2nd time moms. Epi vs. Natural?

Balou127 · September 2010

Hey there moms. So I have been very torn about our birth plan. I originally was leaning towards Epi but lately I have heard and read from alot of moms saying they have severe migraines afterwards and alot of sickness from the Epi so I have been thinking about Natural now. I have always been very prone to Migraines and have had since I was in high school so im more worried about getting those afterwards than I am about any pain during birth.

Thoughts ladies?? sorry if his has already been asked and posted somewhere before. I was just curious!

staycee · September 2010

Hmmmm. I've never heard that. I am prone to migraines and get them pretty frequently (like once every week or two).

I had the epi and was fine.

erbear · September 2010

Epi all the way for me. I was induced with Kate and went epi-free for about 24 hours (until I was about 7 cm dilated.) Then, it had to be redone and laboring without it (esp. without any planning...I was always going to get it) was hell.

No need to be a hero, IMO. I didn't have any ill effects from it, and neither did my daughter.

Beccaboo0713 · September 2010

Here is my experience with the epi.

No, I didn't have migraines after nor any sickness from the epi. I did, however, have it placed too high and so my neck and chest were numb and I couldn't breath very well, and my vagina was not numb at all so I could feel everything down there anyway. DS was stuck in the birth canal so there was a lot of pain down there. It caused my already low BP to drop even more (to about 80/60) and I also had a lot of constant upper back pain from it being placed so high for about a year or so after the epi.

I am going to try to go natural this time. To me the epi wasn't worth it. That being said there are others who swear by them. Good luck in your decision.

yourmom5309 · September 2010

I did have an allergic reaction to the anest. from the epi. I threw up quite a bit. However, I would not think twice about getting it again. This time I will just ask for zofran. The epi was amazing.

Balou127 · September 2010

Thanks ladies!!

I really appreciate the feedback. its so hard to decide what to do!!

6fsn · September 2010

On the migraines- My anesthesiologist said that it used to happen pretty often with patients decades ago. It does happen occassionally now, but is pretty rare and should not necessarily be a deterent.

midnight*sun · September 2010

I am not a 2nd timer, but I highly suggest watching birthing videos using both. We chose the bradley method and the women who chose this method looked pretty relaxed given the fact they had no drugs. Some women though that didn't go through any type of classes horrified me with their screaming, panting, crying. etc.. I don't think there is a right or wrong way to go here. FWIW - I've heard migranes associated with the epi are generally caused by receiving an epi drip for a long period of time.

madhatter2003 · September 2010

I had one wonderful epidural with DD which I needed after 100+ hours of labor (and that is not a typo)

I had one non-working epidural with DS...which I actually loved as I got to move and had complete feeling of the 'experience'. It hurt like hell, but I was proud I did it.

If there is a 3rd, I would just take the 'wait and see' approach. You do NOT NEED TO DECIDE NOW. If you are at all uncertain, plan to go unmedicated. Because epi's can fail BUT you may need relief to progress, as I did with DD, and that's fine too. It's not a 'right or wrong' choice, it's what's best for mom and baby at the time of labor.

Squishycheeks · September 2010

I tried for natural the first time, and due to some complications ended up with the epi at the end.

I'm planning to try for natural again, but I had no issues with the epi last time.

kellsdanz · September 2010

I guess you will never really know how your body will respond to the epi. I had no problems before and my guess is that for every mom that you heard and read had a problem, you will find the same amount that absolutely loved it.

I didn't really have a birth plan as I know that things can go way different than planned, but I did go into it saying that I would hold off from getting the epi for as long as I could. If that meant that I could hang and end up having natural birth, then cool. If it meant that I would get to 4cm and be freaking out about the pain, then give me the epi.

Either way it goes, GL!

ETA: My labor didn't move any slower because I had the epi. I actually went a lot faster than my doctor thought. And I was also up and feeling just fine after delivery (with the exception of the 2nd degree tear I had from the birth...ouch). And true, I was tied to the bed for all of my labor at the hospital, but I welcomed the bed at that point as i got absolutely no sleep the night before since my contractions started around 10pm, but weren't 5 minutes apart until 6am when we went to the hospital. So the epi actually allowed me to get a nap in before having to push.

