Are you planning on getting an epidural?

jolenes27 · July 2012

This is exactly what I wanna do. I don't wanna it to be offered, I will ask for it when I need it. But I do want the nurse to offer the epi before its too late.

CurlyQ284 · July 2012

I am going in without a plan. I dont know how I will tolerate the pain, being a FTM. The hospital in my town has a birthing inn attached so they have tubs to labor in which I read are pretty helpful for pain, they are open to alternative methods and epis etc so I plan to go in and just do what feels right at the time.

tinktink20 · July 2012

Heck yes I'm getting one. Especially if I have to be induced again. Even with the three day headache afterwards, it was worth it!! This time if I get the epidural headache, I will get the treatment at the hospital!

bandwife · July 2012

Kadyra:
I had an epidural with DS. I will have one again. To me, if the epidural is there, there's no point in suffering. What does it prove? Your pain tolerance? That YOU could do it? Seems selfish to me. But to each their own.

Not getting an epidural is selfish? That's an interesting opinion.

I don't consider labour suffering. I think it's a natural process that my body was meant to experience and tolerate. And getting a needle in the back, when not medically necessary, isn't appealing to me.

While I think epidurals are great (for those that want them) deciding not to get one doesn't makes me selfish.

judahsmommy1 · July 2012

verybusymomto4:
bandwife:
bunnymay:
Yes. At my appt earlier ths week, my obgyn recommended it. He said "there is no reason you need to suffer. It will help you relax and lessen the likelihood of tearing." Sold!
That's interesting. I've heard the exact opposite about epidurals - that they actually increase your likelihood of tearing. Argh, so much conflicting info out there.
I'll try and go without again. My first was a home birth so it wasn't an option.
Might go to the hospital this time but I'll be aiming for no meds.

Sorry, they do not increase tearing, that happens, which really doesn't that often anymore, if the baby is to big they will make a incision down here. I had a epidural and i am small, my baby was only 6lbs but they still had to cut me down to make room for her, had they NOT then yes I would have torn, which is why they cut so you dont just tear, which would be more painful. And since you are on the epidural, you would not even feel then cutting, my dh saw them do it and they explained why.

There's a lot of not great information in this post right here.

myatala · July 2012

I'm planning for an unmedicated birth at a birth center. I'm reading about hospital birth practices and common interventions and medications, though, in case we wind up in a different situation than our plan. I have a lot more time to absorb information now than I will during labor, so it's important to me that I learn what I can about all the common interventions and medications so that I can be informed and assertive in my decisions.

seraphiclust · July 2012

bandwife:
Not getting an epidural is selfish? That's an interesting opinion.
I don't consider labour suffering. I think it's a natural process that my body was meant to experience and tolerate. And getting a needle in the back, when not medically necessary, isn't appealing to me.
While I think epidurals are great (for those that want them) deciding not to get one doesn't makes me selfish.

Yes Agree. I respect everyone's decision to make whatever choice is right for them when delivering their baby. What is important is the baby is delivered safely! I'm baffled how deciding to go drug free would make me selfish.

kfrasier624 · July 2012

bandwife:
Kadyra:
I had an epidural with DS. I will have one again. To me, if the epidural is there, there's no point in suffering. What does it prove? Your pain tolerance? That YOU could do it? Seems selfish to me. But to each their own.
Not getting an epidural is selfish? That's an interesting opinion.
I don't consider labour suffering. I think it's a natural process that my body was meant to experience and tolerate. And getting a needle in the back, when not medically necessary, isn't appealing to me.
While I think epidurals are great (for those that want them) deciding not to get one doesn't makes me selfish.

Couldnt agree more bandwife!! This is EXACTLY what our bodies were made to do and I think often times it gets treated as a medical emergency rather than a natural occurrence. I do not want to be induced nor receive an epidural whatsoever. I plan to have a water birth and access to birthing balls and other tools to help with coping and relaxation.

MrsB2u · July 2012

I did not have one with my first but his labor was pretty quick considering he was my first, it was only about 6 hours. I surprised myself by not getting one. This time around who knows, it depends on how my labor goes but I will definetly not count it out.

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines · July 2012

Nope. I am planning a natural birth.

I DO NOT want a c-section, & the epi is often the first step in the intervention cascade - epi slows contractions, so they start pit, which can cause distress in the baby & lead to c-section.

