March 2015 Moms
psypixie
member
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Au naturale vs Epidural (or other pain control methods)?
psypixie
member
I'm just curious to hear the experiences of those who have received an epidural (or other pain medications available) and those who decided to take the "natural route".
If you would, please share what your experience(s) was/were and if you would have changed anything or done anything differently.
Just a FTM trying to gain some insight on the topic. Thanks
If you would, please share what your experience(s) was/were and if you would have changed anything or done anything differently.
Just a FTM trying to gain some insight on the topic. Thanks
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Re: Au naturale vs Epidural (or other pain control methods)?
With my second daughter I went with no medicine at all. A much better experience even though it was a bit painful. When it came to pushing, it went nice and easy.
Had a super fast 5.5 hour labor and delivery. It was SO SO intense. Started off hard and intense and ended that way. By the time I got to the hospital they told me they weren't even sure the epidural would take before baby arrived. But that's okay, wasn't planning on it anyways.
I can't say what I would have done if it took any longer than it did.... But I really personally believe in doing it without assistance if at all possible. Obviously stuff happens, but that's just what my goal is
I used hypnobirth as my pain management, 9 hours active labour and 4 pushes and my girl was out. I had planned on a waterbirth but found it uncomfortable in practice. I'm glad to have gone that route and plan on it again.
PS. I wouldn't say I'm particularly crunchy, not that there's anything wrong with that. I just feel that women deserve to be educated and encouraged to make choices like these that are rightfully theirs to make instead of being frightened or pressured into other procedures because they don't know any better. This is your body, your baby and your experience that should be treasured.
I do have to say that I rarely have to take meds for period pain, and I usually only take them after 4 or 5 hours, so potentially I have the stamina for it. Though I know contractions are much worse. I specifically chose a hospital that has private tubs for laboring, so I'd have alternatives, and I am willing to take narcotic options as a second-to-last resort.
So all in all, I have a good plan in place, but can't say never having never been put in that position before. Hopefully I spend enough time dicking around that if I do cave, it isn't an option for me anymore.
I have a friend who is having her 6th, and she is opting for an epidural and a hospital this time! Shocked since she has done the previous 5 at home in water. She is pretty crunchy too. But she had a really excruciatingly tough birth experience with her last little guy. So, you never know. My only suggestion to everybody is don't let guilt feelings or anybody pressure you into doing what you don't want to do. Do what's right for you at the time. Although I've gone in everytime really really wanting to go med free, I've chosen to get the meds each time and never regretted the decision after. Birth plans change for many reasons and that's ok. Good luck to all you ladies and happy birthing experiences!
if you want to be drug free or not we're all able to prepare now to put a plan together where we can focus on calmly keeping the end in sight. that will benefit all of us in our individual situations, with our own opinions, options, and plans.
It is a personal decision but I also believe that we are so lucky nowadays to have so many resources to count on in making labour and other medical procedures easier or less painful for that matter...
So having the option is already a blessing, whether or not you choose it that's your decision and it will also depend on the situation...
Great experiences shared here by the way :x
This my first baby & I am planning on using hypnobirthing and going natural.
However, I had to have knee surgery at 29 weeks & they did a spinal block & I hated it. I had already planned on going without an epidural, but this solidified it. They had trouble getting the block to take, they had me in three positions trying to get it to take. While I was at home healing from the surgery the bruise from it bothered me as much as my knee. In recovery from the surgery I just kept wanting my legs to move and they wouldn't...it was so frustrating.
I really think you just need to have an honest discussion with yourself on how you handle any type of discomfort. If you're not good with pain, then an epidural is probably the way for you to go. For me, when I'm not comfortable I tend to focus on my breathing anyway, plus I typically don't like how my body reacts to drugs, so that's why I chose hypnobirthing.
Also, if you're really worried about it there are some alternative methods for helping with pain. They aren't nearly as strong... But like gas and air... You would have to look up some of the other options.
@Peledreamsofrain when we were interviewing with a pediatrician the other day, he told me that many women experience pain there afterwards & they'll do an MRI then find no explanation. He also said he loves when momma's go natural because baby is so much more alert when he sees them. Both of these were reasons I had planned to go without (totally with you on the not worth a lifetime of problems for a few hours of relief), but hearing it from a Dr was a nice confirmation to my thoughts about it.
That would be so awesome if I could do it without epidural!!!!
I dream everyday about having a quick and easy labour
I envy those ppl that have quick labor on the way to the hospital lol
Wow that's awesome!
I'm totally jealous [-O<
Just be prepared for it!!!!!
With my first, I started mild constant contractions Sunday night, water broke 7pm Monday night, had to go in to hospital as I was GBS pos. I wasn't progressing past 6cm by Tuesday morning so they asked if I wanted an epidural so that they could run pitocin. I refused the epidural but had no choice with the pitocin (it was that or risk a c section). She was born just after 6pm. Now having done that it has to be said that up until pitocin the contractions were manageable( equal to what I had read/researched and mentally prepared myself for) once the pitocin was administered I realized why they recommend a epidural chaser. They say that contractions are 10 times as strong and more painful than natural contractions so that was something I wasn't prepared for. 20 mins after she was out, I peed and was ready to go home, pain was gone. The only thing that I had problems with was a blood vessel broke in one of my eyes from pushing so I had a red eye for a couple of days.
We had about 5 babies born in our family that year and all of them have had complications from their epidurals. Everything from it didn't take properly, it wore of before baby came, it only took to half of their body. One cousin has permenant damage to her bladder as they purpherated it when they were putting in the catheter( went right through the otherside) and the last one has the spinal migraines that can be a side effect of the epidural.
I plan to go au natural with this one as well but the best thing is for you to do yor research and go in open minded.
I think for every good epidural story there is a bad one. And I just believe every woman should do her research and not just opinions from other woman (which have there helpfulness) but medically based research and make whatever decision feels right for them. And once you make that decision don't let anyone tell you you are wrong or make you feel bad or less than for your decision.
Ultimately we all love our babies and going natural or getting pain managment doesn't change how much we love them.