Epidurals

tayperez · July 2015

Are you going to have one? Or are you going to try and do it natural?

SashaDenn25 · July 2015

Drug me up son!! Lol Props to those going natural or trying or have, but im not kidding myself, I want that Epi!!

jilladelario · July 2015

I really feel like the epidural slowed down my labor with my first and had a hand in how badly I tore. I'm going to try and go natural this time but I won't feel bad if I cave and get one.

mamaloaf · July 2015

I had an extremely positive experience with my epidural and will absolutely do it again without question.

jlsweets · July 2015

jilladelario said:
I really feel like the epidural slowed down my labor with my first and had a hand in how badly I tore. I'm going to try and go natural this time but I won't feel bad if I cave and get one.

Same here

kelseyrayay · July 2015

HELL YES!

pabeybaby · July 2015

I can't even handle my menstral cramps, I'm a total wuss with pain and have no tolerance. So I'm definitely getting one.

lap018 · July 2015

PLANNING on med free ( emphasis on planning because if I do get an epidural that's totally cool, just want to see if I can do this without!) taking Bradley!! Woohoo!

gulimz · July 2015

The first word i will say when I go to L&D is epidural. I'm not even going to attempt to try to feel what birthing feels like. Maybe 2nd or 3rd child, but not first when labor is usually longer.

Unknown · July 2015

This content has been removed.

jessandandy09 · July 2015

I plan to go med free. I did with my first 3 children. however, I will get an epi if I change my mind during the process :-)

It's nice to have the knowledge that I can have choices.

CaliforniaDream87 · July 2015

I really hate the word "natural" when it comes to birth.

I had an amazing epi experience with DS so I have no problem having one this time around. I will try and wait a bit longer to have one administered.

acgonzalez22 · July 2015

Epi all the way.

hclzmm14 · July 2015

I will probably get one again.

Miz_Liz · July 2015

If I could have it tapped in and ready to go a week before, I would. Drug me up please!

kettlekitten · July 2015

I react badly to drugs (long story) so I'm hoping to avoid medications during labour. Had a relatively quick labour last time - even if I had wanted drugs there was no time. Here's hoping this one will be even faster!

mommyofX · July 2015

SashaDenn25 said:
Drug me up son!! Lol Props to those going natural or trying or have, but im not kidding myself, I want that Epi!!

I agree with you 200% ! There's no way I could do this without. I give ladies who go med free so much credit. I'm a FTM and I'm already scared shitless.. (No pun intended) I need that epi to survive! Lol

nakoppel · July 2015

I went in for a labor check at 30 weeks (I was fine) and I asked if they could give me an epidural until I go into labor lol! Bring it on! I've actually had an epidural when I had a foot of my small intestine removed at 19 and I had a really positive experience with it.

deviduke412 · July 2015

Med-free natural birth plan for me.

lvrunningirlie · July 2015

My last birthing went so fast that I was pretty much epidural free because he was out and in the world by the time it kicked in. So this time I'll probably just roll natural (unless she takes longer than he did lol)

MissusTexas · July 2015

I had an epidural last time but the placement was such a nightmare (I could feel the needle fishing around my spine and it took 30 min to place) plus I blame my episiotomy and 2nd degree tear on the epi that I'm opting out this time. That said, I've never heard of anyone else having such a bad experience with the placement of the epi, so it must not be common.

Side rant: People are so touchy about the word "natural" when it comes to birth, but either something is natural or it's unnatural. Epidurals are unnatural, as are c/s but that doesn't make them bad. Stop making a big deal about what it's called, seriously.

irohspupil · July 2015

I plan on going med free, but we will just have to see what that day brings. The closer I've gotten to my due date, the less I've been concerned about L&D and the more I've focused on the coming newborn and breastfeeding. I'm so over thinking and hearing about birth at this point.

saroos3137 · July 2015

I'm going to try to go med-free this time, but I am not opposed to an epidural. I plan on deciding in the moment, and if I need that relief, you better believe I'll be getting the epi.

With DS, I got the epidural as soon as possible when I got to the hospital. However, I'm on the train of feeling like it slowed my labor. I was progressing very quickly, but once I got the epi, it basically halted and the nurses told me to take a nap. It was two more hours before I started pushing. The biggest con of getting it, though, was that the doctor told me to tell her when I was having a contraction, but I really couldn't feel when I had one coming, so I felt really stressed that I was going to screw up my opportunities to push when I should be. I felt like I didn't have control of my own body.

