Where do you ladies stand?
My mom had 3 naturally, decided to go for the epi with her last---almost 11 lbs , and is nonchalantly trying to talk me out of it. At first, I said I have no desire for natural, which I still don't, but we watch A Baby Story religiously and one lady was so scared because she had 0 control of her body...couldn't feel when/how to push etc. It was obvious that she was very scared. Do stories like this change your mind at all? I'd like some medical intervention, but wonder if it's all (epi) or nothing ("substitutes") ? I'd like views from people in my position, as well as what my dr will say at the next appointment. Thanks a bunch, ladies
Re: Epidural?
I will say this. I am going to try and stick it out as long as possible... but when the time comes, I am going to get an epidural. I'm going to a great hospital with great anestesiologists, and I really trust them to help me out.
I have heard mixed reviews on both natural childbirth as well as epidurals... so I think to be honest, it's what you make of every situation that really makes the difference.
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Demoral and things like that are what I'm wondering about. I don't know how you feel, but everything I've heard makes it *seem* like it's epidural or natural. I hope there is a decent middle ground somewhere. Of course, I'll cross bridges when I come to them:) Thanks for the input!
I wanted to give it a try without but knew I'd get it if I really felt like I needed it and that's what happened. I labored without it for as long as I could and asked for it when I was done.
I couldn't feel a thing once the epi started working and I still "pushed" my baby out without a problem. The nurses would tell me when a contraction was coming. I felt like I had all the control I needed to have at the moment.
?
It's an incredibly hard decision to make before you are actual in the heat of it (hypothically, it's a really easy decision). I suggest that you read up on it all, take classes (or whatever is available). Learn pain management strategies (the breathing done in things like yoga and pilates work wonders). In otherwords, be prepared for drug-free/minimal intervention. Then, when the time comes and you find out how you (and your body) react to the pain and you reach your limits - you'll know what/how to ask for what you need.
This is basically what I did the first time and I made it drug-free with an vacuum extraction and episiotomy (it was a somewhat difficult delivery). I plan to go about it the same way again, I'll just see how it goes and what my limits are this time.
With my 1st born, I went into it with an open mind. I had not done any training for natural childbirth, so I knew it was unlikely that I would go that route, but was terrified of having a needle in my spine. When I was checking into L&D they asked if I would be using pain meds, and I said I was unsure. I did know i would NOT be taking stadol or any other narcotics, I dont do well with pain meds of that nature and did not want to loopy or drowsy for the delivery. The pain got to a point for me that I did not care if they were sticking 1,000 needles in my spine, and I asked for the epidural. It took a long time to get it, as the anesthelogists were both in c-sections, but once I got it, it was heaven. I was numb from the mid section down, but could still push just fine.
With my 2nd born, I went into it thinking I would of course get an epidural, but the routine blood work they do when you arrive at L&D showed an elevated white blood cell count and the anesthelogist would not give me an epi. I was freaked out. My OB spoke to her, and I was actually able to get it a few hours later, I ended up delivering only 45 mins after the epi. Although I am glad I got it part of me wishes I had known I was so close to delivery so I could have held out and gone natural, just to experience birth that way as well.
We'll see what happens this time around, I plan to once again go into it with an open mind, see how labor progresses and make the game time decision.
My Mom, like yours, also had natural deliveries, but when she was having babies, the options were natural or "twilight sleep" and she chose natural.
Good luck with your decision!
My goal is no intervention (Pitocin or otherwise), to me it does feel like one things leads to another and my goal is to labor comfortably in positions other than laying flat on my back. I had a previous allergic reaction to IV pain medication so I am generally trying to avoid even chancing going down that road again.
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Demorol and laughing gas are other pain management drugs. I'm sure there are others.
It's also not a bad idea to familiarize yourself with some of the necessary medical interventions that could be used if the need arises. That way, you'll know what's happening and you (or your DH) can question in the event that they are used.
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I want the drugs, ALLLLLLLLLLL the drugs. If just knocking me out were still an option I'd go that route. I admire you ladies who are going the natural route or keeping your options open, but I want pain meds and I want them now.
I asked my doc at my last appt. if he would hook me up to the epidural about two weeks ahead of time so that I would be already ready when I went into labor. He thought I was hilaaaaaarrrrrrious. I was only half way joking.
LMAO!!
Because I've never given birth before, I'm not going in with a plan... I'm going to educate myself on everything and see what I need when I need it. Not saying no or yes to anything because I have NO idea what it's going to be like.
GL with your decision.
My husband is an anesthesiologist so I'm well aware of all possible complications and am still definitely going with the epidural. There is no prize for going drug free in my book.
I am not having an epidural. Period, end of story. I have a notoriously horrible back (I go to the Chiropractor once a week, and would probably go more often if I weren't in school and live an hour and a half from her, or if I could afford it better). The research I've done, and from personal stories I know, say that there is a good chance you will have, at some point, residual back pain/problems from the procedure. I refuse to add any more problems to my back.
I'm not a stranger to pain, since I was 15 I've had 2 knee operations, numerous back injuries, and hundreds of ruptured ovarian cysts (really, I have no idea how I got pregnant - twice). I think I can manage the pain. My DH and I will be taking lamaze classes as well as Bradley classes (or at least getting Bradley training from my Chiro if we can't afford the classes).
I am praying that they don't want to induce me. I'm all for natural health (herbal remedies and the like) and I don't want an induction. My best friend had one with her son and said it was way worse than labor, she reacted very strongly to the pitocin.
I think (and I haven't discussed this with my OB/Midwife yet because we have to switch in a few weeks) that as long as I can walk around and do things 'my way' I should be fine. Maybe I'm kidding myself, but I don't think so.
My MIL and SIL think I'm insane. Both had epidruals with all of their pregnancies (5 between them) and couldn't imagine doing it any other way. With my SIL, she had the epidural and had her 3rd son 10 minutes later. With her second son, he was crowning for 2 HOURS while they waited for the doctor (needless to say, I'm not going to that hospital). I just think that the doctors get a lot more liberties when you have an epidural. It's easier to c-section you, it's easier to do a lot of things.
My mom is, thankfully, my advocate and will be at the birth to advocate for me, and with me. I honestly think I might cave if it weren't for her, but I know that she'll help me through!
This. =P
PS Am, I read this to DH, he thought it was funny too.
With my first I tried to wait but when I was in a lot of pain at 4 cm I was terrified of what 10 would feel like so I opted for an epidural. I later found out I was transition right before and was already at 10. Thankfully, i had the epidural because they had to due an emergency epiziotomy (ms) since the cord was wrapped around her neck.
With my 2nd, I asked for the epidural soon because I had a friend that waited to long and wasn't able to have one. It really took the edge off and DH and I could relax, nap and enjoy the experience.
I will definitely have an epidural with this one, but you have to do what is right for you.
Good luck!
Stories like these dont really scare me but Im choosing not to have one because I want to be fully present at this birth. I heard you cant move your legs after for awhile and I really dont want to experience that.