pain management other than epidural

cmcookaln · August 2014

I just read about pain management in What to Expect. Getting an epidural makes me really nervous. I have never really been a big fan of the concept of something going into my spine even prior to pregnancy, but I'm worried I won't be able to stand the pain and will want some sort of pain management. My OB said that we will spend a lot of time during my next appointment discussing labor and delivery along with pain management. What types of pain managements have you used in the past or plan to use that you think work?

On another note, I just got my crib set in the mail. Apparently, my grandmother ordered it for me.

bitsybubbles7 · August 2014

I loved the tub and the birthing ball until I got confined to the bed. I tried nubain through an iv during labor. It's called a "virgin drug" so it works best the first time you use it; the second round doesn't work as well at all. It took the edge off the contractions and made me feel a bit buzzed and tired. I was able to nap until it wore off, then I was back to normal. Once the nurse said the doctor wanted to go with pitocen, I requested the epidural. I don't remember much, but I don't think it was that painful.

Edit - missing words

pinkshades05 · August 2014

Being able to labor in the tub was really helpful for me as well as walking around. Some questions I would ask are--are you going to be confined to a bed with an IV? What about monitors? What kind of freedom do you have to do what you need to do while laboring? Some doctors/nurses push patients to be confined to beds because it's more convenient for them but being in a bed might not sound comfortable to you at the time. Also, be aware that using pitocin can make contractions much more difficult to manage and you almost need some pain medication to get through them.

I don't want to discourage you from any choices, but it's good to go into a situation aware of what you will be allowed or not allowed to do. And it's not just what the doctor allows; ask about the hospital policy and what you can expect from nurses there. Some ladies are promised that they can labor freely and then get to the hospital and they have a different policy.

savicke2009 · August 2014

The only thing that really helped for me with my first was the epidural.. I went in to the hospital saying 'whatever happens happens' and the epi was a godsend! I had meds through my iv prior to having the epi and it didnt help at all.. but it looks like the other ladies have given great suggestions..

Klavanga74 · August 2014

If you have access to a tub that can really help with contractions. I had no pain meds first child I was nervous about the epi. Got the epi second time and had a great experience. Lots of good advice above.

cmcookaln · August 2014

I have considered the tub. That sounds like it would be pretty relaxing. I'm not sure what my hospital offers. I will have to look into that. @pinkshades05 I have heard before that contractions are so much worse if induced/given picotin. I have already decided that I might be a little more willing to get an epidural if this happens because of the more intense pain.

Starfish17 · August 2014

I have not had an epidural with my 2 previous deliveries - I'm with you on the not being a fan of the "something in my spine." I was induced with my son, and I had a few doses of some IV pain meds (not sure which one). They made me groggy, so I actually slept a lot in between the contractions. By the time I thought the pain was bad enough to need an epidural, I was actually fully dilated and it was time to push. With DD, I had nothing - she was born within 30 minutes of arriving at the hospital. I labored at home, and by the time I thought the contractions were bad enough/ close enough together I was pretty much ready to push. We had taken a childbirth class so I did some of the breathing techniques, but otherwise didn't do anything special in terms of pain management. It helped that DH knew I didn't want an epidural so that he helped talk me through some of the pain with DS too.

JessAnnJ · August 2014

I will not take narcotics because that passes to the baby. I was terrified of the epidural but the pain of labor makes that fear fly our the window. The hard thing about getting the epidural was sitting still through the labor pains.

ashleym373 · August 2014

I too am scared to death of an epidural, I had DS1 with no meds/intervention. I hope to be able to do the same this time around as well.

They do offer iv pain reliever, epidural and I think that may be it or at least all I remember my midwife saying.

What worked well for me is laboring at home as well long possible. I didn't leave my house until I could not walk/talk through contractions. I used a yoga ball, rocked on all hands and knees, rocking and had my husband apply counter pressure to my tailbone. I may it to the hospital 1 hour and 18 mins before DS was born!

mlhw NH · August 2014

What worked for me is a lot of the same things as PP.
I stayed at home as long as I could! I used rocking on a yoga ball, multiple showers, my husband applying pressure only lower back, rocking/swaying while standing , frequently changing positions, relaxing music, visualization, and deep breathing. Basically all of the methods I learned from Hypnobirthing!
I think this is what made my labor go so quickly too. I began having contractions at 5AM and delivered my son by 2:30PM the same day!

DaniGrace89 · August 2014

So nice of your grandma. My grandma offered to buy us a crib and then when she heard cribs cost more than $100, she retracted her offer. Haha.

IrishHoney123 · August 2014

I found breathing techniques, lots of movement, and the tub to be great for pain management. I feel any artificial means to dull the pain have too many risks for me. Everyone has their own opinion on this, but I found the pain to be manageable and I liked being completely awake, alert, and able to walk after delivery.

