Epidural vs. No Meds

viper27g · February 2011

What's your plan..whats your reason?...("One Born Every Minute Post" made me want to ask!)

IdigDirt · February 2011

I would like to do natural, due to allergy to morphine in the epi but I am not completely ruling it out. Can I vote magic birth?

sunset+skies · February 2011

Unless they have a morphine-free epi alternative, looks like I'm doing IV drugs, or nothing!

earl&pearl · February 2011

I am not ruling out anything at this point. My best friend is a nurse in the L&D unit and says that only about 15% of births go exactly according to plan. So my plan is to have no plan right now and weigh our options once it gets closer to the birth.

mesr · February 2011

i hope for another un-medicated birth. i'm a total needle-phobic, so IVs and epidurals aren't options for me unless something is seriously wrong..

helenejr · February 2011

I'm planning natural and med free - but if medical intervention is required i'm not adverse to meds - but i would really love to aviod c/s and epi if possible.

I don't know why - i just really want the whole experience, i've wanted to be a mum for EVER and my idea of that has always been through natural birth.... i can't really explain it....

klv · February 2011

Epidural. Yes please.

cvl105 · February 2011

I plan to go in with a very open mind and play it by ear. If I am moving along quickly and the pain is bearable, I will go au natural. But if I'm in pain that I can not stand, I have no problem asking for an epidural.

nirern626 · February 2011

I would have the anesthesiologist meet me in the parking lot if I could. While I hope to avoid a c section I have every intention of getting an epidural. I know what my body can do but it's gonna do it whether I'm suffering or not.

gymnst1013 · February 2011

No meds if at all possible. It's something I feel very strongly about. I have many reasons, but ultimately, I don't want my kid pumped full of drugs and I want to try and let my body do what it was made to do.

Roni.Cedra · February 2011

I want to do no meds, but will go up to IV drugs (as long as there is no codeine in it) if I need to. I do not want to do an epi, but I will not rule out anything...

amanda1680 · February 2011

mrsmoore827:
I would have the anesthesiologist meet me in the parking lot if I could. While I hope to avoid a c section I have every intention of getting an epidural. I know what my body can do but it's gonna do it whether I'm suffering or not.

I totally agree. Epi me.

pregarella · February 2011

cvl105:
I plan to go in with a very open mind and play it by ear. If I am moving along quickly and the pain is bearable, I will go au natural. But if I'm in pain that I can not stand, I have no problem asking for an epidural.

This exactly. I have a super high tolerance for pain and my mom labored for less than 3 hours with both of us, so my plan is to take it as long as I can....and if it gets unbearable I'll immediately ask for an epi.

LittleEgypt · February 2011

Home birth, so obviously no epidural. I know I can handle labor pain as long as I'm not stuck in a bed or induced.

Sazhrah · February 2011

No epidural for me. Doctor wants me to get one since I am going for a VBAC but I refuse. My labors tend to be very long, anywhere from 18 hrs to 5 days. I will allow for Stadol but only if I need to sleep.

absoluteremix · February 2011

I want an Epidural and I am proud of it!! I'll take whatever drugs they will give me. My reasons?? I just don't see the reason for me to be in so much pain, I want childbirth to be a good experience. I do NOT like being in pain! It's an easy decision for me.

DreamChaser246 · February 2011

I'm planning on going med-free. Pain meds generally don't work on me too well (lots of experience with migraines) and though I know that it is different, I want to prepare myself.

That and I deal with pain by moving, once the epidural is in you're stuck to a bed and I think that would cause me more pain/stress than it would relieve.

I'd like to avoid a c-section, but at the same time I will do what is best for the baby. Right now med-free is that option, but I know that things always change.

MommaA117 · February 2011

meds for sure.

I want to make it with the least amount of pain possible.

thegoods22 · February 2011

I want an epidural. I have hyperemesis that still hasn't let up at 22 weeks, and I am sick to death of being miserable. Bring on the drugs.

bookkitten · February 2011

gymnst1013:
No meds if at all possible. It's something I feel very strongly about. I have many reasons, but ultimately, I don't want my kid pumped full of drugs and I want to try and let my body do what it was made to do.

Exactly this.

jen&jay07 · February 2011

From a girl who's never had an IV or even stiches....I absolutely want an epidural! My biggest fear is that I be in one of those "sorry....it's too late" situations.

amberpro · February 2011

I have no problem with an epi.

MammaBear81 · February 2011

I've done a pain med-free delivery four times and it seems to work well for me. I have spinal cord issues so the possible side effects of an epi scare me. I leave the option for IV meds open, but I've never used them. I enjoyed all of my births, helped pull the baby out, etc. and being able to go home after 2 days was a godsend, I couldn't wait to go home! I've had so many surgeries and dr appointment because of my back, I guess I shy away from medical intervention as much as possible nowadays.

aniceucchik · February 2011

epi all the way. I didnt get it last time until the 35th hour and boy did i need it and it was great for those last 4 hours before birth. I could still feel everything, but it didnt hurt anymore.

...and the IV drugs I got did absolutely nothing but make me feel drunk-didnt help the pain one bit.

CarlaAndJames · February 2011

I have no problem with an epidural, and plan to have one. But I'm hoping to do it without any IV pain drugs. I really don't like the way loopy pain meds (demerol for example) make me feel and I'd rather be "present" during the birth.

