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2nd Trimester
"Natural" birth - I have to ask...
I'm sure this post will end up getting heated, so I'll apologize in advance, but I would really like to hear from women that are totally set on a "natural" birth. Can you tell me why? I really want to hear your reasons. I, personally, never thought about going through labor without an epidural. I just don't understand why anyone would go through that pain when they don't have to. I can understand not wanting narcotics because that does go to the baby, but the meds in an epidural don't. The only reason I could even think of not having an epidural would be because of the risks of it, but even those are so small I didn't even consider it. But those are just my feelings and we all have different thoughts about childbirth.
Again, sorry in advance if this post goes south, but I would just really like to hear why some of you want a natural birth. Thanks!
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Re: "Natural" birth - I have to ask...
The thought of a needle going into my back scares the ever lovin' sh!t outta' me. I don't like the idea of not being able to move my legs, etc. It'd set off my anxiety for sure. *shrugs* It's not that I'm a masochist, I have a pretty high tolerance of pain and hope to be able to manage said pain in a way other than a needle in my back. With this perspective, you might be able to turn this around and say I think anyone who would take a needle to the spine is nuts, lol, as you wonder why the heck we'd want to be in pain if we don't have to!
Anywho, I'm sure you'll get a lot of 'crunchy' responses. I'm kinda' crunchy, but whatever gets my baby out safely, within reason, is fine by me. But I like to keep everything as 'necessary' as possible. If I have to tolerate some pain when that happens ... so be it.
Epidurals and other interventions all carry risk. So, if they are not medically-needed, they put you and your baby at higher risk for complications.
Epi risks include a dangerous drop in blood pressure, fever (which will necessitate additional procedures on your newborn), nerve damage, infection, a slowing or stopping of labor progression and increased risk of operative delivery and large tears/episiotomy.
One of the reasons I was considering going natural is because the thought of an IV in my back bothered me. I have a feeling that when I am in the moment and in the pain, I won't even care that there is a needle in my back.
Also, DH had surgery a few years ago and he didn't want to go all the way under, so they put him into twilight and gave him an epi. The epi didn't wear off for 12 hours and it really bothered him. I have been freaked out since then about getting an epi.
I have to do more research and make my mind up!!
Personally, I have no idea what my labor will be like and haven't made a decision either way, but I can tell you what my mom went through.
My youngest brother was almost 11lbs. My mom did have the epi with him, but still regrets it. She had 0 control of her body, he was broad so they had to maneuver him--where she was unable to "help" because she was numb, he came out blue because the umbilical cord was wrapped twice around the neck. She has her reasons for regretting it, but those are the stats of that day. She said it was scary.
I'm not needing to go natural, but I wish there was a happy medium between numb and only being able to sleep between contractions. Maybe there is, I don't know since I haven't gotten into it yet, but I am very open until I research things.
I'm torn...like my vadge will be...lol
I want pain relief--god I hate pain! But here's what has me thinking:
1. (Rumored) longer recovery time. I hear that the moms who don't get epis tend to be up and running a bit faster. Theory--your body feels the pain, so kicks into overdrive and starts the healing process faster? Maybe BS, but I'm trying to investigate.
2. I'm a huge weeny. If someone shoots me full of drugs, then I better damn well not feel anything! If an epi doesn't take well, and I still feel pain, I *will not* be able to handle it, emotionally. If I prepare for pain instead, then maybe.
That's most of it, in a nutshell.
Would you ever run a marathon? Or climb a mountain?
It's going to hurt so why bother, right?
Ditto.
I'm going natural for two reasons. One, i have scoliosis with a steel rod in my spine right where the epi would be administered. I have an appointment with my anesthesiologist to see about the possibility of an epi, but outlook does not look good and the complication risk is high. This made me look into natural birth as my option, and I am so happy that i did as the benefits are very appealing to me. Which brings me to two (err, 100): The recovery is quicker, you and baby are alert, you are free to move around during labor and change positions during delivery, you release endorphins critical to baby's adjustment to the world and bonding that you do not release with meds, and the pain is there for a reason -- to tell your body and your baby how to move and when to push to deliver baby the safest way possible.?
Your body was meant to deliver a baby. I'm very excited about trusting that instinct and going for it!
