Epidural or no epidural???

KiannaChar · May 2015

Anyone planning on getting the epidural? Why? Anyone who's previously had one ok with sharing the experience? Still very much debating wether or not to and was looking for some advice :-)

ktyrd007 · May 2015

I'm planning on an all natural birth - no meds or interventions at all. Our bodies are incredible and women have been birthing for thousands of years - it's by far the most amazing thing that only a woman can do! If you go into your birth already thinking about the epidural, you're more likely to end up with one. However, if you go into it with a positive mindset and a strong 'I can do anything' attitude you might just surprise yourself and not need one. Use it as a last resource rather than deciding now that you want to be medicated.

KateLouise · May 2015

I've never had an epidural, although I know lots of people who have had really positive experiences with them. I've had two wonderful natural birth experiences.

What I was coming in here to say was that I don't think it's something you need to decide before the day. I think you're smart to ask other people their experiences, and to find out the pros and cons, risks etc so that you go into birth informed, but then just do what you need on the day.

Best wishes in your birth

SnarkasaurusRex · May 2015

I'm planning on as natural of a birth as possible, but an epidural is not off the table. I'm a FTM so I don't fully know what to expect, and I've had an injury to my pelvis that has the potential to make childbirth extra painful so I don't want to swear off all interventions. I do know for sure that I don't want pain drugs, but that's all that is really set in stone at this point.

Ashuhleex · May 2015

I had an epidural with my two boys and plan on getting one with this one as well. Both my deliveries went smoothly. I could still feel when I was having the contractions and was able to push just fine when it was time. The only side effects I had were shaking and the spot where the epidural was placed was sore to the touch for a few weeks. But nothing I wouldn't do again. I had two great experiences. I waited as long as I thought I could to get one. I have a very low pain tolerance. I know labor isn't fun and it's supposed to hurt. It was just to overwhelming for me in my case. So I got one. And enjoyed both. Its def a personal decision you should make.

delujm0 · May 2015

The teacher of my birth class last week (who is a nurse and doula) said that in the US 90% of women who have vaginal births in the hospital wind up getting the epidural at some point.

I'm a total wuss so I'm not even going to pretend I won't want one, but I do plan to wait as long as I can before getting it. Hopefully until 6-7cm.

croberts710 · May 2015

I had a natural birth with a midwife in a birthing center in the tub with my son and am planning the same thing with my daughter. It's not a walk in the park but really wasn't as horrible as people make it out to be either. Just breath and focus on getting through each contraction. The water helped tremendously and after he was born we were able to go home within a couple of hours. I've heard some horror stories regarding epidurals and I like my spine the way it is... Either way good luck ☺️

saric83 · May 2015

I'm just going in with an open mind and going to wait and see how it goes. I will definitely ask my doc/nurses when the cut-off might be to get it, so I can keep that in mind.

I've had a lot of friends who have had the epidural with no issues whatsoever, and I have some who felt really strongly about no drugs, and they were happy with their experience too. It's totally about what you want to do - don't let anyone pressure you into a decision one way or the other!

Bigboobsmcgee · May 2015

croberts710 said:
I had a natural birth with a midwife in a birthing center in the tub with my son and am planning the same thing with my daughter. It's not a walk in the park but really wasn't as horrible as people make it out to be either. Just breath and focus on getting through each contraction. The water helped tremendously and after he was born we were able to go home within a couple of hours. I've heard some horror stories regarding epidurals and I like my spine the way it is... Either way good luck ☺️

LOL. Wow. You are one tough lady then.

Bigboobsmcgee · May 2015

OP, explore all options and make an educated decision BUT be open minded and prepared for anything when you go into labor.

I had an epidural with my first when I was induced and totally planned on having one for my second but we didn't make it to the hospital in time to get it. I'm not even kidding, I thought I was going to die giving birth without any pain meds. I kept thinking that the pain was going to kill me and I couldn't understand why ANY woman would choose to go med free. It was the most horrible pain I'd ever experienced in my entire life and I wanted to crawl out of my skin. But I was able to get up right away and felt much better than after having an epidural.

Labor is so fun

cubberss · May 2015

I've done it both ways and plan to go med-free again this time. I loved my med-free births and recovery way more than my birth with an epidural.

Alyllyra · May 2015

I had an epidural and it was the best decision I made in my life. It took the pain away temporarily and let me eat and sleep for a bit so that I could load up on energy for the actual pushing part (which still hurt like hell, btw). I also had very little side effects from the epi, but that can vary from person to person.
OP, no matter what you decide on, make sure you are fine with your plan changing during labor. Things can happen, and that's ok. In the end, you get to bring hope a sweet little baby.

