? From PAIF Natural birth or Epidural

daiseydooda · August 2013

I am 12 weeks today, and have been weighing my options for child birth. Did you choose natural or epidural and your reasons that made you go that route?Also, does getting an epi cause worse tearing than without the epi?

Thanks in advance

TJ1979 · August 2013

I think this is a very personal decision, and there is no right or wrong answer. I chose natural. This is just what I always wanted to do. I have a very high pain tolerance, I have had reactions to meds, especially anesthetics, in the past, and I read all the data about the epi affecting the baby, and the baby's ability to breastfeed immediately upon birth, etc. I'm also an extended breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, baby led weaning type of mama, so this was just the best fit for me. Of course, I was also only in the hospital for 6 hours before baby was born. If I had been in there for like 36 hours, might have been a different story.
I think that you actually recover better if you don't have an epi, because with the epi sometimes you will push your body too hard since you can't feel it. With a natural birth, you know exactly how hard you can push yourself, and you know what your body needs. I loved my natural birth, I can't imagine a better birth, and I hope to do it again some day. Either way, you end up with your little miracle in your arms, and it's amazing. GL!

Mrs.AmyDylan · August 2013

I did a natural, unmediated birth. I also birthed at a birthing center, so that was the focus, end goal and honestly, the only option without transport.

I'm with @TJ1979, it is a personal decision. I was afraid of being stuck in bed and limited in my movements with an epi. Ironically, i had a a doozy of a cold during my birth and labored mostly in the bed because i was feeling so yucky from the cold.

With my NB research I became convinced that I wanted a water birth. It was beautiful! I would do it again! I did tear a bit, but it wasn't that bad.

We took the Bradley Method classes. I would recommend something like that if you plan to NB so that you are prepared and have some tools to help you with the pain.

Good luck and congrats on your BFP!

CallMeAl · August 2013

I chose to have a med-free birth at a hospital. I chose to have a "low intervention" birth because of the proven statistics surrounding interventions (induction, epidural, etc) leading to an increased chance of having a c-section. Avoiding a c-section was very important to me.

I ended up with a second degree tear. I can't quote any statistics about tears in med-free versus epidural births, but I will say that anecdotally, delivering in a non-laying down position supposedly decreases tears, and this is much more likely if you are med-free.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Dragonfly1226 · August 2013

With DS I had an epidural. It was just the right decision for me. When the contractions hurt so bad that I was crying I asked for an epidural. I labored with Pitocin from 9am until 4:00pm with almost no break between contractions before getting the epi. DS was born at 12:40am. I BF right away and EBF until a year when I weaned to cycle again. With K&A they were both breech so I had a c section. I wish it would have worked out for a vaginal delivery since my recovery was awful but I really had no choice with breech twins. I nursed in recovery and am also EBF them successfully. I think it is good to go into delivery with an idea of what you want but be flexible. In the end the delivery that is safest for you and your LO is best. Congratulations and GL!

CarrieB. · August 2013

Be open to having an epidural. You don't know what labor will be like until you get there.

My water broke, but I wasn't having any real contractions and they won't let you go for more than 24 hours after your water breaks bc of risk for infection. So I ended up on pitocin which is terrible. I got to 5 cm and then begged for the epidural. Pushing was an easy 20 min once she was ready to go. I had no issues w bf'ing or recovery and I only had slight tearing,

itsmevkb · August 2013

I've done both, twice. With my first and third I had epidurals and with my second and fourth they were med-free. Between the two, I would probably take the epidural.

Everyone experiences labor differently and you really have no idea until you're in it how yours will be and how you will respond. I took a childbirth class and decided to go into my first labor with a I'll see what happens attitude. My idea was to not get my mind too set on any given thing except having a healthy baby in the end. I didn't want to get set on no c-section and then be devasted if I didn't get that. Same with natural childbirth. I didn't want to feel disappointed if I tried and then ended up asking for an epidural. But, I also don't have strong opinions with regards to how epidurals effect babies (I haven't noticed any difference in my newborns) and have great faith in my doctor that he wouldn't perform any unnecessary interventions.

