need pros and cons list :)

HaruhiChan · January 2015

I don't go here yet, but figured this may be the better place to ask.

I am planning on a med free birth, but looking into back up options in case I chicken out or find that I can't handle it. The epidural is not for me due to some medical conditions already existing pre-pregnancy.

I have both narcotics and gas available as choices at my hospital.

I am looking for pros and cons to both options to help weigh into my decision.

I handle narcotics very well with no side effects to myself, my worries are more regarding the side effects to my baby.

Can I pick your brains for a little while? Arigatou

PrimRoseMama · January 2015

See the post above.

PrimRoseMama · January 2015

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12518794/epidural-alternatives#latest

HaruhiChan · January 2015

I read that thread already. I'm looking for specifics of the negatives and positives of gas and narcotics. I'm already choosing water as a labour pain management choice, but looking for more details regarding these two medication options. More of a complete list of side effects of both.

And I didn't want to hijack their thread

Unknown · January 2015

This content has been removed.

PrimRoseMama · January 2015

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/labor-and-delivery/art-20049326

https://www.pregnancy.com.au/resources/topics-of-interest/labour-and-birth/nitrous-oxide-for-pain-relief-in-labour.shtml

You can also consult any pregnancy book or ask your doctor for physical handouts of the pros & cons.

Amstreagle · January 2015

Research and pregnancy books.

HaruhiChan · January 2015

I have a few pregnancy books but they do not go into detail on the pros and cons on them, they just glance over them. They tend to only go into detail on the epidural or "natural" birth method. Most sources I have looked at only glance things over and don't seem so in-depth. Thank you very much for the help

HaruhiChan · January 2015

@Nicb13‌ thank you for your input! Sorry if this is personal, but did the narcotics affect your daughter at all?

HaruhiChan · January 2015

Thank you! I am hoping to go without, but need to know thoroughly my back up plan.

Due to a severe arm injury last month, I had been put on dilaudid for pain management and to me it is like taking a regular tylenol--no side effects of dizziness, or anything. That is one reason I was leaning towards narcotics as a back up because I know how my body reacts with them and I know they work well for me.

I just worry that there could be side effects to the baby.

I've never been on nitrous oxide. So I am not sure how I react and I do not know much about it in general at all.

megorlando · January 2015

Wait, so you've already been on a narcotic for pain management, right? I wouldn't worry about it then. I mean, I don't worry about it anyway - I don't think that a little bit of narcotic will hurt a newborn. But if you've already had something and it worked well for your arm, it or something similar will probably work to at least take the edge off during labor. I don't think gas is a big deal either. Docs and anesthesiologists have been doing this for a long time - plus, you can ask them to start at the lowest dose and work up as needed. I just wouldn't worry about it. It's so easy to focus in on one thing or another as the big day approaches, but try not to. It'll all be just fine!

megorlando · January 2015

I almost forgot - six days after my first was born, they even gave me a narcotic when they stitched up a missed tear that they found when I went in for mastitis. I was breastfeeding, and they just said that if my daughter had any reactions or was unusually sleepy to call them, but otherwise not to worry about it. All was well.

sschwege · January 2015

HaruhiChan said:

Thank you! I am hoping to go without, but need to know thoroughly my back up plan. Due to a severe arm injury last month, I had been put on dilaudid for pain management and to me it is like taking a regular tylenol--no side effects of dizziness, or anything. That is one reason I was leaning towards narcotics as a back up because I know how my body reacts with them and I know they work well for me. I just worry that there could be side effects to the baby. I've never been on nitrous oxide. So I am not sure how I react and I do not know much about it in general at all.

The nice thing about nitrous is that it only lasts as long as you are breathing it in. Unlike an epi or narcotics if you decide you don't like how it feels just stop using it and you are done.

As far as narcotics I really only know of one person who actually liked it and said she would use it again. Everyone else said it didn't work, just made them feel drunk and sleepy and the problem was, while they were on it they had to stay in bed. However, my cousin used I think Stadol and thought it was great. She said she still felt the contractions, but she just didn't care, said she felt drunk but in a good way. She also said she was able to sleep between contractions, which was nice. But she said she was getting so relaxed that they were giving her oxygen and reminding her to take deep breaths.

jennygirlmt · January 2015

Not a first hand account (and I don't go here yet either) but a friend of mine delivered baby 1 in England and she had laughing gas (nitrous oxide, right?). And she loved it. She said the effects wore off almost immediately after she stopped breathing it in and that it didn't affect the baby.

They looked everywhere here in Philadelphia for a hospital that would use it and they couldn't find one (or maybe it was over an hour away). She was bummed as it really worked well. They did med free at a birth center for DS2 and while it was fine she really missed the gas and the edge that it took off of contractions.

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need pros and cons list :)

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