Epidural alternatives

JillAnnRoberts21 · April 2011

HI I know it's only the second trimester (maybe too early to think about it), but I really do not want to go the epidural route. My mom had us completely natural and loved every second of it. I want to go natural, but am thinking it may be a bit too much pain for me. If it is, can anyone please give me some other options?? Meds given by the hospital or natural remedies that will not hurt my sweet baby but take the edge off? I may get there and ask for an epi immediately, but I'd like to go as natural as possible.

Thanks

Lindsaywillo · April 2011

Ok....going natural, I can't imagine LOVING every minute of it...it's not enjoyable but with my DD I just got the IV drip of Stadol (sp?) and that was all I needed. It just gave me a little breather between contractions. There was a point where I wanted the epidural but I was already fully dilated and ready to push so there was no need at that point. Without the epidural I was up and showered within 30 minutes of her delivery. Good Luck! Oh...and if you do your birthing classes they will more than likely discuss your options with you.

laurynfaerie · April 2011

My mom and a friend of mine had laughing gas. I'm going to see about it too. I have friends who've had lasting back problems from the epi.

JillAnnRoberts21 · April 2011

THank You!!

I am definitely going to ask about the IV drip...just wrote it down.

forensicmama · April 2011

You can have something put in your IV for a little bit of relief. My sister did this - she gave birth in a small hospital that doesn't do epidurals.

Taking a natural birthing class will teach you methods to deal with the pain naturally as well.

water-fairy · April 2011

I'm thinking weed could probably give relief too. :P it's natural too. I'm kidding, obviously but I'm sure it would work. And like PP said, I can't imagine LOVING every second of the horrible back labor I had. I PPH my epidural for those last 4 hours of a long journey.

JillAnnRoberts21 · April 2011

I just clicke checked out your RJS blog/photography. It's really great. I love the idea of telling your story through the outlook of your son, epsecially wonderful for out-of-town family. THe pictures couldn't be more perfect!

jaredandjenny · April 2011

A friend of mine told me she had a "walking epidural" with her kids. She couldn't remember the name of the actual drug, but I am going to ask about this. She was still able to get up and move around with it. However, I think I am going to go in trying not to take too much for pain medication.

Melett · April 2011

I had stadol with my ds and never want it again. It just made me feel drunk, I could still feel the pain and couldn't think straight -it was awful!

MrsM1113 · April 2011

I had demerol before I got my epi. It dulled the contractions, but did absolutely nothing for my back labor. You can always look into a natural labor class (although, some hospitals birthing classes include this in the regular birthing class)... the only one I can think of off the top of my head is the Bradley Method.

eminbmore · April 2011

jaredandjenny:
A friend of mine told me she had a "walking epidural" with her kids. She couldn't remember the name of the actual drug, but I am going to ask about this. She was still able to get up and move around with it. However, I think I am going to go in trying not to take too much for pain medication.

A "walking" epidural is still an epidural, same procedure.

You can also take a Bradley Method class, or a Hypnobirthing class for some med-free pain management techniques. There's also massage, accupressure, acupuncture (if you can find someone to do it at the hospital for you), changing positions, and using water (jacuzzi or shower).

Woodwife · April 2011

forensicmama:
Taking a natural birthing class will teach you methods to deal with the pain naturally as well.

This. Just showing up and hoping for the best will make it really challenging for you to avoid interventions. Take a really thorough class that goes over all the stages of labor and the comfort measures you can take. I did a med-free birth and while I didn't "love" every minute of it it was a great experience and I was up and about when the birth was over.

Labor is just that - work; it's hard. But with preparation, and without complications, you can do it!

Hollygirl7 · April 2011

Water to ease labour pain is supposed to be great. Showering really helped me, and using a birthing pool, even if only for pain relief, is really beneficial. There's a thing called a TENS machine that you can rent usually, I might get this wrong, but I believe it involves putting sticky pads on your back in 4 areas. Then the machine sends out electric pulses. The idea is that they interfere with the pain signals that are sent to your brain while encouraging your body to release endorphins. A PP mentioned laughing gas, I've heard that works well too, except, like Demerol or Morphine, it really just changes your perception of the pain, and doesn't take the pain away. It leaves you a little loopy too (to say the least.)

What will help the most in the end is educating yourself on coping techniques, whether through hypnobirthing, taking a class (like Bradley or Lamaze) or just reading and practicing breathing and coping strategies at home before you're in labour. I'm reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth right now, and it's very empowering (if you can get past the hippie-ness of it!)

