Pros and cons of epidural

jfaith21

can someone explain to me the pros and cons or an epidural.  I am not so good on the pain front and plan on having an epidural when needed- I also have severe anxiety so I know I will be a mess during labor.  But, what are the risks and benefits of an epidural?  Will it prolong labor?  When will I know to get one??/

Brookie-Cookie

pro: It makes you feel like you are in heaven

con: It may cause you to want to make out with the anesthesiologist/express your undying love for that person.

CoastieWife08

Please, please, please don't use the bump to answer this question.  There are a plethora of books on birth out there at your local library.  Check those out.

You're about to get a lot of hearsay, second-hand knowledge and "my sister's aunt's second cousin said blah blah blah" answers.

Do your own research and be informed.

FishNchips1

con- I've heard with an epi its hard to feel when to push. can delay things.

pro- pain goes away

JessMil10

Pros: Pure bliss during labor.

Cons: Pure agony during labor.

 

Total joke.  The epidural helped me relax and calm down and I think it made my labor much easier, I would have been a mess otherwise.  I was sobbing during contractions before they gave it to me.  I still felt the urge to push and the tightening of contractions, with out feeling the pain. I will be getting another one.

As far as cons go, I have heard some people can get really bad headaches from them.  And sometimes they do not take, or work too well and you can't feel a thing... not even to push.

Talk to your OB about it and see what he/she says.  They will have a ton of information and facts for you.

MrsBraun

CoastieWife08:

Please, please, please don't use the bump to answer this question.  There are a plethora of books on birth out there at your local library.  Check those out.

You're about to get a lot of hearsay, second-hand knowledge and "my sister's aunt's second cousin said blah blah blah" answers.

Do your own research and be informed.

Definitely this! I would ensure that you have your own informed opinion (based on advice from your OB/MW and research)

katie277s

If anything, it made my labor go quicker.  I was able to relax, which in turn let me dialate 7 cm in 45 minutes.  It was the best thing I could do, and plan to do it again with this baby. 

mrsjenni

Brookie-Cookie:

pro: It makes you feel like you are in heaven

con: It may cause you to want to make out with the anesthesiologist/express your undying love for that person.

This.

Though I didn't necessarily feel like I was in heaven (I felt every contraction...ouch!) but I most definitely wanted to make out with the anesthesiologist. 

LouRN09

I am hoping to go med free, so this info is just based off the research I have done and what I learned in Nursing school. So b/c of my decision, I am sure it is a little biased. :-)

I would think that the biggest pro to an epi is the pain reduction! You will have more enerrgy to push and can get some sleep.

For me, it was the cons of the epi that helped make my decision. Once you get an epi, you are confined to the bed, which is the worst position to labor in. I want to be able to walk around, get in the shower, on a birthing ball, etc. I want to use gravity to its fullest! haha Also, most of the time, an epi will slow down labor, so they will give Pitocin to speed it up...and I dont like all those drugs in me. From my experience and research, babies born without the use of an epi are more alert at birth and take on BF easier and better.

mopsie

My sister's aunt's second cousin got one and her baby was born with 4 heads and no toenails.  So, I'm still on the fence.  

JessMil10

Brookie-Cookie:

con: It may cause you to want to make out with the anesthesiologist/express your undying love for that person.

I professed my undying love to my CRNA and tried to hug him on the way out the door.  DH had to remind me I wasn't allowed to get up.   I made sure to tell him he would be my favorite person until the doctor delivered my baby.

LouRN09

MrsBraun:

CoastieWife08:

Please, please, please don't use the bump to answer this question.  There are a plethora of books on birth out there at your local library.  Check those out.

You're about to get a lot of hearsay, second-hand knowledge and "my sister's aunt's second cousin said blah blah blah" answers.

Do your own research and be informed.

Definitely this! I would ensure that you have your own informed opinion (based on advice from your OB/MW and research)

Ditto this too!!! There is ALOT of info out there on pros and cons of epi's so I would do some research (other than "bump research") and go with what is best for you!

BellaDella

I was completely unprepared for labor pain. I had no idea if it was going to get worse and I thought I was splitting in half. A lot of this is my own fault for not doing enough research on what to expect.

