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August 2015 Moms
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Another Med Question.

victoriaaa1victoriaaa1 member
edited June 2015 in August 2015 Moms
As the days come closer and closer I think of labor more and more. I'm still going into the hospital with an open mind and going to "TRY" to have a med-free L&D . As a FTM I have no idea what I'm getting into and what my body can and can't tolerate, even though I have a pretty damn high pain tolerance. I do know birth can't even be on that scale of pain tolerance. By all means I know things might change and I could go the epi route (which I really want to avoid. I hate feeling numb or basically the thought of being handicap and can't do anything for a while) I've been considering maybe doing other pain medications if possible just to get through it..I'm not looking for a complete numb to the pain cause obviously I'm pretty sure that only an epi can do that..do certain hospitals have certain pains meds to offer or do they have them all? Can any one tell me anything good about receiving any kind of pain meds besides the epidural?
I really don't want to be stuck in bed or have a huge needle in my back that could potentially cause issues for my back In the future which just about every woman I know that's given birth has an issue with because of an epi...and also, how far along do I have till an epi is to late to receive?
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Re: Another Med Question.

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  • SouthernYankee87SouthernYankee87 member
    I agree with PP.  Talk to your doctor.

    My experience - My doctor said I could get an epi pretty much as long as I didn't have the urge to push.  Also, you don't have to tell the staff upon arrival at the hospital if you want or don't want an epi.  I walked around the hospital for 6 hours before I decided to get one.  By the time I got it, I was exhausted and ready to be pain-free so I was content to lay in bed for a couple hours before the pushing began.  Labor as long as you want, then get the epi if you need it.  It's really not a big deal.  I didn't even feel my epidural being placed (the Tdap shot hurt more, IMO).  I also haven't heard of anyone having back problems from their epidural.  
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  • Seed0824Seed0824 member
    It's true. Every hospital has different pain options. My hospital did caution that so many woman try to go without the epi and then change their mind but there is only 1 anesthesiologist so sometimes if you wait too long, he/she just can't get to you in time so they suggested say something as soon as you think you want it.
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  • sschwegesschwege member
    As pp said talk to your doctor.  That being said, if I was planning to have pain meds I would choose an epi.  Of all the people I know who have done IV meds only one woman said she would do it again.  Everyone else said it made them feel drunk/tired/out of it but did nothing for the pain and they were still stuck in bed though they could move.  Plus they have to shut it off before you get to 7cm I think?  So you are entering the most challenging part of labor and they are turning it off.  I have heard good things about nitrious, but a lot of hospitals don't offer that. 

    I had my first two med-free and that's the plan for this one as well.  The nice thing about contractions is that unlike other forms of pain it comes and goes, so you will get a break and in those breaks you will feel pretty good.  The most important things are to have a partner who is supportive, a hospital that encourages low-intervention births and laboring at home.  There are plenty of unmedicated forms of pain relief that you can research, shower/bath, exercise ball, breathing, counter pressure, etc
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  • jlsweetsjlsweets member
    I have never heard of anyone having a back issue from getting an epidural

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  • bpwife&mamabpwife&mama member
    I had an epi and have no back issues. Also, about 20-30 minutes after I had my son I was up and walking just fine.
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  • stow2009stow2009 member
    Our hospital offers something called Fentenyl. My friend had it, and said it felt like she was kind of drunk for about 45 minutes, and it helped all her muscles relax to get her through transition. 
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  • malonc2malonc2 member
    I'm going to try med free, but am open to an epidural. I had hip surgery a few years ago and had an epidural before and I didn't even feel it besides a small pinch. I would suggest looking more into natural birth and reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth because it does give great definitions of pain killers during birth and explains the process very thoroughly.
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  • CaliforniaDream87CaliforniaDream87 member
    Isn't it a better idea to ask your doctor this? He/she will be able to tell you the different kinds of drugs offered at your particular hospital.

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  • PixelPosyPixelPosy member
    My hospital just started offering laughing gas. Wasn't an option with DD but apparently is gaining populararity. Something to ask your doctor about.
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  • irohspupilirohspupil member
    Concerning back problems after getting an epidural, this may just depend on the quality of your anesthesiologist. My mom had epidurals for all three of her births (88, 92, 93) and she has back pain now where the needles went. Same hospital for all three. :-/


     
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  • daniellepandadaniellepanda member
    PixelPosy said:

    My hospital just started offering laughing gas. Wasn't an option with DD but apparently is gaining populararity. Something to ask your doctor about.

    Laughing gas is the norm in England for childbirth pain relief! Especially over an epi which I found interesting.

    I had an epi last time and have had no back issues at all, and getting it honestly was not a big deal either. I do know a couple friends who claim to have numbing/pain in the epi site area at times. I think it just depends on the dr giving it to you and how experienced they are.
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  • Thj417Thj417 member
    My doctor/hospital gave me an IV drug. (They required IV whether or not you want epidural) I wish I remembered the name... It took the edge off but I felt everything! Then we had to do csection bc baby wasn't tolerating contractions.

    Definitely, talk over your options with doctor...
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