Drugs/med free?

kmt104 · August 2014

Mostly for STM- what did you do for previous deliveries and will you do the same with this one?

jesslinnn · August 2014

My first I planned on going med-free but ended up getting an epidural after almost a full day of labor.

My second I went completely med-free.

I plan on going med-free again with this one.

Emerald27 · August 2014

I planned for a med-free birth with DS, but had to be induced early and ended up approaching my birth with a negative/defeated attitude (I had hoped to labor in water and move freely but had to stay in bed with an IV and continuous wired monitoring). I got an epidural just a few hours into my induction. This time, I very very much want a different experience and am trying to set myself up for a positive and successful med-free birth. I've selected a baby-friendly certified hospital with tubs and showers and wireless monitoring, hired a doula, and am hopeful that I may not have to be induced.

mlhw NH · August 2014

I was able to go med free last time. I woke up at around 5 AM having the start of contractions and delivered my son by 2:30 pm the same day. I was very fortunate!
I'm hoping for the same/similar this time!

rae76 · August 2014

I had an epidural the first time. I will likely have one this time, although I'm hoping to labor a little longer than last time before getting it.

bumpuser10309732 · August 2014

Nicb13 said:

GIVE ME ALL THE DRUGS! (In all seriousness though, I trust my OB and he knows that I want to be as pain free as possible so he knows what to do!)
I was induced with DS and got an epidural. I hope to NOT be induced this time but definitely want the epidural.

Yup, this!

SCMomma · August 2014

I did med free and have plans to do the same again. My first was nearly 24 hours of back labor, but it was an absolutely awesome experience, and I can't wait to do it again.

kindacrunchy · August 2014

I have had two med free births and hope to have another. Both of my previous births were 24+ hours after my water broke with my second being even longer than my first. I am really hoping for a shorter labor this time! I am concerned for this birth being able to go med free since I wont be in as supportive of an environment (we moved) so I am keeping my options open.

bitsybubbles7 · August 2014

I went in with no preference one way or another. I labored for 15 hours at home and checked in at 7am. Continued laboring on a ball and in the tub until 12 when they wanted to check me. They kept me on a damn bed until 4pm (24 hours). When I still hadn't dilated past 4cm, they wanted to start pitocen (sp?); I asked for an epi. Lo was born around 9:30 via emergency c/s.

I am having a rcs this time and totes happy with it.

Liss1481 · August 2014

With my first, the nurse talked me into the injectable pain med and it was awful - did nothing for the pain and made me feel super dizzy for a period of time. No epi. I'm hoping to not have anything this time but am open to an epi depending on how things progress (I was only in labor for a total of 9 hours the first time). I want to be able to walk around and use the birthing ball again this time.

MsMacual · August 2014

I went med free with my first- water broke at 10:30 pm, contractions started at 11, I was fully dialated when I go to the hospital at 3:30 am (I actually told my dh in the car that I wanted an epi) so pain meds were out. Pushed for just over 4 hours and had a vacuum assist along with a lot of tearing.

This time- planning to go med free and hopefully low intervention. We also are hoping that we can time everything right so I can have a water birth.

My advice- prepare yourself as much as possible and it is mind over matter. Every time I started to doubt if I could do it, I would remind myself that I could and that it would all be over soon.

MrsL2B · August 2014

In an ideal world, I'd definitely not have an epidural, because I want to be able to move around and also because I don't want to feel disconnected from what's going on. But I already know that I'll have to be on an IV, so that will restrict me somewhat, and I'll likely be induced, which I am not happy about. Being diabetic I don't have as many options, so I just have to hope that I can cope with the induction pain.

HappyCianci · August 2014

I had a meds-free delivery with my first and plan another one this time around. My first labor was on the short side at 12 hours, and I arrived at the hospital at 9cm, so this time I'm going to go in kind of early.

I would be very sad if I had to get an epidural... natural birth was such an amazing and powerful experience. I would hate to miss out on it!

What are you planning, OP?

meggiev123 · August 2014

I had a med free birth with the exception of a bit of pitocin toward the end, and hope to do the same again. That said, I had a quick labor (4 hours), and may have caved if it was longer and more arduous.

lct2008 · August 2014

I had a pain med free birth last time- but did have pitocin which sucked a big one. I'd like to have another med free birth if I am able and I also am hoping I don't need any pitocin/interventions.

IrishHoney123 · August 2014

I read Ina May Gaskin's book and read articles on childbirth on the Lamaze website.

My first labor was induced with pitocin and lasted 8 hrs. DH really helped me through that one-I used the ball, walked the halls, and used the tub. I pushed for less than 15 minutes and was holding DS1.