   That being said, I am NOT prone to anxiety but the pain was so intense that I was a complete wreck.  I was nearly climbing the walls. The epidural turned the whole experience from anxious and stressful to calm, happy and exciting. I was able to relax and socialize and eventually push with no problems and deliver a happy baby. I did receive Pitocin, but they gave that to me before my epi, I think.

   My story is best case scenario and as someone else said, make sure the decision is your own and that it is a well researched one. Women that go natural are amazing, it just was not for me.

Best of Luck!

Aliliv

Epidurals affect different people differently.   We can give you tons of anecdotal evidence, but if you want facts you may want to look elsewhere as pp mentioned:)   GL!

mysticporter

Here's some info from the American Pregnancy Association.

https://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/epidural.html

I'm planning on avoiding one if possible primarily due to a concern about nausea, vomiting, and headache.  I'm prone to those things, and they can be a side effect for a day or two after the epidural, which is the last time I'd want to deal with them.  I gave birth to DD without one, and it wasn't so bad I'm not willing to try again.

meghan_marie

LouRN09:

I am hoping to go med free, so this info is just based off the research I have done and what I learned in Nursing school. So b/c of my decision, I am sure it is a little biased. :-)

I would think that the biggest pro to an epi is the pain reduction! You will have more enerrgy to push and can get some sleep.

For me, it was the cons of the epi that helped make my decision. Once you get an epi, you are confined to the bed, which is the worst position to labor in. I want to be able to walk around, get in the shower, on a birthing ball, etc. I want to use gravity to its fullest! haha Also, most of the time, an epi will slow down labor, so they will give Pitocin to speed it up...and I dont like all those drugs in me. From my experience and research, babies born without the use of an epi are more alert at birth and take on BF easier and better.

THIS!

smittysoup

I just posted this in another thread, but I'll post it again, why not

 Cons:

Every intervention you have increases the risk of c-section.  C-sections are not desireable for a number of reasons, primarily longer recovery times, increased risk of infection, increased risk of uterine rupture, and increased danger of complications with future pregnancies.

If you want to know reasons not to get an epidural specifically, here sme possibilities, in no particular order:

1. You cannot move around when you have an epidural.  At best, you can hope to shuffle if you can even get out of bed.  Moving around is very important during the later phases of labor because you may have a difficult time getting LO shifted down and need to try different positions.  lying flat on your back is literally the worst position for providing space in your pelvis to get the head through, and you are more likely to end up in an emergency c-section this way.

2. Many times you will be catheterized when you get an epidural, because you can't pee. 

3. You will be automatically put on an IV when you have an epidural.  The fluids will cause swelling.  They may also cause your blood pressure to drop, leading to other meds being added to stabalize you.  It may take several days to a week+ for your body to return to a normal fluid level.  Meanwhile you get to have swollen limbs, hands and feet.

4. An epidural is known to slow down labor, especially when given too early.  If your contractions don't continue as expected, you will be given pitocin to augment your labor.  As soon as pitocin is introduced, your risk of c-section goes up to 50%. 

5. Epidurals don't always work.  They may have to be inserted multiple times, and may not ever work.

6. Some women who get an epidural end up with a spinal headache due to improper insertion that is incredibly painful and lasts for days.

Pros:

1. Pain relief.  Some women will tell you that labor pains are unbearable, some will tell you it wasn't as bad as they thought.  Pain is totally subjective and different for every person.  You won't know how you handle the pain until you are in labor.

2. In some cases, an epidural speeds up labor.  This is primarily when women are very tense because of the pain, and they are able to relax their muscles after recieving an epidural.  It's not really the epidural itself that speeds up the labor in this case, it's muscle relaxation brought on by pain relief.  Just be aware that their are many other options to assist with relaxation during labor. 

anabell0920

smittysoup:

I just posted this in another thread, but I'll post it again, why not

 Cons:

Every intervention you have increases the risk of c-section.  C-sections are not desireable for a number of reasons, primarily longer recovery times, increased risk of infection, increased risk of uterine rupture, and increased danger of complications with future pregnancies.

If you want to know reasons not to get an epidural specifically, here sme possibilities, in no particular order:

1. You cannot move around when you have an epidural.  At best, you can hope to shuffle if you can even get out of bed.  Moving around is very important during the later phases of labor because you may have a difficult time getting LO shifted down and need to try different positions.  lying flat on your back is literally the worst position for providing space in your pelvis to get the head through, and you are more likely to end up in an emergency c-section this way.