With my first although I had the epidural and didn't experience what I would call pain, I could feel the pressure of the contractions and could push effectively. I actually didn't want to be up and walking around so lying in bed was okay by me. My first labor was my longest, around 25 hours, and because my water had broken but labor was not starting I did receive pitocin, which isn't always a bad thing, but makes the contractions stronger. I tore during the delivery, mainly the result of my son's shoulder getting stuck and well, it was my first birth which makes a difference. Recovery wasn't horrible but a little harder than I expected. I had no lingering effects from the epidural except tenderness at the spot on my back where the needle was. The tear took a while to heal.

With my second my labor was so quick that there was no time to get an epidural. When you show up with the baby crowning they just make you have the baby! It hurt and it hurt a lot. I'm not sure if I would have felt differently had I been more prepared to not get an epidural but even if I had planned on a med-free birth I'm thinking it would have still hurt, and I do have a high pain tolerance. I tore again, but a little less than with my first. My recovery was quicker but I don't know if I can attribute that to not having gotten an epidural or if it was from having such a quick labor vs over 24 hours and my body being looser since it was my second.

My third I was induced and no-one believed me that my labor would be quick so I think they didn't give me enough because I felt every contraction and although the pain was a little less than my med-free births it wasn't by much. My recovery was pretty good, no significant tears.

My fourth was unbelievably quick (under one hour start to finish) so again, no time for meds. Since I'd been through it before I knew what the pain would be like so although it still hurt I was better prepared for it. I honestly can't remember if I tore or not (it all happened so fast it's sort of a blur to me) but I did have horrible stomach muscle pain for weeks and weeks after the birth.

The moral - you can plan for natural and the pain might be so bad you decide you want an epidural. You might get an epidural and it might not work completely or might not work at all so be prepared. Talk to your doctor about what you decide your ideal birth would be like and make sure you're on the same page but be open to how quickly things can change both before and during labor.

mdiblasi10 · August 2013

I had an emergency c-section, so I obviously wasn't planning for that situation. During my pregnancy, I tried to keep an open mind to anything because I know that so many different things can happen during labor. Obviously the end result is more than worth it. Congratulations on your pregnancy and best wishes for a smooth delivery!

amandaleigh1 · August 2013

I agree with PP that choosing pain med free vs epi is very personal. Pain med free was the way that I chose to go.

I would suggest preparing if this is the route that you wish to take as I think that "winging it" is not very successful for most people.

I had a doula and took hypnobirth classes. They were both invaluable and got me through a medically needed induction pain med free.

ccam · August 2013

I agree with @mdiblasi10 about keeping an open mind. I think its good to have an idea about what you'd like, but everyone is so different and you never know what your delivery will be like. I did have an epidural and would have it again in a heartbeat.

Mr. & Mrs. Woodtick · August 2013

I agree that you need to keep an open mind. I can't answer whether or not getting an epi causes worse tearing or not, because I have only had an epi. I didn't tear that much though.

I was all set on having a med free birth, using the tub to relax, and had gone to all these classes to learn techniques to get through the long labor process, etc. Then when we got to the hospital, all that went out the window. I was scared shitless, DS was coming so fast (I labored 7 hrs, pushed 5 times), and they couldn't stab me in the back fast enough!

It really is such a personal decision and in the end all that matters is that you and baby are healthy.

Good luck with your decision!

phishgirl29 · August 2013

I was "going to see how bad the pain was" before committing to a birth plan. My water broke at 6:07 and by the time I got to the hospital I was 5.5 cm and felt terrible. I asked for the epidural but didn't get it until I was 7cm. I then got stuck at 9.5 cm when they decided that something was wrong because I was at 9.5 for 3 hours with contractions every minute. The epidural didn't really work either so I was crying in pain all that time. I ended up needing a semi-emergency c-section for my sunny side up baby. He came out 100% healthy so no real complaints, but I hope that if I get pregnant again that I'll have a less traumatic experience. Not even a VBAC, but a scheduled csection with my own doctor.

racheyt0227 · August 2013

Go in with a plan but keep an open mind!!

