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2nd Trimester
SiuSinLiz
member
Epidural or Water birth?
SiuSinLiz
member
This is my first pregnancy and I am 18 weeks pregnant. I am 5'3 tall, and I was 118lb before and 128lbs now. I am a little worry about I will have complications delivering on my own.
I have heard so much painful stories about long hours labor and delivery, that's why I am considering epidural. But, I also worry about epidural will slow down contractions and end-up doing c-section. On the other hand, I also know that water birth can help soothing the pain and speed up the contractions. Is it a good idea to do water birth on my first pregnancy?
I am very nervous and stress about the method of delivering my baby. Any suggestions and/or experience to share? Thankssss
Re: Epidural or Water birth?
Also it's not like 12 hours of constant, scream-your-head-off pain. It's pretty bearable for most of labor.
Having a water birth is a great way to do it; OFTEN mommas with epidurals end up getting c-sections. Doctors are quick to encourage them because they get paid more, too. I was lucky and responded well to Pictocin after my epidural. But your worries are not unfounded. Start taking classes for natural birth. Do lots of research. No matter what, I'm sure you and your baby will be fine. It's the end-game that's important.
Your doctor's office or midwife practice should offer classes that lay out all of your options. When deciding on a birth plan, remember to consider contingencies. You are not a failure or a bad mother if you don't get to deliver your preferred way. I don't think most women want a c section, but sometimes it's the safest, healthiest way to get baby out and keep mom safe too.
A great book to read is Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. I was very apprehensive about labour and delivery and that book was recommended to me. It has calmed my nerves and I feel really empowered to have a natural birth. I'm actually looking forward to it and am now planning on a home birth.
That said, I am not going to be a hero and if I feel I can't cope then I will go to the hospital and get pain relief.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
My sister has four kids. Her first was medicated and she went through the cascade of interventions (that hospital is known for botched deliveries, with an abnormally high c-section rate). It was her worst delivery. Her second was an unmedicated waterbirth, her third was an unmedicated water-homebirth, and her fourth would have been the same but the baby came too quickly for her to get into the tub. If she has more children, she will never willingly have another medicated birth.
You have to remember that this is what our bodies are made for.
You can decide on a water birth but change your mind once contractions start. You can choose the epi and not make it to the hospital on time. Something can go wrong and you end up with a c section. I'm not trying to scare you or anything but I think the best option we have is to be educated about our options and go in with an open mind. The goal is beautiful, no matter what path you took there.
For reference, I had an epi after laboring for 10h. I didn't plan on it but it ended up being a very good decision for me. It allowed me to rest for a bit and eat a little in preparation for the actual pushing part, which took 3.5h and a vaccum extractor before it was done(because of baby's positioning). Without it, I don't think I'd have enough energy to last that long and probably would have ended up with a c because of it. I also tore a bit which I didn't feel thanks to the epi. But that's just my story. Every woman is different.
About 1/3 of pregnant women are GBS+, according to my doctor.
I had the epidural and it actually sped my labor up...it won't necessarily slow you down. I had zero side effects other than relief from horrendous back labor that had been going on for 7 hours before the epidural. It was glorious.
Reason is i am in good health, never been in hospital so unless there is a medical emergency, i want to follow natures course.
Alot of people i know who had epidurals, inducing all end up having complications leading to cesarean. And they always said how horrible they felt and no energy for almost a week and longer recovery time.
My feeling is if everything is fine, don't do unnecessary medical interventions. Labour will hurt but no one said pregnancy and labour was meant to be pain free.
I read about water births which are meant to help with pain management but as i'm delivering in a humid country, chance of baby or me getting an infection are high too so i hope to stick with natural and hopefully baby comes thru normally. My mum delivered pretty quick so hoping i'm the same
My pregnancy has been "beautiful" so far. But i see nothing beautiful about childbirth. My goal is to get through it as easily as possible.
Ok, once contractions start, you can not just go to the hospital immediately to get an epidural. You have to have to be in active labor before you are even admitted. I was having contractions for 24 hours before I was admitted and they determined I was in active labor (4 min apart each contraction at approximately 1 min long), that's when they would admit me.
Getting an epidural too early can lead into a cascade of interventions an/or slow or stop labor. They need you to be in active labor before giving the epidural (at least that is what I was told).
Even with epidural and pain meds the "ring of fire" still burns, it can still be uncomfortable. Sometimes epidural fail or only work on part of the body (I could still feel the lower left quadrant of my belly). If you tear the stitches are still very uncomfortable even with the epidural.
If you (heaven forbid) you need General anesthesia for an emergency, you will remember what happens, what you went through, and you will remember actively pushing your LO out (or the tugging of a c-section).
Sorry, but an epidural will not make you "stone assed" they can give you limited amounts of meds like Stadol that is a temporary pain relief, but you are limited to what they give you. It may make you feel woozy.
If you think you are going to be that drugged up, you better have a serious talk with your doctor, take a hospital tour and read about the process of labor and delivery.
Child birth is not easy, despite the path you decide to take. Nothing beautiful about childbirth??? The most beautiful thing about L&D is your baby.
As soon an my contractions started they admitted me ! But my water broke, and contractions started 2 mins apart lasting 1 and half minutes each ! I was 2 cms when I got to the hospital. Within 2 hours I was at 4.5 and got the epidural but if I waited they wouldn't of given it to me after 5 cms ! I also needed to be on antibiotics during labor due to GBS.
Yeah my desire for drugs is fenced in by the understanding that the doctors will tell me when it's safe to start administering. I'm talking within that reality I want the full monty.
On a different note, does anyone else also agree that Groovylocks is freaking hilarious? The full Monty? LOL!
I would talk to your dr and read up on all types of births. Get as many facts as possible to decide what you are comfortable with. Sites like this are good bc you get a lot of feedback based on experience, but you also get a lot of misinformation based on opinions.
I wanted a home water birth but after reading up on them, speaking to midwives and a friend who had 3 I realized it wasn't for me. My water broke but my contractions were inconsistent/unproductive so I was given pitocin to help. I ended up getting an epidural bc it helped me relax and get some rest. I felt everything going on and knew when to push. Afterwards it helped me deal with the pain of tearing (2nd degree) and the afterbirth process immediately afterwards.
I plan on laboring in the tub. Or not. Funny thing, you never know WHAT you'll want once the ride starts.
I can say, without a doubt, that my water birth (first born) was more comforting for me. I can't say it was less painful, but the water definitely assisted in keeping me calm and focused. With my second, I was very nervous when I woke up at exactly 37 weeks in active labour. I hadn't yet picked up or set up my birthing pool. Labouring without water is obviously a normal thing, but for me, I will ensure I am more prepared this time.