Considering alternative pain medications during labor (other than epidural)?

PutMeintheZoo

I'm trying to go as natural / med free during labor this time around and I've been doing research on ways to manage the pain. Instead of getting an epidural, did any of you STMs opt for another pain medication to help take the edge off for a bit?  My OB briefly mentioned some options like morphine or even nitrous oxide.  Anyone have any experiences (positive or negative) with any alternatives to epidurals you can share?    Thanks!

beaseg

I didn't, had an epidural- but interested to hear other replies!

kerriam26

I spoke with an L&D nurse about this and she recommended if you are going to get any meds at all, go for the epidural over anything else. The other meds enter your body thru an IV and get passed down to your baby whereas the epidural in your spine does not. She told me that morphine can definitely affect the baby when they are born (sluggish and out of it a bit). This of course was her opinion and recommendation to me, so others may think differently. 

OlgaN15

I've heard essential oils like lavender and clary sage can help with pain during labour. I don't have any experience however, since I'm a FTM.

kristaelaine86

When I had my first I laboured for 23 hours and the anthesist was in a trauma surgery so I could not get an epidural. They gave me the laughing gas which did absolutely nothing, and shots of Demerol, which also did nothing for the pain. It made me stupid and not able to focus, I wasn't really aware of what was going on. I had been pushing for four hours and I thought it had been ten minutes. I couldn't understand why my legs were so sore , and thought I was doing something wrong. It was an absolutely horrible experience. Not sure if the medication was a factor because obviously the labour was long, but he was eventually born by section- wasn't crying and was in fetal distress. With my DD I had an epi, great experience!

alesira

I'm a FTM, but have been researching and using essential oils during my pregnancy. I recommend you check out "the essential midwife" Stephanie Fritz either on Facebook or her website. I'm almost 39 wks, I have all my oils ready, I'm planning to use lavender and some citrus oils to relax and black pepper and basil for pain(applied on lower back and legs) Plus a few others, but those I mentioned are the main ones. Clary sage should be carefully used, but can be beneficial during labor to help contractions. I've heard a couple success stories, where it's been done without meds, I'm going to give it a try but I am still open to getting the epidural If I need it!

sschwege

Personally I would never opt for the IV meds, I've heard too many negative things about it.  All the women I know who tried it with the exception of one said they would never do it again.  They said, it made them feel sleepy and drunk but did nothing for the pain.  Even my cousin who liked it said, she still felt the contractions but was to out of it to care...no thanks!  Plus, they have to shut it off at a certain point I think when you reach 6 or 7 cm?  So here you are entering what most women think (myself included) is the most challenging part and they are shutting it off. 

I've heard a lot of good things about nitrous, that it helps to take the edge off particularly during transition and/or pushing.  The nice thing is, it only lasts so long as you are breathing it in, give it a try if you don't like how you feel take the mask away and you can be done (unlike IV meds)

I didn't have pain meds with my first two and probably won't this time.  But if I feel I need them I would either do the epi or nitrous if my hospital had it (not all hospitals offer it).

BabyBelleCz

I had a natural birth the first time. This time I'm going to use the nitrous to try and avoid the epidural. I haven't done it myself yet, but my friends who used it loved it.

justkeeptrying

I'm a FTM and I'm planning to give birth naturally. But if I do feel I need something then I'm most open to the nitrous oxide. From what I've heard it is the only one that has no risk factors or impact to baby. You are totally in control of how much or little you use of it which I also liked. I'm hoping it'll just take the edge off if I need it.

mistyjewel88

Did not use any and had a wonderful experience. Got a nice iv drug after baby was born . The only drug that does not go to baby or have long term effects is the nitrous oxide. I have heard many good things and If I decide to go for any this time I will use that. Induction in the morning yay!

sailaplay

In our hospital they call the resuscitation team if mom has had any IV meds within 2 hours of delivery because there is a risk that baby will be born flat, and have very little desire to breathe let alone breastfeed. They sometimes have to administer another drug to baby to counteract the drugs taken by mom and then baby is taken from mom to be observed in the NICU. Not something I'd be willing to risk myself.

