Epidural vs. Natural

sopsongbird · September 2013

OK...let's switch it up. At my orientation appointment, I automatically answered YES to getting an epidural (sp?). Now I'm having second thoughts. I have a low pain tolerance and am scared about natural birth. How bad is the pain? Anyone have a low pain tolerance that was able to go au natural?

sopsongbird · September 2013

OK good to know! There's always the option to get an epidural if contractions become too much, correct?

alysie89 · September 2013

I don't do well with pain and I agree with pp, labour is completely different. I had a sunny side up baby and although they say it's worse I totally did it without an epidural. Yes it hurts but there are some great pain coping methods out there to look into. I said I didn't want one right away but left the option open so that later had I wanted one it was an option. I also asked people not to ask me about it, so that I didn't think about it until I really wanted it. I never got there. I also think a great support team and a doula if you can afford one can really help you stay calm and manage your pain.

sopsongbird · September 2013

What is a "doula?"

alysie89 · September 2013

A doula is a person who is trained to support women in labour. And some provide postpartum help. A lot know about massage, or ways to minimize pain, different positions to be in for both labour and pushing among other things. Women in labour who have a doula statistically have a lower rate of interventions and c sections.

sopsongbird · September 2013

Ah, ok...kinda like a midwife?

runningyogimama · September 2013

I went in with an open mind and not completely decided...when I went from 3 to 7 cm in less than 15 mins, I was literally begging for an epidural.

Read, take a class, do research, but don't beat yourself up if your L&D don't go according to your birth plan.

krlovell · September 2013

I hope this doesn't scare you but I was encouraged to get an epidural after 20 hrs of labor as I was exhausted, too tired to push when the time came. I thought the epidural was worse than the contractions. Now that I ended up having a c section part of me doesn't want to have another c section because of the thought that I have to have another epidural/ spinal. Maybe I just had a bad experience.

Storrmys · September 2013

If it helps at all the old moms who say the memory of the pain fades is true ... I had my DD 21 years ago natural ( not completly by choice but really fast labor) and I can say I don't now remember the pain only the joy !

munsterdani · September 2013

I agree that labor pains are unlike any pain you have ever experienced before. With my first, I was in labor for 18 hours with no epidural. I did end up getting one because I stalled out at 8cm so they needed to start pit and I knew I couldn't handle any more at that point. The epidural was wonderful, but it does nothing to control the pressure that you feel when it's time to push. That being said, my epidural was a blessing in disguise b/c I ended up with an emergency c/s, so having the epidural in place for anesthesia was wonderful (vs. being put under).

For this baby I am really hoping to go all natural with no pain meds. I'm very fearful that I will end up with a RCS. Time will tell! I do plan to take hypno-birthing classes this time around as well. I've heard that technique can help tremendously with labor pain.

munsterdani · September 2013

I will add that I also had some complications from my epidural which makes me very nervous about the thought of having one again. After they removed the epidural catheter I had residual numbness in my right leg for quite some time. In fact, I could barely stand/walk for a few days b/c it was completely dead. I still have some residual numbness 2.5 years later... This is a very rare complication, but it scares me to even think about going through that again.

JoelleOK · September 2013

I'll agree with earlier posts that say the pain was different than something wrong. I've broken my arm and twisted my ankles and I thought that was worse than labor. I choose to think about labor like knowing I was going to run a marathon. I educated myself and prepared my body as best I could (I could have done better) then I gave myself to the experience. Letting go of control and listening to what my body needed to do was key for my birth experience.
I learned about labor and pain management in a Bradley Method birth class. Nothing that happened during labor/delivery surprised me. I definitely needed to move during contractions. I believe that is less of an option when you get the epi and the drugs do go to the baby, from what I've read.
The most important thing is for the mother to be comfortable in her environment. If that means you need an epi then do it.

gina2433 · September 2013

I am a total wimp when it comes to pain/blood/hospitals. I mean I faint at the sight of blood, throw up when I have any pain. I'm not over exaggerating either. When I got
Pregnant with LO I started reading Bradley Method with my hubby. I didn't want an epi because I was scared of the needle and the pain. I had LO without an epi just fine. Pain was bad but it was gone as soon I had LO. My sister would say I was a freak but I think I just set my mind to it and did it.

sopsongbird · September 2013

Because of my cancer, I had to have a bone marrow biopsy. Is this process similar to the epidural?

munsterdani · September 2013

sopsongbird said:

Because of my cancer, I had to have a bone marrow biopsy. Is this process similar to the epidural?

