It's early, but I am going there. Epidural or Natural

Irishcurls · June 2014

Though I AM interested in learning more about these levels of tears... Some people elect an episiotomy to avoid tearing? Is my noobie showing?

michelle142 · June 2014

@Irishcurls - You CAN elect that - but natural tears heal better than episiotomies, generally.

bhjones1980 · June 2014

Irishcurls said:

Though I AM interested in learning more about these levels of tears... Some people elect an episiotomy to avoid tearing? Is my noobie showing?

Many doctors now will not perform episiotomies since it is now believed that natural tearing is better for healing.

mahalo3 · June 2014

there is the theory that if you get episiotomy to prevent a jagged tear. It's easier to stitch a straight a line, and you may not tear as far if you get cut. I personally want nothing to do with it, but that's because I believe I will not tear. I know that's irrational and I don't care.

I will not tear! I will not be in pain! I will wear make up the whole time and will smell like roses when it's over.

michelle142 · June 2014

Good luck with all that @mahalo3

Let us know your secrets when that comes through for you! lol

MrsD4911 · June 2014

Psh... Ideally natural, but I am not going to lie- epidural will probably be an option. I feel like I am already a wimp with this pregnancy, but I do like the idea of a natural birth.

bhjones1980 · June 2014

mahalo3 said:

there is the theory that if you get episiotomy to prevent a jagged tear. It's easier to stitch a straight a line, and you may not tear as far if you get cut. I personally want nothing to do with it, but that's because I believe I will not tear. I know that's irrational and I don't care. I will not tear! I will not be in pain! I will wear make up the whole time and will smell like roses when it's over.

and you will NOT poop during labor...

michelle142 · June 2014

bhjones1980 said:

mahalo3 said:

there is the theory that if you get episiotomy to prevent a jagged tear. It's easier to stitch a straight a line, and you may not tear as far if you get cut. I personally want nothing to do with it, but that's because I believe I will not tear. I know that's irrational and I don't care. I will not tear! I will not be in pain! I will wear make up the whole time and will smell like roses when it's over.

and you will NOT poop during labor...

You will also not scream or cry or crush your SO's hand and/or other appendages. And FORGET sweating, so not happening.

thegoodpotato · June 2014

michelle142 said:

Good luck with all that @mahalo3

Let us know your secrets when that comes through for you! lol

Midwives are excellent at helping with this. They ensure that the baby is coming out and not putting stress on any one area. With my first (GP delivered), they were fixing me up for 45 minutes post delivery. I was too scared to ask how bad it was. It was WEEKS before I could walk properly or sit down. I was chowing Advil and Tylenol like it was going out of style.

With my second (midwife delivered), I had nothing. I mean, it didn't feel GREAT, but I didn't tear at all.

Highly recommend midwives. I still go to the hospital, but midwives are great at what they do, and it's the ONLY thing they do, so they're REAL experts (not like I'm knocking doctors, but they usually have to have a broader spectrum of knowledge).

BeckyP005 · June 2014

Epidural. Natural is not in the picture

I'm a wimp!!

bhjones1980 · June 2014

thegoodpotato said:

michelle142 said:

Good luck with all that @mahalo3

Let us know your secrets when that comes through for you! lol

Midwives are excellent at helping with this. They ensure that the baby is coming out and not putting stress on any one area. With my first (GP delivered), they were fixing me up for 45 minutes post delivery. I was too scared to ask how bad it was. It was WEEKS before I could walk properly or sit down. I was chowing Advil and Tylenol like it was going out of style.

With my second (midwife delivered), I had nothing. I mean, it didn't feel GREAT, but I didn't tear at all.

Highly recommend midwives. I still go to the hospital, but midwives are great at what they do, and it's the ONLY thing they do, so they're REAL experts (not like I'm knocking doctors, but they usually have to have a broader spectrum of knowledge).

oooh excellent to know, I am going with the midwife this round (if possible), since they just added them to my OBGYN practice. I am excited for the different experience.

Irishcurls · June 2014

Thanks @bhjones1980 @michelle142 and @mahalo3!

michelle142 · June 2014

thegoodpotato said:

michelle142 said:

Good luck with all that @mahalo3

Let us know your secrets when that comes through for you! lol

Midwives are excellent at helping with this. They ensure that the baby is coming out and not putting stress on any one area. With my first (GP delivered), they were fixing me up for 45 minutes post delivery. I was too scared to ask how bad it was. It was WEEKS before I could walk properly or sit down. I was chowing Advil and Tylenol like it was going out of style.

With my second (midwife delivered), I had nothing. I mean, it didn't feel GREAT, but I didn't tear at all.

Highly recommend midwives. I still go to the hospital, but midwives are great at what they do, and it's the ONLY thing they do, so they're REAL experts (not like I'm knocking doctors, but they usually have to have a broader spectrum of knowledge).

I was more referencing the "I will not be in pain! I will wear make up the whole time and will smell like roses when it's over. " than the other part, but whatevs.

