Feelings about pain meds during labor (clicky)

choppinbroccoli22 · December 2012

This isn't meant to stir any pots, honest! This was just a useful exercise to go through during our childbirth education class with DD. I know that some of us have posted about not being able to attend a class, so I thought maybe this would be a good thing to do here.

Seeing where I was on the spectrum at the time really helped me put things in perspective my first time through this.

(I was a strong 6 when I took this test the first time, but then I worked really hard on that. Good thing I did. )

[Poll]

sschwege · December 2012

I'm kind of in between 4 & 5, but fall more neatly into 4 so I picked that. I know I would be disappointed if I did not go med-free, but I wouldn't be 'very disappointed'. Kind of silly but a little part of me feels like since I did it for my first I should do it for all my children, just to be fair. Really stupid logic I know!

choppinbroccoli22 · December 2012

sschwege:
I'm kind of in between 4 & 5, but fall more neatly into 4 so I picked that. I know I would be disappointed if I did not go med-free, but I wouldn't be 'very disappointed'. Kind of silly but a little part of me feels like since I did it for my first I should do it for all my children, just to be fair. Really stupid logic I know!

I know what you mean! I created this and I'm somewhat of a SS too. I picked 4, even though I'd be somewhat disappointed to have to transfer from the birth center to the hospital for meds. But after my experience with DD, I know it could be just what we both need to get to the end goal in the healthiest way, so I'd be OK with it!

SingleMom31 · December 2012

I'm definitely all for the epidural, but really don't want the narcotics. I know that sounds like a weird combo, but I had spinals with both my knee surgeries and liked that I was awake and alert, but felt no pain. Narcotics always make me feel funny, so I'd like to avoid those.

BrittanyDoesDerby · December 2012

I am so terrified of an epidural. I would absolutely hate not being able to move. I don't want that giant needle in my back. I am way more open to a narcotic than I am an epi.

rmaxim · December 2012

SingleMom31:
I'm definitely all for the epidural, but really don't want the narcotics. I know that sounds like a weird combo, but I had spinals with both my knee surgeries and liked that I was awake and alert, but felt no pain. Narcotics always make me feel funny, so I'd like to avoid those.

I agree with this - I did the epidural with no narcotics with my son, and I thought it went great. I don't like narcotics but the epidural was very helpful.

StefandTodd · December 2012

I'm planning a home birth, so obviously any pain medication would represent a hospital transfer which would be very disappointing to me given how much time, energy, and money I've spent to avoid being anywhere near the hospital.

peacelove&mama · December 2012

I am a 4. With DS I had decided I was getting an epidural before I got to the hospital, and never gave myself a chance to try without. In the end it wore off before I started to push, he was a big baby, and it took 3 hours to get him out. It was horribly painful but I made it. So I decided that this time, I'm going to try my hardest to go without, although if I choose to get one I won't beat myself up for it.

nanabanana06 · December 2012

I am kind of in the low intervention, no meds, ect. However, I'm a VBAC and will do anything to get a VBAC. Just because I am of the med free mindset doesn't mean it will be whats best in the end. So... yeah. Though I think I would be slightly upset if I didn't go med free.

JessAnnJ · December 2012

SingleMom31:
I'm definitely all for the epidural, but really don't want the narcotics.nbsp; I know that sounds like a weird combo, but I had spinals with both my knee surgeries and liked that I was awake and alert, but felt no pain.nbsp; Narcotics always make me feel funny, so I'd like to avoid those.nbsp;

I'm with you. My only absolute is that I will not take narcotics. The narcotics pass on to the baby and if the labor progresses quickly the baby will be born with the effects of the narcotics. I would rather have an epidural and deal with my fears than expose my baby to narcotics.

Sunglow28 · December 2012

I was required by my hospital to have an epidural to labor with my twins. I wish it hadn't been the case because A) until it all went to hell, I never really felt much and kept the medicine off and

I ended up needing a general anyway so epidural was for nothing!

JenniatONU · December 2012

No fear of meds. I know I'm a wimp when it comes to pain.

HOWEVER it comes down to room availability. My hospital has 3 rooms with a jet tub in the bathroom. If I get a tub room, then I will ask for narcotics, since epidural won't work. ;-) I'll stay in the tub as long as I can, and hopefully the tub and narcotics are enough. If not, I will get the epi.

