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August 2013 Moms
Edkitten
member
To epidural or not...
Edkitten
member
I know it is very early... But is anyone thinking about not getting and epidural. STMs out there... Did any of you skip the epidural? If so, how did you do?
I am not looking for horror stories.... I just don't like the idea of my legs being numb. I need to do more research, but in the mean time i am looking for some bumpie input
Thanks ladies
This discussion has been closed.
Re: To epidural or not...
My legs did feel kinda numb but not in the uncomfortable tingling, leg falling asleep feeling, just the pleasant no pain kind of feeling lol.
ETA: I would love to go without an epi again, but I'm not against it at all.
Emma Kate - born 10.16.03 @ 29 weeks, weighed 1lb 13oz and 13.5" long.
TTC #3
I have never given birth but last time I researched both sides and decided that I was really going to try a non-medicated birth. If you are interested you should check out Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.
https://www.amazon.com/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Gaskin/dp/0553381156/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357424246&sr=8-1&keywords=Ina+Mays
ETA: It is a bit one sided but I thought it had some great information.
DH: 37
Married: May 24, 2008
TTC #2 since: June 2020
With my first I planned my entire pregnancy not to have one and went into L&D telling the nurses that I wanted to avoid it, but I ended up with an induction that was pretty rough and ended up getting an epidural just so I could relax and let the medicine work.
When we found out that we were going to be induced, I did do research and reading so that I would know what to expect and how they worked so that I wasn't figuring that all out in the heat of the moment. For that alone, I was thankful.
TTC since 3/12
High LH/FSH Ratio 8/12
DX with PCOS 11/12
Clomid 50mg - 19.5mm Follie - Trigger + TI = BFP! 11/12
EDD August 11, 2013
My legs were not completely numb...I could still move my legs. The only completely numb part was between my belly button and upper thigh. When I pushed I was surprised that I was able to help pull my legs up...they felt really heavy though. I had planned on not having an epi but since I was induced they wouldn't let me walk around and the contractions were just so awful and there was no way to relieve any pain so I caved, but I also pushed for 2 and a half hours and I am happy that I didn't have to feel all of that for that long.
OH and I had an emergency c-section and since I already had an epi placed it was super easy to prep me for surgery.
I was a little worried about being bed bound, I had pictured myself walking, bouncing on the ball, showering etc. When the contractions were coming right on top of each other there was no way I was doing any of that anyway!
My advice is to go in with an open mind. If you don't want one that is fine, but don't feel like you've somehow failed if you end up wanting one.
2 years, 2 surgeries, 2 clomid fails, 2 IUIs, 1 loss, IVF #1 - 10/25/10 = BFP!, DS is now 3.5yrs!
TTC #2 - 6/12 surgery #3, FET #1 & 1.2 = BFN, 12/2012 FET #2 = BFP! DD is 1.5 yrs!
Surprise! 12/16/14 BFP, loss #2 12/31/14
I can't wait for the "im getting a divorce" post in 5 years or so because your husbands were fed up with your disgusting chair asses from playing on the knot all day and getting fired 4-5 times for not doing any work. you guys are all winners!! ~ Laur929
I had one with the first and didn't have one with the second. I won't be having one this time either. My back hurts too badly afterwards and I had a reaction to it while it was in and itched horribly the entire time to the point where I pulled part of the tube out by accident. No this is not common but I just was so sore for months afterwards that I won't be getting it this time. I have enough control to handle the pain and get through it without.
ETA: My first was an induction and I think had I gone natural with him I wouldn't have wanted an epi either but the contractions with an induction are so much more intense.
I am hoping to have an unmedicated birth again this time. I plan to look into pain management techniques like breathing, meditation, etc. this time. I think that would have helped me last time.
I agree with others about doing your research and deciding what it best for you. Don't be swayed by others' horror stories one way or the other as there is always an awful experience from someone.
This EXACTLY.
I'm getting one again this time. I will labor without at home for awhile, then into the hospital and get the epi.
Like I said in the previous post - I'm going in backwards with a bulls-eye painted on my back and an arrow that says, "insert epi here".
I did think about the numb legs freaking me out, but once I was at 6 cm, I didnt give a sh*t about that, I just wanted pain relief!
Getting the epidural wasnt nearly as bad as I thought it would be. And, my son was fine, wide awake and alert . GL!
I skipped all forms of pain medication with both of mine., and plan on doing it again this time. I think I did fine, I only remember thinking it was a stupid idea once during my second son's birth.
My 2nd was an entirely natural VBAC and was the most amazing experience. You can't just go in saying "we'll see" though. You need to plan, understand how your body works, how to work with it, etc. I also had a doula. I can honestly say there was never a time the pain was unmanageable, but I had prepared for it and my doula helped me find positions to relieve pressure. Afterwards, since my body had been uninterrupted, I had the most amazing natural high which gave me a burst of energy and helped me bond and breastfeed my baby easier than before. In fact, it was such an amazing feeling that i told my DH i wantef to give birth daily. LOL Oh, and I was in labor for 32hrs, so it was no quick and easy labor. I plan to do it exactly the same this time. The way I figured before, even if it is the worst pain ever, I know it's temporary and for a good cause, so I can push through.
If you decide it's what you want, check out hypnobirthing. The breathing really helped! And IMO, ever mom should read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. I learned so much about my body and it completely empowered me!
I'm kind of going with a two-way plan this time. If I labor more than 12 hours without progress (last time it was 60 hours) then I'll get the epidural. No way I'm going through that hell again. Plus, I liked the epidural. It felt amazing to get some sleep and some relief.
The only thing is, no matter what, I'm going to refresh on pain coping techniques. You'll be in labor for some amount of time, and if you're able to cope with it, no matter what your medication decision, you'll feel more control. I thought that was the worst part---towards the end I couldn't take it anymore and I just started losing control. That's when I knew I needed the epi.
DD2 (b. 9/04/2013)
BFP 2/25/12, m/c @ 6w 3d || BFP 8/1/12, m.m/c @ 9w5d
It was such a relief! I am always amazed by women who go natural. I will most definitely have an epidural this time as well.
I thought I'd be totally numb with an epi, but that's not how it works (if it's done right). your legs aren't numb. You can move them easily. They just feel tingly like they are kind of asleep.
I was scheduled for a c-section and ended up having a vaginal delivery at the last second, so I wasn't prepared to make the decision. I said yes to the epidural because it was recommended, but it was by far the worst part of my labor. I seemed to have a very unusual experience, but it took 30 minutes to get it into my back and caused severe pain. Ultimately, only my feet went numb, but I had trouble laboring because my back hurt too much to lay down. (I ended up being sort of tilted to one side.)
The actual delivery hurt, but it wasn't intolerable and the pain subsided quickly. The spot from the epidural still hurts 22 months later, though. Again, this is pretty unusual so you might have a completely different experience and I think it's great you're thinking about it so early! I really wish I had spent more time on the decision because I think I would have skipped it...