I'm not good with needles, so the epidural has me worried. I'm afraid that I will work myself up too much and when the time comes for the epidural I'll pass out. When I had a laparoscopy, they had to give me oxygen after putting in the IV line. I don't necessarily care either way (drugs vs natural), I'm just afraid of the needle.
I am too, which is why I spent my entire pregnancy saying I wouldn't do it. In the moment, I didn't even notice honestly. I was so tired and I was in so much pain, I didn't even think about it and I didn't even feel it. If you're able to go without, that's awesome, but don't stress about now mama!
@sammierose464 I was worried the IV would be scariest part for me. And that even after it was in it would be a huge distraction. It really wasn’t too bad. Dealing with labor trumped thinking about the IV. However, it did drive me nuts after delivery. I asked for them to take it out as possible (which still ended up being hours later).
You know what I think helped overcome my fear of needles, at least a little bit? All the times I had to have blood drawn during the pregnancy. So, maybe by the end of the road, you’ll feel at least a bit better about them, too.
I keep telling myself that all the blood work will help. I'm probably getting my first set on Wednesday and since DH is coming with me to the Dr I'm making him go to the lab with me after. I have to lie down while they do it, and my veins don't usually cooperate...
Loved my epi! Honestly, the stupid IV hurt more than anything else—took 3 nurses 6 attempts. I got the epi at 4cm, but it stalled the labor progression, so I was given pitocin.
When it was time to push, the epi had worn off just enough so that i could feel the pressure but not the pain, and I could push effectively. Pushing only took 40 minutes, and I was on my feet quickly after. But I vomitted/dry heaved. A LOT. Not sure if this was due to the epi, the fentanyl, or just normal labor stuff. The vomiting actually helped push him out!
This time I’ll try to skip the fentanyl and the IV, but otherwise, won’t do anything differently.
I tried doing a med-free hospital birth with DD, but I ended up with an epidural. I have no regrets, but I absolutely understand all the reasons why someone would want a med-free birth. I was induced so that's a lot more painful (from what I've been told) and I was barely allowed out of bed. My real downfall though was that I just could not relax through the pain which was slowing down my progression. Once I got the epidural, I took a nap and DD was born a few hours later. It was a relatively easy labor actually. I read the Hypnobirthing book and loved it. If nothing else, it really helped me understand the science behind the contractions and it was just cool to feel my body working in that way. I highly recommend it. I loaned mine out so I will have to see if I can get it back eventually.
I tried doing a med-free hospital birth with DD, but I ended up with an epidural. I have no regrets, but I absolutely understand all the reasons why someone would want a med-free birth. I was induced so that's a lot more painful (from what I've been told) and I was barely allowed out of bed. My real downfall though was that I just could not relax through the pain which was slowing down my progression. Once I got the epidural, I took a nap and DD was born a few hours later. It was a relatively easy labor actually. I read the Hypnobirthing book and loved it. If nothing else, it really helped me understand the science behind the contractions and it was just cool to feel my body working in that way. I highly recommend it. I loaned mine out so I will have to see if I can get it back eventually.
This was my experience too. It took me 16 hours to get from 0 to 5 cm and then 1 hour to get from 5 to 10 once I couldn't "fight" the contractions anymore.
BFP #1: due 6/17/2013, DD born 6/25/13 BFP #2: due 6/30/2017, MMC found 12/7/2016 BFP #3: due 10/21/2018
I wanted to try med free. I ended up getting an epi because I was i. so much pain. Unfortunately, when I’m in pain I tense my entire body which was just magnifying my pain. I will probably get a epidural this time again. However, I couldn’t even feel pressure last time, so I’m hoping they can turn it down a bit. My birth plan is, stay in the moment.
I tried for a "natural" birth with my daughter, but was unsuccessful (spent about 10 hours stuck at 5 cm, after 32 hours labor total). I did the childbirth classes, breathing exercises, hired a doula, and read a lot of books. This was our favorite: https://www.amazon.com/Birth-Partner-Completely-Revised-Updated/dp/1558328807
Not sure if this is what anyone wants to hear, but the epidural was heaven. I kept asking people, "Tell me again why I'm not supposed to like this?" Then I took a nap and woke up ready to push (that didn't go well, but she was stuck transverse in the canal). I'm not sure I'll even bother with the unmedicated route again. I was up and walking right away, too. No negative epidural effects at all, for either of us.
***TW*** DD born April 2015 after many rounds of IVF and losses.
@DunkinDecaf I genuinely don't even remember them taking it out. I'm trying to think of when that happened and I have no idea. But it's not still there so obviously it came out at some point in time.