If I can't get the tub, give me the epi.

sschwege · December 2012

JenniatONU:
No fear of meds. I know I'm a wimp when it comes to pain.

HOWEVER it comes down to room availability. My hospital has 3 rooms with a jet tub in the bathroom. If I get a tub room, then I will ask for narcotics, since epidural won't work. ;-) I'll stay in the tub as long as I can, and hopefully the tub and narcotics are enough. If not, I will get the epi.

If I can't get the tub, give me the epi.

Your hospital will allow you to have narcotics while in the tub? I would have thought you would have to get out for that.

KatieKim0815 · December 2012

I am not loving the wording of number two. I will get an epi again but will wait until 4cm again so tha it doesn't stall my labour. Last time I ended up speeding it up dramatically.

choppinbroccoli22 · December 2012

KatieKim0815:
I am not loving the wording of number two. I will get an epi again but will wait until 4cm again so tha it doesn't stall my labour. Last time I ended up speeding it up dramatically.

Well, OK... Take away the c-word... in other words, you're basically delaying until a certain time so that it doesn't cause any problems with your progression. Right on!

ShellShockedMama · December 2012

I don't know if I fit any of these.

I'm having a homebirth so I will never have the option for meds. Even if I transfer to the hospital if there are any issues (we had to transfer with DS b/c he was stuck. No real danger other than I was tired and my pelvis wouldn't budge) I will be too far along for meds.

I DID beg for meds with DS when I was transferred but, alas. Denied. Sadsies.

choppinbroccoli22 · December 2012

ShellShockedMama:
I don't know if I fit any of these.
I'm having a homebirth so I will never have the option for meds. Even if I transfer to the hospital if there are any issues (we had to transfer with DS b/c he was stuck. No real danger other than I was tired and my pelvis wouldn't budge) I will be too far along for meds.
I DID beg for meds with DS when I was transferred but, alas. Denied. Sadsies.

Wow. I bet that was a super fun and comfortable car ride! Could you even sit down?

FirstBabyMomma · December 2012

I did my whole first labour without meds, only getting my epidural at the last second (like, right as I started feeling the urge to push) so that it barely made a difference, even though I asked for it from the minute we entered the hospital.

Eff that noise. Been there, done that. It wasn't so great, and I don't feel like I gained anything by suffering. This time, give me my drugs!

ShellShockedMama · December 2012

choppinbroccoli22:
ShellShockedMama:
I don't know if I fit any of these.
I'm having a homebirth so I will never have the option for meds. Even if I transfer to the hospital if there are any issues (we had to transfer with DS b/c he was stuck. No real danger other than I was tired and my pelvis wouldn't budge) I will be too far along for meds.
I DID beg for meds with DS when I was transferred but, alas. Denied. Sadsies.
Wow. I bet that was a super fun and comfortable car ride! Could you even sit down?

it was awful. I rode in the ambulance bc no way was I sitting. Nope.

mrsneau · December 2012

I was planning on an epidural anyway but now I'm having a c section so yeah I want meds.

choppinbroccoli22 · December 2012

mrsneau:
I was planning on an epidural anyway but now I'm having a c section so yeah I want meds.

yeah, I wouldn't have any reservations about that choice, either.

kmount · December 2012

StefandTodd:
I'm planning a home birth, so obviously any pain medication would represent a hospital transfer which would be very disappointing to me given how much time, energy, and money I've spent to avoid being anywhere near the hospital.

This exactly.

AmyRI · December 2012

I was a 4 with my first - I wanted to go med-free because I am terrified of the epidural, both the actual needle part as well as not having control of my lower half and not being allowed out of bed even if I do. Plus the potential side effects and higher risk of stalling labor.

This time, I am a 5 (which is how I voted). I agree with PPs that it sounds crazy to want to be "equal" with all of my kids, but I did it med-free last time and I will be disappointed in myself if I can't do it again. I will not feel like a failure, though, as I know what to expect and under what circumstances I would find an epi beneficial.

I will not use narcotics. They have too much impact on baby and I will overcome my personal fear of the epidural so that I am not putting drugs into my child's system if I find I need relief.

jsoubel · December 2012

I am strongly opposed, as I think it's best for baby not to have any medical interventions, especially not drugs. However, should it become necessary due to c-section or pitocin, I'm not going to beat myself up about it.

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