What's so bad about an epidural?

meghans30 · August 2009

This may stir things up. . .

I'm watching a baby story . . . laboring Mom is asking for an epi., but her support people won't let her have one because they KNOW she'll regret it.

I had an epi. and a spinal (both c-sections) ... Those of you who chose a non-medicated birth, what was your reasoning? Aren't all births "natural?" Do any of you who had epi.'s ever feel like your birth wasn't as "natural" as those who went unmedicated?

kevschickee2 · August 2009

IMO there is nothing wrong with epidurals they don't hurt the baby at all so why not have some comfort during a tough time?

meghans30 · August 2009

kevschickee2:
IMO there is nothing wrong with epidurals they don't hurt the baby at all so why not have some comfort during a tough time?

That's what I say!

EliseB0323 · August 2009

There can be risks associated with an epidural.

The wife of one of my husband's coworkers ending up paralyzed due to a side effect of the epidural she was given. She's in a wheelchair now probably for the rest of her life. Doctors told them (after the fact) that about 1 in 1,000 women have this kind problem. Sometimes it's temporary, sometimes not.

michaeltrish · August 2009

I think they are the best invention ever. No problems here.

ErinNConnorsMom · August 2009

I didn't like the idea of having a needle poked into my back. I was asking for one during my labor with Connor b/c the pain was so bad, but there was no time. I just didn't feel the need for one during my first and last labors. Who knows that lady's medical history. Maybe she spoke with her support ppl ahead of time and specifically told them not to let her have anything, no matter what. That's why I'm a big fan of "we'll see how it goes" Smile

niecy · August 2009

I loved my epis and don't regret it.

cuwife · August 2009

I had a bad experience with both of mine. With #1 they missed the first time and I couldn't move my neck and upper shoulders during labor, had blood patch afterwards and was fine.

With #2 I had no choice of getting one as I had a manual version and they are given as a precaution. It never worked and they didn't believe me, said I shouldn't be feeling my legs, etc. They couldn't get the placenta out afterwards and were amazed that I could stand while I was waiting for the pain doctor to come back, they sprayed something under my tongue that finally numbed me. The pain doc said I have a small epi space, hence the problems with epis. I hope to have more kids and avoid another one. But to each their own, they just should be educated on the risks.

penguingrrl · August 2009

I was considering going without one for my second birth, but changed my mind. The reason I considered it is that with an epidural you have to stay on your back, which is physically the most difficult position to labor in and therefore increases the risk of a c section. Since I was trying for a VBAC I wanted to minimize all other factors that might have led to a repeat C. In the end my dr said she really would feel better if I got the epi and I was glad I did. I was able to successfully VBAC with it, too.

happ17 · August 2009

shoot, I'd get an epi now if I could. And all I'm having are gas pains.

xbrooklyngrl · August 2009

I literally almost kicked my OB in the face when he told me he was shutting mine off. If I could strangle him, I would have.

emilykristene2006 · August 2009

I had one with and one without. I am a huge whimp. I passed out getting a tattoo. My first DC was with an epi. I didn't feel a thing. Recovery was not that bad. With DS, I didn't have time for one. I was screaming like Linda Blair. I had awful back pain. DH said, "You have to give her something." He watched me pass out with the tattoo. DS came quick, 2 hours. Recovery was so much easier even though it wasn't bad the first time. I could have walked out of the hospital 30 minutes later if they would have let DS leave.

As much of a whimp as I am, I would do it again without meds. I'm pro epi though.

mags2041 · August 2009

I didn't have one because I didn't really need it. I had a quick & easy labor. Besides, i wasn't comfortable with having a needle & catheter in my spine & the thought of not being able to feel my legs freaks me out. I'm sure if my labor was longer & harder I wouldve had one, but I have no regrets not getting one. Will I get one this time? I don't know, we'll see how it goes. If I do get one, might regret it just because I probably won't have the same easy recovery I had the 1st time ( I was up & walking around less than an hour after delivery).

CleoKitty · August 2009

There's nothing wrong with them at all, but I knew that it wouldn't be the best choice for me.

I wouldn't not have coped well with being confined to bed, unable to feel my lower half, did not want the additional fetal monitoring that comes with an epidural, did not want a catheter in my urethra. And even though the risks are very minimal, they still do carry a risk.

