Can't make up my mind about Pain Relief- FTM

WinterWinds13 · June 2013

Hello ladies,

I am 6 days away from my due date so it could be any day now that I give birth to my first baby, a girl. I am really concerned about pain relief. I still have not made up my mind about pain relief. Sometimes I think i will go all natural, other times I feel fearful about the pain.

I unfortunately couldnt take child birth classes like I had wanted to, I had several things going on during my pregnancy and just now went on maternity leave.

So I dont have the confidence some women do about going natural because they took the classes.

Things I am afraid about when it comes to saying YES to an epidural:

1. Many people I know have attributed back pain from having received an epidural. Some people laugh this off but so many woman have said it and written about it on various boards that I believe it does affect some women that way. However, I am aware that some people dont have any issues from epidurals.

2. I have low blood pressure so I worry that I might have complications getting an epidural since it is known to cause a drop in blood pressure.

I'd like to hear opinions on this.... I just cant seem to make my mind up and I really would like to BEFORE im in labor... I dont trust myself once im in pain.

amberdt03 · June 2013

I didn't have any problems with my epidural. As for the bp issue, they give you a fluid bolus before they put it in to try and counteract any potential drops. Granted it might ot work, but if you are concerned definitely talk to your dr about it.

jennkg3 · June 2013

I don't like the epi for the reasons you spoke of and some people get headaches. I have been a runner for a long time. I have done to marathons I have learned that sometimes you just push past temporary pain because it WILL be over. Having said that child birth is painful. With dd I did have pitocin and they gave me Nubian ( spelled?). I hated that I didn't feel it did anything to ease the pain just made me sleepy and depresses it did wear off quickly though. You don't have to make a decision now you can go into it with an open mind saying ill do as much as I can, but it the pain is too much you do what you have to. The epi backpain, headaches, and nerve problems are rare. To me I just try to keep in mind the pain WILL be over take one contraction at a time.

jennkg3 · June 2013

Two*

WinterWinds13 · June 2013

Thank you all for the responses so far.

I know I can go in without my mind made up but there is a window for the epi, and once that window closes they cant give it to me. The pressure of having to decide might make me go in a direction I will regret. Thats why Im trying to at least go in thinking I have my mind made up.

Ugh..... my pregnancy has been so amazing, this is the only part that I dread....the pain of childbirth. I know it is inevitable, but I didnt let myself think about it until now because of how much it stresses me out.

deejohn2012 · June 2013

I'm a FTM and have opted to labor in water for pain management. This is the plan, but I know that once the time comes that could change. The midwives at my OB office have been very supportive and continue to tell me to trust my body to do what it needs to do. I'll admit that I have a very low tolerance for pain, but I think I will regret if I don't at least try for a natural birth. I am nervous about an epidural for the same reasons that you are. But if I cave and get IV pain meds or even and epidural, I will be okay as long as my baby is happy and healthy.

Definitely talk to your doctor about the blood pressure concerns beforehand. If you feel you need a plan before going in, work out a tentative plan, but don't get upset if it doesn't go exactly the way you thought. You know your body better than anyone, so I would say do what you are most comfortable with. And pick support people that will respect whatever it is you want.

CoffeeBeanFiend91 · June 2013

I wanted to go natural but it just wasn't for me. I have yet to experience any negative effects such as back pain. I'd talk to your doctor about blood pressure concerns.

mikaelaandmichael · June 2013

I got the epi and my back hurt for a few days after but I don't think it was caused from the epi. I feel like it was caused from the positions I was in and pushing. It did wear off on half of my body, my left side, and that sucked for awhile but they gave me a shot that fixed that. I don't regret getting it at all and if I have another child I will most likey get it again. Being pain-free made me enjoy the birth experience.

TheyCalledHerKate · June 2013

The epidural was the best thing ever.
I could actually enjoy my birth experience because of it. I had zero side effects from it and getting it was
the best decision for me : the pain of contractions was so bad I can't imagine having given birth without it.