I want to be able to push as my body directs, instead of when I'm commanded to by a nurse.

I want to be able to move & be in the correct position for me & baby - your pelvis can flex to allow baby to pass, but only if you can move.

Epi babies tend to be more sluggish & not nurse as well. Nursing is very important to me, & I don't want anything to interfere with that.

The best piece of advice I have is that if you even *think* you want to go med-free, do your research! You wouldn't show up for a marathon without having done some training, right? Even if you end up opting for the drugs, it won't hurt to know your options, coping techniques, etc.

Jenn0810 · July 2012

With DD I got an epidural when I was finally allowed to get one. I had back contractions that were so horrible. I walked and used an exercise ball up unit that time but had enough. I was in the hospital at 8am after my water broke and didn't get my epidural until around 6pm. DD arrived at 1:30am. I was glad I had it or else I would have gotten no rest before I had to push. I will say that even though I turned to even out the epi to both sides, and pushed the button once, I could still feel pain..not just pressure... when it was time to push. It hurt much more than I thought with the epidural. I still felt like Super Woman when I was done. Whatever way you choose to have you your child...with meds...without...or via c/s, you are still just as amazing as the next woman that gives birth! It is the most incredible experience. Do not feel guilty for your choice.

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines · July 2012

DelBride2012:
akating:
verybusymomto4:
bandwife:

bunnymay:
Yes. At my appt earlier ths week, my obgyn recommended it. He said "there is no reason you need to suffer. It will help you relax and lessen the likelihood of tearing." Sold!

That's interesting. I've heard the exact opposite about epidurals - that they actually increase your likelihood of tearing. Argh, so much conflicting info out there.

I'll try and go without again. My first was a home birth so it wasn't an option.

Might go to the hospital this time but I'll be aiming for no meds.

Sorry, they do not increase tearing, that happens, which really doesn't that often anymore, if the baby is to big they will make a incision down here. I had a epidural and i am small, my baby was only 6lbs but they still had to cut me down to make room for her, had they NOT then yes I would have torn, which is why they cut so you dont just tear, which would be more painful. And since you are on the epidural, you would not even feel then cutting, my dh saw them do it and they explained why.

here is an article that answers this question. https://m.anesthesiologynews.com/Article.aspx?d=Clinical+Anesthesiology&d_id=1&i=August+2011&i_id=750&a_id=18711

Have to sign in to read that?

This is in response to verybusy:

There is NO guarantee that you would have torn without the episiotomy - they are done as "prevention" - which means they cut you BEFORE you tear. There is no way to know that you actually would have torn. Having an epidural CAN increase tearing, because you can't feel when you are pushing & don't have as much control. Also, tearing isn't more painful than an episiotomy - in fact, you might not have torn as much as they cut. Plus, tears heal more naturally than cuts.

I actually switched from an OB to a midwife because the OB told me that he wouldn't let me tear, even if that was what I preferred. Now I see a midwife, who has NEVER cut an episiotomy. The midwife she started with said she had cut ONE in her entire career, just to see what would happen, & that after that experience, she never cut another.

StefandTodd · July 2012

No, I didn't have one with my first and didn't think it was a bad experience at all to feel everything, even the tearing. Probably the most unpleasant pain I felt was them stitching me up, even with the local they gave me.

This time I'm having a home birth, so an epi is not even an option.

cubberss · July 2012

Nope. Had one with #1, didn't with #2, and hope to go natural again this time. Recovery was *so* much easier with DS, and I enjoyed my natural experience much more than my medicated one.

2PuppiesHon · July 2012

I'd like to go natural, but will be in a hospital and an epidural is available to me if I change my mind. My biggest concern is not to win any sort of medal for "going natural," but fear of the epidural. I've never reacted well to anesthesia - I generally get violently ill - and I've heard too many horror stories. That said, if I need it, I'll be asking for it.

brittandjp · July 2012

lmb5109:
ni077169:
Oh yes, "give me the juice".
This but not right away, I'm hoping to get to the point where I have to get it now or it's too late. But I'm also a wimp, so let's see how long I can last!!

This. I'm totally open to getting it and if it looks like it's going to be a long labor, I'll have no problem asking for it. My pain tolerance is pretty low, so I'm sure it would probably just be best for everyone if I got it from the get go. However, I'm secretly sort of hoping I'll progress too quickly, won't be able to get one, and I'll deliver a beautiful, healthy baby really, really quickly to reduce the amount of time I'm in pain.

