What would you do during labor if you were told, suddenly, NO EPIDURAL?

Roxpup · February 2010

Obviously I'm asking for those who plan on getting one.
I'm going to find out if I can or can not have one before I get to the delivery room (I have a feeling that I can not have one due to a previous spinal fusion)... But I have this strange fear that even if they tell me it shouldn't be a problem, that I will get to delivery day and they will say "SORRY! NO EPIDURAL FOR YOU!"

jasrun80 · February 2010

i would practice yoga now to prepare for that! or ask for jameson whiskies please....

sarahbear · February 2010

I'm planning on getting one. If I was suddenly told it wasn't an option I'd probably cry, and then get over it and focus on other ways to deal with the pain. It wouldn't be something I could change so better deal and move on right?

StarlitRN · February 2010

My friend was told 3 wks before delivery she could not have one (something with her spine but don't remember exactly!). She was shocked because she is 100% healthy & never knew anything was wrong! She did a lot of last minute reading/practicing on natural birth & ended up going 100% natural on her 9lb 7oz boy!

She said it stunk & she would have much rather had the epi....but that she was proud of herself! She said it was easier knowing that the epi wasn't an option than trying to do natural & knowing the epi was available. You have to do what you have to do!

seells · February 2010

Cry and scream and act like a crazy person. Then get over it and birth that baby au natural like a champ. And probably never let LO forget that I birthed her all natural and was in labor for X amount of time. Haha.

Violet_McPurpleson · February 2010

Right now I don't know if I can have one or not. I'm having a consult at 32 weeks to try and determine if they will even be willing to attempt one on me. If they do one it may not work.

I'm going to take Bradley classes and try to be as prepared as possible for natural child birth. If this wasn't an issue I would be one of those I want to go natural, but I'm not opposed to epi's kind of girl.

Addykins · February 2010

I would have my baby. (Or in my case, both babies)

VampyGirl · February 2010

I might end up hurting my DH....And cry....Hopefully everyone just stays away so they dont get hurt...I am such a baby..I cant see myself doing it without some sort of meds...

skiwic8 · February 2010

I would be disappointed but what can you do? Keep in mind that even if you get the ok ahead of time once you are admitted things can change. Both my SIL and sister planned on it but once they got there due to different factors in their labors they were unable to get one.

jasrun80 · February 2010

Addykins:
I would have my baby. (Or in my case, both babies)

hahhahahahahahhahahaaaaaaaa

ha

Azrayla · February 2010

seells:
Cry and scream and act like a crazy person. Then get over it and birth that baby au natural like a champ. And probably never let LO forget that I birthed her all natural and was in labor for X amount of time. Haha.

This

Ready2006 · February 2010

I would do all I could to plan for an epi-free labor and then treat it as a nice surprise if you were able to have one. It can definitely be done, you just need to change your mindset. I'm going in hoping for no epi, but also glad to accept one if I determine I really need it.

At least that way you'll feel prepared and calm instead of scared and mad.

treala05 · February 2010

Honestly, I would probably cry...and then get through it.

I have a friend who can't have an epi due to back issues/surgeries and she had a great delivery of her daughter and is now almost due with #2. I think knowing ahead would be better, so you could prepare mentally. But it's obviously doable either way, considering women have been birthing babies naturally forever.

Tricsious · February 2010

This is my second child. I had my first 16 years ago in a military hospital and I was not even given an option to have one and I survived. I had to concentrate and didn't want to be touched or talked to.....hence my way of dealing with the pain. Somehow I got through it so I am hoping this time should be a breeze as compared to it. As bad as it was, it was tolerable and you forget it once you have that beautiful bundle of joy in your arms.

HBaylies · February 2010

If someone told me that day too bad so sade for you, I would probably go into a full on panic attack in all honesty. Then I would ask for everything else available for pain that they have and if it still hurt a lot, I would probably reenter the panic attack mode and beg for a c-section. I don't do well with pain.

Chickpea2010 · February 2010

Ready2006:

I would do all I could to plan for an epi-free labor and then treat it as a nice surprise if you were able to have one. It can definitely be done, you just need to change your mindset. I'm going in hoping for no epi, but also glad to accept one if I determine I really need it.

At least that way you'll feel prepared and calm instead of scared and mad.

This.

kimmyt09 · February 2010

seells:
Cry and scream and act like a crazy person. Then get over it and birth that baby au natural like a champ. And probably never let LO forget that I birthed her all natural and was in labor for X amount of time. Haha.

YEP!

MrsSR · February 2010

I'd deal. If my mom can do it five times and my grandma twelve times, I can do it too!

MrsBalletStar05 · February 2010

I will then ask, "What else can I get??" LOL There should be several options, but that is the most common one.

OrangeTiki · February 2010

That's what my lamaze classes are for - back-up!

June2007 · February 2010

I would say hey how about a full on spinal since I'm scheduled for a c-sec! ;o)

[<b>edited by:</b> June2007 at 7:29 PM (GMT -6) on Sun, Feb 28 2010]
Oh but good luck to you in your situation- I hope you get your epi! Don't bother stressing about it now (easier said than done I know) you will make it through either way.

kcox123 · February 2010

That actually happened to me with my second child. It sucked but at that point they were like - no epi, time to push. So I mourned for myself for like 10 seconds and then I pushed DD out in 1 contraction. So I got over it. And I am all about the drugs btw.

bride2bsoon · February 2010

jasrun80:
i would practice yoga now to prepare for that! or ask for jameson whiskies please....

Nice! Me too!

MontrealWing · February 2010

Freak. Actually, I had an epi with DS and it did not work because the stupid anesthesiologist would not believe me. My doctor intervened at 9.5 centimeters and made him redo it. It finally worked for pushing but I was in pain the entire day with back labour and it was a horrible experience. I do not think I could go through it again for the entire thing without the epi.

agdudley08 · February 2010

I personally would cry & be very upset about it. Then have no choice but to get over it & have the baby.

I have taken care of several patients who, for whatever reason, couldn't have any epidural. The doctors were very understanding & worked really hard to make them as comfortable as possible. They often had PCA narcotics for the contraction pain as well as a pudendal block for delivery. Just remember once you get to 7 cm or so you can't have anymore IV narcotics.

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