Quick pain meds question

anthea comas · July 2009

I forgot to ask my widwife this at my last appointment and it will be a while before I see her again.

This might be a really dumb question, but what is the worst part of childbirth pain? For some reason I think I can handle the contractions, and everything else that goes with it. I think, and I hope I can anyway. The part that really scares me in the possibility of tearing 'down there'.

I am very interested in the prospect of having a natural birth with no epidural, no pain meds in the IV, etc. I am trying to keep medical interventions to a minimum if at all possible. Is it possible to just have a local anethestic (sp??) to numb the area 'down there'? If so, how effective is it supposed to be? Has anybody else who has considered a natural birth talked to their doctor about this?

TIA

easjer05 · July 2009

My mw and many books have said that transition contractions - the strongest, longest lasting contractions that come on top of each other with little break - is the worst pain.

Often tears aren't felt or noticed until later because of the natural numbing effect of the baby stretching everything out. That is not universally true, but it happens fairly often from what I've read.

Local anesthetic is often given before an episiotomy is cut (and almost certainly for any repairs), so I suppose it's a possibility, but unlikely to be given in the normal course of events.

anthea comas · July 2009

that is very helpful.

thankyou.

ps : i love your badge

lspinman · July 2009

I am planning a home birth (if all goes well) so my midwives and I have talked alot about this!

As the PP said it is typically the trasition phase before you push that is the hardest. However, the contractions do not actually get physically stronger during this phase they jsut become more frequent and there are more hormones surging. I am a mind over matter person so it is comforting for me to know that they basically the same "strength" as before just more frequent.

Many women I have talked to are releived to get to the pushing part- it seems to be less painful than transition if you still have conserved energy.

Do you have a doula? It might be something to look into if you are considering going natural.

easjer05 · July 2009

My pleasure, and thanks! Jennabee made it for me.

anthea comas · July 2009

lspinman:

I am planning a home birth (if all goes well) so my midwives and I have talked alot about this!

As the PP said it is typically the trasition phase before you push that is the hardest. However, the contractions do not actually get physically stronger during this phase they jsut become more frequent and there are more hormones surging. I am a mind over matter person so it is comforting for me to know that they basically the same "strength" as before just more frequent.

Many women I have talked to are releived to get to the pushing part- it seems to be less painful than transition if you still have conserved energy.

Do you have a doula? It might be something to look into if you are considering going natural.

No I don't have a doula. I wish I could get one, but right now if just don't know if it would be financially feasable (??? my spelling sucks sorry.) Are they expensive? DH just graduated from grad school 2 months ago. Maybe if he gets a job before we give birth (which is difficult to say in this economy) it would be a possibility.

Do you think taking a birthing class and doing the whole husband coached childbirth thing would be comparable to having a doula? I would imagine the midwives would be pretty helpful too.

I

smilelari · July 2009

Yep. Transition

But, fortunately transition is generally also the shortest part of labor

easjer05 · July 2009

mommyantheajane:
No I don't have a doula. I wish I could get one, but right now if just don't know if it would be financially feasable (??? my spelling sucks sorry.) Are they expensive? DH just graduated from grad school 2 months ago. Maybe if he gets a job before we give birth (which is difficult to say in this economy) it would be a possibility.

Do you think taking a birthing class and doing the whole husband coached childbirth thing would be comparable to having a doula? I would imagine the midwives would be pretty helpful too.

I think taking a good natural birth class will help tremendously, but a doula will help in other ways on the day of, specifically with knowledge of several techniques and experience in a variety of birth settings which your husband may not have.

Take a look around - many doulas are willing to barter goods/services for a portion of the cost and there are often doulas-in-training who are trying to get their certification who need birth experience who will do it for free or charge less than a fully certified doula. The best place to ask would be your midwives and also at your birth classes.

smilelari · July 2009

Oh and for the doula expense question-

We got one for free because she's not certified. We are one of the births that she has to attend to get certified.

Genevieved · July 2009

I have heard that if you listen to you doc or midwife as to when to push and wait ect. You are less likely to tear it is when you push to much and the baby comes out really fast that you are more likely to tear.

lspinman · July 2009

mommyantheajane:
lspinman:

I am planning a home birth (if all goes well) so my midwives and I have talked alot about this!

As the PP said it is typically the trasition phase before you push that is the hardest. However, the contractions do not actually get physically stronger during this phase they jsut become more frequent and there are more hormones surging. I am a mind over matter person so it is comforting for me to know that they basically the same "strength" as before just more frequent.

Many women I have talked to are releived to get to the pushing part- it seems to be less painful than transition if you still have conserved energy.

Do you have a doula? It might be something to look into if you are considering going natural.

No I don't have a doula. I wish I could get one, but right now if just don't know if it would be financially feasable (??? my spelling sucks sorry.) Are they expensive? DH just graduated from grad school 2 months ago. Maybe if he gets a job before we give birth (which is difficult to say in this economy) it would be a possibility.

Do you think taking a birthing class and doing the whole husband coached childbirth thing would be comparable to having a doula? I would imagine the midwives would be pretty helpful too.

I

We were able to find an affordable doula but yes they are an extra cost. I agree that talking to your midwife might be a good place to start with this.

Your midwife can also likely suggest a good birthing class which IMO is a must if you are going to do natural labor. Our midwives suggested two classes and we ended up going with a specifically home birth oriented class.

I like to think of my midwife as my "resource broker"- they are there to tell me where to look when I am at a loss!

anthea comas · July 2009

If I could get a doula for free or a small fee, that would make all the difference. Thank you girls~ so so so helpful.

I can just see myself screaming mid contraction at DH: YOU DID THIS TO ME! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!!! A doula is starting to make much more sense..

GINBLOSSEM · July 2009

In my experience, the transitional phase was the most intense and painful, but didn't last very long (all like the previous posters said) and I tore 2 ways while pushing but I didn't feel it at all. It sounds like it should hurt, but I didn't feel it happen, but my doc did numb me with a local anesthetic to stitch me up and during the stitching, she told me I was gonna be hurting later, and she wasn't kidding! It hurt like a son-of-a-gun when the numbing wore off! While it was healing, I would swear that it was more painful then the contractions themselves!

I think it is great that you are going to try to go all natural...I don't think the fear of tearing should alter your desire...if you feel that you can get through the intense contractions, you shouldn't need anything if you should tear until afterwards...and if you do tear, I would definately recommend you take something for that pain once the local wears off!

mhickey12 · July 2009

I just wanted to comment on the expense of a doula. All doulas need to attend a certain number of births before they are certified through the overseeing organization. I have known many moms who have been able to get douls services for free because they were in training! Not to mention most doulas attend births because they LOVE what they do. I imagine it wouldn't be unusual do offer services for free or reduced pricing for a family in need! It's well worth checking out. Go to the DONA (Doulas of North America) website. You might get some help there!!

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