May 2015 Moms

No pain meds. Would you do it again?

I've been on the fence my entire pregnancy about pain meds during labor. My question is for all the moms who did NOT use pain meds during labor. Would you do it the same way your 2nd time around. Why or why not. Please don't turn this into a debate about meds. I'm just looking for different experiences. Thanks!

Re: No pain meds. Would you do it again?

  • I did all 3 deliveries with no meds. My last one I didn't have time for, by the time I made it to the hospital I was already at 9 cm. I'm not having anymore but it really all depends on your pain tolerance and how long you are in labor, I got lucky and had fast deliveries.
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  • Yes I did and I am again. I was 18 when I had my son and had him no problem with no meds. How? I was determined I was going to have my baby the way women for thousands of years had! :) You can do it! It is all in the mind. but there is also nothing wrong with an epidural or whatever you choose you do what is best for yourself! :)
  • I wouldn't do it without pain meds.
  • ryemoryemo member
    My first two babies were posterior, meaning labor was harder and my being able to move was more important. My first was med free until the took me to the OR at 10 cm for a CS (which I realized later I didn't need). My second I was determined to do it all the way, and had a hospital water birth. I'm planning to do it again, this time at home.

    But, as someone who's seen 100s of births of all types, I'd say there are many beautiful ways to give birth to a baby and med free is just one of them. I'd also add that it's impossible to guess what a FTM's labor will be like or how she'll cope in labor until she's actually there. Preparation and desire are good indicators she will go med free, but sometimes labor takes another path.
  • Let me start by saying I truly believe there is no glory in a med-free labor and no shame in a medicated one.

    I had a 39-hour med-free labor with DD, including 10 hours stuck at 9 cm (the most painful part of labor), and I am planning a med-free labor again. There are a couple reasons I chose med-free. A big one is that you're suddenly hooked up to a bunch of things. An IV, a catheter, an epidural line, constant monitoring with a heart rate belt and a contraction belt, you're bed-bound, no birthing tub use, etc. Imagine the difference in experience of walking around free vs all those things on or in your body and bed-bound. Another reason I prefer med-free is because of the risks and side-effects involved with meds. You can leak spinal fluid and need additional interventions and a longer recovery, it can cause the shakes, they give you saline first and that can cause swelling, they can have difficulty placing ivs, catheters, and epidurals, labor can slow down, higher risk of c-section, and all drugs have a long list of possible risks and side effects.

    Early labor (0-3 cm dilation) was not that painful. Active labor was harder (3-7 cm) but still manageable. I labored at home until I was 5 cm. Didn't know that until I got to the hospital, of course. At that point I was fine between contractions but had to stop and breathe through the minute or so of a contraction. It got increasingly more painful the closer I got to 7 cm though. It's the transition phase of labor (7-10 cm) that is really tough and you have to use your tools and really dig deep to manage. Thankfully on average that phase only lasts 1.5-3 hours. for me it was freakishly long but I was able to hang in there. Then pushing isn't as bad and is usually the quickest. About 30 mins for me. There's one part of pushing when the baby is crowning called the "ring of fire" - because that's what it feels like - but it only lasts a couple of contractions. Overall, labor is a gradual process so you have time to adjust instead of jumping straight to the hard part. And, it's amazing how much is instinctual and how inwardly focused you become.

    Anyway, labor IS tough for most women. It's just a hard day or two we go through for the best reward ever. I'm a marathoner and it was definitely harder than any marathon I've run. But it wasn't the pain that was the hardest part, it was the exhaustion.

    My biggest advice, no matter what you choose, is to lean in and fully participate the best you can without holding back. Resistance and hesitation and "woe is me" attitude causes unnecessary suffering. Even the wimpiest of people give birth. You can do it!

    This was super helpful for me to read! I've been super on the fence as well, and it's tough to decide which to do. I'm going to try pain free for as long as I can and hopefully not give in. I don't want to be bedridden!
  • I've been on the fence my entire pregnancy about pain meds during labor. My question is for all the moms who did NOT use pain meds during labor. Would you do it the same way your 2nd time around. Why or why not. Please don't turn this into a debate about meds. I'm just looking for different experiences. Thanks!