Pros of the epi: barely any pain once it kicked in, and I was able to have such a calm birthing experience (seriously, no screaming or feelings of impending death!).

CaliforniaDream87 · July 2015

MissusTexas said:

Side rant: People are so touchy about the word "natural" when it comes to birth, but either something is natural or it's unnatural. Epidurals are unnatural, as are c/s but that doesn't make them bad. Stop making a big deal about what it's called, seriously.

Lol. I guess you're referring to me since I'm the ONLY one who commented on this. That's your opinion. Birth is birth. Unmedicated versus medicated its a natural occurrence, period. Labeling birth as "unnatural" vs. "natural" only continues the "mommy wars" bullshit. Like, my "natural birth" is more superior than your unnatural birth. FFS.

Also, who's making a big deal? Seriously? *eyeroll*

GirlOnTheBeach · July 2015

My plan is to go totally med free. If I decide to have an epi at some point though, that's fine too. I'd much prefer to avoid it but I'm not going to beat myself up about it if I get one.

emshredder · July 2015

I'm planning on a no intervention med free birth but I know that birth plans change all the time and that might not be able to happen. Do your research and be prepared for the unexpected.

cosplaymom · July 2015

Well normally you say "natural or C-section" and "med-free or epidural". So "Natural vs epidural" can just be confusing.

I would say I am planning a natural birth with a likely epidural after a while. I want to labor as long as I can without one so I can walk to help it progress, like I did last time. I liked the epidural even though I had to be prepped and stuck with the needle TWICE because the first time didn't remove any pain. I would still do it again.

sschwege · July 2015

MissusTexas said:

I had an epidural last time but the placement was such a nightmare (I could feel the needle fishing around my spine and it took 30 min to place) plus I blame my episiotomy and 2nd degree tear on the epi that I'm opting out this time. That said, I've never heard of anyone else having such a bad experience with the placement of the epi, so it must not be common. Side rant: People are so touchy about the word "natural" when it comes to birth, but either something is natural or it's unnatural. Epidurals are unnatural, as are c/s but that doesn't make them bad. Stop making a big deal about what it's called, seriously.

Two problems with using the words, 'natural birth' first is that it means something different to everyone. A 'natural birth' could mean any birth that is vaginal, it could mean an unmedicated birth or to the hard core purest it could mean only a birth which had no interventions. I mean let's face it, unless you are giving birth out in a hut in the woods chances are there was so level of 'unnatural-ness' to anyone's birth. Both times my bag was broken right before crowning, last I checked animals aren't out there in the wild with crochet type of hooks breaking their bags of water. But there is good reason for it according to my MWs, they want to make sure water is clear before birth.

Secondly and more importantly it can be offensive to some and that alone should be reason enough to use the term 'med-free'. I mean I get not knowing, but once you know, even if you don't get it yourself why wouldn't you just use the unoffensive term?

OPer: I had my first two med-free and that's the plan this time.

mimigrace12 · July 2015

My birth plan is to do it med free. I've heard epidurals increase your risk of tearing because you can't control your pushing as much, and I'm trying to do as much as I can to prevent tearing (obviously if it happens, it happens). I've also heard they can make you somewhat groggy which I don't want. But I know birth plans change quickly in the heat of the moment, so in the end if I get one it will be no big deal to me.

laurenbeyer · July 2015

I know epidurals are supposed to slow down labor, but when I was induced with both of my boys, my body wouldn't progress and dilate till I was able to relax. With my first, I was in labor for over 12 hours and only 3 cm till I got the epidural, fell asleep, and then woke up to push for 30 minutes to deliver him.

AWarford · July 2015

I always tell my patients to go in with an open mind. There is no right or wrong way to do it. No one gets an award in the end. If you want to try and go without one, then go for it. If the pain gets too intense and you change your mind, the option is always there. The only thing I try and forewarn our patients about is the fact our anesthesiologist may not be available if things get too intense for you. If someone if back for a c-section or someone else is getting an epidural then the patient would have to wait. We've placed epidurals when people are fully dilated before. But once the baby is coming, there is no turning back!

taylorharber1108 · July 2015

I think it's best for everyone dealing with me that I am drugged lol.

SashaDenn25 · July 2015

CaliforniaDream87 said:
I really hate the word "natural" when it comes to birth.