Wait... wait... They put the epidural needle in and then leave a catheter in?
The catheter had to stay in for 3 days for me, (special circumstance, but still). I also had paralyzing panic attack fear of IVs. Still do, but it became my new normal the 5 days I had mine in. I was also lucky enough to have them in each hand -_- And as others have mentioned, blood draws become normal. Even if I still pass out half the time haha
Long story short: birth really does make all the “ugh” and “ick” feelings we have beforehand (and even after) go away in the moment.
My IV was the worst part of my entire birthing experience. It took 3 nurses 6 attempts to get the #%+!*!# needle in a vein. They had to use a vein on the skinny part of my wrist (directly below the thumb, if that makes sense) and it felt like they left it pressed against bone.
The epi was a breeze in comparison. Luckily the hospital I’ll be going to this time doesn’t insist on an IV for every birth. I will outright refuse.
Just a note on IV refusal, I totally would have if it would have been allowed. But, it’s a good thing it wasn’t because even though it was never used (or even hooked up to anything) during the birth, they did need to give me two medications immediately after to stop bleeding. So having it just in case isn’t the worst idea unless you really really think it’ll bug you. I thought mine would but with everything else going on I blocked it out.
Epidurals are amazing. That being said, if they put it in early and you have a long labor it will wear off. I was in labor 28 hours and those sweet hours of epidural were great but as I got to 10 cm I itched everywhere (because they had to add another med when the epi started to wear off) and then it fully wore off for when I pushed so it was 45 minutes of pure utter agony. But I felt like wonder woman when that kid came out...my husband is still impressed. So you may end up like me...super pro med and end up with a "natural" delivery. I'm probably gonna hold off as much as I can this time around.
And the catheter won't bother you, neither will the enema you get beforehand. Nothing is nasty or painful after child birth.
@knottieamusements I'm not sure to be honest. A friend of mine delivered at the same hospital about 3 years before and all her and her husband ever talked about was how she crapped all over herself during labor. So I honestly was mortified about that all 9 months (silly me...what's poop when you get to drop a child size placenta from your vajay?) and literally the first thing the nurse asked when I was give an L&D room was if I wanted an enema. It helped because I did that at 6:30am, DD wasn't born until 8:21pm and no poop in my delivery room.
@knottieamusements No enema for me either. I made sure i pooped before I went to the hospital, and then they don’t let you eat or drink anything once you are admitted, so I wasn’t too concerned.
And speaking of pooping, I’m going to start taking stool softeners the week before my due date. Cuz omg that first #2 after the baby is scary.
I think the enema before birth thing is really old practice.
Also, I feel for all of you who have epidurals wear off. I think that’s actually worse than going natural the whole way. At least then you’ve have time to adjust as the pain level increases. When your epi dies, you just get thrown straight into the thick of it. Ouch.
My dignity was gone during labor. As far as I know, I didn’t poop. But I did have to ask me doula to wipe pee off my leg. Sitting on a toilet hurt too much so I stood up too fast and pee dribbled down my leg. No shame. This is why doulas are awesome.
This thread is reminding me of all those fun gross things that no one tells you about the birthing process. Like how when your water breaks (if it breaks at all), you don't stop leaking fluid until the baby comes! It just gushes out of you in spurts until the placenta is delivered. And my DS pooped while still inside me so I was gushing baby crap. Fun times. lol
@concreteayngel - the all the gross things they don’t tell you about childbirth blogs are the reason I was surprised by the mention of an enema. I figured someone, somewhere, would have mentioned that- I certainly read about pooping during labor often enough!
I pooped about an hour before getting my epidural and still pooped while pushing. DH still talks about it. I don’t care. It was the absolute least of my concerns at that point.
No enema here. I gave zero f***s about pooping in front of anyone. I actually farted in the nurses face when I was getting stitched up. Could not care less because I couldn’t control it. I also couldn’t pee on my own after so they had to empty my bladder into a bed pan.
+1 for taking stool softeners ahead of time. The first poop was worse than child birth for me. Ripped open my hemorrhoid and popped my stitches. I finally learned I could take milking of magnesia while breastfeeding and that was amazing. Best poop ever afterwards.
I’m hopes of not terrifying everyone completely, pooping was a non issue here. I had a second degree tear but I took the stool softener and it was no big deal. I had it worked up in my head to be a way bigger thing that it was.
@cdepperschmidt Saaaaame! 5 days, two 2nd degree tears, and 1 suppository later....the hemmorhoids put me on a liquid diet for a week!!
