To epidural or not to epidural?

Tifers777

So this is my first baby. And I've had many yes do it and no do it naturally. For all you professional moms what's the risk pros and cons and all? I really want to do it naturally and I'm think no epidural..

gurleymomma

I did but you can always get it if you change your mind duribg labor.i had to c section so i had to have one and will again with this one.i loved mine.

MissLadyTay

I don't understand the question. The pro of an epidural is that you aren't in pain. The cons are that they don't always work and come with some risks (as does any medical procedure). I had a great epidural and was able to push for three hours in a variety of different positions. Ended up with a C/S due to developing a uterine infection but I loved the epidural. If you don't want one, don't get one.

CaliVal

There are so many factors... You really don't know how you will react or cope with pain... You might have to be induced (in which case, good luck not getting an epi), you might have to get a c-section.. There are just so many things that can happen. My suggestion to you is that if you're serious about not getting an epidural, invest in a doula.

Dreamalot123

I had my first 15 years ago (at 22) and I had a natural birth. It was not easy and i have a HIGH tolerance for pain. This time I'll be 38 (if all goes well) and what it comes down to for me is whether or not I am accepted by the midwife association. If I am, I'll go natural again and if not - epidural all the way!

runningyogimama

I went in with an open mind, and when I went from 3 to 7 cm dilated in less than 15 mins and thought I was going to die, I got an epidural. And, after that (even if it's not the norm), I will be getting one ASAP next time. I could still feel my legs and when to push and was up and walking around before I was even moved to recovery.

Read/take a class, whatever your style is, and decide for yourself, but go in with an open mind so you don't end up beating yourself up, like I hear some women so when it doesn't go as planned.

AliandPmommy

I tried without one with both girls, I ended up requesting it because the pain was so intense. I am more than likely getting one again this time

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crwel1048

I agree with pp that it is a personal choice and depends on pain tolerance. I kept an open mind with my first and ended up asking for it. I ended needing a c-section so needed additional meds. There's a good chance I will have another c-section so will get them again if that's the case.

awisern

I had one and will definitely get another one! My labor was so nice with it - I was able to visit with family and joke with the nurses. I waz still able to move my legs and only pushed for 45 minutes. They shut my epidural off pretty much right after delivery and had me up and walking to the bathroom within 30-60 minutes.

chillypenguin

I had decided before I went into labor that I was going to get an epidural. I got one right when I got back to my room at 5 cm. Labor up until that point honestly wasn't too bad for me, so I kind of wonder how long I could have lasted. But it was so nice to try and get a little rest between 5-10 cm. It wore off before delivery, which sucked, but it was worth it just to have during labor.

Miles2Go

I'm not on the epidural band wagon. I'm much more terrified of a needle in my spine than I am of a natural condition that women have endured for millions of years. I almost had a panic attack during my first pregnancy thinking about getting an epi and all of the possible consequences and side effects. It was then that I decided it was not for me.

 I took a hypnobirthing class, which was absolutely incredible. I felt prepared going into natural birth, and I did not fear it. I hired a doula, and was birthed with a midwife. I ended up having to be induced, but managed to avoid pitocin. Cervical ripening with a balloon worked well enough that I progressed from 1-5cm in an hour. I got in the birthing tub at 8 cm and was still laughing and smiling between contractions, and working my hypnobirthing techniques during contractions. Transition was a challenge, but I never feared the sensations and never felt like I couldn't do it. I actually don't think that the word "pain" is appropriate for what I felt most of labor. I described it later as an uncomfortable sensation unique to childbirth. The only time I said "OW"  was during the pushing phase. That's not to say it is easy, however, and one woman's perception of "pain" can be much different than another's.

My midwife later said that she thought my preparation and the strength of my conviction are what made my goal of natural birth come to fruition.

Ultimately, there are pros to both. There are cons to both. I am not personally interested in an epidural. For me, the cons WAY out weighed the pros. But you are the only one who can make decisions for you. And you are the only one who has to live with those decisions. Do your research, certainly, but decide for yourself. The good news is that there is not a wrong answer.  

On the plus side, all the nurses in the hospital said they'd never seen such an alert baby. The hospital in which I birthed has a 90% epidural rate. 

lovelylauren86

Dang these were all so long! Lol drug me up! Low pain tolerance here!!! :x

Miles2Go

I should also say that if you're serious about trying to go med free, the Natural Birth board can be a great resource to you. I am kind of passionate about natural birth, but also about each woman's ability to decide for herself. Feel free to pm me if you're interested in more of my opinions of epidurals and some good resources to check out. I won't post it here now because I don't want it to seem like condemnation and judgment of those who choose that route, because it absolutely isn't.

