To Epidural or not to epidural

marajay6 · July 2014

Since there was so much discussion about birth plans in yesterday's UO, I figure now is a good time to discuss epidurals. I have been doing a bit of reading about epidurals trying to decide if I should get one. I would love to hear what everyone else has decided and why. And to hear about the actual experience from those mama's that have been through this before.

From my research, there are some definite benefits to foregoing the epidural: Being able to walk around during labor versus confined to a bed, faster labor (there seems to be a little bit of controversy over how much an epidural slows down labor), less chances of tearing, and a faster recovery. Being a FTM, I have no grasp of how painful labor will actually be, so I am at a roadblock on deciding if these benefits are worth the tradeoff of enduring the pain.

This BabyCenter article seems rather well balanced: https://www.babycenter.com/0_epidural-pain-relief-for-labor_1489911.bc
It is very easy to find articles and blogs that list a lot more side effects of epidurals, but they seem extremely bias.

marajay6 · July 2014

lissydee said:

I had two unmedicated births already, so I know I can do it again without. Plus its not even an option with my midwives (I choose them for a reason because I wanted to go med free, so I completely removed the option from myself).

There is water for labor and I plan on hanging out in the tub again for the labor and birth.

My hospital offers whirlpool tubs to relax in while laboring, but I do not think they allow the delivery in the tub. Does laboring in the tub really help with managing the pain?

I really need to talk to my OB about what she will and will not support. I also will be taking birth classes at the hospital in September to learn more.

Dana633 · July 2014

I had an epidural for my first and I was in full forced labor for 4 hours and I pushed for 7 minutes, so I can't say I agree with it slowing labor down. I felt great after, once they pulled the catheter out and the meds wore off, I was able to shower and walk around and felt great. In this day and age there is no reason to go through all that pain!

My sister's epidural actually fell out while the nurses were stuffing a pillow behind her, and by the time she fussed enough for them to check it, it was too late to put it back. She felt everything and said she would not wish that on anyone. She was literally screaming like they do in the movies.

PineApple85 · July 2014

I went med-free last time and I plan to again this time with Hypnobabies. The pain is intense but it's manageable if you're prepared. If you want to try med-free arm yourself with reasons for it. That way when you are tired and tempted to "give in" you have a reason not to.

marajay6 · July 2014

I am really freaked out that if I do skip the epidural and tear. I am more afraid that the tearing and being stitched up will hurt more than the delivery. Not sure if I am correct in the fear - I really have no grasp to how painful labor and delivery will be...

I have a cousin who was going to wait and see how bad the pain was before getting an epidural. After a few painful contractions the nurse warned her that it will get worse. She opted for an epidural.

I also have a friend who planned on getting an epidural but her labor went so fast she never had time. She was already 7 cm by the time she got to the hospital. She barely had time to get into her room and get a hospital gown on and the baby was crowning. I want her birth story.

wildflower75 · July 2014

I wanted an unmedicated birth the first time around and it just didn't work out.

24 hours after my water broke (cervidil and pitocin and really strong contractions) I was still only at 1 cm... I decided (at the urging of the nurse) as a last resort before CS to try an epidural. The nurse said sometimes it helps you relax and open up down there and so I tried it in hopes of still having a vaginal birth but it didn't help.
This time I will have a RCS.

crizz13 · July 2014

Thank you, @sj+cm131! I'm a FTM too and am completely at a loss... hoping to have some clarity regarding this issue in next few months!!!

PineApple85 · July 2014

@sj+cm131 I labored in the tub and it was wonderful. Huge difference. I highly recommend it if you have access - even if you can't deliver in the water - it's awesome for pain relief.

I also had a second degree tear and didn't know until my MW told me after she had already stitched me up. If you choose to try med-free, that won't be a huge thing after it's all said and done. I also never felt the infamous ring of fire.

kayd8 · July 2014

I go back and forth each way, depending on what I have most recently read. I would prefer to not get one, but am open to it if I feel I really need it. I'm not scared of the pain since I don't know how that will feel like. But I am concerned about getting tired before it's time to deliver. Saving your energy seems to be one of the perks of an epidural.

