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December 2013 Moms
cmbunzel
member
Epidural debate
cmbunzel
member
As a FTM I'm just still up in the air. Sure I've got a low pain tolerance, but because I've never been in labor and don't know how far along I'll be once admitted, I can't make up my mind. What are the pros and cons to going this route? I've talked to my doctors and nurses but they've all got different opinions.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Epidural debate
The pushing sucked and if I have another one, and everything goes a bit more as expected, I will probably get one. Like PP said you don't get a medal or ribbon for going med free. Do what feels right to you in the moment!
The point is that everyone is different and has a different L&D. It's not about "going natural" it's about doing what is best for you and your baby.
"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it the more it will elude you but if u turn your attention to other things it will come & sit softly on your shoulder."
BFP! 04/26/11 - DS born 12/28/11 - BFP #2! 04/02/13 - DD born 12/11/13 -
My Ovulation Chart
So just saying that an epi is not always a glorious cure all. And you should be ready in case you're too late or it doesn't work.
Op, You should post on the natural birth board. Women have many reasons to reject the epi.
2010: Infertility
October 2015: missed miscarriage #2 at 11 weeks (trisomy 22)
I plan to try and go med-free, but DH and I are taking a 12 week class to help prepare ourselves for what is going to happen. It's been extremely helpful to educate us about what is "normal" in labor, etc, so I feel much better prepared to handle the discomfort/pain.
I had an epi with both my girls. My water broke with my 2nd and I had to be induced, the pitocin made my contractions horrid. I had one with the first because I was honestly just terrified. I think it's a good idea to do all the research you can. My SIL has had three babies without drugs, a coach, or anything but everyone is different. ( personally I think SIL is a freak of nature). Some people say they have had side effects from the epidural. I did not, and it didn't hurt. That is worth researching as well. The only thing with mine, the 2nd time I think the needle went in a little off and I wasn't completely numb, I felt a little pain while pushing, but it was probably good because I felt when to push, and labor was faster.
It really comes down to a personal preference and what is important to you. There are pros and cons to using medications including epidurals during labor and there are pros and cons to having an unmedicated labor.
Epidurals can help alleviate some of the pain involved in labor and help the mother to relax a bit while laboring. However, they can also slow labor, cause abnormal heartrate patterns and cause less efficient rooting and suckling behavior in the newborn.
I chose not to have an epidural and will make the same choice this time unless I have to have a c-section. I have a phobia of needles and the thought of someone inserting a needle into my spine makes panic. I also prefer to be active as soon as possible after labor. I was up and walking to and from the bathroom as soon as they removed some retained placenta that I had. Most important to me was the rooting and suckling for immediate latching. I wanted DS to be as alert as possible so that we could immediately start the breastfeeding relationship. This is even more important to me this time as I had low supply issues with DS1 and want to do everything that I can to prevent any potential breastfeeding issues this time around.
I don't expect a medal or any of that nonsense for my choices. They are mine and mine alone. I have zero judgement for other mothers in labor and delivery (unless you are the crazy who would rather let her child die than have a c-section).
I think what we failed to address here is OP's assertion that she has a low tolerance for pain. If you believe this to be true of yourself, I'm not clear on why you are considering forgoing the epidural. I plan to go med-free, but that is because I have a high tolerance for pain, and have armed myself and my husband by practicing a multitude of pain management options.
As PPs have said, the only person this matters to in the long run is you; there is no larger 'debate.'
Door Number 2: Labor begins spontaneously and progresses slowly but steadily. Minor complications may occur with either the baby or the mother requiring some type of minimal to moderate intervention and additional time, but a spontaneous delivery occurs in 48 hours. Strategies we use: Love, support, compassion, kindness, comfort, hydrotherapy, massage, nutrition, hydration, more love and encouragement. You may also need nipple stimulation or Pitocin augmentation (Vitamin P), sterile water papules, analgesia, episiotomy, or vacuum extraction.
Door Number 3: Labor often begins with rupture of the membranes without spontaneous labor following. It may begin very slowly and irregularly over several days or nights but does not get strong and progress. Most times this indicates a malpresentation of the fetal head in relationship to the mother’s pelvis. This labor can be very painful and demoralizing. Strategies we use: Love, support, compassion, kindness, comfort, hydrotherapy, massage, nutrition, hydration. More love and encouragement. More time. You may have already used nipple stimulation or Pitocin augmentation (Vitamin P), sterile water papules, and analgesia. It is our opinion that, if you have been at it for more than 2 nights, we enter Door Number 3 and medical intervention is indicated. In this situation we recommend deep epidural anesthesia and discuss management strategies with you once you are comfortable. In the absence of other complications, our goal at this point is Primary Cesarean Prevention. We will use whatever means necessary including, but not limited to, heavy epidural anesthesia, pitocin augmentation, and lots of time to help you give birth vaginally. If there are further complications, as delineated below, cesarean section may be indicated.
But one of the things I learned in childbirth class is that epidurals lower your blood pressure, and for some reason I've been having freakishly low blood pressure this whole pregnancy, and unless my bp goes up at the end a bit, I may not be a good candidate for an epidural. Plus, I do kind of like the idea of being able to labor and push in different positions.
So yeah, a month ago I was like "give me all the drugs!" and now I'm like "well, maybe I can do this without them, and I'm at least going to try my best."
Miscarriage 3/15 at 10 weeks
BFP 7/23/15 EDD 4/3/16
I had an epidural the last time, but I'll be going with a spinal this time (RCS) because the epidural didn't give full coverage, and I had a whole pocket of pain just below the incision when things flopped and I went from vaginal to C-section. That pain had been present from fairly early on after getting the epi and for a few hours before things turned to the C-section, and no matter how much they upped the meds in the epi, it didn't go away. Now, after all was said and done, I was perfectly fine (and so was DD), but it is something to be aware of. The epi might not actually help with the entirety of the pain, BUT I'd say even with incomplete coverage, it's better than nothing!
If it helps at all the contractions hurt so bad at that point that I wouldn't have cared if Jack the Ripper put in the epi with a knife as long as the pain stopped lol. The idea of a needle in my back freaked me out too but honestly I didn't even feel it go in and it was over before I knew it.
"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it the more it will elude you but if u turn your attention to other things it will come & sit softly on your shoulder."
BFP! 04/26/11 - DS born 12/28/11 - BFP #2! 04/02/13 - DD born 12/11/13 -
My Ovulation Chart
For the OP, this is a start on epidural pros and cons.
"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it the more it will elude you but if u turn your attention to other things it will come & sit softly on your shoulder."
BFP! 04/26/11 - DS born 12/28/11 - BFP #2! 04/02/13 - DD born 12/11/13 -
My Ovulation Chart
"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it the more it will elude you but if u turn your attention to other things it will come & sit softly on your shoulder."
BFP! 04/26/11 - DS born 12/28/11 - BFP #2! 04/02/13 - DD born 12/11/13 -
My Ovulation Chart
"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it the more it will elude you but if u turn your attention to other things it will come & sit softly on your shoulder."
BFP! 04/26/11 - DS born 12/28/11 - BFP #2! 04/02/13 - DD born 12/11/13 -
My Ovulation Chart