Not the same at all. A bone marrow biopsy is MUCH more invasive and painful than an epidural.

sopsongbird · September 2013

Ok lol I've been saying that since I had that an epidural would be a walk in the park. Especially since I had a woman who had never given one before X-|

SoxFan777 · September 2013

I have a very HIGH pain tolerance and eventually (after 20 hours) needed the epi. I pushed for 4 hours, so it wore off, and then needed a C-section anyway.

Labor is different for everyone, and NOT just because of our pain tolerance. I had a 9 plus pounder in there... there was NOTHING I could do to "calm myself" and nothing a doula could help fix. Some of the things that happen are beyond your control.

My best advice is to go in with a plan for what you CAN control. With #2, I'm going to focus on breastfeeding and NO FORMULA since I know I can't control how labor goes and I may need another C-section.

TheBeeCharmer · September 2013

It's weird that they'd ask you about an epidural way far in advance. You never know how you'll feel about it until you experience it. I have dealt with migraines and back pain my whole life and am pretty tolerant of pain. Despite this, I wouldn't have been able to handle my second birth without it. I also got one my first but it didn't work due to a spinal defect I have. Anyway, as someone said earlier, you're not a better mom if you don't get one. Do what's best for you.

MegCullen · September 2013

I also birthed my son all natural. I loved every minute of it! I've had an epi birth and a natural birth and I'd choose the natural birth 10 times over! I loved not feeling drugged and feeling my baby as I delivered him. The contractions got pretty intense but I focused on things and did not want and epi so I pushed through. I had a really bad experience with my first birth and epi, I still have pain from it. I felt so out of it for hours after the birth and couldn't walk or pee by myself for hours. With my natural I just laid in bed snuggling him and having skin to skin for about an hour and then got right up and walked around like nothing had happened. I seriously felt AMAZING. I recovered so much quicker with that one too!
As far as a doula, I'm actually a trained doula and we are not in any way like a midwife. The midwife is there as your health care provider. A doula is there for complete support of the mother and father. We use massage techniques and other pain management techniques to help moms who do not want an epi. We support you and help you have a voice in your labor and birth instead of allowing the drs to rule the scene. We help show dad ways to help you cope as well, and help him help you. The way I explain it to my clients is, I'm a sister during your child birth. I help you to believe you can do this because this is what you body was created to do! Grow a baby and birth it!

Miles2Go · September 2013

sopsongbird said:
Ah, ok...kinda like a midwife?

No, not really.

A midwife is a trained medical professional. They are educated, trained and experienced in a clinical
Setting. There are different classifications of midwives. All are certified, many are nurses as well. They can work with a team of medical doctors at a clinic, practice, hospital, or for themselves. In a normal, healthy pregnancy, a midwife will provide full care including prescribing some medications and delivering your child. Most work with a " backup " ob, so that if needed, they already have a relationship with a dr who can take over care. Generally, the care of a midwife replaces that of an ob.

A doula does not deliver your baby. She provides emotional and physical care to a mother in labor. There are also post partum doulas.

A doula’s main purpose is to be there for you, your baby, and your partner throughout the pregnancy and delivery. During labor, your doula can use numerous homeopathic techniques such as massage and different labor positions to help you through delivery. During your postpartum, your doula can help with caring for an infant, breastfeeding, and healing after childbirth.

Many people, myself included, choose to have both in labor. But no, they are not the same.

Hth

Chellbell20 · September 2013

I didn't want one but told myself if I needed it I'd get one. After 12 hours of hard labor and still only being a 5, I got one. Turns out DD was sunny side up which was making things longer and harder.

lbaker420 · September 2013

Everyone is different. I had my son with an epidural, and my daughter without. Although labor with the epidural was a little longer, I pushed for, pretty much, the same amount of time. It was a much more comfortable experience having the epidural, and didn't feel at all like I was "out of it" or "drugged". Despite being delivered with an epidural, my son is a highly intelligent, top-of-his-class kid!

sisterjanet · September 2013

I wanted to have my son natural, and it was going really well for a while, but then labor kind of stalled after 18 or 20 hours when I was something like 9.5 (holy frustrating, batman!) and the OB strongly recommended an epidural. My memory of that part is kind of blurry, but I think there was some concern that the baby was starting to be in distress, I was getting pretty tired, and she thought I might need a c/s so then they wouldn't have to knock me out. My epidural was pretty good. I got some rest for an hour or so, and then pushed for three or four hours and managed to have a vaginal birth without an episiotomy.

For me, the time mostly didn't seem that long because I was so intensely focused for most of the 18 or 20 hours. Also, it didn't really seem like pain, just like being awash in my body if that makes any sense, like birth was an ocean and I was focusing and trying to stay calm and float with it. When I got the epidural, at that point I just couldn't be calm anymore. (part of the problem was the ob and midwife disagreeing about whether I was 9 or 10, whether I should push or stop, and like that.)