LaSraOrtega · February 2011

absoluteremix:
I want an Epidural and I am proud of it!! I'll take whatever drugs they will give me. My reasons?? I just don't see the reason for me to be in so much pain, I want childbirth to be a good experience. I do NOT like being in pain! It's an easy decision for me.

I agree with this. I'll see how it goes, but I'm pretty sure an epidural is the way to go for me

folkfemme · February 2011

I'm having a home birth - meds aren't an option for me.

Sunidaze · February 2011

I could kinda like to go med-free. I'm really not a fan of taking medications in general...especially for pain. However, I feel my hip pain already starting (I've had problems off and on for more than 15 years with my hips...abated a bit with regular exercise, but now seems to be coming back with a vengeance) so we shall see. I'm hoping Baby B is as easy on me as I was my mom - 3 1/2 hours of labor and here I was.

jcsumm0 · February 2011

bookkitten:

gymnst1013:
No meds if at all possible. It's something I feel very strongly about. I have many reasons, but ultimately, I don't want my kid pumped full of drugs and I want to try and let my body do what it was made to do.

Exactly this.

Me three. Maybe I'm deluded, but I believe in mind over matter, and I think that if I go in there prepared, I'll be able to do it. It's very important to me too, although I could care less what others decide.

pinay976 · February 2011

Epidural. Please and thank you.

sunset+skies · February 2011

DreamChaser246:

I'm planning on going med-free. Pain meds generally don't work on me too well (lots of experience with migraines) and though I know that it is different, I want to prepare myself.

That and I deal with pain by moving, once the epidural is in you're stuck to a bed and I think that would cause me more pain/stress than it would relieve.

I'd like to avoid a c-section, but at the same time I will do what is best for the baby. Right now med-free is that option, but I know that things always change.

I'm the same way - I spent so much time trying to find a painkiller that worked for my migraines, and I don't want to go through the epidural only for it not to work, and me to be stuck laying down from that point on.

AeL347 · February 2011

No meds and minimal intervention... did it once and can do it again... I know not all labor and delivery experiences go as planned, however the only way I will get meds is if my body and baby require a c-section...

Birth is the one pain with a real purpose and if you focus on the experience of it all then it is just intense and not really painful... maybe another 2nd time mom can verbalize and explain that better than me. DH & I both want to be active participants in our delivery experience... me and laboring and DH and my focus and support and pain reducer (via message and encouragement).

paula81rosenthal · February 2011

I am hoping for a successful VBAC with this LO. I would really like a med-free delivery, but if I need/want an epi I will not have an issue asking for it.

breezy79 · February 2011

did natural with my first and NO WAY IN HECK am I doing that again.

Just say YES to Drugs

OctoberCAPA · February 2011

I may not get to make the decision depending on how Baby A presents. If she's cooperating I'm going to try for med free, but with twins I'll be thrilled if I can just avoid a c-section.

Gwyneddlesliegrace · February 2011

I went epi/ med free with my daughter, which is what I planned. Honestly though I really didn't have time for an epi. I went in at 7 in the morning to be induced, I was already 5 cms, they gave me ciatex at 9 (to soften the cervex). Broke my water at 11:30 and baby was born at 1:10. My hospital is very small and the ans. is always on call so in no way would have made it in time.

I am planning to do it med free again, besides my mw said chances are this birth with be just as or faster then the last so its not even really an option.

**Plus I have hip issues, they are always popping out and did in labor with dd. This pg they have been really bad so I don't want to risk having and epi and causing damage to them with out knowing it. I will say I think my hips popping out while pushing was worse then the actual contractions. (that and when the stupid nurse would press on my belly everytime I was having them)

Baby4OT · February 2011

No meds - I've had two natural births already and absolutely plan another unless medically necessary. I'm also looking into home birth and excited about that possibility this time.

runnergrl6675 · February 2011

mrsmoore827:
I would have the anesthesiologist meet me in the parking lot if I could. While I hope to avoid a c section I have every intention of getting an epidural. I know what my body can do but it's gonna do it whether I'm suffering or not.

This!

egpitt22 · February 2011

mrsmoore827:
I would have the anesthesiologist meet me in the parking lot if I could..

LOL, you sound like me....when I had my son, I was asking the lady at the registration window when I would get my epidural. Stick out tongue I'll be doing the same thing again this time around.

bestmaid6 · February 2011

DreamChaser246:

I'm planning on going med-free. Pain meds generally don't work on me too well (lots of experience with migraines) and though I know that it is different, I want to prepare myself.

That and I deal with pain by moving, once the epidural is in you're stuck to a bed and I think that would cause me more pain/stress than it would relieve.

I'd like to avoid a c-section, but at the same time I will do what is best for the baby. Right now med-free is that option, but I know that things always change.

This. I've had some really bad reactions to pain meds (even Advil makes me ill) and I would like to be able to move around as much as possible. If it comes down to an epi versus a c-section, I'll take the epi, but other than that I'd like to go with as few interventions as possible.

brobin01 · February 2011

When delivering my son, I had no pain meds at all..It was the WORST pain I have ever felt in my LIFE! However, I had an amazing nurse who helped me breathe through each contraction (these we pitossin contractions - which are the DEVIL!) and I had a smooth drama free quick delivery. I was very proud of a no pain meds birth.

This time, I'm going to go in not wanting any drugs offered to me, howver if it becomes unbearable and my body isnt' progressing like I hope, I will not feel bad about asking for some meds.

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