My second labor began with water breaking and lasted 6 hrs from start to finish. I again walked the halls and used the tub even longer (HEAVEN). I wish I'd been guided to hold back on the pushing a little (3 pushes and DS2 was out) because I tore quite a bit.

I have no regrets declining all pain meds. We can do this!

yoyopez · August 2014

i was induced 10 days after my due date w/ DD. i went as long as i could w/o an epidural and when i did get one, it was only effective on my left side. still felt like i was in complete pain on the right. i wanted to punch the nurse who repeatedly asked, "is it pain or pressure?" "on a scale of 1-10 how much does it hurt and are you feeling pain or pressure?" bitch, i'm in pain and while it feels like a 10 to me i'm kind of afraid it could get worse. i had them remove and re-do the epidural with no success. on the bright side, when i was fully dialated and started pushing, i no longer felt any pain and baby was out in 20-30 min.

this time i hope to go into labor naturally and will again hold off on epidural/pain meds until i just can't stand it anymore. so i could go med free but not going to be disappointed in myself if i do choose meds.

Duder · August 2014

With my first birth contractions began around 10:30pm on a Tuesday night (the night before my scheduled induction!) and I delivered her just after 9pm on Wednesday night. I did the whole thing med free, and I plan on doing this one med free, too. I just hope it's a shorter labor!

pinkshades05 · August 2014

I was med/drugs free with DD and hopefully we will do it again. It was one of the hardest things that I remember doing, but I felt it was worth it.

MrMrsandBaby · August 2014

I have zero complaints about my epi with DD. I labored at home until I started throwing up from the pain and DH decided it was time to go to the hospital. I was there for about 24 hours before DD was born and got the epi about 4-5 hours before she was born. My contractions weren't super strong but I knew I wanted the pain relief. I also had a shot of dilaudid through the IV a couple hours before the epi so that I could sleep.

Even with the meds, I was fully aware of what was going on, knew when to push and when the contractions were. I also didn't have to worry about the pain of being stitched up after because I was already relatively numb!

No regrets, and plan to do the same this time! I liked waiting a while to get it so I could move around but once it was in I liked that I could rest and get a little sleep.

kmt104 · August 2014

@HappyCianci‌ thanks for asking.. I was induced with DD last year, had the mind set I want pain meds ASAP and got the epi at 2cm (pathetic I know, but she was posterior and being strapped to the bed I was miserable) then 'stalled' at 3cm for 4hrs before being taken for CS. This time I'm going for a VBAC and my 'drugs ASAP' mindset is changing to med free or at least hold out as long as possible, I'm just so scared I wont be able to handle it! I'd just hate to get a epi and have that lead to other interventions and a CS...

ScootsMcG · August 2014

I had a med free birth in a hospital with my first. I was sent home at first and found dramatically different levels of support between the day and evening nursing staff. Luckily, my mom and husband offered great support the entire time.

Although it was a long labor, (24+) hours, I had a very good experience overall. Hope to do the same again and am excited to be in a different hospital with a supportive midwife (had an OB last time) this time around.

Emerald27 · August 2014

@kmt104 have you considered hiring a doula? Taking a class on a med-free method of labor pain management? There are some great things you can do to help prepare for a med-free birth and increase your chances of success. It might especially be helpful for you in seeking a VBAC.

One thing we've done differently this time was reading "The Birth Partner" together. DH LOVED it, and it gave him a sense of having a little more control over the situation, because of the knowledge of what I'll be experiencing and all the resources for how to properly help me through it. Sure, he's a great source of support anyway, but knowing exactly what support is most helpful at any given time, and having lots of ideas at his disposal, as well as being able to identify what's going on and what my needs are (all carefully outlined in the book) have given him loads of confidence and really made him feel excited for LO's arrival.

kmt104 · August 2014

@Emerald27‌ yes I have hired a doula!! I'm excited and anxious for it all to happen!

Emerald27 · August 2014

kmt104 said:
@Emerald27‌ yes I have hired a doula!! I'm excited and anxious for it all to happen!

Awesome!! I hope you have the birth experience you are hoping for.

CNJ4EVA · August 2014

I had an open mind as far as meds were concerned, but I knew I was probably going to opt for getting the epidural.

I was induced and had the highest dose of pitocin they are allowed to give. I only lasted about 3 1/2 hours before asking for the epi. I probably would've asked for it no matter what the circumstances though.

I have no regrets about getting one. I'm having a RCS, so it's a non-issue this time, but otherwise I would go for it again.

Want a personalized experience?

Drugs/med free?

Re: Drugs/med free?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards