Epi with a VBAC?

bumpuser5078523 · October 2013

A random thought I had.

Wouldn't you want to feel what's going on in case something goes wrong and to be more in tune with your body? Like a popping sensation or ripping that isn't normal, so you can let them know?

holly321 · October 2013

I believe the monitoring would let it know that some ting was not right, but I am not 100% sure of that.

thedash · October 2013

Yes I think there is an argument for that. However, my nurse told me that even with the epi I would probably feel like something was wrong if I started to rupture. Also, I'm not sure I would know the difference between normal labor pain and something rupturing. That shit hurts without any complications.

RootBeer29 · October 2013

I had an epi with my VBAC and I was just monitored very closely. There were no issues.

bumpuser5078523 · October 2013

Thanks ladies!

I couldn't decide if it was a good idea or not. Haha

KCaudle10 · November 2013

My doctor told me pain meds would not at all stop you from feeling a rupture. So if that's your only reason- I would recommend epi!

dglvrk2 · November 2013

Thanks for the post. The whole rupturing thing crossed my mind too; I definatly want to be in tune enough with what is going on that I can feel anything unusual. I have a few close friends who are labor/delivery nurses. They're all in support of me getting a VBAC. It will be 31 months between CS and VBAC. They also recommend I get an epi since it will be my first vaginal birth.

smchik · November 2013

I was told that for a VBAC they highly encourage an epi because if there is an issue (rupture basically) and you need an emergency c, it needs to happen ASAP. If you have not had an epi, you have to go under general which can be riskier, can delay the procedure and would mean you would not be awake for the birth, would be delayed in holding the baby and the dad could not be in the room.

wander74 · November 2013

When I was researching my last vbac everything I read and my doula recommendation was to avoid an epi if possible, that it could slow labor and lead to a less successful vbac attempt. My doctors never my questioned my choice not to have an epi

bumpuser5078523 · December 2013

I'm not planning on an epi. It was just a random thought.

With my c-section, it was not planned and I didn't have an epi. They did a spinal tap real quick and I was good to go.

candlequeen · December 2013

I had an epi and did fine

cecilyandgautam · December 2013

I still felt a hell of a lot of pain with an epidural, so I that wouldn't be my top concern re getting an epidural - pretty sure a rupture would have still felt like a rupture. For me, the major downside of getting one was that once I had it, my coping options for the pain (which I still had!) were very limited. Prior to the epi, I could move about in various ways that relieve the pain. With the epi, all I could do was whimper and bite my teeth. But I needed to rest, so in that sense the epi did force me to stay in bed - that was the upside I guess.

Stefanie&Byron · December 2013

The midwives I am using only accept patients if you agree to go without any pain medication . They have a 92% VBAC rate and they attribute this high rate to no using epi's. I am fine with this since my first birth was epi free until I needed the csection.

Bonbon1990 · January 2014

The hospitals in this area that actually accept VBACS say no pain medications because there is the chance the epidural would make it harder to determine if something bad was happening. So if you want a VBAC you have to do it without pain meds.

SweetMelissa5 · January 2014

I was given the option of epi or no pain meds, and I chose the epi for both VBACs with no problems.

Want a personalized experience?

Epi with a VBAC?

Re: Epi with a VBAC?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards