IV Medications Or Epidural?

CVislo · April 2014

Will you (or did you) use the IV medications or the epidural? I'm attempting a VBAC with this pregnancy. I had a c-sections due to failure to progress. I just could not push the baby out, so after around 4 hours of pushing, the doctor recommended a c-section. I had the epidural, but it made me numb, and I could not move the lower half of my body. I was just wondering what some of your experiences are with IV medications because I'm now debating the epidural. I'd like to be able to walk around and move if I feel the need to, and last time with the epidural, I could not do that, so I'd assume the same will happen this time.

Tnpeach · April 2014

All I can tell you is that the epidural is supposed to numb you from the waist down. If you want to walk, don't do the epidural. As for IV meds, I don't have a clue. Sorry I can't e more help.

crystalmir91385 · April 2014

With an epidural you HAVE to stay in bed. I REALLY didn't like mine, so they turned the dose down by almost 1/2. I was physically able to my legs a bit, which made me feel better, but I still couldn't go anywhere.

sthomas1222 · April 2014

My hospital doesn't even offer IV meds. One hospital in the area did start offering gas last month which is really exciting. But it's epidural or comfort measures like the tub or shower. That's it. And there's no such thing as a walking epidural, once you have it they don't let you out of bed to walk the halls or anything. Maybe you can get up to go pee but most likely not.

Bayberry12 · April 2014

I had iv meds before my epi (i think) and really they were just to help me sleep, not sure they would help for labor, but they might take the edge off a little.

awc1986 · April 2014

My hospital specialises in a mobile epidural, but with each top-up you lose a bit more feeling so chances are you'll still need to be on your back in bed when it comes to push time.

Have you had a look at something like pethidine? That's what I'm trying first.

Peaceb0ne · April 2014

I'm attempting a natural delivery without meds, but if it comes down to to it I would opt for an epidural before the IV pain meds, which pass through the placenta. My hospital won't let you have them for a few hours before pushing because it can affect breast feeding / latching in a newborn. They are really there to help 'take the edge off' whereas an epidural is supposed to completely numb you.

It's your call, but it's good to know your options and weigh the pros and cons before deciding. Good luck!

bazingaa · April 2014

Another thing to keep in mind - and this was something my doc told me, so not sure if it could be hospital specific - is that the IV drugs are a one time option only. So, if you get them early and they wear off before transition or when it's time to push..... You're outta luck. There is no second round. The epi will last longer and have the re-up option.

CVislo · April 2014

Thanks ladies! I did not see in my research that IV meds would pass through the placenta. And I defintely do not want anything interfering with breastfeeding. I did not breastfeed my first, so I'm clueless about that other than the research I've done, which I feel isn't going to be much help because it seems to be a learn as you go experience.

Esbi25 · April 2014

I had the epidural and really liked it. As you know, you can't get out of bed. I, however, could move my legs still with a little effort. My sister had the IV drugs, I believe and I remember her saying that they really did nothing for her pain and just made her feel sort of spacey/out of it. So her recommendation was to avoid them since there was no real benefit.

CVislo · April 2014

I'm highly effected by medication... I was super loopy on my epidural last time. I get loopy on muscle relaxers and Percocet. I stopped taking even Advil because I would get loopy.

chknma · April 2014

I was encouraged to get the IV med with DD1 to "help me rest" and hated it. I felt loopy and sick. I also had the epi which was helpful.

With this LO I had planned for a low intervention birth but then required an induction and wasn't able to relax a few hours into the pit. I chose to labor as long as I could tolerate and then got the epi. I was far enough along that once my body relaxed for a few minutes I progressed very quickly and DD2 was born. They didn't even have time to hook my epi up to the pump. I had good relief from the dose pushed by the anesthesiologist, but could move my legs and feel the contractions. You shouldn't be completely numb, you should be able to feel the contractions and your pushing.

spacepotatoes · April 2014

The IV meds are meant for use earlier in labour. My hospital will give them if they think there is still a 4 hr window between when the meds are given and when it's time to deliver.