FeroceFamily

I had sadol (spelling might be wrong) with my first 14 years ago and I saw puff the magic dragon. No joke! It took away my pain and insane back labor but I was way out of it. They refused to give me more after it wore off so demeral was next. It did nothing. I ended up with the epi. I was absolutely useless after the epidural bc I couldn't feel when you push. They had to use vacuum to get baby out. Once out he wouldn't latch bc he was groggy so the nurses recommended formula and being 16 and not knowing any better I agreed. Overall I don't want to do it again like that so I'm trying to focus on no pain meds. We took birthing classes, have my sister in law doula come in for the birth, and are really focused as a team to avoid pain meds. But I'm not ruling out an epi. If I need anything that's my best option in my opinion. Sorry I'm all over the place. But that's my story.

chavez2685

I tried to avoid an epi with my first and took a half dose of stadol. Don't recommend at all! It makes you spacey and tired but you still feel all the pain. I ended up with the epi anyway and once I pushed twice he was born. I was so spacey still and out of it.

hannahwilderr

laboring in the water!

kramiemom

I'm doing self-hypnosis! It's what has been researched as an alternative for people who are allergic to anesthesia and need surgery. It has been studied and shown to be the most effective form of pain management.

PutMeintheZoo

Thank you, thank you for all these replies!  I definitely think I'm going to try to stay away from morphine or anything IV-related that might affect baby - and I want to be as alert as possible during pushing, etc. 

Going to look into the essential oils more ~ 

soontobecapek

I'm a fan of fentanyl lol

kat0217

Just to clarify because of what a PP said, epidurals DO in fact go to your baby too, just like IV meds.

Also, this is how I see the pain med debate: if you can't take anything stronger than Tylenol your whole pregnancy, why would it suddenly be okay to give your baby serious drugs like morphine?

dec2018mom

I'm being induced and I've read and was told by my OB that the meds they use for it can increase the pain of the contractions. I'm not terrified of pain, but I don't want the pain to distract me from doing what I need to do to birth my baby.

I've been considering an epidural because so many moms swear it made their birth a great experience, but after reading some of the replies here I'm considering trying to do it naturally.

PP made great sense when she stated if Tylenol is basically all we are approved for during pregnancy then why is it suddenly okay at the end to take something way way stronger? I'm guessing since baby is going to be born they assume they can fix any issue that occurs with baby immediately. No thanks.

Rosiethird

kat0217 said:

Just to clarify because of what a PP said, epidurals DO in fact go to your baby too, just like IV meds.

Also, this is how I see the pain med debate: if you can't take anything stronger than Tylenol your whole pregnancy, why would it suddenly be okay to give your baby serious drugs like morphine?

This depends on what goes into the epidural. A narcotic epidural will give you baby a tiny amount of that drug. However an anaesthetic epidural won't.

kat0217

Rosiethird said:

kat0217 said:

Just to clarify because of what a PP said, epidurals DO in fact go to your baby too, just like IV meds.

Also, this is how I see the pain med debate: if you can't take anything stronger than Tylenol your whole pregnancy, why would it suddenly be okay to give your baby serious drugs like morphine?

This depends on what goes into the epidural. A narcotic epidural will give you baby a tiny amount of that drug. However an anaesthetic epidural won't.

That is 100% untrue. Do your research. There is no way to give the mama drugs without them going to the baby as well. Also, ask any L&D nurse. Babies born naturally are significantly more alert than babies born with drugs, including epidurals.

I'm not saying epidurals are the devil; I'm saying know the facts before making that decision and don't lie to yourself just to feel better about it.

kat0217

mrsphillips610 said:

I'm being induced and I've read and was told by my OB that the meds they use for it can increase the pain of the contractions. I'm not terrified of pain, but I don't want the pain to distract me from doing what I need to do to birth my baby.

I've been considering an epidural because so many moms swear it made their birth a great experience, but after reading some of the replies here I'm considering trying to do it naturally.

PP made great sense when she stated if Tylenol is basically all we are approved for during pregnancy then why is it suddenly okay at the end to take something way way stronger? I'm guessing since baby is going to be born they assume they can fix any issue that occurs with baby immediately. No thanks.

Yep, that is exactly why they say it's okay, and I'm with you! I don't want to create a problem that will then require more drugs or worse to solve!

gaylew5

i will be armed with my yoga ball, essential oils, and will probably pop a Tylenol before I head to L&D.  My husband and I took a prenatal massage / soothing techniques class so he better remember all the different tips they taught the husbands.