XP: Induction w/o epidural?

Re: XP: Induction w/o epidural?

• BriAndSean

  November 2010

  I was pitocin induced with both my labors and went otherwise med-free. It's definitely doable. In fact, my birth experience (especially the first time) was the most empowering experience of my life thus far.

  Both my labors were pretty fast and intense, but I was able to stay very relaxed and I think that was the key to my success. I educated myself on the process of birth and trusted my body's ability to birth my children. I also had a great support team to help me through it (my mom & DH).

  My advice would be not to give up. Believe in yourself. You can do it!

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• sevans1975 member

  November 2010

  I would say from my experience that I caved too quickly and got the epidural.  I wish I hadn't.

  I was induced at 39 weeks because I have type 2 diabetes (for that reason only).  I was somewhere around 4cm along when the pain got pretty nasty and I asked for something...I got nubaine (sp?) and regretted it instantly because it made me feel "stupid drunk" and out of it.  That wore off and then I labored with nothing a bit longer.

  I decided the pain was getting too intense and I was sort of stuck with an IV pole from the pitocin and also the antibiotics for GBS+.  I should have tried to walk around, but I called for the epi.

  That brought everything to a screeching halt.  I really really wish I had tried to focus or something a bit more to deal with a bit more pain.  I probably could've lasted longer, but those pit contrax were just really nasty and I wasn't mentally prepared.

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• andrea922 member

  November 2010

  I was induced and did not have an epidural.
  

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• GrayGhost13 member

  November 2010

  Thanks, ladies, for sharing your experiences.
  

  
  
  

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• grnshdw

  November 2010

  There are many stories of women who got pitocin and no epi.  An option to consider is something like my doc did with me.  He broke my water and then allowed my husband and I to do nipple stimulation to bring on contractions.  I ended up delivering 5 hours after they broke my water- may be an option for you!

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• armandos_girl member

  November 2010

  It's do-able.  I recommend finding out about your doctor's and hospital's policies regarding pitocin and your ability to move around.

  With my first, I was induced and ended up having an epi.  I knew I would have to be continually monitored because I was on pitocin, but I hoped to be able to change positions and move around within the 5 foot radius or so of the wires on monitor.  What I didn't know was that that hospital policy required that I have a "Fall Risk" bracelet slapped on my wrist and I would not be able to get out of the bed period.

  If I had known that I would have waited longer before being induced (was induced at 41 weeks) or prepared myself with positions etc that were realistic while staying in bed.
  

  
  
  
  

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• veebug22 member

  November 2010

  It's doable. I wanted a totally med-free labor/birth and I did 18 hours med-free and a med-free vaginal birth. I accepted Pitocin because I had several factors that were increasing my chances of a c-section if we didn't get things moving ASAP (blood pressure off the charts, leaking fluid for over 24 hours, etc). I labored for 18 hours without an epidural. The last five hours I was stuck at 7.5 hours while on Pitocin. It was very painful to be in transition for so long. Her head was also sideways and with my water broken and the Pitocin I was in pain. BUT I think I could have done it naturally if it weren't for the fact that I was exhausted and falling asleep in between contractions. The Pitocin made it tough because sometimes my contractions never came down completely or would build on top of another. I accepted an epidural for a short period of time to get some sleep and it was the best thing I could have done. I was able to rest for several hours before the epidural wore off, labor a bit without it, and then push for a couple hours. Without the epidural, I never would have had the energy to push. However, my labor/delivery was very long and complicated in other ways I won't go into because this will become a novel : ) If my labor and delivery had been shorter, like anything under 12 hours, I totally think I could have handled the Pitocin without the epidural.

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