stm's nb vs epi questions

SSCmomma · November 2014

Im considering a natural birth because I have concerns about the epi. I could use some feedback from ladies who have been there.
1) anyone regret their unmedicated birth?
2) anyone regret their epi birth?
3) I have ALWAYS had restless leg syndrome and it has only gotten worse. The only thing that helps is getting up, moving, taking a shower, etc. Has anyone here who gets RLS had an epi and did it relieve the sypmtoms or did you end up confined to a bed unable to get up but still feeling the unrelenting need to move?

Unknown · November 2014

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sschwege · November 2014

I had both of my babies med-free and if everything goes well plan to this time around as well. I really liked having the freedom of movement. With my first I labored in the bath for hours, it was so nice and relaxing in their jacuzzi tub. So relaxing in fact that when my MW told me I was fully dilated I opted to 'labor down' for 1.5+ hours because I just didn't want to get out of the tub to push! My second was much quicker, DS was born in triage. After he was born they took him to the Special Care Nursery because he was having breathing problems (he was fine), after they stitched me up I was able to just get up and walk across the hall and stand next to his bassinet and hold his hand. It was nice to be able to spring right back! Also it was nice because I never felt like a patient in a hospital, I walked around ate/drank, didn't so much as have an IV in my arm, it was just a great experience.

I would say the only thing I did differently the second time was to ask for pain relievers after the baby was born. For whatever reason my MW/LD nurse did not offer them and I didn't think to ask. So two hours or so after DD was born and the adrenaline had worn off I was in so much pain (2nd degree tear) that I felt I couldn't even hold her. It was my MIL who suggested I ask for something, don't know why it didn't occur to me! The second time around I put my mom in charge of reminding me to ask for pain relievers after baby was born and she did. I just alternated regular Tyl and Advil every 3 hours.

I do not have Restless Leg, but my cousin-law does. She had an epi both times and she never mentioned it having an impact either way.

llambrose · November 2014

I had an epi and did not regret it at all. My labor progressed quickly and I was able to be relaxed and comfortable while it did. I only ended up confined to a bed for about 5 hours. After they stopped the meds, it was maybe an hour before I got the feeling back in my legs and there were no effects on me or my daughter. I have always had restless legs as well and it was not at all a problem. I really didn't feel much in my lower half so I would not have felt the restless legs. I would actually be more concerned with my legs feeling restless on top of feeling labor pains, I feel like that would be really annoying to have both happening at once.

NicoleWI · November 2014

LOVED my epis, both times. Third baby was breech and was a c-section. Epis were like a miracle for me. I had no negative effects, nor did baby. I could still move around. Maybe not walk, but I was not trying to walk anyway as I was most comfortable in bed (got a little sleep) and was also vomiting periodically. No trouble bf or walking afterwards. I don't have RLS so no advice there.

I truly think that I wouldn't have been able to have my first baby (or maybe my second) vaginally w/out the epi, as I had to push for 5 hours and 3 hours respectively and needed episiotomies with both and also vacuum for #2. It was super important for me to relax and get a little bit of rest and not have to tolerate severe pain for so long. Apparently my pelvic arch is shaped weird and it's hard to get the baby past it.

What I would not do again is get Stadol. It's a narcotic shot they gave me with DD1 before I got the epi, b/c I was in so much pain but not progressing well. THAT was crappy. it worked for a little bit but I was totally groggy and out of it and then could feel pain again but still was in a dizzy fog.

PrimRoseMama · November 2014

Note: I've done both.

1) anyone regret their unmedicated birth? No.

2) anyone regret their epi birth?
No.

3) I have ALWAYS had restless leg syndrome and it has only gotten worse. The only thing that helps is getting up, moving, taking a shower, etc. Has anyone here who gets RLS had an epi and did it relieve the sypmtoms or did you end up confined to a bed unable to get up but still feeling the unrelenting need to move?

I have no experience there. Both times labor pains were alleviated by moving. I did have to have monitoring towards the end of both births so I was in the bed at an incline (downward) for pushing both times.