As PPs have said, if you want the flexibility, the epidural can't give you that. Something to look into may be nitrous oxide. That can be given throughout and won't pass to the baby. It is mostly meant to take the edge off and can also make you a little loopy but you breathe in and breathe it out again so it doesn't stay in your system. Just helps you get through contractions and pushes and stay relaxed.

You may want to look at some natural methods for pain management as well.

ckmalone79 · April 2014

I opted for an epi with my other 2 once I reached 4 cm & they both worked great, but a tad too much so I was completely numb & couldn't feel contractions or pushing. DS after an hour of pushing they opted for vacuum removal (FTM at that point, now I would decline but was kind of common practice for that dr 12+ yrs ago). DD I couldn't feel anything for pushing either but the nurses helped me to the end of the bed with the squatting bar (obviously not full on squatting since I had no control of my legs...) and let me tell you, gravity is your friend!! I believe my first push in that position they had to run find my dr quick since she'd left thinking I'd be hrs of pushing.

I have nothing to compare since I received the epi at 4 cm with both & maybe I can naturally progress quickly on my own, but I've always credited the epi for getting me from 4 to 10 cm in approx 1 hr! My hope is to try to get past the 4 cm & see how my body progresses on its own this time around, maybe I'll still be quick getting to the 10....since it takes me forever to get to the 4? We'll soon see!

busterbeagle · April 2014

I also felt that my epi was a little too strong last time and had a hard time pushing. I'm still planning on getting one again, but I will tell the anesthesiologist about my last experience and hopefully be able to start with a lower dose and definitely asking to shut it off when I'm ready to push.

ckmalone79 · April 2014

@MK1013‌ i hated nubane also! I describe as an out of body experience...in a very bad way! It was like I was floating above myself & couldn't tell up from down, not fun

IBackBevo · April 2014

When I had DS, I had both a walking epidural and a regular one (at different times). The regular was for the csection. I was completely paralyzed with the later. Could not move at all. With the walking, I had some movement. I was not walking the halls, though. I have never had the other meds, but my understanding is that they are more likely to affect baby...ie make him or her drowsy. Not 100 percent on that, though. I also think the pain relief is less.

LindsayB0505 · April 2014

I had Fentanyl in my IV but they only gave me 1/2 a dose because I was already so far along. The nurses kept asking if it was helping to "take the edge off", but I felt like it didn't make a difference. Looking back it probably helped a little bit, but the pain was still excruciating.

stephierd81 · April 2014

My hospital offers stadol IV as the pain med. You can have it first and then get epidural if you want. IV med may make you drowsy or kind of out of touch but should help take the edge off. It wears off hourly so if you don't like it you don't have to get a second dose. From what everyone is saying, hospitals are all different. My hospital will give baby Narcan to reverse any effects if you take the IV pain meds within hour or so of baby being born. I personally will probably take IV meds when I first in labor and then have epidural later. It's all personal choices. FTM with no experience.

MissLadyTay · April 2014

My epidural didn't numb me at all. I moved my legs through labor and pushing and my VBAC (Saturday). I could feel every contraction but it was pressure and an urge to push, not pain. Maybe ask them to use a low dose epidural? I had to push a button every fifteen to thirty minutes to "dose" myself. I had to stay in bed but it was worth it!

chillypenguin · April 2014

I have had an epidural both times and liked it. I have not had IV meds, so I can't really compare there. They told us in my childbirth classes with DD1 that the meds could cross over to the baby.

With DD1, the epidural worked great throughout my labor but kind of wore off when it came time for pushing. Still worth it to be able to rest during labor.

With DD2, I got the epidural and got pitocin because my water broke but my contractions were not strong enough. I am glad I did because I went from 5-10cm in about an hour. Due to her positioning, I was in excruciating pain for a half hour before I started pushing and during pushing, I can't imagine what it would have been like with no epi at all.

mmks · April 2014

I have no advice on your question, but am chiming in bc I'm also planning for a VBAC. W my son, I also pushed for 4 hours wo moving him down and ended in a csection.
This time, I'm trying to go wo pain meds bc I want to be able to be mobile and change positions if I need to in order to move this baby into a good delivery position.
Good luck mama, whatever you decide!

