Hi ladies

I am looking for people to share their labor and delivery experiences that did not get an epidural. I am also looking for anyone that was induced and did not get an epidural. Either by your own choice or circumstances.
A few weeks ago I spent a week in the hospital after being diagnosed with a huge blood clot in my leg. It reaches from at least my groin to my knee and they expect it to take months before it goes away. They will not do surgery or put in a filter to prevent embolisms until after the baby is born.
Currently my treatment is twice daily injections of a blood thinner called Lovenox, compression hose, and modified bedrest. They will look at other options when the baby is born. The point here is that they recommend that I do not have an epidural or a spinal. Moreso they would like to induce me by 39 weeks because if I go into labor on my own they cannot control the blood thinners as easily. One doctor mentioned a c-section, mine says induction.
I am freaked out. For one I have been having random contractions and was already dilated to 1 cm at 30 weeks. Two, DS was born on his own (vaginal delivery with epi and no complications) at 38 weeks. I will already be 37 weeks when I see my OB next week. To me a c-section seems like the least risky option as far as a pulmonary embolism is concerned but I have not asked my OB yet. Which is why I am looking for personal experiences! Again I am especially looking for those that were induced and also those that had IV pain meds.
TIA, and sorry so long!
Re: Popping over from 3rd tri... Birth experiences without epidural please!
https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/19422754.aspx
Damnit. Sorry. She just texted me back and said she knows you from the High Risk Boards and that she is of no help. She had no actual clots when she had her daughter, just the risk of them. I was confused because she was on Lovenox while she was PG. Sorry.
I can tell you that I didn't have an epi when I had DD and it wasn't my choice (I progressed too fast to get one. I'm a weenie when it comes to pain). I'm not going to lie and say it was pain free because it wasn't. Was it manageable? Kind of. Did it suck? Yes. Was it worth it in the end? ABSO-FRICKIN-LUTELY. Do I remember how bad it hurt? Not really.
You can do it. Just remember that you will have a beautiful baby in your arms when it is all over with. I'm so sorry that you are having to go through all of this. Good Luck
My first two children were both delivered vaginally after being induced, and without an epi. I had IV pain meds...which helped at first, but quickly wore off and the second dose is useless. I had VERY short labors though, and extremely quick pushing times. First one was 4 hr labor with 20 min pushing. Second was 2 hr labor with 11 min pushing.
I wish I could tell you it was a breeze. It hurts like hell. Pitocin is a beast. But it is survivable. But I honestly think that my fast labors were my salvation.
I think that since you know that you can't have an epi might work to your advantage.
Page IselaCid tomorrow. She had two beautiful med free births, but had techniques she used to deal with the pain.
I never even entertained the idea if haiving to go natural, but if I knew I HAD too, I might look into something like what she did.
She is an amazing inspiration. Page her and check out her birth stories. They are in her blog.
Good Luck Mama. You'll do great!
Let's try this again...