I was hoping for epi free, but it just didn't work out that way. I labored for 36 hours with pitocin (yuck!! I wanted to avoid that with all costs), the contractions sucked! I ended up pushing for 4 straight hours & had a sunny side up baby. Ouch, ouch! The epi made it tolerable.

Except, I swear the epi wore off. I felt both episotomies & the stitches. Worst pain of my life!

Saraevh · August 2013

Ditto what a few others have said. Go into it knowing what you would like, but definitely have an open mind because every person and every labor is different.

With my first I took the childbirth classes and all of that and was set on doing it med free. Yeah, well, my water broke at home, I showed up at the hospital barely having contractions and 16 hours worth of pitocin, projectile vomiting, exhaustion from not sleeping for well over 24 hours and sobbing pushed me over the edge and I begged for an epidural. It gave me two hours of relief so I could relax and gear up for the next 3.5 hours I ended up spending pushing followed by my lovely episiotomy and forceps delivery that hurt like a b!tch. My recovery was horrible. I couldn't walk for 2 weeks. But I have a beautiful baby girl, so whatever.

With my second I showed up in labor at about 5cm dilated and they broke my water to get things moving faster. Well, turned out that got things moving WAY faster than anyone thought. Before I knew it I was 9cm dilated, projectile vomiting and running around the room like a crazy person with my IV on wheels because I was in so much pain I didn't care if I lived or died. I remember begging the anestisiologist to just knock me out and cut the baby out of me ... it was nuts. I actually was able to get an epidural even though I was so far dilated (I think because the baby wasn't that far engaged or something???) and it was glorious. Again, it gave me some time to catch my breath and regroup, but only for a short time because they made me start pushing which ended up only being for 1.5 hours this time around. My baby came out sunny side up and I got a 4th degree tear, which I have not yet fully recovered from (going to need surgery to fix after this baby is born). I had no pitocin during this delivery, but am confident I tore so bad due to my son being face up when he came out. Again, I really couldn't care less how he got here because he was/is healthy and safe.

For this baby I have no expectations and will roll with the punches. I plan to do whatever I need to do to get him out safely and knowing what I know, I hope to have a little pain relief in the process

Just try to remember there is no gold medal for having a med free birth and you aren't going to get your name on any plaque out in the hallway or anything when it's all over. No one will care if you had an epidural or not and you won't either once you're holding your new babe.

ETA: both of my babes latched onto my boob within 15 minutes of being born with no issues and they got breastmilk until I decided I wanted to be done with it at 5 and 6 months so that was no issue for me either.

PennyLane26 · August 2013

It looks like you've gotten a lot of great info and advice already! Ditto PPs who have basically said "the best plan is no plan."

Here's my story, just so you can have another perspective!

I took a natural childbirth class in hopes to deliver med-free. I ended up being induced for Pre-E and labored naturally for just about 24 hours while on pitocin. That stuff is no joke! I loved my birthing ball - I couldn't walk because I was tied to the bed on Pit and monitors. Finally after not having any sleep I got the epi and ended up delivering Grace 30 minutes after it was administered.

My epi didn't take away my pain 100% - apparently it wasn't administered in the right spot so my arms and chest were numb but I could feel everything down below. I actually was happy I could feel things because I knew when to push. Grace was out in 6 pushes (under 10 minutes)! I had a very minor tear and no 'roids. woo-hoo!

I got the epi our of pure exhaustion, not so much for the pain. I would do it 100 times over. I have a strong pain threshold but I was so tired!! When G was born she was VERY alert and latched right away, so there definitely wasn't any side effects from the meds for her.

