I am 23 weeks pregnant with my first baby and I've always wanted to have vaginal birth with epidural because I think that way I could enjoy the moment even more. But, I know how the epidural is administered (by inserting a large needle in your column), I've seen many times how it is performed and now that I am pregnant, thinking about having that needle inserted in my column is scary, I know this can be safe in the right hands, but is just too scary for me. So I dediced to go without epidural and my husband is supporting my decision and keep telling me that I am strong enough for standing the pain. I've seen many women giving birth without epidural and it looks really painful, but they have survived!
Have you gone through vaginal birth without epidural? Would you change that if you could? What techniques did you use to minimize the pain?
Re: Did you have epidural?
Go with what feels right. If you're unsure, just remember that you can go without the epi for the majority of your labor. They'll let you know your last chance to get the epi. You don't have to make a set decision right now if you don't want to. Good luck!
With my second I asked for an epidural as I was being induced but I jumped to 7 cm so quickly they didn't think I had time for it, again I had moprhine, nitrous oxide and also then some fentanyl. The fentanyl helped a little, I felt like the gas just made the room brighter and the morphine lasted for like 5 minutes. This one hurt worse as I was induced but only 4 hours long.
I did it without the epidural both times, but used other pain management options. It was hard but I managed. Being induced made things more painful for me but my labour was so fast it was really just a riding out the clock moment.
It's really up to you, do what you want and you feel is best. If you feel like you need it, then ask for it. If you can't get one for whatever reason, you will survive!
That all said, I am very happy to have gotten the epi and I would get it again. I did not feel the pain of pushing which was nice. When you're in pain, the epi procedure doesn't seem so scary.
BUT,having a catheter sucked,it really hurt to have put in and was more than awkward having a big pee tube hanging out of me and a collection bag hanging on the bed, it also sucked to get out and then I had residual pain from it for several weeks,which turned out to be completely normal. It was also no fun having to wait for them to remove the epi after labor,and then waiting for the feeling to come back in my legs before they would let me get up to go to the bathroom and clean up. I also had a small sore spot on my back where it had been for a few days. Only mildly annoying though.
With DS I planned to have an epi again but he came too fast. I woke up from a nap at 5:30, felt some cramps that started to get worse,called the hospital at 6:45 to see if they thought I should come in or not (because it was more like a constant pain) and they told me to. We finished packing up myself and DD but went straight to the hospital instead of dropping her off. DH called my parents feom the hospital at 7:40ish to pick up DD while i was getting changed. The nurse checked me,paged my Dr at his home and DS was in my arms at 9:22. She paged the anesthesiologist but it was too late, they needed to do blood work and have at least one liter of fluid (iI think... maybe it was 2) in via IV before I could get it. I totally panicked when she told me i couldn't get it in time, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I didn't feel crowning any worse than a regular contraction, and it was nice to be able to push and feel like I was doing something to make the pain stop. It was also pretty amazing that the very SECOND DS was out all the pain stopped. I felt freaking fantastic. Even stitching didn't hurt.
Recovery was a lot faster this time I felt. It was great to be able to get up right away to shower and pee, no catheter, cords or wires.
Getting the epi was easy. I didn't feel a thing and I was able to sleep/rest for a few hours before pushing. I also progressed very quickly. I was a 10 maybe 45 min after they administered the epi.
Hopefully you are able to go natural. A few pieces of advice.
-labor at home as long as possible
-practice as many coping techniques
-try not to feel guilt if you get it. Healthy baby and mama are #1 priority.
Good luck!
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I planned on taking the birth as it came and making decisions while it was happening - that way there was no guilt or stress if things didn't happen as I expected. After my water broke, I was not dialating a pace that my doctor was happy with, so they started me on pitocin. Word of advice, if they give you pitocin, you are going to WANT an epidural! The contractions I was experiencing before pitocin were completely manageable, but pitocin puts you into hyperdrive and within minutes of getting the drug my contractions were incredibly sharp and painful. I went about an hour and a half before I requested the epidural. Receiving the epidural was not bad at all in terms of pain or sensation. I was still able to feel the contractions which helped in pushing and delivery, but needed help supporting my legs. I think the worst was how shaky I was after delivering because of the hormones and drugs in my system (oh and the whole just squeezing a baby out of your vagina part!).
All being said and done, I wouldn't go in with expectations of how labor and the hospital will be, because (as I'm sure you've heard) everyone is different! Everyone has a different birth and story. Do what is best for you and your family. If the pain is too much to bear, do not hesitate to get that epidural!
Mind you. The thought passed through my mind at 10 cm and I was pushing. I was getting tired and DS wasn't coming down. But there was no way to get one so I pushed through it (no pun intended) as I was at a birth Centre and that wasn't available to me.
If the moment comes that you want one and can have one there is no judgment giving in.
Since I didn't want one. I prepared myself by acknowledging that not only my body can do it, but it's going to be intense and nothing like I felt before. It will hurt. It will be amazing.
Regardless though. No matter how you get that baby in your arms, the process ends up being the details are no longer worth worrying about. Good luck!
I also second this. DD was more awake than DS was. The epi doesn't really get to the baby. It is an anesthetic that bathes the nerves in your spinal column. It's not going into your bloodstream. I must say that my recovery has been a lot easier this time (with the epi). I didn't tear and my pelvic floor muscles are still intact. I believe a lot of that has to do with being able to labor down for about an hour after I was at a ten. I could also see where an epi could stall labor for some women and require the use of pitocin to get things going again, but I was already on the pit.
That One Gal From Alaska
If I didn't get the epidural it would not have been a pleasant experience for me and I probably would have ended up with a c-section because I don't do well with pain (and she was threatening me with a c-section)
Imho the pros outweigh the risks.