I’m asking my husband for one of those Toto washlet toilet seats for my birthday this year! It’s kinda like a bidet, and has a heated seat, and you can control two different streams of warm water (one for the front, and one for the back, for us ladies). My MIL had one installed (after my PP misery) and it’s the coolest thing! No more sitz baths or peri bottles needed!
+1 for stool softeners! I took them for like 6 months after because I was paranoid after having a 3rd degree tear. I wanted to make sure I was fully healed before anything hard and solid came through!
Re: Going natural
When it was time to push, the epi had worn off just enough so that i could feel the pressure but not the pain, and I could push effectively. Pushing only took 40 minutes, and I was on my feet quickly after. But I vomitted/dry heaved. A LOT. Not sure if this was due to the epi, the fentanyl, or just normal labor stuff. The vomiting actually helped push him out!
This time I’ll try to skip the fentanyl and the IV, but otherwise, won’t do anything differently.
BFP #2: due 6/30/2017, MMC found 12/7/2016
BFP #3: due 10/21/2018
https://www.amazon.com/Birth-Partner-Completely-Revised-Updated/dp/1558328807
Not sure if this is what anyone wants to hear, but the epidural was heaven. I kept asking people, "Tell me again why I'm not supposed to like this?" Then I took a nap and woke up ready to push (that didn't go well, but she was stuck transverse in the canal). I'm not sure I'll even bother with the unmedicated route again. I was up and walking right away, too. No negative epidural effects at all, for either of us.
DD born April 2015 after many rounds of IVF and losses.
After much more of the same...
I also had paralyzing panic attack fear of IVs. Still do, but it became my new normal the 5 days I had mine in. I was also lucky enough to have them in each hand -_-
And as others have mentioned, blood draws become normal. Even if I still pass out half the time haha
Long story short: birth really does make all the “ugh” and “ick” feelings we have beforehand (and even after) go away in the moment.
Me 32 and DH 40
Fur-baby named Bella
1 MC Nov. 2013
DD born Nov. 2, 2014
Little 2 EDD Oct. 1
My IV was the worst part of my entire birthing experience. It took 3 nurses 6 attempts to get the #%+!*!# needle in a vein. They had to use a vein on the skinny part of my wrist (directly below the thumb, if that makes sense) and it felt like they left it pressed against bone.
The epi was a breeze in comparison.
Luckily the hospital I’ll be going to this time doesn’t insist on an IV for every birth. I will outright refuse.
bleeding. So having it just in case isn’t the worst idea unless you really really think it’ll bug you. I thought mine would but with everything else going on I blocked it out.
And the catheter won't bother you, neither will the enema you get beforehand. Nothing is nasty or painful after child birth.
Married: 12/16/12
TTC #1: 06/15 BFP #1:07/13/15
D&C: 08/28/15
BFP #2: 09/26/15
M: 06/03/16
BFP #2: 02/12/18
L : 7/26/18 (SIUGR, micropreemie)
.They give you an enema before labor? Is that standard practice, or just at some hospitals?
Married: 12/16/12
TTC #1: 06/15 BFP #1:07/13/15
D&C: 08/28/15
BFP #2: 09/26/15
M: 06/03/16
BFP #2: 02/12/18
L : 7/26/18 (SIUGR, micropreemie)
And speaking of pooping, I’m going to start taking stool softeners the week before my due date. Cuz omg that first #2 after the baby is scary.
Also, I feel for all of you who have epidurals wear off. I think that’s actually worse than going natural the whole way. At least then you’ve have time to adjust as the pain level increases. When your epi dies, you just get thrown straight into the thick of it. Ouch.
+1 for taking stool softeners ahead of time. The first poop was worse than child birth for me. Ripped open my hemorrhoid and popped my stitches. I finally learned I could take milking of magnesia while breastfeeding and that was amazing. Best poop ever afterwards.
Married: 12/16/12
TTC #1: 06/15 BFP #1:07/13/15
D&C: 08/28/15
BFP #2: 09/26/15
M: 06/03/16
BFP #2: 02/12/18
L : 7/26/18 (SIUGR, micropreemie)
Saaaaame! 5 days, two 2nd degree tears, and 1 suppository later....the hemmorhoids put me on a liquid diet for a week!!
I’m asking my husband for one of those Toto washlet toilet seats for my birthday this year! It’s kinda like a bidet, and has a heated seat, and you can control two different streams of warm water (one for the front, and one for the back, for us ladies). My MIL had one installed (after my PP misery) and it’s the coolest thing! No more sitz baths or peri bottles needed!