PonyMaid · September 2010

Just a thought but I know that if they do a spinal instead of and epidural then you can be at risk for a migraine. I work in Radiology and sometimes we have to put dye into the spinal canal (which is where a spinal goes) and if the patient does not lay flat for a certain amount of time then they will get a terrible migraine. I am going to have the epi over the spinal.

ncbelle · September 2010

I went epi-free last time and plan to do so again. You can have a problem free epi - or you can have side effects - no way to know until you've done it.

I'd suggest reading The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth - it gives a good run down of the pros and cons of birth interventions (and yes, an epi is a birth intervention). It does lean towards the natural birth side but not in an annoyingly hard core way - it's factual and honest.

ETA: FWIW, I felt fantastic (although tired of course!) as soon as kiddo's head popped out - as in I was up and ready to go home almost immediately. I had very little discomfort or pain after birth as well.

liladelphia215 · September 2010

erbear:
No need to be a hero, IMO. I didn't have any ill effects from it, and neither did my daughter.

I am planning to go epi free - Not because I want to be a hero - because personally, I really don't want anyone messing with my spine. I wouldn't be opposed to other types of pain medicine to alleviate some of the pain, but as for an epi, no thanks.

citychicks · September 2010

It doesn't have to be epi or natural. There are lots of other drugs you can have. I personally think that a little morphine and a warm bath are the best labour combo. An epi means being strapped to the bed, often with a catheder Tongue Tied

That will make labour slower as you don't get to move around and us gravity to help baby get into posistion. The dose of morphine is small enough that it takes the edge off, but not so strong that it effects baby anymore than the drugs from the epi would. You can also use fentenyol, it's similar to morphine, but has a shorter life span so you need a top up every 30-45 mins. There are lots of ways to have a baby. Talk to a doula in your area, you don't have to hire her but you can glean her for info about the rules and what's standard practice at your local hospital. A birth plan printed off the internet is useless at most hospitals if your requests aren't standard practice at that particular hospital.

TeamK07 · September 2010

I didn't have an epi and I will try to do the same this time (but you never know what is going to happen during delivery ... so try to keep an open mind no matter what you decide).

I loved not having one - I could get up and do whatever I wanted basically whenever I wanted. Right after birth I was up and moving around ... I actually felt great all things considered!

MrsTotty · September 2010

My epi was awesome. It allowed me to feel a good amount of pressure, so I still knew when the contractions were and when to push, without an awful amount of pain. I had absolutely no side effects from it.

I will absolutely be getting another one this time around.

Brittanie_1987 · September 2010

I had an epi and LOVED it! I could still move my legs but I did get cathed a few times...but you cannot feel it! I was able to relax, sleep, and hang out w/ my family until it was time to push. Then I only pushed for about 20 minutues. He was perfect!

But...this time it may not go as well. I think the epi is different for almost everyone. I've personally heard that there is a greater risk with a spinal than an epi.

MrsR0908 · September 2010

I had the epi and was just fine afterwards. I plan on getting it again for sure!!

Mrs.Husband · September 2010

ncbelle:

I went epi-free last time and plan to do so again. You can have a problem free epi - or you can have side effects - no way to know until you've done it.

I'd suggest reading The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth - it gives a good run down of the pros and cons of birth interventions (and yes, an epi is a birth intervention). It does lean towards the natural birth side but not in an annoyingly hard core way - it's factual and honest.

ETA: FWIW, I felt fantastic (although tired of course!) as soon as kiddo's head popped out - as in I was up and ready to go home almost immediately. I had very little discomfort or pain after birth as well.

All of this exactly. I would just become well informed, make a plan and then be ready to switch it up if necessary.

AppleMomma · September 2010

I had blurred vision an hour after my epi was removed and had that for 3 hours.