Oh, also, an interesting thing to know for first time moms, during labor sometimes you shake uncontrollably, kind of like fever chills. The midwife said it's an excellent sign and that it has something to do with dilating. I had never heard about that so it was weird and a little troubling.

ckandi007 · September 2013

If my labor hadn't been so dang long, I think I could have made it naturally. At my 29th hour, I asked for it. By then, I was crying/throwing up with each contraction. I just couldn't take it anymore. My epi ended up wearing off anyway and my options were to get it re-done or push. I decided to push.

rebecca1198 · September 2013

sisterjanet said:

Oh, also, an interesting thing to know for first time moms, during labor sometimes you shake uncontrollably, kind of like fever chills. The midwife said it's an excellent sign and that it has something to do with dilating. I had never heard about that so it was weird and a little troubling.

I had no idea! I started shaking at about 2 cm last time and it lasted the whole labor. I just thought it was nerves. Good to know!

OP, the epidural is seriously NBD. I couldn't even feel it going in. I've never had one, but I would imagine it's much better than a bone marrow biopsy.

frasey · September 2013

ok so here's how it was for me - I was all for an epi, but didnt end up needing it. I also have a low pain tolerance, and it wasn't exactly an enjoyable experience, but it was also by no means unbearable for me. I went into labour at 1030 pm, and DD was born at 815 am the next day.

The other thing was the DD was born at home, but this was NOT THE PLAN at all. It just ended up going much easier than I'd anticipated. I did get the shakes and sweats and chills, but again, not that bad and it didn't last for long.

I guess the thing about saying you want an epi now is that you're not committing yourself to anything - you decide at the time. Right now you're just saying that you want it as an option.

tbmadeamistake · September 2013

Keep in mind that whatever you sign up for now, you can change your mind on later. They cannot force you to get an epidural just because you said you wanted one in first tri. Much the same, if, like I did, you say no you don't want one, you're allowed to change your mind later and get one. I ended up getting induced, couldn't handle the pain and knew that I'd rather have the epidural, rest and then have the energy to push on my own then to try and fight through contractions and end up with a C section because I was too tired to push. That was my thought and it worked fine.

As far as the pain of getting the epidural, it hurt and was uncomfortable, but only until they had it all set up and then I didn't even notice it. I also didn't notice them taking it out again after the baby. I was told I had to try and pee and asked to have it removed before I got up, DH told me they already had!

Once you are in the room, all previous plans go out the window and it comes down to what you're feeling in the moment and what you're comfortable with.

artroyer · September 2013

Whatever you decide, decide to be flexible. There's a 99% chance that things won't go exactly according to your plan. I had an epidural and it was such a great experience. I was absolutely terrified of labor but after my epidural I was able to enjoy it and relax. I'll definitely be getting one this time!

MeredithElese · September 2013

I think the hard thing is to not let people try to convince you to do it one way or another. All you can do is take their stories and decide what works for you, and be prepared for your plan to not go perfectly. I had an epi and it was fabulous, I hope I can do it again. DH and I got to rest most of the day as I woke up in the middle of the night with contractions. I labored pretty quickly for a first timer, but it turned out DD was stuck on the cord so it was a long and drawn out battle to get her to drop and then push as she kept getting pulled back up. You're a great mom either way!

Etta07 · September 2013

I agree with the other ladies labor is totally different. I knew I didn't want an epidural because I had a ab experience with a spinal tap when I was 16. I loved that I went without an epidural. However I should have taken at least one class and I didn't, I will this time, but my doula at the end of it said we should have recorded that because you did everything ou should have. Meaning my body just knew what it had to do. The two worst parts were my son getting stuck and them trying to lay me flat midcontractions and then getting stitched without pain meds. And I have to agree the prize of a baby at the end and all the endorphins your body produces makes labor pain nothing like any other pain.

The anesthesiologist came in at some point and apparently had me sign the paperwork for an epidural if it wasn't for my support team he probably would have come back and given it to me even though I really didn't want it. A woman in labor should not be considered able to give consent because I do not remember signing it and I was totally against it.

Anyways educate yourself for a natural delivery if you want and take classes but then leave yourself open to an epidural if you aren't totally opposed to it.

MegCullen · September 2013

lbaker420 said:
Everyone is different. I had my son with an epidural, and my daughter without. Although labor with the epidural was a little longer, I pushed for, pretty much, the same amount of time. It was a much more comfortable experience having the epidural, and didn't feel at all like I was "out of it" or "drugged". Despite being delivered with an epidural, my son is a highly intelligent, top-of-his-class kid!