But yeah, Midwives ARE awesome. I love mine. If you're going to tear, you're going to tear though, the type of Dr. doesn't matter.

yellowbabyducky1 · June 2014

Is it bad that I don't want to think about this yet? I'll probably start doing research on this after my first tri. Until then, I'll be too anxious to be thinking about baby names or labor!

Oem617 · June 2014

bhjones1980 said:

amanda7211984 said:

@bhjones1980‌ Im with you! I forgot some of this and its only been a year on the 3rd!!

in the minutes, hours, days after birth I remember thinking "I will NEVER do that again" and my Mom laughed and said the reason people keep having babies is the love we feel for them and the memory of labor fades....

it is true, I remember telling myself then "don't forget how painful that was"

and I think I forgot.

Yep, I totally said that to my DH. Can't believe I will do it again.

mahalo3 · June 2014

michelle142 said:

Good luck with all that @mahalo3

Let us know your secrets when that comes through for you! lol

I think the secret is delusion. Pure delusion.

@bhjones1980 please add pooping to the list of things that will NOT happen.

wintersong139 · June 2014

Edited because for some reason TB autosaved something I typed earlier and I missed it an hit send anyway without deleting it. Oops!

Trin42 said:

I haven't done any research, and I'm a FTM, so this is a serious question and not trying to cause drama or be judgey: Why *wouldn't* you want the drugs? If I have a headache, I don't have to question if I want something to ease the pain or not. So what's the downside to pain meds during birth?
When I have a headache or cramps, I don't take drugs unless I can't function. Otherwise, I deal with the pain. I also don't take birth control. I don't like drugs in my body, period.

I think also the idea is that there is always a risk to anything, if even a small risk. It comes to weighing risk. Each mom has to research for herself what the risks are associated with every intervention, and weigh that cost against the gain. (It's hard to answer why I personally would choose something without sounding judgey of other people who make a different choice. Sorry if I did.)

JessicaxLynn87 · June 2014

With DD, I did not ask for the epidural until it was too late. I tried to be tough and go as long as I could. I received the epidural and was able to "rest" for 30 minutes, but then I was checked and it was time to push. I swear the epidural wore off as I felt everything. This time around, I'll be asking for the epidural as soon as I am able to. I wish I had asked for it earlier so I could have rested longer. I had such a fast labor and delivery, I never would have thought it would go down like it did.

wintersong139 · June 2014

bhjones1980 said:

jaztaz1 said:

MaddScientist said:

jaztaz1 said:

@Mahalo3... See what you went and did. It is way too early to have this discussion. What on earth are we going to talk about during our 2nd tri??!! I just put you in the time out chair. [-(

well @jaztaz1 I am pretty sure 2nd tri is when we decide which is better: girl babies or boy babies and have to deal with getting the disappointing news that baby is the sex you didn't want.

Well alright...

when do we discuss circumsion?? can't wait for that.

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh please, no. Never would be the perfect time to argue about this. Does anyone really think that they are going to change someone's mind in a discussion like this?

LittleDucky · June 2014

For me it depends on if I have to be induced. With DS, I was induced when I was barely 1 cm and baby was super high, so it was 36 hours between when the induction began and when DS was finally born. I was happy to have a vaginal birth rather than c/s but I definitely wanted the drugs. Pitocin is no joke.

If I can avoid being induced and avoid Pitocin, I'd like to try to avoid drugs. But we will see.

michelle142 · June 2014

wintersong139 said:

bhjones1980 said:

jaztaz1 said:

MaddScientist said:

jaztaz1 said:

@Mahalo3... See what you went and did. It is way too early to have this discussion. What on earth are we going to talk about during our 2nd tri??!! I just put you in the time out chair. [-(

well @jaztaz1 I am pretty sure 2nd tri is when we decide which is better: girl babies or boy babies and have to deal with getting the disappointing news that baby is the sex you didn't want.

Well alright...

when do we discuss circumsion?? can't wait for that.

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh please, no. Never would be the perfect time to argue about this. Does anyone really think that they are going to change someone's mind in a discussion like this?

Ooohhh and what about the vaccination discussion? That one ALWAYS gets ugly.

MaddScientist · June 2014

GAH cleaning my box.

also @irishcurls I want to reiterate that episiotomies are out of fashion now and not recommended. The original theory was that you wouldn't tear as much and you could stitch up a straight cut easier (like PP said) however. that has been proven false. You tear less on your own, and heal better. I mean think about it, if you cut a piece of fabric, it is soooo much easier to tear apart than one that is whole - your vag is the same.

Erze · June 2014

Epidural.

michelle142 · June 2014

@MaddScientist I don't think I've ever hear a vagina to fabric analogy. Very nice!

ForeverAmberNicole · June 2014

Natural drug free, God willing. My first was with an epi. Everything went well, thankfully, but it's not what i wanted. So with the next one i found a midwife at a birthcenter and had a water birth. Hoping for another water birth, i wish that was an option at more hospitals. I don't like/take drugs or any medications if i don't have to.