We're all natural this time, as long as everything is okay by delivery!

on_the_move · September 2010

I had an epi and it was wonderful! I even had a walking epi at first and it was great to already have the tube for medication before I was in vast amounts of pain. My water broke so they gave me pitocin and the moniter kep sliding off my belly so I think my dose of pit. was too high. When I was pushing the Dr. (B!tch) said she didn't believe my contractions were that close together.

I didn't have headaches afterward and I think (couldn't find the stat) I remember hearing that headaches happen about 1% of the time.

FutureMrsCaesar · September 2010

I wasn't sure how I wanted to deliver either, but I decided to keep an open mind. I got to 5 cm and my water broke and the contractions got exponentially more painful. After an hour or so of ctx like that the nurse asked if I wanted an epidural, now would be a good time to get one, and I went for it. I have no regrets, it worked wonderfully, and gave me releif from the intense pain. I think it slowed my progression down a little, cm 5-10 took a while, but they were painless. My Dr turned my epi off when I was getting close to 10 so by the time DS was crowning I was able to feel when to push, etc. And I was up and in the shower an hour or so after my Dr was done stitching me up.

violetvirgo · September 2010

erbear:
No need to be a hero, IMO. I didn't have any ill effects from it, and neither did my daughter.

this attitude annoys me. yes, i decided to go med free to be a hero Confused . where's my cape?

there are plenty of risks and side effects that come along with epis. sure, not everyone is going to experience them. but your anecdotal experience doesn't negate medical evidence.

now, OP - i chose to go med-free / intervention-free because of my hippy nature in believing that most of the time nature and biology know best and that my body was made for doing this. i also really wanted to see what my body could do. i also wanted the flood of hormones and chemicals that are released during med free childbirth (epis are known to limit or shut down many of these releases). i had long (2 days) of very manageable labor - laughing, joking, not in major pain. i had more intense contractions about 20 minutes before i started pushing, but was still manageable. i felt her head descend, pushed 3 times (5ish minutes) and she was here. that part was painful, but short, sweet and over in a flash.

I felt like a million bucks after. I was up walking and nursing and feeling great an hour after delivery.

i'm not anti-epi and truly believe the birth choice is yours and yours alone. i hope you find something that you're comfortable with and my only advice is don't go into it with absolutes! also check out Ina May Gaskin's book. good luck!

Stella's_PUMPED · September 2010

I had an epi w/ DS b/c I was not prepared for the pain. I was TERRIFIED to get it, so much so, that I scared the tech giving it and he almost refused to give it to me.

After 15 hours of labor and no progression, with the epi I went from 2.5cm to 10cm in 4 hours.

The epi was wonderful, while it lasted, I was able to relax and could still move. DS was born and the epi had worn off, but they wouldn't give me more b/c I was at 10cm.

After birth I could walk but I could not go to the bathroom. 4 hours after birth I had to have a catheter put in to pee.

6-8 months after birth I had continuous limited mobility with my spine. Nothing major, but I could tell I was not able to bed as easily and would sometimes experience pain.

All in all, this time I plan to go epi free and probably do the Bradley Method. I felt the birth with an epi, so I'd rather not subject myself to the whole catheter and spinal pain again, if I don't have to.

Temp110085250009077 · September 2010

I had 2 deliveries, both with epis. I didn't have any headache problems, everything actually went really good. But I'm opting to go natural this time for a whole other slew of reasons.

Not to get all preachy, but you should watch The Business of Being Born (if you haven't already). I'm not trying to push home birth or anything, but I think it's informative on the medical industry as a whole.

Google the side effects and disadvantages to epidurals. It's going to be a lot more than headaches. GL with whatever you decide.

KGoober · September 2010

I went Med-free with DS and and will do so again (provided I have no complications). I felt great after I delivered and wanted to go home a few hours later. Overall it was a great experience.

Jaylea · September 2010

I had the perfect epi experience.

I was not numb, it just took the edge off the pain. I did not have to have any monitors on during pushing b/c I could still feel the contractions. I also could feel the "ring of fire" during crowning, but, like I said, it took the edge off.