My mom had a med-free birth by choice, so she would support me. But then I hear a chorus of younger family & friends say things like, "You HAVE to get an epidural" and it's hard to block out since they feel so strongly for it. I feel like people support an epidural more than they support someone planning to go without.

moroccojade · July 2014

The list of disadvantages in that article alone far outweigh the advantages for me. Yikes.

AnnieRoo13 · July 2014

I voted special snowflake. I'm not really in the "give me all the drugs" camp, but I'm also not in the "med-free" camp either.

When I got pregnant I was definitely in the med-free mindset, and I still appreciate all of the benefits of that. BUT I'm not sure I can do it. I started doing some research and watching some real births and decided that the epidural isn't as scary as I had made it out to be in my mind. That being said, I would like to try to avoid the snowball of medical interventions that seem to happen to speed up birth etc. I'd like to give it a go and see how I do and if I choose to have the epidural so be it. I'm leaning more towards having it than not at this point, but as a FTM I have no idea what birth is like. I'm open to the pain relief that they can offer, but I'm not going in saying "give me drugs NOW".

carcrashheart · July 2014

Drugs. And better ones this time. I still felt the pressure and the ring of fire. I pushed for two hours and was begging for them to rip the baby out and crying "no" every time the pressure came back. I screamed through the ring of fire. And they don't like women to scream bc it can upset the other patients. I had them take the cath out bc it was terribly uncomfortable. I had HELLP so I didn't have walking privileges anyways. Getting the epi hurt but it helped. Prior to that I was in more pain than I've ever felt in my life. No thanks.

Give me the drugs, epi, and formula and we're a happy family.

lisaren · July 2014

@lissydee‌ I know I'm not pregnant but I love reading all your feedback to the ladies here! You always tend to say what I'm thinking and I'll just nod my head and say yep!

Just wanted to say thank you for contributing helpful info to all the mommies here as a ttm and a L&D nurse.

NunyaBennis · July 2014

I started to vote SS because I have no idea if "I can handle the pain" if, say, I end up like my sister and the baby gets stuck sunny-side up and I end up having to push for four or five hours following twelve of back labor, or numerous other scenarios ... but since I do plan on going med free, that is how I voted. I am certainly open to the possibility that things change, whether it be medically driven or simply my opinion once in the moment. I can say that I would like nothing more than to never open Pandora's Box of intervention. I can also say that I'm really digging the sharing of past experience from S+TMs

marajay6 · July 2014

moroccojade said:

The list of disadvantages in that article alone far outweigh the advantages for me. Yikes.

Yes, it is a very long list! I am leaning towards not getting an epidural. The main advantage to getting one is the pain relief, and not knowing how painful it is going to be, I don't know how much of an advantage that is.

wallygirl · July 2014

I honestly haven't made my mind up for this time around. With my DD the plan was to go unmedicated. Then I went into labor the day of my dad's funeral (he passed the day before I was due and then I went 2 days over). I was in no shape emotionally to go through with an unmedicated birth. I ended up deciding to get an epidural. Looking back I often wonder if I could have pulled myself together to go through with my unmedicated plan but you can't second guess your decisions.

marajay6 · July 2014

NunyaBennis said:

I started to vote SS because I have no idea if "I can handle the pain" if, say, I end up like my sister and the baby gets stuck sunny-side up and I end up having to push for four or five hours following twelve of back labor, or numerous other scenarios ... but since I do plan on going med free, that is how I voted. I am certainly open to the possibility that things change, whether it be medically driven or simply my opinion once in the moment. I can say that I would like nothing more than to never open Pandora's Box of intervention. I can also say that I'm really digging the sharing of past experience from S+TMs

I have also realized that even if I do decide to skip the epidural, I will opt for one in certain situations, such as a slow progressing labor or if I have to be induced.