2. Many times you will be catheterized when you get an epidural, because you can't pee. 

3. You will be automatically put on an IV when you have an epidural.  The fluids will cause swelling.  They may also cause your blood pressure to drop, leading to other meds being added to stabalize you.  It may take several days to a week+ for your body to return to a normal fluid level.  Meanwhile you get to have swollen limbs, hands and feet.

4. An epidural is known to slow down labor, especially when given too early.  If your contractions don't continue as expected, you will be given pitocin to augment your labor.  As soon as pitocin is introduced, your risk of c-section goes up to 50%. 

5. Epidurals don't always work.  They may have to be inserted multiple times, and may not ever work.

6. Some women who get an epidural end up with a spinal headache due to improper insertion that is incredibly painful and lasts for days.

Pros:

1. Pain relief.  Some women will tell you that labor pains are unbearable, some will tell you it wasn't as bad as they thought.  Pain is totally subjective and different for every person.  You won't know how you handle the pain until you are in labor.

2. In some cases, an epidural speeds up labor.  This is primarily when women are very tense because of the pain, and they are able to relax their muscles after recieving an epidural.  It's not really the epidural itself that speeds up the labor in this case, it's muscle relaxation brought on by pain relief.  Just be aware that their are many other options to assist with relaxation during labor. 

Thank you, thank you!!! Very well said!  Op- please do a ton of research off the bump like a pp said. Then you can make an educated decision on what is best for you and not off of what others preferences are.

MWoodside

smittysoup:

I just posted this in another thread, but I'll post it again, why not

 Cons:

Every intervention you have increases the risk of c-section.  C-sections are not desireable for a number of reasons, primarily longer recovery times, increased risk of infection, increased risk of uterine rupture, and increased danger of complications with future pregnancies.

If you want to know reasons not to get an epidural specifically, here sme possibilities, in no particular order:

1. You cannot move around when you have an epidural.  At best, you can hope to shuffle if you can even get out of bed.  Moving around is very important during the later phases of labor because you may have a difficult time getting LO shifted down and need to try different positions.  lying flat on your back is literally the worst position for providing space in your pelvis to get the head through, and you are more likely to end up in an emergency c-section this way.

2. Many times you will be catheterized when you get an epidural, because you can't pee. 

3. You will be automatically put on an IV when you have an epidural.  The fluids will cause swelling.  They may also cause your blood pressure to drop, leading to other meds being added to stabalize you.  It may take several days to a week+ for your body to return to a normal fluid level.  Meanwhile you get to have swollen limbs, hands and feet.

4. An epidural is known to slow down labor, especially when given too early.  If your contractions don't continue as expected, you will be given pitocin to augment your labor.  As soon as pitocin is introduced, your risk of c-section goes up to 50%. 

5. Epidurals don't always work.  They may have to be inserted multiple times, and may not ever work.

6. Some women who get an epidural end up with a spinal headache due to improper insertion that is incredibly painful and lasts for days.

Pros:

1. Pain relief.  Some women will tell you that labor pains are unbearable, some will tell you it wasn't as bad as they thought.  Pain is totally subjective and different for every person.  You won't know how you handle the pain until you are in labor.

2. In some cases, an epidural speeds up labor.  This is primarily when women are very tense because of the pain, and they are able to relax their muscles after recieving an epidural.  It's not really the epidural itself that speeds up the labor in this case, it's muscle relaxation brought on by pain relief.  Just be aware that their are many other options to assist with relaxation during labor. 

I agree w/ all of this.  Another con: it's common to tear deeper/more w/ an epi b/c you can't fully feel when you are pushing & need coached pushing.

bloverly

Mom had an epi with my brother and did natural with me. Her births were totally different with each of us. So much of it depends on how your labor progresses and if there are any issues. My brother was late, and her contractions were very intense, especially after the pitocin which was needed because my brother was in 'distress'. At that point she was too exhausted to do natural because she had been through a lot of pain all at once, rather than having contractions that gradually got more intense. With me, things progressed more smoothly and she was able to better handle the pain because it was gradual. She preferred the natural birth, but also contends that with my brother, though it wasn't her first choice, the epi was a life saver.

Moral of the story: have a birth plan, dicuss it with DH and your doctors and nurses....but you just won't know until the time comes how everything will go.

jfaith21

Thanks for all the info! I will def be researching over the next few weeks! 