I totally recommend taking a natural childbirth class so that you can at least start out by managing your pain on your own. If you get to your breaking point, you'll know! Good luck!

jmorta04 · August 2013

You have definitely gotten a ton of good advice. I agree with the "be informed and have preferences but know things may change plan".

My plan from the beginning was no meds. I didn't take any classes or do anything special to prepare. I just wanted to see what my body could handle and really hoped I could do it without meds and with a lot of support from H. From the first leak of my water around 2 am to L's arrival less than 12 hours later, I had a really "easy" and uncomplicated L&D. No meds, no interventions. I even went to Target before we left for the hospital. I got to the hospital around 11 am and was already 5-6 cm. Within 2ish hours I was at 10, pushed for about 10-15 minutes and L was here. I tore a little and needed some stitches (never asked how many).

I realize my story is far from typical and I am very fortunate but I just wanted you to know that sometimes you do go really quickly, even with your first!

Good luck!

daiseydooda · August 2013

Thanks for the advice ladies. I will prepare myself for every scenario. I have witnessed 2 births and can say nether birth was what was planned.

pantsarella · September 2013

I got the epidural and I wouldn't do it any other way. My labor was induced (first with cervadil, then with a foley ballon, then breaking my water, then pitocin) and it took 47 hours. Yeah, 47 hours. Before they broke my water I wasn't feeling any contractions but once it was broken wooooahhhh buddy, did that ever hurt. I have a pretty good pain tolerance, but this was like nothing I'd ever felt before. And those contractions come quick.

I had second degree tearing, which the doctor said was average for first time moms. She didn't say anything about it being related to epidural. The epidural didn't seem to slow my labor at all, but I was already on pitocin. They didn't have to turn it up after the epidural, though so I assume it didn't. I pushed for about 2 hours but the nurse said my first hour was pretty lame pushing until I figured out what I was doing, lol. DD had no trouble latching right after birth. We had problems with breast feeding and ended up on formula, but that was after weeks of trying, after any possible issues from the epidural would have worn off.

JBDamonM · September 2013

Agree with most of what everyone else said.

The best plan is no plan. Labor is unpredictable and challenging. Being set on one option or the other is going to add an entire layer of stress.

I was all for the Epi. I told my doctor I would be that patient that asked for it as soon as the elevator doors opened on the L&D floor and I was.

However, my experience with it was a total disapointment. I was checked into the hospital at 1:20 AM and 4.5 cm......I got the epi at 2:30 Am and was THRILLED to be able to rest a bit. The hour I had been there was miserably painful and I was throwing up with every contraction.

I felt instant relief and laid down to take a nap - only to realize something was off. The thing did not fully take. and while it definitely took the edge off - it wasn't the miracle drug I hoped for. The anistesiologist came back - but I was too far along for them to be able to fix it.

Once LO was born there were absolutely no issues with her alertness, latch or anything. I also had a second degree tear and needed a couple stitches. No hemeroids - and nothing drastic. All things considered I think I faired well.

I should add - I started pushing at 4:45 - LO wasn't born until 8:05 AM - but that's b/c she kept getting stuck under my bone and I had trouble getting her out. But to @jmorta04 s point - first time labors can still be quick.

mcgeeva · September 2013

I got the epidural because I had no option but a emergency c-section. So I will be doing the same thing this time as well. Doctor said if I have the same situation as last time vbac will not be an option. But either way I am a fan of epidural. I don't like pain.

IBackBevo · September 2013

I had a C-section so I had an epidural...but I would have gotten one anyway. I don't know that having an epidural will make tearing less likely or not. I think there are too many variables--your body, size of baby, size of baby's head, position of baby, etc. I read that you can try to manually stretch out down there ahead of time, but I never bothered to do this. I'm glad I didn't. I also am glad that I didn't bother taking some 12 week Lamaze class because that would have been a giant waste of time...I even purchased the hypno babies class online and never used it.

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