable and relatively quick labor and I'm planning for the same with #2 (this time at a BC with midwives).
I agree with the PP that a doula is really helpful for that added support.
It doesn't always happen (some women find that when they were able to relax and let their body do what it needed to do without being so tense, labour actually progressed faster), but it is not uncommon for your labour to stall once you have the epi.
*TW loss and children mentioned*
Apr 17: IUI #1 = BFN
May 17: IUI #2 = BFN
Jun 17: IUI #3 = Late BFP (18 DPO) | NMC 17Jul17 @ ~6w
Aug 17: IUI #4 = Cancelled due to premature ovulation | TI = BFN
Sep 17: IUI #5 = Cancelled due to overstimulation (10+ follies)
Nov 17: IVF #1 = Cancelled due to non-IF related health issue | TI = BFN
Dec 17: IVF #1 = Puregon 200, Menopur 75, Orgalutran, Suprefact trigger due to OHSS risk | 22R, 18M, 16F, 10B frozen
Feb 18: FET #1 (medicated) = BFN
Mar 18: FET #2 (natural cycle) = CP (beta 1: 54; beta 2: 0)
EDD: 07Jan2019 Team Green
My Rainbow Baby Boy born 03Jan2019
I think keeping an open mind about it is the way to go. With DS, I had planned a natural birth, but my water breaking without bringing on active labor and consequently getting pitocin changed my plans, and I got the epidural.
This time I'm planning natural again. There are just so many benefits that I think it's worth the shot, and I'm hoping I can manage my body's own contractions better than I did the pitocin-induced ones. But if I end up getting an epidural, I'm not going to feel guilty about it, either.
I really would have liked a natural birth the first time around but after 3 days of contractions and no sleep, after finally going into active labor laboring for 16 hours at home, and then getting to the hospital and still having 11 more hours of labor ahead of me (of course, I didn't know it would be that long), I just needed to sleep and rest, so I opted for the epi. There is no way I would have had the energy to push out my 10 lb DS without it.
I hope to again labor at home for as long as possible and see how it goes when we get to the hospital--but I'm hoping for a natural birth again...unless they force me to have an induction at 39 weeks because of GD--then I'll want an epi at some point for sure unless by some miracle it happens fast.
natural. with my first baby, i didn't give much thought to birth until i did my research and then it was obvious that going natural offered way more benefits and less complications than getting an epidural.
i was induced with baby #1 for medical concerns (IUGR concerns) but was still able to go epi-free.
This is not always true!! I was so terrified to have an epidural with DS because this got repeated ad nauseum on the bump. My OB says this is way overstated. After I got my epidural I actually finished dilating really quickly and before I knew it they came in and checked me and were like "Wow-well you're at 10. Time to push". If it concerns you, I suggest doing what I did and wait as long as possible to get the epi. I walked around the hospital and bounced on the birthing ball until I could not take the pain any more.
There is no easy answer to this. Its a personal decision and don't let anyone scare you one way or another.
I'll go natural, no matter the pain.
And yes, I would do a root canal without meds if it was better lol.
I'm just stubborn like that.
Funds are tight. I don't think we could afford a doula. That would be nice, though.
Compromise and Balance are key. JH.
Look into a doula in training. Doulas are required to participate in so many births prior to getting their license so many are willing to help out for free during that time. Ask the birthing class instructor if she knows any doulas in training. That is where we got a few names to begin with; however, none of the doulas in training were free by the time we contacted them so contact them sooner rather than later.
I had an epidural with both deliveries and plan on one this time.
I know they say it slows things down, but I actually have noticed that it helps me progress. When I am in pain I tense up something awful...my neck to my toes. My body can't relax. With the epi, my body can relax because the pain is gone and it actually helps the labor progress. I know "they" tell you that it is the exact opposite, but I was stuck trying to get to 4 cm for hours (19) and then once I got the epi I was at 10 cm within the hour.
They can dial back the epi once you get close to the pushing stage and then you can feel as much or as little as you like. Some people prefer to feel the urge to push.
I don't know what everyone always says epidural or natural, there are a ton of other ways they can handle the pain.
I went all natural, I arived at the hospital and the nurse put me on the exam table told the other nurse to get an iv started, and checked me out, said NM about IV get a dr NOW. Had my son about 5 mins latter. I would of loved an epidural, spiked IV bag, or even a pain pill =(.
I am most likely getting induced on this one, and going as long as I can till I cant take it then something to help the pain, My ob sugested an nterthecal, not sure on spelling, but says its like an epidural, but you can walk, and not alot of hospitals offer it, but mine does. I would talk to your ob and ask whats avalable in your hospital, and pick a few to think about.
Epidural for sure. I'd love to do it naturally but am a wussy when it comes to pain. I've had friends and even my own mother tell me how great their birth experience was with an epidural (my mom's words- "I could have had a party in the delivery room after I got it"). My hospital allows you to have ice chips with it too, or so I've been told. I haven't known anyone who had their labor slow down due to epi, but I'm sure it happens.
By the way, I was thinking about playing it by ear too but I was basically told to get it when it's offered or you might not be able to get it later. That could've just been a recommendation for dealing with my hospital though.
You can ask one who is in training to assist. There are lots of them who need to attend births and won't charge because they're still in training.
I'm going natural. I have prepared myself and the epi takes away a lot of my choices. If you get it, you're stuck in bed. I want to labor in many positions, including during pushing, and you can't do that with the epi.
I have been told though, that if you go in with the idea that you *might* get the epi you are much much more likely to get it than not. I'm going in saying I don't want it, fully expect not to have it, but won't beat myself up about it if something crazy happens and I end up giving in.
My doula told me that she's typically had two kinds of patients: those who don't request the epi unless they really mean it, and those who often say they want it and really just want to be talked out of it. She asked me which I was and I said the former, but DH wasn't sure. That made me rethink it a little. But it just confirmed for me that I'm serious about not having it.
Liz, you and I are such kindred spirits. From the baby shower board to this one, you might just be my Bump soulmate.
That is awesome! Wish I could go to that hospital!