01272007

Hey everyone - just thought I would give my two cents.

My husband is an anesthesiologist so this might be slightly biased, but he read through the thread and there seems to be ALOT of misinformation in many of the postings. First off...epidurals DO NOT increase the risk of C-sections. There is no evidence of this at all. The bottom line is that you should do your own research and ask questions rather than relying on the bump to make your decision. There are side effects to everything no matter what. Every OB and anesthesiologist will agree that being in pain and not being able to cooperate during labor because of pain is more dangerous to you and your baby than any medication that can be given.

amw804

Brookie-Cookie:

pro: It makes you feel like you are in heaven

con: It may cause you to want to make out with the anesthesiologist/express your undying love for that person.

hahaha - love it!

oh, and i didn't tear at all when i had my son with an epi. i had an excellent labor experience and was walkign 30 minutes later with no issues.

kaiteedidit

Brookie-Cookie:

pro: It makes you feel like you are in heaven

con: It may cause you to want to make out with the anesthesiologist/express your undying love for that person.

 LOL. This. 

jacquelinethorne

From my experience there are no cons, but others may not feel the same way. I knew it was time to get one when I could no longer concentrate on anything and started feeling mean. I can't stand when women are noisy and obnoxious when they labor, so I don't let myself get to that point in the pain. Once my epi and catheter were in I went from 4-5cm to 10 cm in about 45 minutes with both deliveries. I didn't have any pain while pushing with DS1. I couldn't even feel when to push. We just went off of the contractions on the monitor. I pushed three times to deliver my 8 pound baby. With DS2 I had some sensation since I pushed longer (DS2's head is massive) and they had turned my epi off. It wasn't painful, but the sensation was definitely returning by the time my OB finished stitching me. I agree with PP that you should do some research aside from asking opinions on the bump, but it also doesn't hurt to hear what others have experienced.

kaiteedidit

Oh and I had an epidural and my labor was wonderful! It did not cause my labor to slow down and I was never given pitocin. I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

smittysoup

01272007:

Hey everyone - just thought I would give my two cents.

My husband is an anesthesiologist so this might be slightly biased, but he read through the thread and there seems to be ALOT of misinformation in many of the postings. First off...epidurals DO NOT increase the risk of C-sections. There is no evidence of this at all. The bottom line is that you should do your own research and ask questions rather than relying on the bump to make your decision. There are side effects to everything no matter what. Every OB and anesthesiologist will agree that being in pain and not being able to cooperate during labor because of pain is more dangerous to you and your baby than any medication that can be given.

BS - I will admit it is controversial (there is evidence on both sides).  But to say there is no evidence that epidurals increase c-section rates is just a lie.   

From wikipedia: In 2005, a meta-analysis of 21 studies also showed that epidurals do not increase the likelihood of caesarean section, but they do increase the chance of a forceps or ventouse delivery by 40% (Anim-Somuah, Cochrane Review, 2005).^[39]However, the 2000 and 2005 Cochrane Review Meta-Analyses were both driven by a single study by Sharma and colleagues which was based upon a hospital where the caesarean section rate was roughly 1/3 of the national average. This facility's physicians presumably prefer vaginal deliveries and avoid caesarean sections. Because of how low the caesarean section rates were in this facility, the data could not have shown a difference in caesarean rates between epidural and other methods of anagelsia. In fact, when the study is adjusted for this and other statistical issues, the rate of caesarean section is 259% (95% CI 129% to 523%) with epidural versus other analgesics.^[40] The COMET Study, published in The Lancet in 2001 (vol358, No9275 p19-23) showed that a combined spinal epidural in labor may speed up the labor process by a few minutes, although those women receiving an epidural had a caesarean rate of 28% and only 35% had a normal birth without instrument assisted delivery.^[41]

The sources are listed, so feel free not to take my word for it.  But honestly, it's common sense. 

vegandy

CoastieWife08:

Please, please, please don't use the bump to answer this question.  There are a plethora of books on birth out there at your local library.  Check those out.

You're about to get a lot of hearsay, second-hand knowledge and "my sister's aunt's second cousin said blah blah blah" answers.

Do your own research and be informed.

 

THIS!!!  Talk to your doctor & do factual information PLLLLEASE.