I just knew from very early in my first pregnancy that probably wouldn't mesh well with how I would ideally give birth. Of course, in a medical emergency I would have remained very flexible and done whatever it took to have a good outcome, but as long as my labor was progressing normally an epidural was never an option.

emiliemadison · August 2009

I'm fairly certian that my c-section was the most UNnatural thing I've ever experienced.

The point is that some people DONT WANT an epidural, some people DO want one, and they shouldnt have to explain why. It's a preference. But epidurals have risks that simply are not there if you dont get one. So yes, obviously a birth without an epidural is more "natural".

meghans30 · August 2009

emiliemadison:

I'm fairly certian that my c-section was the most UNnatural thing I've ever experienced.

The point is that some people DONT WANT an epidural, some people DO want one, and they shouldnt have to explain why. It's a preference. But epidurals have risks that simply are not there if you dont get one. So yes, obviously a birth without an epidural is more "natural".

I get what you're saying, but sometimes I feel like some are out for an award for doing an un-medicated birth. To me, anyone who's pushed out a human being did so in the most natural way. I know my c-sections were not natural, but it was the only option.

ToledoDeux · August 2009

meghans30:
emiliemadison:

I'm fairly certian that my c-section was the most UNnatural thing I've ever experienced.

The point is that some people DONT WANT an epidural, some people DO want one, and they shouldnt have to explain why. It's a preference. But epidurals have risks that simply are not there if you dont get one. So yes, obviously a birth without an epidural is more "natural".

I get what you're saying, but sometimes I feel like some are out for an award for doing an un-medicated birth. To me, anyone who's pushed out a human being did so in the most natural way. I know my c-sections were not natural, but it was the only option.

Nobody plans a natural birth to get the mythical award. But if someone does have a natural birth, I see no problem with expressing a little pride. That shiit is hard.

meghans30 · August 2009

Yay, just throwing it out there for a healthy debate.

butterbeansmama · August 2009

I had one, but contrary to what a pp said above, I could move around with mine and at one point was on my hands and knees during labor. I could still feel my bottom half but it just wasn't as intense as it would have been without one. I still feel like I gave birth naturally. :-)

rebs · August 2009

I think epis are awesome. I did one birth with an epi and one without (waited to long to ask for it). For my next birth I am ordering my epi as soon as that line appears on the stick!!!!! Really my recovery was the same for both.

However I think the MOM is the only one who can decide this, and has every right to change her mind. Unless those 'support people' are currently pushing watermelons out of their hoo-haws they don't have a say. Mom gets to say if she does, or doesn't, want one- and those people should support her decision!

rebs · August 2009

butterbeansmama:
I had one, but contrary to what a pp said above, I could move around with mine and at one point was on my hands and knees during labor. I could still feel my bottom half but it just wasn't as intense as it would have been without one. I still feel like I gave birth naturally. :-)

Ditto this. I had a 'walking epi'. There are different kinds.

ToledoDeux · August 2009

rebs:
I think epis are awesome. I did one birth with an epi and one without (waited to long to ask for it). For my next birth I am ordering my epi as soon as that line appears on the stick!!!!! Really my recovery was the same for both.

However I think the MOM is the only one who can decide this, and has every right to change her mind. Unless those 'support people' are currently pushing watermelons out of their hoo-haws they don't have a say. Mom gets to say if she does, or doesn't, want one- and those people should support her decision!

Mom may have asked her support people to talk her out of it, or keep encouraging her to delay. That's part of a support person's job, to help mom realize the birth she wanted.

And walking epis are not offered in many places. Sounds like a good in-between choice....but still not for me.

emiliemadison · August 2009

meghans30:
emiliemadison:

I'm fairly certian that my c-section was the most UNnatural thing I've ever experienced.
The point is that some people DONT WANT an epidural, some people DO want one, and they shouldnt have to explain why. It's a preference. But epidurals have risks that simply are not there if you dont get one. So yes, obviously a birth without an epidural is more "natural".
I get what you're saying, but sometimes I feel like some are out for an award for doing an un-medicated birth. To me, anyone who's pushed out a human being did so in the most natural way. I know my c-sections were not natural, but it was the only option.