wallygirl · July 2014

Oops left out a few things. First of all I was told I would potentially still have pain and pressure but I had none after I received the epidural. I had to look at the monitors to know when I was having a contraction. That lasted until I started pushing. Epidural or not I felt the "ring of fire" when she crowned. That was the only time I pushed for a boost of meds. I can't comment on not being able to move around because I had other complications. So, I wouldn't have been able to walk around even if I had went unmedicated. I did tear but not very bad. Honestly, I have never read any study that shows evidence that the risk of tears increases with an epidural. If you have one I would love to read it. My recovery was pretty quick I believe but I had a NICU baby and I was up walking to the NICU as soon as visiting hours started. I hadn't seen DD since right after delivery and I didn't want to wait on a wheelchair.

mb314 · July 2014

I had a med-free birth with DS, and hope to do so again. However, I do have some pre-existing blood pressure issues which puts me at a greater risk for an induction. I'm not sure if I could handle pitocin without some pain relief.

My hospital allows the use of nitrous oxide, so I would probably try that before an epidural because you can still walk around and be mobile with it. My ultimate hope is to be able to labor in the labor tub at the hospital like I did last time - that was really comforting and helped me go med-free

ETA: @sj+cn131 laboring in the tub at the hospital helped me immensely with the pain. I had a relatively quick labor, and I never was pain-free in between contractions like many people are. I had an underlying constant pain throughout the labor. The tub was awesome! It really made a huge difference for me, and I never asked for an epidural because I knew they would make me leave the tub to get one.

Allisonville · July 2014

I don't see any reason not to have an epidural. Yes, I know there are reasons and if someone wants to go without pain meds then good for them. But for me, epidural please.

Dumbgurl04 · July 2014

This post is great! As a FTM giving birth and labor have me a little freaked out. The only thing I'm completely sure of is having some drugs, I can handle some pain but I don't know if I can handle labor pains. Also I'm trying to prepare myself for any kind of birth because the last two people I"m close to that did give birth it did not go the way they wanted in any way.

A friend wanted all nautral vaginal birth, her DD was breach and her blood pressure spiked really bad at the end so she had a c-section

My SIL had the epi and was pushing for hours until they realize with how her hips and tail bone were they baby couldnt make it through alone with out help they offered to use the vac but it could break tail bone in the process so she opted for a c-section

But i"m glad to see the STM+ mom's experiences so it easing my fears a little.

marajay6 · July 2014

HisGirlFriday929 said:

I am a speshul snowflake. I'm having issues with my blood platelet count, so an epidural may not be an option for me. I have to get my count over 100,000 in order to be considered for a spinal of any kind.

Are there any other options available if you can't get an epidural?

mb314 · July 2014

HisGirlFriday929 said:

I am a speshul snowflake. I'm having issues with my blood platelet count, so an epidural may not be an option for me. I have to get my count over 100,000 in order to be considered for a spinal of any kind.

Many hospitals now offer nitrous oxide for pain relief. I have no idea, though, if that is compatible/safe with your blood platelet issues...

MuchlyGen · July 2014

I've had two unmedicated births, planning a third.

There are plenty of reasons why epis may not be desirable, and plenty of benefits to unmedicated labor - and reasons why, if a mum gets an epi and it's incomplete, or wears off, labor will be significantly more painful (not getting to adjust to the increase of intensity of contractions, being stuck on back which is generally the most painful position to labor in).

I completely believe that people should make the decision that's right for them, but I know for me natural birth was/is awesome.

aa98 · July 2014

I think I will be going for the epidural at this point. My concerns center primarily what the epidurals at my particular hospital are like, i.e. are they closer to "walking epidurals" or the epidurals of old when you were almost completely numb (I prefer the walking variety).