Sorry if I offended you. I didn't say everyone felt that way, that was MY experience. I said I had a botched epi. Birth how you want! And I'll do the same

danabsd · September 2013

I agree that you should keep an open mind. You can't know how you will react or your body will react to the pain. I took the see how it goes route, was induced and had an epidural at 3ish cms. Took a nap and they woke me up to push a couple hours later. I didn't feel a thing and wouldn't want it any other way.

GoldenGibson · September 2013

It really depends in your birth situation. I never had any contractions on my own and was induced due to PIH. Because of that I was in the bed my entire labor and was hooked up to mag sulfate, had a catheter, blood pressure cuff, fetal monitors, a pulse oximeter and at times an oxygen mask MY ENTIRE LABOR! Basically I couldn't move. I could hardly change positions while pushing. It was a horrible experience. I made it awhile without the epi but when I wasn't progressing, the OB broke my water and from that point on I had no breaks between contractions and begged for an epi. I was in so much pain from labor that I didn't feel a thing when he put the epi in.

As long as I don't have PIH this time around I plan on going without the epi. But who the heck knows what will actually happen lol

buggywhips · September 2013

I had an epi as well...after 16 hrs of back labor. M was sunny side up and my contractions were nothing like the "really bad period cramps" you hear about. My labor was delayed until I got the epi, then I went from a 5-6 to fully dilated in about an hour.

I've thought about going med free this time, but I ask myself "Do I really want to know what it feels like pushing a 7-8 pounder out of my vagina?" and the answer is no...I do not.

czarmom · September 2013

My opinion - the best plan is no plan. I had planned to get an epidural regardless, however, I ended up having a torn cervix and losing half my blood count. That really threw me for a loop in the first two postpartum weeks. The doctor said if I hadn't had an epidural, I would have had to go into emergency surgery because there were literally three people trying to fix me and it couldn't have been done without pain meds. My point is - I didn't anticipate any of that. My birth went well and all this happened afterwards. You just can't plan for what may or may not happen, so better to just go with the flow as it comes that day.

CMA12 · September 2013

This is my first and I have no idea what I'm going to do. I enjoyed reading both sides on here. My best friend had "planned" an epi, but by the time the anesthesiologist was ready for her, the baby was ready to go and she ended up having it natural. I think I'm going to follow most of the advice here and just see what happens in May!

MinaE01 · September 2013

I bow down to the ladies who've delivered without drugs. That is one amazing feat! I loved my epi. I had no problems and it made me feel a million times better. I could still feel the urge to push and it hurt like crazy when he actually came out. I will definitely elect to recieve the epi again.

Do your research and talk to your doctor. Choose what is best for you! To echo PPs, no need to decide right now.

Themetastic · September 2013

I was induced and the pitocin gave me hard core contractions at only 1 cm. I had pre-e, so they couldn't let me go on... so once I got the epidural (which I really didn't want) I felt great and finally slept. However, I was chained to the bed and it probably slowed my labor. Hoping to go without it cuz I want to labor and, hopefully, give birth in the tub.

mira123 · September 2013

Different depending on person! I had an epidural with my first. Looking back the pain wasn't that bad I just thought I should get it before it gets worse. I was only 4.5 hours I should have waited cos by the time the epidural was on board it was only another hour. I could have done it. Also the epidural was terribly painful for me. The anesthesiologist missed it three times and scraped the needle against my bone. My only discomfort post baby was my back from the epidural. I will try not to get it next time... I hope to avoid it but my next labour could be way worse and different. Since I'm a fast labour I think I'll be fine. Good luck to you. You can't make this decision beforehand. Decide in the moment. You can't plan your labour, do your best and if you need it you need it.

ksyknelvr73 · September 2013

I had an epidural and I would/will do it again in a heartbeat. The contractions were pretty bad for me. I was also induced so I had pitocin making them stronger and more painful. However, my epidural wore off right before I was set to push so I felt everything, and to be honest, I thought the actual birth wasn't that bad pain-wise without the epidural. It's weird b/c for me the contractions were unbearable but the actual delivery and pushing wasn't.

lynseyadamson · September 2013

When I had DS I said I wanted all pain relief available except an epi because I'd heard some scary stories of things going wrong. I'm also petrified of needles and I just couldn't have gone through with it. I was open about all other options but I was worried because I'm a real wimp and have a terrible low pain threshold. I had my son with only gas and air and I coped really well, far better than I imagined I would. OH was so proud and amazed how I managed cos usually I'm crap with pain! I would say keep an open mind as things never go to plan. If you are unsure, say on your birth plan you would take it if you need it (but be aware you can't have one so far into your labour though I can't remember when). If you don't need one, well that's ok. Just keep an open mind. But I honesty would say, yes it hurts (and not like any other kind of pain I've experienced !)but as soon as baby is born it all stops and you instantly forget it all. X

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