Tifers777

Missladytay yes I am just getting people's opinions. Like I said "this is my first baby" and had questions.. Isn't that was this website is for? No worries

ABColeslaw

Sign me up for the juice.  I had a failed epi last go around and I can't describe the pain of pushing a baby out of your vagina...imagine sitting on a hot stove.  I mean you can endure it and you can do it, but I wouldn't put myself through it if I didn't have to.

tjkdlhb

My birth plan was short and sweet - 1. Go to hospital, 2. Have a baby.  3. Bring baby home.
I ended up with pre-eclampsia so I had to be induced 3 weeks early, gel for 3 days, then pitocin (DD was actually born at 38 weeks)
I was fully willing to get the epi, but I didn't need it.  It helps that DD was only 5 lbs, but the moral is that you really don't know what will happen.  I don't know what will happen my second time around.  I will certainly try again to do without the Epi (recovery was great without it!), but if I end up needing it, I'm not going to stress.

cjags

CaliVal said:

You might have to be induced (in which case, good luck not getting an epi)

I agree with what you said, except this part. I had to be induced due to high BP and didn't use an epi or any pain meds. In fact my midwife said that her clients that have been induced generally don't use any more meds than those who are not. I just don't want those who do end up needing to be induced to assume their pain will be unbearable, because that's not neccessarily the case.

rebecca1198

I loved my epi. Placement was drama-free, I could move enough and it allowed me to sleep. I could feel when I needed to push (at one point the doctors wanted me to start to push again, but I knew I wasn't "ready" yet, though I would be in a minute). They removed the catheter about 20 minutes after I delivered and it was NBD.

Chellbell20

Research, take a class, decide what you think is best for you but keep an open mind. I went in not intending to get an epi, but after 12 hours of contx 3 minutes apart and still only a 5, I caved.

If you decide to try no epi, I would recommend a doula or other labor coach or good class. I did not have a single helpful nurse, they scared me into laying on my back because they "couldn't read the baby" on the monitors, never brought me a birth ball, nothing. A doula would possibly have helped things go differently for me.

MinaE01

When I was in labor, I asked my OB if she got an epidural when she delivered her two babies. She said she absolutely did. That was enough reassurance for me! My epi was heaven. I had no problems with it at all (except the surgical tape took weeks to wash off all the way). It provided such relief for me. I will not hesitate to do it this time around. The risks are slim, so why suffer if you don't have to?

Sherry&Jeff

I said all throughout my first pregnancy I hoped to go epi free. After the very first contraction the first words out of my mouth were "I want an epidural!" Lol. I loved mine, I also professed my love to the dr who gave me it, she said she gets told that a lot! Haha

2ismymax

I said no and then was in active labor for 36 hours and said yes. Have an open mind and strive to do your best with no disappointments or expectations. My epidural was what was right for me in my situation. It was quite lovely in fact.

jane8188

No epi for me. I made it with my son, so hopefully I can with this baby too. I know quite a few people personally that have had epi complications. Our bodies are made for this so I just figure, why risk the side effects. Yeah it hurt so freaking bad but it was over in a day. I also suggest a doula if you want to try natural, but if you want the epi get the epi.

Kmbaybay

I made it to 9cm before we made it to the hospital, and thought i was for sure out, but they offered it to me and i jumped on it.. Was beyond ready for some relief, and loved it.. In hindsight I had made it to 9 on my own, and wish I would have gone without- just to say I did it.. However, ill probably just go as long as I can and take it when and if I see fit-- totally a personal decision!

dakota01

I had an epi for my second (first was c/s) I'm glad I did- I labored for a looong time and pushed for 3 hrs. I was able to move and do different positions so it wasn't a super strong one . My DD came in a flash (45min) from water breaking to delivery and there was no time for it. It wasn't bad, but it was a crazy out of body experience going from 2-10 in 20 minutes. There are other options other than an epi, but it is ultimately up to you. Like pp said you have to be commited to it- I had wanted to go med free the first time, but after laboring all night I was too exhausted and not in the frame of mind I could go on without it. This time I am open to either, I've done it without and with and they both had their benefits. But, I prefer the epi so I can relax and get a grip on what is happening. Now who knows this little one could rocket out and I'd have a home birth...scary thought there.

chargers32

I had an epi with both pregnancies and plan to this time around too. 

I loved it, my births were amazing!

I slept through my labor and when it was time to push it only took 10-15min with my first( who was 9lbs10oz! SO glad I got the epi, lol).

With my second it was even better, I seriously pushed twice. He was smaller (8lb3oz).

Both my kids were very alert and I was walking maybe 30mins after birth, with DHs help of course.

It's a personal choice, good luck!