A girl an dream, right?!

Kingston54 · July 2012

cjcouple:
Kingston54:
Angelzkisses:

I will have an epidural again. With my DD she nearly killed the both of us due to full placental abruption at 8cm dilated. I was a crash c section under general anesthesia. Something I NEVER want to live through again. I'm planning on a VBAC but will have the epidural set up and good to go just in case there are any signs of a repeat.

Also keep in mind that it may have not been the epidural that caused the migraine, but all the pressure and swollen blood vessels from being in labor. Not all migraines come with pain, just symptoms. My first one at 10 years old caused partial blindness in my right eye for well over 5 hours. Scariest thing to happen to me at that age. The epidural shouldn't effect anything above where it's inserted.....unless it's done incorrectly. Talk to the anesthesiologist about what occurred last time, your fears and concerns. They should be able to give you honest medical facts and percentages of it happening again.

THank you, this response really helped me. You make some great points. Unfortunately after my doctor gave me a full neuro exam in the hospital (it happened the next day), he just cleared me and said I was fine, not to worry and didn't really give me much of an explanation.

Then I took my baby home the next day and didn't talk to anyone about it even though I thought about it all the time! I really should have talked to the doctor/anesthesiologist to ease my fears but never did.

I gathered it might have been aura of migrane just from my own research. I am definitely going to take your advice and maybe that will make my decision easier once I get some answers.

I actually had that happen to me at the end of my 2nd pg. I was in tub and it happened. Nurse said it was most likely how the baby was sitting because I was laying down in tub. She said he cut off my blood flow which resulting in wavy visions and dizziness with slight numbness.

Wow, scary - wasn't it? I kept waiting for it to happen again. After seeing some posts though, I'm thinking maybe I was wrongfully blaming on the epidural. I think I will probably go in undecided and see how I do. Maybe this one will just fly right out!!! :):)

sschwege · July 2012

bandwife:
Kadyra:
I had an epidural with DS. I will have one again. To me, if the epidural is there, there's no point in suffering. What does it prove? Your pain tolerance? That YOU could do it? Seems selfish to me. But to each their own.
Not getting an epidural is selfish? That's an interesting opinion.
I don't consider labour suffering. I think it's a natural process that my body was meant to experience and tolerate. And getting a needle in the back, when not medically necessary, isn't appealing to me.
While I think epidurals are great (for those that want them) deciding not to get one doesn't makes me selfish.

Yes, I wish she would elaborate more on why she thinks it is selfish.

OP: I did not have an epi last time and if everything unfolds in a similar fashion I will not be having one this time either. I did Hypnobirthing and had a great experience. I never felt like I was suffering, in fact after I had DD my MW asked me if I had felt anything. Why would I take medication that I don't feel I need? I'm not against epis at all, I'm glad we have them and that the option is there. In fact before I went into labor I told my DH, "If I ask for an epi, don't try to talk me out of it!" and I meant it. But for me continuing without one was more desirable than having a needle inserted into my back (that honestly gives me the chills even thinking about it). I liked being able to move around as much as I wanted. Plus I felt pretty good afterward. I said something to my MIL about walking from L & D to the postpartum room and she was like, "I don't think they are going to have you walk!" Then I thought oh yeah, duh! But I felt that good that it didn't occur to me that I would get there any other way but walking.

KrisM86 · July 2012

verybusymomto4:
bandwife:
bunnymay:
Yes. At my appt earlier ths week, my obgyn recommended it. He said "there is no reason you need to suffer. It will help you relax and lessen the likelihood of tearing." Sold!
That's interesting. I've heard the exact opposite about epidurals - that they actually increase your likelihood of tearing. Argh, so much conflicting info out there.
I'll try and go without again. My first was a home birth so it wasn't an option.
Might go to the hospital this time but I'll be aiming for no meds.

Sorry, they do not increase tearing, that happens, which really doesn't that often anymore, if the baby is to big they will make a incision down here. I had a epidural and i am small, my baby was only 6lbs but they still had to cut me down to make room for her, had they NOT then yes I would have torn, which is why they cut so you dont just tear, which would be more painful. And since you are on the epidural, you would not even feel then cutting, my dh saw them do it and they explained why.