Stephij1 · November 2014

I'm apparently in the minority here, but I hated my epi. It worked exactly like it was supposed to (I didn't feel any pain, but I could still feel when I needed to push), I just hated being forced to lie there. The epi made me shake (it's a common side-effect), but really my issues were more to do with feeling like I wasn't an active participant in the birth of my daughter. I was hungry and couldn't eat, I was uncomfortable and couldn't move, and I hated feeling like I had no control or influence over the experience. I definitely wouldn't say I was traumatized by the experience or anything (I had a fabulous doc, great nurses, and had planned on the epi ahead of time), but excepting unforseen circumstances, I'll be going drug free this time.

marriedinaugust · November 2014

My first was unmedicated. It was hard, he was OP and I pushed for 2 hours but I do not regret it at all. This one will be unmedicated as well.

lesliegolem · November 2014

I loved my epi. When I went into labor I planned on having an unmediated birth. Then my labor stalled and I was given pitocin. The contractions were so much worse than I thought they'd be. Getting my epi was sweet relief. I still felt the pressure but it took the edge of the pain. It also allowed me to get a little sleep before I had to push.

I was planning to try going unmediated with this pregnancy but honestly after reading so many birth stories think I'll get an epi again. It really helped me.

I don't have any experience with RLS sorry!

SSCmomma · November 2014

Thanks ladies. As you can tell I'm still trying to figure a lot of this out. Going to be speaking with my doula today and some more with my MW later this week.

chicorojo · November 2014

I've never regretted my unmedicated births, but they were not planned and I wanted the epi both times, I just progressed too quickly. I think if I would have prepared for unmedicated births I would have felt better in the moment.

Amstreagle · November 2014

Can we all make an agreement that natural =\= unmedicated.
I had an epi and had a very good experience. You can't feel your legs at all so I don't think you'd feelRLS symptoms.

sschwege · November 2014

Amstreagle said:

Can we all make an agreement that natural =\= unmedicated.
I had an epi and had a very good experience. You can't feel your legs at all so I don't think you'd feelRLS symptoms.

Agreed! I really don't like that term!

mamaloaf · November 2014

I have ABSOLUTELY no regrets from having the EPI. In fact, I think it is one of the smartest decisions I've ever made. No pain in getting it, complete pain relief. I could feel just enough to know when it was time to push. No side effects.

I struggled with the idea of going unmedicated. My final conclusion was that being pregnant and being a mom will be hard enough. There is no trophy for going med-free and it wouldn't make me any better than another mom. I will have the EPI with future children as well.

AllTheTeaInChina · November 2014

No regrets of my drug free birth. I plan to do it again soon.

skibunny59 · November 2014

I had an unmedicated birth with my DD (planned) and I have no regrets whatsoever. I plan to go med free this time around too but I'm open to getting an epi if I feel I really need it. I would say if you're not sure, try to go med free but be open to getting the epi if you need it. I had a great experience with my daughter and honestly, almost didn't even make it to the hospital because I kept waiting for it to be more painful. I never felt like I was in unbearable pain. Like I said though, every labor is different so you don't know.

[Deleted User] · November 2014

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SSCmomma · November 2014

Stephanie2378 said:

@SSCmomma‌ an epidural is not the only medication available to you for pain relief.

Definitely don't want narcotics because they give me a rip roaring migraine for DAYS afterward.

jinnymb · November 2014

My experiences were these:

My DS1, I had an epi and it stopped my labor requiring Pitocin and only worked on one side. I had to lay in bed and feel pain and pressure but could not move to relieve it. They had to keep flipping me on my side during pushing because his heart rate dropped and it was scary for me and DH. My recovery was decent, not too bad. He would not nurse right away just wanted to sleep.

My DS2/3 we had unmedicated and intervention free births. They were only 4 hours each, empowering, beautiful experiences, nursed right away giving me confidence, easy recoveries.

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