    Thanks for starting this thread! I'm looking for an honest account of med free labor as well because I would love to try it!!
  • My reasons are the same as supersarah77's. I couldn't have said it better. I plan to be med free again (assuming this baby figured out how to be head down!).
  • Yes for me med free suits as i need to be able to move iv birthed 5 times all in totally different positions each time my body has wanted to be active and in some form of movement. From water to rocking to standing to bed to knees. I never have ruled anything out each birth iv got to the part where the pain is so much to handle when iv so very wanted "meds" and within 30 mins iv been holding my darling babies. And the most amazing feeling all the pain is just gone! So med free is the way for me. I wish u all the very best whatever u choose and when it feels like u cant go on "your soooo close to birthing"
  • Yes absolutely! My first I had an epidural in the hospital & my second I ended up having him with a midwife unmedicated (he was even 3 lbs bigger). I'm not going to lie- labor sucked and was very painful but I believe not being in the hospital made it easier because I simply didn't have the option. However, I am currently 35 weeks with #3 and plan on unmedicated again because the first time I had some post labor complications from the epidural & catheter, and I LOVED the freedom after birth of second with being able to move around/shower/get up right away etc... So- hoping that even though I'll be back in the hospital with meds an arms reach away I'll be able to just say no
  • I loved having a med free birth because I could listen to my body and let it do what it needed. I do have a high pain tolerance but for me labor and delivery last time was not bad at all. I hope to do it again. Good luck ladies
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  • Love hearing these stories! Thanks, ladies!
  • My story is backwards of what you asked so I hope it'll be somewhat helpful. With my first I was 17 and knew nothing about what I wanted. So when the pain started they offered the epidural and I agreed. A few hours later they woke me up to push and I thought I was pushing but nothing was happening. I tried and tried but since I couldn't feel anything it just didn't go well. My body did a lot of work and they were able to vacuum my son out which was fine BUT 14 years later I'm pregnant again and really want to be a part of this delivery. With the help of my husband and doula I'm really hoping to be med free for as long as possible with this baby. I haven't ruled it out bc I'm a big wimp but we have set a ask 3 times rule. I believe it can be done I'm just not sure if I can do it. Great post and I hope my plan helps.
  • I am not doing it the same way. I did natural the first time and didn't go to the hospital till he last minute so I could labor at home. That part was great because hospitals change the calm energy I was trying to maintain. But this time we are doing it different.
    When we got to the hospital experienced a bit of trauma and couldn't hold my baby right after delivery. There are actually a couple of reason we are doing it medicated this time.
  • I didn't want to do it med free the first time! But the anesthesiologist tried about 8 times to get the epidural in, only succeeded twice, but once felt *wrong* and the other time he hit a vein. He went and did another mom in about five minutes, so I know it wasn't just him. I have a tight spine, I guess.

    Shortly after that the doc came in to tell me my contractions weren't getting strong enough fast enough. Because my water had been broken for so long we needed to start Pitocin to move things along. That was the worst experience of my life. The pain was so bad, I couldn't do anything but lay there and yell through each contraction. But it got the job done.

    I am hoping and praying to have better luck this time. Hoping contractions will start before my water breaks. Hoping the epidural will go in successfully - I've been stretching my back!
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  • I didn't use any meds during or after delivery. It was the most excruciating pain I've ever felt and totally understand why they call it the "ring of fire". At one point I thought I was going to pass out and I've used the word "barbaric" to describe my composure through most of my experience. That said, I would absolutely do it naturally every chance I could. I recommend the birthing tub if it's a possibility. We tried that but had to move to the birthing stool. This time we're having twins so going natural is not an option, but when we thought we only had one on the way I was going to go natural again.
  • I've done both, I most certainly would do it without meds again. I don't think it makes me any stronger/better than the mom down the hall, I just don't like how the meds make me feel. So this includes after birth. I had a c/s with my son and refused "the good drugs". My pain was manageable with ibuprofen, and I was lucid. Why should I take morphine just because I can?
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  • I just had my baby two weeks ago and my plan going in was to just see how it went, but I had no qualms about getting an epidural if I wanted one. My labor ended up going really fast. After being in triage for two hours, they checked me and I was already at a nine, so they quickly moved me to a room and the anastegiolist came in and said that by the time the meds kicked in the baby would be out, so I just ended up doing it med free by accident. It really was doable though and when it was over, it was really empowering. I was also much more with it than I'd imagined being and that made the time right after birth really nice. For the next one I think I'll have the same mindset of getting an epi if I want one, but it's also nice to know I did it med free once and it was a really good experience.
  • I wouldn't use them again. My experience was so good and I was able to move around as I pleased. It isn't for everyone, but it is the most rewarding thing I ever did. I'm planning on doing it the same way around May 11 :) good luck! You were made to do it!
  • Ladies, I so appreciate all your personal stories and the way you all kept this respectful and kind. It has helped me so much. My indecision has been about the loss of control and wanting to be able to do all that I can after the birth. This has encouraged me to relax and let the experience play out as it needs to. I'm not against meds, I just know my personality and med free seems to be what I am leaning toward. You are all awesome.
  • So glad for this post! I'm going to try med free and this really gives me encouragement!

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  • I'm planning on a medication free birth for this baby (#2). This was also what I did with #1. If you get a chance, pick up a copy of Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. I'm reading it now. The first half of the book are stories of unmedicated births. Very empowering stories and lots of wisdom about giving birth without meds.
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