I don't like what I call "creepy medical stuff" - sterile hospital bed, needles, IVs, etc. I started looking into a natural birth in a birth center to avoid that kind of stuff that I knew would make me really uncomfortable. I also believe that interventions (like epidurals) often lead to more interventions (i.e. episiotomy, pitocin, etc.) which I was not interested in. Most women in my family have done it without drugs and highly recommend the experience, so I also have a ton of support and know that I can do it.
I think the most important thing is to do what makes you feel comfortable and relaxed - for some people that is being in a hospital with surgeons nearby, and for some people that is in their home, and for some people (like me) that is in a birth center that is near a hospital in case a transfer is necessary.
I'd like to do as much as I can without meds, epi, etc. However, I'm not opposed to them.
But, I am pretty sure that the meds in an epidural DO go to the baby. At least I'm pretty sure that's what I've read and that's what they said at my childbirth classes.
Im not trying to sway anyone but I can tell you from experience with 3 epidurals that they are not bad and when you are in the pain of labor you couldnt care less about that needle
Unreasonably paranoid reason - I am way more afraid of having a needle in my back than I am of the pain of childbirth. Not saying that I'm looking forward to the pain, but I am actually afraid of the epidural, and needles don't normally bother me.
Otherwise, I'd like to be in control of my lower body during labor, the numerous risks associated with the epi, a slight feeling of just because we can intervene, doesn't mean we should. Lots of reasons.
I also can understand why women want to get the epi and do not fault them for that decision. To each their own.
This was very true for me! I loved my epidural, although I do have some regrets. I really think my epi may have contributed to my c/s because it made it harder for my OP baby to turn anterior and I couldn't feel a thing when I was pushing. So I kinda wish I hadn't gotten one, but with the pain of back labor and Pitocin, it was a godsend! I have mixed feelings, obv.
Not feeling my feet gives me anxiety attacks. IF anyone sits on my feet or they fall asleep then I start to hyperventilate so I know being numb will just screw me up.
The side effects. While they may be small, they are still there. I'm not naive enough to think that it can't happen to me just because everybody else has had an epi safely.
I want to let my body do what it was made for. The pain will let me know how to move, when to move, when to push, etc. If I'm numb, then how will I ever know if something doesn't feel right?
And lastly, and probably the very worst reason, is because nobody thinks I can do it. They all think I'm stupid and will be begging for an epidural as soon as I get to the hospital. This just makes me want to prove them all wrong and show THEM how stupid they are.
This. My first labor & delivery weren't really *that* bad (of course my labor was only 4.5hrs long). I went epi free and had some stadol which didn't do anything for the pain but made me super sleepy. I'm totally afraid of the needle. Of course, my recovery was super fast and I was up and walking around an hour after I delivered.
I plan on going epi-free even though my OB wants to induce because of my "history of rapid delivery".
-Epidurals tend to lead to other interventions (pitocin, c-section) that all have their own set of risks. Why start on that path if not necessary?
-Some of the potential risks associated with the epidural are scary (although rare, why risk it?) - permanent nerve damage, severe headaches, etc
-Epidural can cause BP to drop, which does affect the baby, no good
-I want to be able to move around freely during labor. Most optimal birthing positions do not involve lying flat on your back. And being in a more optimal birthing position can prevent tearing, episiotomies, etc, meaning less pain after birth
-I want to be able to push when I feel the urge, not have to be told to push
I'm sure there are more I am not thinking of right now
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Shawn and Larissa
LO #1 - Took 2 years and 2 IVFs ~ DX - severe MFI mild PCOS homozygous MTHFR (a1298c)
LO #2 - TTC 7 months, surprise spontaneous BFP!
I have had the epidural for my first two kids. The first time it was great, the 2nd time my blood pressure dropped pretty low (on the verge of fainting) & stalled my labor. So this time around I would like to try no meds since I felt horrible with the epidural. The epi had no impact on my kids or me functioning right after birth, so that is not one of my huge concerns. I was up & moving right after the doctor was done with me.
I plan to go med free this time around.
Something else to consider is that "epidural" is different than something like Demerol. Demerol is a specific drug, epidurals are not. They are a blend of narcotic, paralytic and sometimes tranquilizer/sedative - and they vary by anesthesiologist. That's something I did not know prior to my first birth, and wish I had known.