I agree, circumcision and vaccines are hot topics but i wish i would have had more information/researched it more with my oldest. I truly regret my decision.

freegiraffe · June 2014

Epidural.

Marisac888 · June 2014

I am going to try and deliver at a birth center so natural! An epidural will not be available at the birth center.

mandylee91784 · June 2014

Au natural for me. I had 2 hospital epidural births, they were fine I just didnt feel involved in the birth. I felt more like I was there so THEY could deliver the baby from me not me deliver the baby. It was kinda lonely and detached. My third baby was with a midwife at a birth center and it was the single most amazing thing I have ever done in my life!! And I'll tell you that is the Gods honest truth. This little one will be born at home. There is no real decision to make in my experience...but thats just one womans take on this huge feat we are all embarking on!

Any way a healthy baby makes it into your arms will be wonderful!

wintersong139 · June 2014

mandylee91784 said:

Au natural for me.

Naked, huh? ;-)

LilTiger15 · June 2014

Natural birth--I used hypnobabies for my first birth, I plan to do the same for this baby.

dreemkin84 · June 2014

I did the wait and see approach with Norah. After a long day of pitocin contractions I was so relieved to get the epi. I was able to sleep for a bit and get the energy I needed to push when I finally was there (24 hrs after my water broke). And I felt the need to push and i felt the birth even with it, so I don't feel cheated out of anything. It was a relaxed and enjoyable experience. I'm glad I wasn't screaming and traumatized and in pain. Hopefully I'll be able to get one this time.

delaneykai · June 2014

My hope is to go natural in a hospital setting again. With my DD, I labored at home for 7 hours, then at the hospital for 3 1/2 hours- I was so nervous about not being able to do it without pain meds, but the quick labor once I got there made it a great experience. I think I'm even more nervous to make it happen this time around, since I know how bad it's going to hurt already.

delaneykai · June 2014

lizzybean said:

rslilly1 said:

I haven't done any research, and I'm a FTM, so this is a serious question and not trying to cause drama or be judgey: Why *wouldn't* you want the drugs? If I have a headache, I don't have to question if I want something to ease the pain or not. So what's the downside to pain meds during birth?

I did not want the needle in my back, sometimes babies have a tougher time nursing when they are first born and can be a bit groggy if you get an epidural, and I wanted to see what my body could handle. An epidural can also stall labour sometimes. My Mom had all three of her kids unmedicated so I wanted to see if I could handle it too

@rslilly1 - Exactly this. Everyone is different, but generally, getting an epidural too early can stall labor and lead to all sorts of other problems. The nursing and early latch part of it was also SO important to me. For me, I think there was a little bit of pride in there, too- I wanted to know that I could do it even with feeling the pain and I felt very "I am woman, hear me roar" when I was able to accomplish it.

delaneykai · June 2014

2013sarabelleATX - I 100% agree! Feeling the baby slide out was the best feeling of release/pressure ever!

thegoodpotato · June 2014

2013sarabelleATX said:

mahalo3 said:

michelle142 said:

Good luck with all that @mahalo3

Let us know your secrets when that comes through for you! lol

I think the secret is delusion. Pure delusion. @bhjones1980 please add pooping to the list of things that will NOT happen.

You can try to avoid tearing by laboring down and not "purple pushing." Look it up. Also, not everyone poops.

I sure did... both times! TMI THURSDAY!

mrsbrazell · June 2014

I really want to go natural with a midwife and a doula.

thegoodpotato · June 2014

Well, @holachicaaa I should let you know that I did end up with an induction with my midwife - I was 10 days overdue and they really don't like to let you go longer than that (even in Canada). But, like I said, it went super easy, and the baby came in an hour and I was med-free, so inductions aren't always terrible.

We use an oxytocin drip here, and they kind of eased me into it.

Actually it was pretty nice, because I knew exactly when I would be heading in to have the baby.

lizzybean · June 2014

On the topic of what to wear, I laboured in a sports bra and flowy cotton skirt. It really made a difference to be comfortable while I laboured.

And after my induction with Cervadil, I sat on the exercise ball for over 10 hours before my water broke on its own. I would recommend the ball to anybody!!

thegoodpotato · June 2014

holachicaaa said:

@thegoodpotato, I get your situation. I'm talking about inductions before the due date without major medical reasons (like a pp had mentioned someone they knew were induced super early just because). If I go 10 days past my due date, I'll probably be begging to get that baby out of there ;;)

Ah, gotcha!

Yes, I went a week overdue with my first, and my midwife was assuring me that I likely wouldn't make it to my due date because second babies come earlier and faster. Lies. LIES!!! By the time I got to a week and a half overdue I would have let them do practically anything to get that dang thing outta there.

Oem617 · June 2014

I have to say I had an epi with DS and I still felt every push and every second he actually came out. He also nursed well from the start. Like 5 min after he was born. Of course drugs can have side effects, but not always.

I wore the hospital gown and it basically wasn't covering anything but my tummy by the time he was born. LOL

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