Just a quick aside about the article, though it is fairly balanced, it in no way replaces talking to a medical professional about your options as it talks in generalities with some parts being more medically accurate than others.

wallygirl · July 2014

lissydee said:

wallygirl said:

Oops left out a few things. First of all I was told I would potentially still have pain and pressure but I had none after I received the epidural. I had to look at the monitors to know when I was having a contraction. That lasted until I started pushing. Epidural or not I felt the "ring of fire" when she crowned. That was the only time I pushed for a boost of meds. I can't comment on not being able to move around because I had other complications. So, I wouldn't have been able to walk around even if I had went unmedicated. I did tear but not very bad. Honestly, I have never read any study that shows evidence that the risk of tears increases with an epidural. If you have one I would love to read it. My recovery was pretty quick I believe but I had a NICU baby and I was up walking to the NICU as soon as visiting hours started. I hadn't seen DD since right after delivery and I didn't want to wait on a wheelchair.

they're out there. An epidural increases your risk of instrumental delivery (vaccuum or forceps) which can put you at an increased risk of tearing. I'll work on some links and then tag you.

Instrumental delivery yes but just increased risk of tearing? Epidural does not necessarily equal instruments being used.

beatrixkiddo19 · July 2014

I voted special snowflake for the same reason as a few other ladies. I want to be able to move around and labor without being confined to a bed, but I'm not sure how I personally will handle the pain. I'm reading lots of books about birth (just finished Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and just started Birthing from Within, with a stack of others waiting in the wings.) to try to educate myself on process of birth and the options I have.

All of that said, I'll ask for help if I need it as I'll be having the baby at a hospital. If I'm wearing myself out dealing with pain and need to rest, if I'm just a big ol weenie, etc. I trust that my body knows what to do, but I'm not sure I will be able to get my mind out of my own way.

Ideally, when the time comes I'll have equipped myself with enough knowledge that I'll be able to handle it on my own, but as a FTM, I'm not going to rule out a little help.

cindyNmark2010 · July 2014

Planning on un-medicated unless I asolutely can't do it. I don't do well at all with medications, I get it from my father.....one aspirin or tylenol is enough for me to get rid of the worst headache. The only time I was ever under sedation I woke up in the middle of my procedure (wisdom teeth). The meds they gave me for after were like torture and I felt better not taking them. I pulled out my back once......again, the meds kicked my arse. I could do nothing but sleep. For giving birth I feel like the drugs would do more harm than good with the way my body processes medications but if the pain is unbearable I'll probably ask.

MuchlyGen · July 2014

wallygirl said:

wallygirl said:

Oops left out a few things. First of all I was told I would potentially still have pain and pressure but I had none after I received the epidural. I had to look at the monitors to know when I was having a contraction. That lasted until I started pushing. Epidural or not I felt the "ring of fire" when she crowned. That was the only time I pushed for a boost of meds. I can't comment on not being able to move around because I had other complications. So, I wouldn't have been able to walk around even if I had went unmedicated. I did tear but not very bad. Honestly, I have never read any study that shows evidence that the risk of tears increases with an epidural. If you have one I would love to read it. My recovery was pretty quick I believe but I had a NICU baby and I was up walking to the NICU as soon as visiting hours started. I hadn't seen DD since right after delivery and I didn't want to wait on a wheelchair.

they're out there. An epidural increases your risk of instrumental delivery (vaccuum or forceps) which can put you at an increased risk of tearing. I'll work on some links and then tag you.
Instrumental delivery yes but just increased risk of tearing? Epidural does not necessarily equal instruments being used.

Epidurals can increase the chances of tearing because A) Mum is going to be on her back, which is the most likely position to tear in. It's just not an optimal position for pushing and delivery, it narrows the opening.

Mum isn't going to be able to feel the pushing/feel it as well, which makes it much more difficult to know when to slow and breathe and let the baby ease out - holding back and letting your body do the work, letting that skin stretch gently, reduces the chances and severity of tears.

marajay6 · July 2014

MuchlyGen said:

wallygirl said:

wallygirl said:

Oops left out a few things. First of all I was told I would potentially still have pain and pressure but I had none after I received the epidural. I had to look at the monitors to know when I was having a contraction. That lasted until I started pushing. Epidural or not I felt the "ring of fire" when she crowned. That was the only time I pushed for a boost of meds. I can't comment on not being able to move around because I had other complications. So, I wouldn't have been able to walk around even if I had went unmedicated. I did tear but not very bad. Honestly, I have never read any study that shows evidence that the risk of tears increases with an epidural. If you have one I would love to read it. My recovery was pretty quick I believe but I had a NICU baby and I was up walking to the NICU as soon as visiting hours started. I hadn't seen DD since right after delivery and I didn't want to wait on a wheelchair.

they're out there. An epidural increases your risk of instrumental delivery (vaccuum or forceps) which can put you at an increased risk of tearing. I'll work on some links and then tag you.
Instrumental delivery yes but just increased risk of tearing? Epidural does not necessarily equal instruments being used.

Epidurals can increase the chances of tearing because A) Mum is going to be on her back, which is the most likely position to tear in. It's just not an optimal position for pushing and delivery, it narrows the opening. Mum isn't going to be able to feel the pushing/feel it as well, which makes it much more difficult to know when to slow and breathe and let the baby ease out - holding back and letting your body do the work, letting that skin stretch gently, reduces the chances and severity of tears.

These reasons are the ones I have come across in my reading. I do not have an article at hand that gives statistical data.

Melissa2216 · July 2014

That shit hurts. Give me the drugs.

kimberly_ann81 · July 2014

With Sweet Pea I had some pain killers at about 7 cm but not an epidural; I had back labor with him and he came out sunny side up. Peanut there wasn't time to give me anything even if I wanted it; got into hospital at 9:30 and he was born 11:13.. I'm planning a med-free birth this time and plan to labor at home as long as possible like I did with Peanut.

I personally never wanted an epidural; my sister had issues with hers and a friend got one and ended up with a paralyzed leg for two days and has had migraines ever since but never before the epidural. I know these are the rare cases but two people so closet to me having issued makes me say never, ever would I ever.

MalachiteDrake · July 2014

AnnieRoo13 said:

I voted special snowflake. I'm not really in the "give me all the drugs" camp, but I'm also not in the "med-free" camp either.

When I got pregnant I was definitely in the med-free mindset, and I still appreciate all of the benefits of that. BUT I'm not sure I can do it. I started doing some research and watching some real births and decided that the epidural isn't as scary as I had made it out to be in my mind. That being said, I would like to try to avoid the snowball of medical interventions that seem to happen to speed up birth etc. I'd like to give it a go and see how I do and if I choose to have the epidural so be it. I'm leaning more towards having it than not at this point, but as a FTM I have no idea what birth is like. I'm open to the pain relief that they can offer, but I'm not going in saying "give me drugs NOW".

This is pretty much me, except that I'm still leaning away from an epi. The idea of something injected into my spine creeps me out and will make me nervous/anxious if it's done. Also, I handle massive pain much better than minor pain (I'm a complete whiny baby over a stubbed toe, but when I got hit by a car and launched down the street a ways in fifth grade, I was the one calming the driver down so she could make sure someone called for an ambulance).

mander82 · July 2014

I voted Give me all the drugs.....but, I don't want it right away..........at least I don't think I do.

I would like to feel just how bad it starts to get......then once I decide I cannot take it anymore, then I will want the drugs. I understand that it can get to the point where its too late and they won't give you one. If that happens, then its ball out, and maybe I will get er done drug free.......I am not counting on this though.

I don't want it too soon because I know people that have had it wear off, or run out, just in time for them to have to push. I do NOT want that to happen. If I can just tough it out long enough to experience what the strong contractions feel like, then I will be happy with my accomplishment.

Dimples0101 · July 2014

I voted special snowflake because I'm going to try to go med-free, but if it doesn't work out, I'm okay with that. I tried last time, but they had to put me on magnesium, so I couldn't get out of bed to deal with the labor at all. No walking, tub, sitting up, etc. After about 5 hrs of just trying to breathe through the contractions, I said screw it...give me the meds. I had no issues with the epidural, but would still try to go without next time if I can labor in different positions.

KMW08 · July 2014

I'm at ehhhh not one way or the other. I'm not going in with the attitude of YES give it to me, but I'm not against having one.