Also, I had one pitocin induced labor and one not, and the pit one was more intense but still doable. Good luck to you!

Congrats on the crib!

amstevens78 · August 2014

I had an epidural the first time with my son and I too was terrified at the thought of something going into my back. But honestly I was in so much pain that I could not even feel the epidural. Within a few minutes the epidural kicked in and I remember telling the anetheseolgists that I loved her! Lol!

MuffinMom14 · August 2014

I am following this thread, because I just had a conversation with a friend who is due this month, and she was amazed that it was epi or NOTHING in the US.

There ARE other pain medications I can ask for? I didn't even know that. I thought it was just epi or nothing, like my friend.

I start birthing classes next week, so I suppose they will go over that with me, since it's at the hospital. I was sort of just goign with it for now.

HappyCianci · August 2014

Good suggestions so far! I'm another "scared of the epi" mama, who had her first naturally. It was an awesomely satisfying birth.

As for pain management, I think of it more as fear management. The pain is there and it's going to be intense, and I think my "job" in labor is to stay calm, moment to moment, so my body can work. I actually purposely put myself in more pain during my last labor (changed positions a lot after I realized it made my contractions more intense) because I knew it would get me closer to meeting my baby.

Breathing in for a count of four, then our for a count of four through contractions also gave me something to focus on.

It was super intense, but not as painful as I thought it would be. And I was so glad not to face the risks associated with the catheter, needles near my spine, etc...

JessAnnJ · August 2014

There are definitely downsides to an EPI, but I was able to walk pretty quickly after. I was surprised that I could still feel my legs and move them. They just felt really heavy. I wouldn't have been able to stand or walk while the EPI was still in, but it was different than what I expected.

The main downside for me was that I was extremely nauseaous during and after and I wonder if my tearing would not have been as bad if I had not had the epidural. I think it's different for everyone though. I know people who have had EPIs and very easy recoveries.

MissMandyD · August 2014

I am also scared of the epi. I have been reading about nitrous oxide as a pain management option and am pretty interested in that. I am curious to find out in a couple weeks if our hospital offer that option. I really hope so.

MrsL2B · August 2014

Non-medicated pain management techniques: https://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/labor-pain-management.html.

Other medication options: https://www.babycenter.com/0_systemic-pain-medication-for-labor_1489906.bc.

2goingon3 · August 2014

2 births, no epidural, so I can't speak to that, but I had Demerol and morphine with my first and I won't do Demerol again. They did not help at all and caused my DD to be so relaxed that she didn't breathe right away, so she had to be oxygenated for 3 hours until her levels evened out. We also ended up having to stay in the hospital an extra night. With my 2nd, I just had the gas (nitrous oxide) and I thought it was great! I know some people get sick, but I didn't and I found it really took the edge off.

Lizardzz · August 2014

If you don't get pitocin the contractions are actually quite manageable till the very end and at that point breathing tech or even hypno birthing can be helpful. Watch the buisness of being born it's a real eye opener to realize that our bodies are stronger then we give them credit for. Hope this helps!

dana2die4 · August 2014

I was terrified of the whole epidural process, but it was not bad at all, in fact, I didn't feel anything when it was inserted, and my 17 hr L&D was a breeze.

turtlewifey · August 2014

I found the idea of an epidural to be far more terrifying than the thought of pain. If you are truly on board with wanting a natural labor, there are many pain management techniques. I highly recommend the book Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. Also, a doula can help out tremendously with labor support and pain management by offering massage, relaxation techniques, and other movements that help you work through the pain of contractions.

The pain of labor is rough, but it isn't insurmountable, especially if you have done your research ahead of time about managing it, and go into it with a can-do attitude.

ariel06 · August 2014

I had nubain last time before I could get an epi. I had been laboring with contraction 2-5 minutes for 18 hours at that point and was still barely dilated. I had tried hanging out in the bathtub, walking, breathing, etc. by that point and offered the nubain so I could get a nap in and have energy for when it was actually time to push. It made me feel kind of like I was drunk, but definitely helped me relax.

I heard from a friend that they are offering a different drug instead now. I need to talk to my OB about it at my next appointment, so I know whether it's something I would consider or not.

My advice would be to find out the options your doctor will be offering even if you might want to go drug-free. Every labor is different and I would not have had a successful VBAC without pain relief.

BeanNut · August 2014

I agree the idea of the epi is sort of terrifying, OP! Just know the reasons why the epi are so widely used--it's extremely effective for most people (IV pain meds only take the edge off, really don't work that well, and can make baby groggy) and it's also considered very safe. So for most people who want pain meds, it's a hands-down choice.

Of course, it is also a great idea to learn some breathing and other med-free pain management techniques!!

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