Actually, getting an episiotomy (getting cut) makes you more likely to tear even more. You are more likely to heal quickly if you are allowed to tear naturally (and you may not even tear at all.) This helped me understand the logic: try to rip a t-shirt. It is pretty tough to do. Try cutting the shirt: easy. If you try to rip it once it's been cut, it tears much more easily.

sschwege · July 2012

KrisM86:
verybusymomto4:
bandwife:
bunnymay:
Yes. At my appt earlier ths week, my obgyn recommended it. He said "there is no reason you need to suffer. It will help you relax and lessen the likelihood of tearing." Sold!
That's interesting. I've heard the exact opposite about epidurals - that they actually increase your likelihood of tearing. Argh, so much conflicting info out there.
I'll try and go without again. My first was a home birth so it wasn't an option.
Might go to the hospital this time but I'll be aiming for no meds.

Sorry, they do not increase tearing, that happens, which really doesn't that often anymore, if the baby is to big they will make a incision down here. I had a epidural and i am small, my baby was only 6lbs but they still had to cut me down to make room for her, had they NOT then yes I would have torn, which is why they cut so you dont just tear, which would be more painful. And since you are on the epidural, you would not even feel then cutting, my dh saw them do it and they explained why.
Actually, getting an episiotomy (getting cut) makes you more likely to tear even more. You are more likely to heal quickly if you are allowed to tear naturally (and you may not even tear at all.) This helped me understand the logic: try to rip a t-shirt. It is pretty tough to do. Try cutting the shirt: easy. If you try to rip it once it's been cut, it tears much more easily.

Good advice. Research has shown episiotomies should be used only in urgent situations, where the baby has to come out immediately.

burgergirl13 · July 2012

DRUGS FOR ME

hpoff33 · July 2012

Kadyra:
An episiotomy and a perineal laceration hurt the same. The same nerves, etc. are affected. One is just easier for the provider to repair as the lines are cleaner and easier to match up. With an epis, you have a higher likelihood of extending to a 3rd or 4th degree tear, which is why they aren't done routinely anymore. I can count the number I have done on both hands.
Man epidural won't increase or decrease the liklihood of tearing. Most FTM's tear. Their tissues are not as pliant. And if you start pushing before baby has the opportunity to descend and stretch the tissues, you're more likely to tear. I only do an epis for shoulder dystocia or operative vaginal delivery. Or if baby is in distress and the vaginal opening is still the size of a silver dollar and kiddo needs to get out NOW.
As pp said, you can't do a lot of things with an epidural, but those are more "natural" type coping methods and delivery techniques anyway.
I had an epidural with DS. I will have one again. To me, if the epidural is there, there's no point in suffering. What does it prove? Your pain tolerance? That YOU could do it? Seems selfish to me. But to each their own.

For me, it is my way of preventing the side effects for both my baby (problems latching on, changes in fetal heart rate or respiratory depression) and for me (severe headache, sudden drop in blood pressure, inability to walk around). Most women who are choosing to have a natural birth are not trying to show how tough we are. We are making a medical based decision on what we feel is best for ourselves and our babies.

michellemikeliu · July 2012

I had my baby in July 2012, and beforehand, I had planned on getting an epidural. When I arrived at the hospital, my contractions were 3 minutes apart, 45 seconds in duration, and the contractions were getting so painful. I immediately requested an epidural because the pain was unbearable-- I thought I was going to die. I was told they had to run a platelet test, which would take at least one hour to get the results. In all of my research on epidurals, I had never heard of this so-called platelet test. So while we were waiting for the platelet test results to come back, my baby started coming out of me. So I had to push the baby out with no epidural. It was a fast delivery, and everything is ok now... but I really wish I had been able to get the epidural to ease the pain.

ashdonne · July 2012

Well my birth story with DD is horrendus and so I'll not bore you with all the details---however I did get an epidural but it did not work for me. So dealing with the issues we had without the pain management was the hardest and worst thing I've ever done in my life. However, if I was one of those people who could push twice and baby comes out I am convinced I would not do an epidural because as bad as it was with DD I didn't die and clearly not too traumatized because here I am again!

Because of the problems we ran into last time and the issues that DD and I faced because of the vaginal birth---I've got to do a C section this time so obviously will do that with drugs. I am a little nervous that the epidural will not work again but this time I'll be more vocal about it instead of just assuming I needed to feel to push!

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