Mittens14 · April 2014

I had IV medications before getting my epi with DS to "take the edge off" and all they did was make me high, they did notthing for the pain and did not make me sleepy, just off the charts high, it was not fun. I don't recall what they gave me though.

Mr. & Mrs. Woodtick · April 2014

My OB with DS said that the IV was really only to take the edge off and that they would only give it until you got so far b/c it could cause the baby to get drowsy. With DS I planned on only getting the IV drugs but within an hour of getting admitted I was being stabbed in the back. I don't think I have a great tolerance for pain and don't know why I thought that something that only "took the edge off" would be enough. GL with your decision!

ns1 · April 2014

No personal experience with IV meds but a friend who got them said they made her pretty out of it and she barely remembers much of labor and delivery. I got an epi and loved it, but I wasn't bothered that It messed with my mobility (drugs messing with my mind freaks me out more). If that's an Issue though then you probably won't have much luck getting up and around with an epi!

CVislo · April 2014

chknma said:

I was encouraged to get the IV med with DD1 to "help me rest" and hated it. I felt loopy and sick. I also had the epi which was helpful. With this LO I had planned for a low intervention birth but then required an induction and wasn't able to relax a few hours into the pit. I chose to labor as long as I could tolerate and then got the epi. I was far enough along that once my body relaxed for a few minutes I progressed very quickly and DD2 was born. They didn't even have time to hook my epi up to the pump. I had good relief from the dose pushed by the anesthesiologist, but could move my legs and feel the contractions. You shouldn't be completely numb, you should be able to feel the contractions and your pushing.

Unfortunately, I was not able to feel any contractions, so I could not push on instinct. The nurses had to tell me when my contractions were happening so that I could push with them. Maybe this time around, I'll ask for a lower dose of the epidural, if it's possible.

CVislo · April 2014

mmks said:

I have no advice on your question, but am chiming in bc I'm also planning for a VBAC. W my son, I also pushed for 4 hours wo moving him down and ended in a csection. This time, I'm trying to go wo pain meds bc I want to be able to be mobile and change positions if I need to in order to move this baby into a good delivery position. Good luck mama, whatever you decide!

My ultimate goal would be no pain meds at all. I'd love to be able to move around and work with my body during the labor and delivery process.

CVislo · April 2014

Thank you so much for your input ladies! Ultimately, I'm trying for a med free labor and delivery. If it gets too much to handle, I'm just going to opt for the epidural and tell them to start with a lower dose than normal. Hopefully that will help me feel contractions and the urge to push and leave me with some level of control of my body.

tjkdlhb · April 2014

I had Nubane as well. I had to ask DH what happened after the birth... I could remember pieces, but it was so hazy. It definitely helped take the edge off the pain... but I didn't like feeling stoned. I don't think it's an option this time. A friend of mine who is a nurse told me they don't offer it anymore.

Nubane had to be given before an epi was offered at my hospital. I didn't need the epi, (progressed quickly) and was glad of it. I have scoliosis... not sure if the epi would have been more difficult because of that. I also didn't have any issues pushing or anything because I wasn't totally numb.

busterbeagle · April 2014

My second epidural experience was completely different! I got it a little earlier this time because I knew after they broke my water that the contractions would pick up and I would want it. So I got it at 4 cm and was at 10 a little over an hour later. I could move my legs the whole time and felt plenty of pressure and even some pain in my cervix and butt. The need to push was undeniable, so much that my doctor barely made it! I pushed through 4 contractions and baby was out. I did tell the anesthesiologist about how it was too strong last time, so I recommend speaking up about that if you want it to be less powerful.

ho11yday · April 2014

I had both stadol and an epidural. The stadol, like PP have said, made me loopy but didn't do much for the pain. I did sleep through a lot of labor.

As for the epidural, the dose was too high at first so I couldn't move my legs. The doctor decreased the dose to the point where I could move my legs and toes. I did have a catheter inserted so no need to get up to go pee. (I think someone asked that....)

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