Thank you all for your responses. They all make sense, even though I may not necessarily agree with all of them. My eyes are at least opened to your reasonings. Thank you for sharing.
For the record...I was so glad to get my epidural when I was in labor with my daughter. I was in horrible pain and there was no position I could get in that made it better at all. I had previously had two spinal taps, so I wasn't really nervous about the needle. I did shiver a lot, though, so I guess I did end up with one of the side effects. Oh and they had to re-do it because it only worked on one side at first. I had no problems pushing either. Too bad she just wouldn't come through my pelvis and I ended up with a c/s anyway, so I know nothing about the extended recovery time. However, I was with a friend right after the birth of her son and she had no problems getting up and walking shortly after her birth. So all in all, I was so glad to have that epidural!
I did not have a choice with my daughter. Labor came in the middle of the night with no anesthesiologist on duty at the time. The entire labor only lasted 4 hours so by the time he got there it was too late. Surprisingly, it wasnt that bad and my daughter was 8lbs 0oz. I plan on this one being natural as well unless labor is lasting a really really long time and its making me freak out! lol I am terrified of needles so I really dont want it anyway..
In my everyday, normal life I am a big lover of pain meds. A small headache? That calls for 4 Advil & a beer to wash 'em down with. I always thought I wanted an epi if I ever went through childbirth. Then, when my DH & I actually got serious about having kids, I watched "The Business of Being Born" & it changed my mind COMPLETELY! Women have been having children naturally for ever, WE CAN DO IT! I echo the feelings of the other ladies about all the interventions: one leads to two, leads to three, etc. I am confident that with some training (I'm doing the Bradley Method), I will learn some techniques to handle the pain without needing drugs that could affect my DS.
I had a lumbar puncture a few years ago and ended up with post-LP headaches that I struggled through for almost 2 weeks (when I finally got the procedure done to patch the hole the needle made). I really don't want anyone touching my spinal cord ever again. I have never been in labor before but for me to get an epidural the pain in those couple of hours has to be worse than what I felt for 2 weeks.
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I totally agree with you. I have not personally experienced this but I was in a delivery just yesterday with a mom having her 3rd baby, her first was 8lb2oz, second 9lb9oz and this one was also 8lb2oz and she had epis with all three, never tore or had vacuum/forcep delivery. She had an epi and shortly after delivery she was up and about with no problems.
SO as far as the epi goes.......I'm all for it once I feel like I need it. Plus, the needle is only in your back for like 5 seconds AND you shouldn't get a spinal headache unless the anesthesia person goes into the space with fluid.
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I'm going to try to go natural for a few reasons:
- The drugs from an epidural DO transfer to the baby. I've been doing my best to avoid drugs my entire pregnancy, so it doesn't make sense for me to have them during birth if they aren't necessary.
- The possible side effects/risks mentioned by PP's. The main negative of natural birth is the pain, but not nerve damage, low blood pressure, loss of control, etc. To me, pain is more manageable than those other things.
Having said that, I know there are times when an epidural will actually help the process and are recommended based on individual cases. I am not opposed to having one if needed, and I don't blame anyone who is planning to do so.The way I see it, my choices aren't pain or no pain, they are one way of managing pain (epidural) that can lead to bad stuff I don't want, or other ways of managing pain with fewer side effects.
Needle in my spine (which, by itself, I'd prefer to aviod) leads to laying on the bed on my back, which leads to slower, less productive labor, which can lead to complications/interventions, or even the labor progressing slowly on its own increases the risk of further interventions, up to a major abdominal surgery. On the back is also the position that allows the perinium to stretch the least effectivly, leading to tearing/need for episiotomy (which leads to worse tearing). None of these things sound like a good time.
I'm not just saying "I don't want an epidural" and then toughing it out. Like many people, I'm proactivly learning methods/positions to help labor progress, to deal with pain, and to deliver with the least harm and pain to my body thats possible.
I didn't read all of the replies.. so forgive me if this a repeat.
Epidurals are a scary thing. They can go in workng causing serious pain afterwards (this happended to 2 people I know).
They can stall labour and increase your chance of a c-section.
Pushing without the epidural is much easier and much more effective.
My son came very quickly and there was no time. My plan right now is no epidural, but if I'm in labour for hours and hours, who knows what I will do!!