JoelleOK

Consider going to a educational birth class (at least a 6 week class) before making a decision. Then you can make a choice based on the facts that are important to you. For me the deal breaker fact is that the drugs in the epi do get to the baby and it makes it harder for them to breastfeed.
The Bradley method class I took gave me (and DH) the skills and knowledge to have a natural childbirth. I think a good way to think about it is that you know you will run a marathon in about 9 months. How you prepare and train matters to the outcome.

jschwind22

gimme drugs!  (totally based on no experience whatsoever)

RedInLove

Shoot me up! I've known forever that I want drugs.

OSMmom

I used something called a Labor Tens (widely used across Europe) it's the same idea as a tens unit used in your physical therapists office. (T)transcutaneous (E)electro (N)nerve (S)stimulator
I can't give you the scientific reasoning behind it other than it interferes with pain sensors and makes your brain kind of think about something else.
You put 4 sticky pads on your back when contractions start, up the sensation as needed and when you have a contraction you press the "boost" button(it changes the rhythm of the pulses)
If all it did was make me feel like I was in control... It worked. 6 hour, all natural labor with DD. I plan on using it with number 2.
My OB didn't know about it before, but seemed interested afterwards. I was able to be mobile and monitored when necessary without interference.
BEST 100$ EVER SPENT!!!!

awisern

JoelleOK said:

Consider going to a educational birth class (at least a 6 week class) before making a decision. Then you can make a choice based on the facts that are important to you. For me the deal breaker fact is that the drugs in the epi do get to the baby and it makes it harder for them to breastfeed.
The Bradley method class I took gave me (and DH) the skills and knowledge to have a natural childbirth. I think a good way to think about it is that you know you will run a marathon in about 9 months. How you prepare and train matters to the outcome.

I don't want someone to see this comment and think that just because you get an epidural it means it will be harder for your baby to nurse.

My DS nursed like a champ after delivery and through the entire hospital stay and I had an epi. As a matter of fact, I nursed him till he was 17 months.

I have attended tons of deliveries with my job and the majority of babies have no issue latching and nursing after delivery with an epi. A baby is way more likely to be sleepy if you receive other IV pain meds close to delivery like stadol and nubain.

Getting an epidural is purely a personal decision...one that you need to research and decide on yourself. People can tend to feel very strongly one way or the other, just like breastfeeding, circumcision, cosleeping, etc.

CMDR513

I had a bad reaction to the epidural. My blood pressure dropped drastically and DSs heart rate went from 130s to 65 in seconds. They had to put the oxygen mask on me and give me medication to counteract. I ended up with a Spinal for the emergency C/S. So I am definitely not doing the epidural. I'm doing a RCS so it won't be an issue.

glowworm0166

Definitely a personal decision.  I didn't want an epi with my first because I have a few medical conditions.  I expected that I would have complications with an epi that would lead to a c-section which I didn't want unless absolutely necessary.  That said, I went into it with an open mind and I was willing to try to get one if I felt I really needed it.  I didn't have a doula (although it probably would have been nice to have one) but I managed to get through it.  It was extremely painful but I lived to tell the tale.  I would say just keep an open mind and be flexible - that way if things don't work out exactly as planned you aren't disappointed.

sammy.k

I haven't decided what I'm going to do this time around and plan to have a serious talk with my doctor at my next appointment. My epidural didn't take with my son and by the time the anesthesiologist came to re-do it, it was time to push. I had an awful experience and don't want to repeat it with #2.

peachysweet4

Mine was heaven.

MMason12

HatchetFace said:

I have an open mind about it. I'm not going to say yes or no until I know how labor feels. I think I have a pretty high pain tolerance and would like to labor as long as possible without one, but I won't feel defeated if I decide I need one.

You pretty much took the words right out of my mouth.  I have a super high tolerance for pain and I have a complete open mind to either needing one or going without one. I decided I really cannot make up my mind until I know how labor feels. I don't want to have a specific "birthing plan" because nothing goes as planned, but I do have a birthday path, if that makes sense. If I end up needing/asking for one I won't feel bad about it. 

christieep

Like so many people have said, it is a personal opinion, but it is a good idea to see what others' experiences are.

I got one, it reduced the pain, but not so much that I could really rest.  They turned it off when I was starting to push and it was pretty well worn off by the time my son came out, I felt everything, even them stitching me up after (pretty sure they forgot it had been turned off).  Having had that experience, I think I may try to forgo it this time.  I'm sure if you get one and it is on the entire time it is well worth it.

peachysweet4

Only thing I want different this time is I got scared when it was time to start pushing and I gave myself another dose. I think it would have been easier pushing if I hadn't done that. I was 8cm when we got to the hospital. It was nice to get the epidural and relax a little while before time to push.

SMM1986

I agree with the others. Do your research and keep an open mind.
I had an epi with each kid and it was great both times, but I want to try for a natural birth this time.

smithm24

Coming over from June 13. Honestly just wait and see. I wanted to attempt without but did end up getting one. Just see where your pain is and then decide.