I was up and walking around within an hour (can't remember specifics, but it wasn't long) and I had no after effects.

I will happily do it again.

LobsterLuver · September 2010

2nd time mom here...

I learned the hard way that all the planning in the world doesn't matter. I was all about getting the epi. However, God had other plans. My labor was so fast (3h52m) that I got to the hospital at 3:30am @ 5cm and told them I wanted an epi and by the time they came back (15min later) I was at 8cm and was told there was no time for an epi. I am the type of person that will take a tylenol at the slightest hint of a headache, so I was scared sh!tless! But I got through it, in a ton of pain and with tears and an episiotomy (no time to stretch) and a real rough recovery.

Going through it again, I am going to try the natural route, only b/c I got through it once, but also b/c I am prepared for an even faster delivery. If I am in labor for hours then you better believe I am going to go for the epi. I am also NOT going to wait this time and get to the hospital a lot sooner.

Hope this helps. GL!

papagena · September 2010

My SIL had a spinal headache w/ the migraine and puking for about a week after she had her daughter. It technically (from what I remember from her discussing it) is from spinal fluid leaking from the epi placement, so I don't know that your risk would be any higher than someone who didn't have migraines.

Personally, however, I'm hoping for no epi. After reading about the spinal headaches, possible ongoing back pain, higher rate of interventions possibly leading to c/s, etc, it's not worth it to me. I'd much rather go through the labor process than have to spend the first week of my LO's life laying in a dark room tossing my cookies every time I moved (again, SIL). I have also met someone who had the back pain issues.

Mustang Sally · September 2010

GrahamSchneider:
erbear:
No need to be a hero, IMO. I didn't have any ill effects from it, and neither did my daughter.
I am planning to go epi free - Not because I want to be a hero - because personally, I really don't want anyone messing with my spine. I wouldn't be opposed to other types of pain medicine to alleviate some of the pain, but as for an epi, no thanks.

This. A needle in my spine? No thank you! I am terrified of needles and the people who can't believe I went natural underestimate my fear. I was lucky in that I went from 4 to 10cm in just over an hour, but it was an incredibly painful hour no doubt about it. If she had checked me and said I was at 6cm and not 9+ I would have asked for one at that point. I could not handle that pain any more. But with the finish line in sight it suddenly got easier. My advice would be just go in with an open mind and see what happens. I too am afraid of the side effects, but you can get to a point where you're willing to do anything.

mrswright2006 · September 2010

I went natural the first time. Honestly, I was on the fence about an epi until DD was already in my arms. I went into the hospital saying that I wasn't going to be a superhero, and if I needed it, I would get it, but not until it really started to hurt. I was berated by a nurse, because I told her I wanted to wait, because the pain wasn't too bad. Honestly, until it came time to push, it wasn't that bad. Pushing hurt, but by that time, I knew the end was near. The absolute pain was "the ring of fire," and the doctor pushing DD back in (I think it was to give me an episiotomy, but I never asked). The same nurse who tried to scare me into an epi, told me she had never seen a woman go through their first birth so calmly, and that I must have been "made for birthing children"

This time I will go natural, but totally understand why others choose an epi - it isn't exactly a fun experience (until the very end, at least)

jteneback · September 2010

violetvirgo:
erbear:

No need to be a hero, IMO. I didn't have any ill effects from it, and neither did my daughter.

this attitude annoys me. yes, i decided to go med free to be a hero . where's my cape?

This!

OP: I do recommend if you decide to go med-free you take some sort of class to prepare - Bradley and Hypnobirthing both have good reputations.

Flowr4246 · September 2010

I was concerned about the migraines as well because I'm also prone to them. I asked the nurse about it and she said that, while it can happen, it's rare and would typically be gone within a day even if it occurs.

As to the natural/birth plan thing, I'll say this. I REALLY wanted to go pain med free. I studied the Bradley Method (which I highly recommend if you're thinking of a med free birth) and I did really for a while. Unfortunately, I had back labor and had been up for 20 hours when my water broke at 9PM. By 5:30, when I was only at 5 cm, I gave in and got the epi. It turned out to be a great decision (I had no ill effects from it whatsoever and was also able to relax for a while before I was ready to push).