Achae · June 2013

I have low blood pressure and I got an epi. They'll monitor you so you'll know. I also didnt experience any back pain. I fact the epi was so strong I didn't feel a thing. Made me wonder if I could have done it natural!

hannahg · June 2013

I think it is ok to go in undecided. My sil went med free but was at the hospital for less time until her delivery than I was until I got my epi with ds. With dd I was induced after my water broke and it got bad. I was very happy for the epi.

lioness13 · June 2013

I have decided to go natural with the full knowledge that it will be hard. I have a friend who was in natural labor for over 24 hours. She's my inspiration. She's a punk when it cones to pain. I just remind myself if she can do it, I can. I have taken hypnobirthing but I have no idea if it will work. I'm just going into it knowing it won't be easy but it will end eventually. That's how I am psyching myself up for it. Maybe you can use some type of motivation to get yourself through a natural birth.

megaroo64 · June 2013

When I went in I had about 90% decided that I was going to go natural- and I ended up going natural. One thing that helped me manage the pain when I was in labor was to think about the breaks (the time between contractions). During a contraction, I would just focus on the fact that there was going to be a break really soon, and then during the breaks I would just enjoy that time. I also have really low blood pressure, and talked to my dr. about that beforehand- she said I could get the epi if I wanted, they would just have to monitor my blood pressure more closely. Good luck!!!

BC&LM · June 2013

My back is still sore from the epidural two and a half weeks later. I am hoping it gets better. I think I would have had to get the epidural or a spinal block no matter what, though, because I had to end up having a C section when my early induction due to preeclampsia failed. I guess they could have put me completely under, but I wouldn't like the risks associated with that either.

beachbum0084 · June 2013

I had an epidural and I had pain in my back for about a year after I gave birth. Not horrible but just when I would go to stand up straight from a sitting position I could feel exactly where the epi was. I also had the drop in blood pressure. All that being said I will have another lol... Maybe I'm a wimp idk but I had to be induced with my son and pitocin is no joke. Your anesthesiologist should be able to answer those questions for you. My hospital makes you take a class before you can get an epi so my mind was put to ease when I got to speak with him.

Dragonfly1226 · June 2013

WinterWinds13:
I know I can go in without my mind made up but there is a window for the epi, and once that window closes they cant give it to me.

This used to be true but now they will do an epidural right up until the last minute. You should have time to decide based on how you are feeling.

ilovemarfa · June 2013

I would just see what happens during labor. I had a doula and had every intention not to get an epidural but I ended up being induced and it reached a certain point with the pitocin that I was in agony. They gave me the epidural when I was in transition and it never took so I felt everything. I never had back problems afterwards or had issues with my blood pressure.

JANCANDANCE · June 2013

Game time decision! Whatever you decide it is your choice and your body so good luck!!

emolm · June 2013

Dragonfly1226:
WinterWinds13:
I know I can go in without my mind made up but there is a window for the epi, and once that window closes they cant give it to me.

This used to be true but now they will do an epidural right up until the last minute. You should have time to decide based on how you are feeling.

I got mine in transition and would not let them check me until the epi was placed. I ended up being an 8 but I couldn't take the back labor anymore.

PinkPuffyHeart2 · June 2013

TheyCalledHerKate:
The epidural was the best thing ever.
I could actually enjoy my birth experience because of it. I had zero side effects from it and getting it was
the best decision for me : the pain of contractions was so bad I can't imagine having given birth without it.

Yup, this. I wanted natural but once those contractions hit, I caved. Best decision ever.

MdWestMom · June 2013

My doula recommended that instead of focusing on the negatives of an epi, which perpetuates a fear cycle, that instead I should focus on the positives of a natural birth. Print yourself some birth affirmations, and don't be too hard on yourself if you opt for pain meds - epi isn't the only option. Look into Stadol and other pain relief that isn't as extreme as an epi.

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