Most people who want a drug-free birth want one because of very personal reasons, both medical and emotional, not because they want a special award for doing it. And even if they do feel that way, what does it matter? I think it's silly to debate whether or not pushing a baby out is natural or not. Of course it is. But it's just a medical fact that doing it sans drugs is the *most* natural way to do it. It's just a fact. Unless the mom is running around condemning epidural users to hell and saying they're not real mothers for getting them, there's nothing offensive about simply acknowledging that no drugs is more natural than having drugs.

wildflower865 · August 2009

In a nutshell: Every extra medical intervention/medicine you do has a chance of something going wrong, so if going through more pain to avoid a complication from the epi makes sense for some people.

The other one is: The whole you shouldn't need one if you are breathing right and birth is some lovely experience.

Part of me leans toward the first example, but not enough to go epi free if I'm in a lot fof pain. I think there are benefits to not having to go through quite as much hell when you are working so hard. I tried to get an epi for #1, and it only worked on one side, and not even a lot. I did stay on my back but I ould have anyway because for some reason I thought it would be more comfortable. She took 28 hours and 3.5 hours of pushing, vacuum assisted delivery.

With #2 I had other plans. I never let them move the epi or try again because I was afraid the first time. I was going to walk, bouce, stay upright as long as possible, them move to whirlpool, then epi. I did the walking and whirlpool but as soon as I got in the tub thigs moved so fast I didn't get the epi. There was no time 4.5 hours from sleeping in my bed and feeling the pop of water breaking, to birth.

I'll try the same plan I had with #2 again, and yes I'd love an epi and love for it to work this time but we'll see how it goes. I'm okay with a birth like last time - super horrendous with me screaming like a bain sidhe, but over soon and pretty good recovery.

MrsStubbs · August 2009

I couldn't have one with DD because I had HELLP. Since I know I can do it and because I have to pay out of pocket for it, I am going natural again. I am kind of cheap.

kbud9 · August 2009

ToledoDeux:
meghans30:
emiliemadison:

I'm fairly certian that my c-section was the most UNnatural thing I've ever experienced.

The point is that some people DONT WANT an epidural, some people DO want one, and they shouldnt have to explain why. It's a preference. But epidurals have risks that simply are not there if you dont get one. So yes, obviously a birth without an epidural is more "natural".

I get what you're saying, but sometimes I feel like some are out for an award for doing an un-medicated birth. To me, anyone who's pushed out a human being did so in the most natural way. I know my c-sections were not natural, but it was the only option.

Nobody plans a natural birth to get the mythical award. But if someone does have a natural birth, I see no problem with expressing a little pride. That shiit is hard.

Any mother who gives birth by any means should express pride. Those who labored without meds should not be considered having worked harder or more "successful". Everyone is different and everyone has a different threshold.

kbud9 · August 2009

PMQ:
There's nothing so "bad" about an epi, but as many PP said it IS a medical intervention, and with any intervention comes the risk of complications. I mean it IS heavy-duty medication being delivered directly into a space within your spine!
My definition of a completely "natural birth" is an unmedicated, vaginal birth. I certainly didn't have that, I got the epi! LOL But I do believe that women who are able to go completely natural (by my definition) should be proud of their accomplishment. If it was an easy thing to do I would have done it myself, but it's not. It doesn't bother me one bit for someone to toot their own horn for a natural birth, and I don't feel that detracts anything from those of us who chose an epi and had a c-section. I'm perfectly comfortable with my decision. It seems like those who get all up in arms about giving kudos to women who had a med-free birth may not be so secure on their choice, or may be disappointed with their own birth experience. I've noticed the same thing with the whole FF vs BF debate...I FF and plan to try BFing again with this baby. I absolutely give props to BFing mothers, it's hard work!

Some people have no choice in what happens. There should be no distinction of women wearing a badge of honor just because they happened to have no complications or chose to go med free. Im not saying this in reference to anyone on here, but IRL I have encountered the santimonious crap of some mothers who cant leave it alone. All I am saying is childbirth is an accomplishment regardless. Why make such a separation?

patty78 · August 2009

I read the subject of your post and said out loud nothing! Haha, one of the best things I ever did!

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