KonaCoffeeBean · May 2015

I'm just going to wing it

NYMominCA · May 2015

Sign me up! I was terrified of an epidural with DD but I am a wuss with pain and was doing OK with Stadol until they told me they'd have to stop it at 9cm. I'm like, "What? Take away my pain just to give it back to me in the end?! HELLL to the no!" So I decided to get an epidural. Best. Decision. Ever. I had no issues whatsoever. They didn't even have to turn it down when I was pushing.

With DS I knew I'd get one, and when the time came I did. Again, best decision ever. I relaxed so much and was able to push him out in 2 pushes without them ever turning the epi down.

So, yeah, I'll be getting one again. And I'm looking forward to it.

I didn't have any issues with recovery with either, as well. I only took Tylenol postpartum, nothing heavy-duty.

ladyteach0505 · May 2015

Uh, well, I was all about the epidural...until I was on the -third- attempt to get it in. Apparently I have a mild form of scoliosis that's never been diagnosed so the guy trying to put it in kept missing it. The first time he did it I was okay. The second time I thought I would break. Apparently when they position you for the epidural it can cause the baby to move down so I went from 7 cm at the time they started to 10 cm by the time the third and final epidural was successfully placed by a doctor.

Then to top it off the right side of my body didn't numb up. So the left side was totally fine and I was having massive contractions on the right. They gave me another dose of medicine at the last minute that worked and I had a smooth delivery after that.

I never dreamt that the very worst part of my labor would be the epidural. I genuinely felt like the pain was manageable up until the second attempt at the epidural. That said, 10 centimeters on the right side of my body was an INTENSE feeling- like grip the bedrails and hold on tight feeling. I wonder what that "ring of fire" feels like without medicine. Luckily I didn't have to find out. But just go into labor knowing that nothing is guaranteed-including the epidural.

CinciSurro · May 2015

1st - Received epidural at about 4-5 centimeters, it only worked on the right side and I felt everything on the left. Labored about 6 more hours like that and pushed for an hour. It hurt and was really distracting being numb on one side and having so much pain on the other. It completely wore off after she was out and I felt every. single. stitch. Ow.

2nd - Was 8cm when I arrived at the hospital but was strep b positive, so they wanted me to try to labor for 4 more hours to get antibiotics. Got the epidural about 30 minutes later and just relaxed for almost exactly 4 hours and then got cleared to push. He was out in 2 pushes and it was the easiest recovery. We left 22 hours after he was born and I felt great.

3rd - Went from 4cm to 9cm within 30 minutes of arriving at the hospital, and barely got the epidural placed before I was at 10. I felt every contraction until I started pushing and then it was just enough to take that edge off and got him out in 2 pushes. Again, super easy recovery and no negative side effects after or even later.

No spine pain later, no shakes. I didn't like not being able to eat, or that my husband couldn't be in the room while I was getting it placed. I tore each time and was thankful to have the epidural working for the stitching up part for #2 and #3.

holli0801 · May 2015

I am going to try to go without. I'm going to be flexible and see how things goes. I'm not ridiculous, but I also know what I want. I'm not someone who can wing it completely uninformed. I'd suggest doing some research either way... I loved the book natural birth for modern mamas, and also Ina May's natural birthing book.

shannonota · May 2015

This is my first baby. My plan is to go natural and epidurals freak me out. Just the entire concept of it, I know they have done it forever and a lot of people love or hate them or they don't work. I'm gonna hang out in the whirlpool as long as I can and hoping I can have this baby with no medication. Our bodies are wonderful and capable. Positive mind and we can do anything :-)

HaruhiChan · May 2015

I went in planning on natural.

Until I wasn't progressing, getting shaky and dizzy from sheer exhaustion from lack of sleep the day before my labour started, and was having back labour. 11 hours with no progression with back labour and facing a possible c-section, I asked for the epidural. I got some sleep and regained energy for the hardest part of labour.

However, when they moved me down the bed to push, they accidentally pulled out the catheter for the epidural and I felt everything while pushing. Including a nice second degree tear and the stitches!

That being said, I totally understand what they mean by ring of fire. My god it hurts. But, it's a tolerable pain.

Knowing the pain without the epidural with pushing, if I had gotten enough sleep and didn't have complications, I would have gone without the epidural--the pain is manageable if you have the strength and energy for it (so sleep and eat well before labour!)

However, aside from it falling out without anyone knowing, the epidural wasn't so bad. It definitely wasn't as scary as it sounds--and I'm terrified of needles. I'll be honest, I was more terrified of the freezing needles they use before putting the epidural in lol

kristyn831 · May 2015

FTM, planning on getting an epidural. I may consider nitric oxide, but I'm leaning more towards the epidural.

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