Good luck!

akalutts · April 2011

I loved my epi, HATED all the narcotics they gave me to see if I really "needed" the epi. The drugs made me so nauseated and sleepy.

This time, while natural would be nice, I will get an epi if it gets to hard. At check in I'm going to ask the nurse to put DO NOT OFFER NARCOTICS on my chart. The last thing I want to hear is the offer of something I'm wanting to avoid and risk temptation out of desperation.

JillAnnRoberts21 · April 2011

Thanks, everyone, for all of your advice. I will definitely look into classes as well. Who knows, I may end up with an epi 5 minutes into it, but I'm going to try to go as drug free as possible.

annak23 · April 2011

Just the fact that I could be up & moving around really helped a ton. I couldn't imagine being stuck in a bed trying to deal with the pain. Also taking a hot shower, bouncing on the birthing ball & having DH push on my lower back (distraction touch?) was a huge help. By the time I couldn't handle the pain anymore, it was time to push!

jntaylor11 · April 2011

Does you hospital offer bath tubs? I originally wanted a water birth, but my hospital doesn't offer them, But they do have whirlpool tubs in each room that you can labor in, I've heard that for some people the warm water really takes the edge off. Basically anything that you do to manage stress or pain now is something to consider. So massages... sitting alone in a dark, calm, quiet place... Calming music... Whatever works for you is something to consider maybe before you turn to medication. I'm like you I plan to go natural and I want to use the tub, but if it's a long labor, idk if I'll make it...

NebMom · April 2011

i went natural with my first, and although yes, it hurt, i was DETERMINED to have a natural birth. there is NO WAY i'm letting someone stick a needle in my back, and its just not for me. however, i totally agree that natural is not for everyone. i'm a doula, and i support lots of moms through lots of birth scenarios, but epidural was just not for ME. i would suggest you get a doula to assist you in the labor for pain management.

vstevens · April 2011

I also initially asked for epidural alternatives, and was given much of the same info above. But doing my own research, I realized that the drugs given to take the edge off (i.e. demerol, stadol etc.) that many use as an epi alternative actually cross the placental barrier and directly affect the baby. See https://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/narcotics.html.

I mean, I have avoided everything including Tylenol during this pregnancy, so there's no chance I'm going to take something that crosses the placental barrier that late in the game!

My sister (an OB) says the best thing for pain relief if you're worried about crossing the placental barrier is a walking epidural - it's not quite as effective for pain relief as the full epidural, but it does make pain management easier and it does not cross the placental barrier to directly affect the baby.

eminbmore · April 2011

lisajay09:
vstevens:

I also initially asked for epidural alternatives, and was given much of the same info above. But doing my own research, I realized that the drugs given to take the edge off (i.e. demerol, stadol etc.) that many use as an epi alternative actually cross the placental barrier and directly affect the baby. See https://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/narcotics.html.

I mean, I have avoided everything including Tylenol during this pregnancy, so there's no chance I'm going to take something that crosses the placental barrier that late in the game!

My sister (an OB) says the best thing for pain relief if you're worried about crossing the placental barrier is a walking epidural - it's not quite as effective for pain relief as the full epidural, but it does make pain management easier and it does not cross the placental barrier to directly affect the baby.

Not all hospitals do this.

No, they don't - mine doesn't, for example, and it's a giant hospital that does a ton of births. Plus, a walking epidural is still an epidural, administered the same way (needle in the back). If you're looking to avoid an epidural, this is not the route you want to take.

You can ask for a light epidural though (which is basically the same as a walking epidural, people are just more amenable to the term) if you do go the epi route and are worried about being too numb. If you make it clear to the anesthesiologist that you're open to feeling some pain, you just want to take the edge off, they can work with you. Epidurals don't have to completely numb you from the waist down.

BarefootContess · April 2011

The stuff they can put in your IV does nothing compared to an epidural. Neither does being in the water. If you do not want an epi, I think you need to prepare mentally for the pain and not expect alternatives to be effective.

JillAnnRoberts21 · April 2011

Wow! Thanks for all of your advice! I really want to do this naturaly for many reasons; mainly because I do not want to have any drugs in my body (I don't even take Tylenol when I'm not preggo) and I definitely do not want my baby to get anything through me. I am open to an epi if I am in a lot of unbearable pain, but when I read about them online I get scared (the disadvantages/side effects/etc). I do appreciate everyone's input on everything. I researched this a lot online, but it's always better to hear REAL stories and opinions. All of my friends got epi's, so I didn't have anyone else to ask for opinions.

THank you again!

Want a personalized experience?

Epidural alternatives

Re: Epidural alternatives

Choose Another Board

Search Boards