4:00 PM: Admitted to hospital after a routine NST showed regular contractions. Pitocin started.
2:00 AM: Felt the first contracts and requested by epidural (was dilated to 4) after "laboring" on pitocin for the last 10 hours feeling NOTHING.
4:30 AM: FINALLY got my epi. AHHHH!!! (Longest 2.5 hours of my life!) Then they checked me and found I was already dilated to 10, so I dilated to 10 with no drugs/epi. My water broke somewhere in there... it's a bit of a blur
Rested for a while.
Started pushing at 5:45 AM, DS born at 7:14 AM. Completely healthy and nursed great. I had some pretty severe tearing and had to be stitched.
In a perfect world, I would have loved the epi sooner, but I often wonder if it would have slowed labor down? I was against any narcotic drugs (which I stuck to even in the worst of it), but figured I would end up with an epi and was very glad I had one. Overall, it was a great birth experience and I'd be thrilled if it went that smoothly again. I have no desire to try it without the epi.
I was induced and not progressing at all after like 12 hours or so, and the epidural was amazing right then because it made me relax and as soon as I relaxed I dilated like crazy and before I knew it, it was time to push. So I was very grateful for it at the time!
That said, it did pool in my one leg and I had a numb leg for 2 days afterwards, which really is nothing to complain about. However here I am 2 years later, and my leg goes cold and that one foot numbs about once a day. I think the nerves were damaged during my epi and have not healed. So I am going to try to avoid it this time, and plan on using hypnobirthing to try to help me relax instead.
I only got one last time b/c my BP was sky high, and it was either epi or C-Section. I wanted to go natural this time, but I have an anterior placenta - if this causes DD#2 to be sunny-side up (which can cause longer labor, horrible back labor, etc), then I will get an epi again so that I can make it all the way through labor without tiring too much. I see nothing wrong with an epi if it helps you relax, and makes your labor progress better. I had no side effects from my epi whatsoever - didn't stall contractions, brought my BP down (which is what my OB wanted), oxygen was fine, etc.
In all honesty, I'll probably wait and see how it's going. This pregnancy is 100% different from my last one, so who knows how the labor will go. I will, however, ask them to keep the spinal headache this time. I'll pass.
Yes. My epi was wonderful. Could move and feel, but no pain, zero problems with DS or BFing, great recovery (no tear at all, didn't even take Tylenol after). I am only worried that my 1st experience was so good that this one won't be able to live up to it!
My problem is the exact opposite! With my DD i wanted an epidural but dilated so quickly that i "missed it"... i tore a little (i also had a 9.5 lb baby! Oy!) and the experience for ME was slightly traumatic... to a point where i was almost too scared to get pregnant again I know it's not how everyone's experience is, but mine wasn't a happy one, even though I'm super proud of myself for getting through it naturally/drug-free. This time around i do know more about what to expect and will definitely be trying for the epi again if it works out
I went 11 hours without the epidural and I couldn't take it anymore. I got it and that slowed the labor down....By the time I was ready to push the epidural wore off and I felt it all. I plan to be as strong as possible to not get it but I'm not saying I wont give in...
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Re: Will you get a epidural again? (follow-up question to tropicalmommy's post)
4:00 PM: Admitted to hospital after a routine NST showed regular contractions. Pitocin started.
2:00 AM: Felt the first contracts and requested by epidural (was dilated to 4) after "laboring" on pitocin for the last 10 hours feeling NOTHING.
4:30 AM: FINALLY got my epi. AHHHH!!! (Longest 2.5 hours of my life!) Then they checked me and found I was already dilated to 10, so I dilated to 10 with no drugs/epi. My water broke somewhere in there... it's a bit of a blur
Rested for a while.
Started pushing at 5:45 AM, DS born at 7:14 AM. Completely healthy and nursed great. I had some pretty severe tearing and had to be stitched.
In a perfect world, I would have loved the epi sooner, but I often wonder if it would have slowed labor down? I was against any narcotic drugs (which I stuck to even in the worst of it), but figured I would end up with an epi and was very glad I had one. Overall, it was a great birth experience and I'd be thrilled if it went that smoothly again. I have no desire to try it without the epi.
I was induced and not progressing at all after like 12 hours or so, and the epidural was amazing right then because it made me relax and as soon as I relaxed I dilated like crazy and before I knew it, it was time to push. So I was very grateful for it at the time!
That said, it did pool in my one leg and I had a numb leg for 2 days afterwards, which really is nothing to complain about. However here I am 2 years later, and my leg goes cold and that one foot numbs about once a day. I think the nerves were damaged during my epi and have not healed. So I am going to try to avoid it this time, and plan on using hypnobirthing to try to help me relax instead.
Ditto. I may even call ahead.
In all honesty, I'll probably wait and see how it's going. This pregnancy is 100% different from my last one, so who knows how the labor will go. I will, however, ask them to keep the spinal headache this time. I'll pass.
My problem is the exact opposite! With my DD i wanted an epidural but dilated so quickly that i "missed it"... i tore a little (i also had a 9.5 lb baby! Oy!) and the experience for ME was slightly traumatic... to a point where i was almost too scared to get pregnant again I know it's not how everyone's experience is, but mine wasn't a happy one, even though I'm super proud of myself for getting through it naturally/drug-free. This time around i do know more about what to expect and will definitely be trying for the epi again if it works out
DITTO!!