I'm also not a big fan of needles going into my back. I know professionals do these all the time, I've even seen them (radiology does epidural steroid injections), but it's on my list of things to avoid if I can help it.

lizzielu82 · July 2014

I like the idea of drugs but also plan to be prepared in case I can't have them for whatever reason.

I've always had issues breathing when exercising - I think it's because I was a competitive swimmer through high school and when it comes to swimming faster, it's more efficient to breathe less. Like the opposite of any other sport for the most part. As a result, if I'm doing something vigorously, my instinct is to not breathe. Oops.

Anyways, I'm worried about this for labor. So, I'm taking a hypnobirth class locally to try to learn how to breathe again - and breathe with calming effects. We'll see how it goes - hopefully I'm not turning blue during labor!

abbyful · July 2014

An FYI for those saying "I'll go drug-free as long as possible":
When you get to the point you think you can't do it, IT'S ALMOST OVER! If you hang in there just a little bit longer, you'll be done! The worst part, when most women ask for drugs, is right at the end.

alibissell · July 2014

I had an epidural with my first but not with my second. With my first, from the time my water broke to when they would finally give me the epidural was about 11 hours. When I was finally given the epidural it was another 5 hours before I was pushing and then I pushed for almost 3 hours before my son was born. I found my recovery was awful (although I'm not entirely sure that the epidural had anything to do with it). Although, I was hooked up to an IV for what felt like forever (they were pumping fluids into me like no tomorrow)and looking back at pictures, I was sooo swollen and bloated. With my second child, by the time I decided to go to the hospital there wasn't enough time for an epidural. I got to the hospital and 2.5 hours later I was pushing and after 2 (maybe 3) pushes my daughter was here. The recovery from that labour/delivery was significantly better. I wasn't hooked up to an IV (other then for the gravol they were giving me for the pain prior to delivering) so I wasn't swollen and bloated (beyond what is to be expected). Now, the difference in pain from baby #1 (epidural) to baby #2 (no epidural) was incredibly different. Somehow I managed to channel my energy during the contractions for baby #2 and they weren't nearly as painful as with baby #1 (until of course the epidural kicked in and I couldn't feel a thing). The actual delivery of baby #2 was excruciating....but only for the 5-10 minutes that it took to push her out. So, what am I going to do for baby #3? Leaning towards no epidural, but I'm not too proud to ask for it if I need it

Was that long winded enough?

mander82 · July 2014

abbyful said:

An FYI for those saying "I'll go drug-free as long as possible": When you get to the point you think you can't do it, IT'S ALMOST OVER! If you hang in there just a little bit longer, you'll be done! The worst part, when most women ask for drugs, is right at the end.

but, but, but.....how will I know its almost over? lol....will the nurses/doctors have any insight at all to tell me that the worst is about to be over ? Or are they unable to tell you anything like that? I am not sure if there are ways for them to measure how close you actually are to the baby coming out.....ha ha....I need to read a book. Also, what is more painful, the contractions, or the 8-9 pound baby tearing through your little vaginal opening ? I think THATS what I am afraid of!

mb314 · July 2014

Also, what is more painful, the contractions, or the 8-9 pound baby tearing through your little vaginal opening ? I think THATS what I am afraid of!

@mander82, for me, the contractions and labor pains during the first stage (pre-pushing) were way worse than the pushing and delivery part. I had an underlying cramping feeling between contractions from the beginning of my labor, so I was never free of pain. When it came time for me to push (and without the epidural, I did get the "uncontrollable urge to push), my contractions spaced out and the cramping went away. I almost felt like I was finally getting a break. I don't remember (key word may be "remember") that much pain during pushing/delivery, and I didn't feel the ring of fire. I did have some 2nd degree tears, but I didn't feel them. I pushed for about 20 - 30 minutes. DS was only 6 lbs, 3 oz, so maybe pushing wasn't that bad for me because he was on the smaller side. I don't know.

That said, every labor is different and some people have a harder time pushing for various reasons.

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