My point is this, study up either way. But be sure to allow yourself some flexibility once you're in the heat of the moment because until you're there, you have no idea what's going to work best for you. Good luck!

mamarazzi · September 2010

I had an epi with each of my previous deliveries. With my first, I had no problems whatsoever. With my second, I had a spinal migraine that lasted about a week. It was awful. But, I think they're fairly rare and I'll be getting another epidural this time around. I have zero point zero desire to experience a "natural" birth. I loved the way my deliveries went the last two times.

staryeyes · September 2010

I went natural and will again this time. While painful and difficult, it was doable and I had no complications from going natural. There can be complications from an epi, like my friend who lost complete feeling in her legs which made her unable to realize she was tearing her muscles. She was unable to walk without assistance for over a month. Good times with a newborn. She's going natural this time too. While very crunchy, I really appreciated "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" for inspiring "I can do this" stories of natural birth.

NMB&JCC · September 2010

You don't have to decide before hand. See how it goes for you.

I had a friend who got an epi and they put it in wrong. She got a spinal headache and had to lay flat for hours. She still has back problems from it.
I know other's who have had wonderful experiences with an epi.

I went natural. I wanted to see how it would be and went into it open minded. I was able to deliver my DD without any drugs and felt great afterwards. I will admit, the stitches were horrible without drugs!

DR&RN04 · September 2010

I was induced, and got an epi at 2 cm because my contractions were literally on top of each other, and insanely painful (thanks a lot prostaglandins and pitocin). However, when the epi went in, all became right with the world.

I started pushing 6 hours after I got the epi, and even got a bolus about 20 minutes prior to pushing, around 8 cm. I progressed a lot in that 20 minutes, and had they known, I probably wouldn't have been given the bolus, but it was awesome. Zero pain, but I could still feel when to push. No pain at all even when she was crowning.

I had no side effects from the epi, other than a little tenderness at the insertion site for a few days, maybe a week. Someone mentioned puking as a reaction to the epi, and that is entirely possible as a side effect. But nausea and puking are also a totally natural part of labor, that can happen with or without an epi.

If you want to go natural, go for it, but educate yourself well, take some classes, and (most importantly), keep an open mind. Labor and delivery are unpredictable, and things can change in a heartbeat (literally). If you end up needing medication, for whatever reason, that is ok, and in no way means you or your birthplan "failed." Good luck to you!

Tcarrol12 · September 2010

This is our 2nd and last. I had all intenetions in the world or having DD naturally. My birth plan was something like "do no offer me the epi or pain meds unless I demand them and im screaming, and cant be talked out of it" lol BUT I was induced and it was hell. Every time the pump on my tree next to my bed would beep signally the pitocin (sp?) aka the devils drug dose was going up i would just cry. So the epi was a must. Im literally praying every night I get to have this baby on my own and will be able to handle labor without the devils drug on my own with no epi

Mjmksb04 · September 2010

ncbelle:

I went epi-free last time and plan to do so again. You can have a problem free epi - or you can have side effects - no way to know until you've done it.

I'd suggest reading The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth - it gives a good run down of the pros and cons of birth interventions (and yes, an epi is a birth intervention). It does lean towards the natural birth side but not in an annoyingly hard core way - it's factual and honest.

ETA: FWIW, I felt fantastic (although tired of course!) as soon as kiddo's head popped out - as in I was up and ready to go home almost immediately. I had very little discomfort or pain after birth as well.

Ditto this. Recovery was easy peasy and I could immediately be up and about since I didn't have a cathedar or IV fluids or all of the other interventions that you have to get if you get the epi. I hope to go natural again.

kabarbanel · September 2010

staycee:

Hmmmm. I've never heard that. I am prone to migraines and get them pretty frequently (like once every week or two).

I had the epi and was fine.

This, but I don't get migraines AS often. I plan to do the epi again for sure.

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