I had an amazing epi experience with DS so I have no problem having one this time around. I will try and wait a bit longer to have one administered.

Can I ask why you want to wait a bit longer this time?? Due to effects of labor or just personal choice. Saw where PP said it prolonged labor...wasnt sure if that was true or not.

lilana1011 · July 2015

My first was completely natural with no interventions and I hope to do the same with our second here next month.

mclaurin2015 · July 2015

I keep saying that I am not trying to be superwoman. I will take the meds.
That being said....I did have a horrible experience with my last baby and the placement of the epidural. I was poked 3 times, it wore off just as she was crowning, and I ended up getting 3 blood patches due to leaking spinal fluid. It was a bad experience, but I'm willing to try again.

CaliforniaDream87 · July 2015

SashaDenn25 said:

CaliforniaDream87 said:
I really hate the word "natural" when it comes to birth.

I had an amazing epi experience with DS so I have no problem having one this time around. I will try and wait a bit longer to have one administered.
Can I ask why you want to wait a bit longer this time?? Due to effects of labor or just personal choice. Saw where PP said it prolonged labor...wasnt sure if that was true or not.

@SashaDenn25 I had a near perfect delivery. I barely tore (like didn't even need stitches) and from start to finish it was 5 hours (which is amazing for a FTM). I originally took hypnobirthing and spent a lot of money studying for my med free labor. Things changed when the pain kicked in. Seriously, for me there was no amount of breathing or water that could help me. The epi was wonderful. I just would like to try some of what I learned and if it doesn't work this time around an epi it is! Just a personal preference I guess

lrichhx05 · July 2015

I had a great experience with an epidural. I got it when I was about 5 cm and didn't feel a thing until I got to about 7 so I had some time to rest. Which was nice because I had been up all day and night. It wore off a little and from 7-10 I felt contractions and they really hurt but when it came time to push it was nice because I could feel when I had to. I would definitely get an epidural again

theredfields · July 2015

CaliforniaDream87 said:
I really hate the word "natural" when it comes to birth.

I had an amazing epi experience with DS so I have no problem having one this time around. I will try and wait a bit longer to have one administered.

I feel the same! I had a vaginal birth, while induced because I was relaxed- but man it was 36 hours of labor! I was always told by my low key supportive dr. Early epidural as make for better outcomes!

When it comes down to it, my story is simple, I got a later epidural (6 cm) because I didn't feel my contractions that much before my water broke. THEN, they broke my water (after the epi) and I felt them SO intense. No thank you. I asked for a booster, fell asleep, woke up and pushed. It was pure bliss.

I'm more worried about going in the second time because a lot of my friends didn't get to the hospital in time for their Epis and had to do it med-free and they were bummed!!!!

More power to the pain free crew, but give me pain meds please.

Seed0824 · July 2015

No epi for me. I must say everyone has different experiences from being 100% fine after to tearing and long term problems. For some it works fine and others it doesn't. Often other factors may have contributed to their experience but they assume it was simply from the epidural so I don't think there is anything wrong with either way as long as your decision isn't based on what 1 person said.

SashaDenn25 · July 2015

CaliforniaDream87 said:

SashaDenn25 said:

CaliforniaDream87 said:
I really hate the word "natural" when it comes to birth.

I had an amazing epi experience with DS so I have no problem having one this time around. I will try and wait a bit longer to have one administered.
Can I ask why you want to wait a bit longer this time?? Due to effects of labor or just personal choice. Saw where PP said it prolonged labor...wasnt sure if that was true or not.
@SashaDenn25 I had a near perfect delivery. I barely tore (like didn't even need stitches) and from start to finish it was 5 hours (which is amazing for a FTM). I originally took hypnobirthing and spent a lot of money studying for my med free labor. Things changed when the pain kicked in. Seriously, for me there was no amount of breathing or water that could help me. The epi was wonderful. I just would like to try some of what I learned and if it doesn't work this time around an epi it is! Just a personal preference I guess

Thanks!! Im just trying to gain as much knowledge as possible. I know I would like an epi for sure, but I really know very little about the process period. I have tried to remain a little oblivious as this works best for my anxiety about labor. My doctor laughs at me because she asks visit, "still no birth plan right?" And im just like whatever happens, happens you all just tell me what to do! Lol

emilyvazquez85 · July 2015

Miz_Liz said:
If I could have it tapped in and ready to go a week before, I would. Drug me up please!

Exactly how I feel!

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