For those who have given birth without drugs

Vivi20 · July 2016

This is a strange question, but....
did you throw up while in labor?
The reason I ask is because I heard that if you are giving birth without pain meds it is very common to vomit while in labor, and I am TERRIFIED of throwing up. I avoid it at any and all costs. I admit that yes, while I did get an epidural because labor hurts like a mother, another major factor was that I was really scared that I'd get sick and throw up.
So did you? Throw up?

Renee1105 · July 2016

YES! I threw up with each contraction.

katesmama0706 · July 2016

I have no desire to go drug free. The epidural is my jam. But I had never heard of it making you throw up! Yet another reason the moms who do it are rock stars!

ElleMF728 · July 2016

I'm not sure if this entirely applies to me since I didn't birth without an epidural. I did labor without one though. I was literally holding DS2 14 minutes after I got my epidural. I see how this could be true, I felt so sick during transition. DH said I turned ghost white and my anesthesiologist must have noticed as well because he handed me a bag to puke in before he placed. He said it was very common especially if you experience fast dilation.

Kristalyn85 · July 2016

I puked quite a bit during mine

but in the end, I felt like it was absolutely worth it.
Most of it was just watery, which I think is better? I hadn't had food for 13 hours by the end of labor so it wasnt food after the first time (sorry if that is TMI)

emy730 · July 2016

I puked multiple times and I had an epidural.

SarahS11 · July 2016

I am much like you and haaaaate throwing up. I went into labor with the thought of "eh I'll get an epidural if I feel like I need one at the time" I got to 6/7 in dialated and the contractions got so bad I thought I was going to be sick... After the epidural, I felt great!

colleenkevin · July 2016

I had no drugs and did not puke at all. I knew it was a remote possibility, but I didn't know it was common.

Vivi20 · July 2016

Uugghhhhhh....yuck. So not good. I remember feeling a strange nauseated sensation during contractions before I had my epidural. I imagine it would have only gotten worse had I not gotten it.

BiJiHaCa17 · July 2016

Got an epidural with my first and felt queasy. Second one went so fast I didn't have time to be sick.

16isourluckynumber · July 2016

**lurking from february**

yep. I threw up once in my kitchen sink before leaving for the hospital. I too am terrified of throwing up but at the time it didn't bother me because I was focused on other things. On the plus side -- TMI warning -- I did not poop on the table with my unmediated birth whereas I totally did with my epidural birth

elvinnoe · July 2016

I had an epidural with DD1 and threw up, no epidural with DD2 and didn't throw up. I think it really depends on your body and how it responds to that particular labor.

However, if you're feeling nauseous, they can give you something for it.

ThePax89 · July 2016

I have emetophobia. I did not go drug free, but I kept Zofran next to me at all times. It was in my birth plan to have access to Zofran when I wanted it; your healthcare provider should easily comply with that request. I hope to go epidural free this time. A lot of women find that sniffing peppermint essential oils help curb the nausea.

canavara · July 2016

I've heard the opposite! That epidurals can cause your blood pressure to drop which then causes vomiting. I obviously have no experience but it sounds like no matter what there's some chance you could barf

zdmd_14 · July 2016

DD1--I either threw up or dry heaved a bit during transition. I hate getting sick but it was really the least of my concerns then. FWIW, I don't think I ate much during early labor with her.
DD2--no puking that I remember at all. And I was eating a philly cheese steak 2 hours before she was born (quick labor). No idea why that was what I wanted, but when I went into labor I hadn't had lunch yet and I made my DH go get one for me ASAP.

karaelaine1991 · July 2016

16isourluckynumber said:

**lurking from february**

yep. I threw up once in my kitchen sink before leaving for the hospital. I too am terrified of throwing up but at the time it didn't bother me because I was focused on other things. On the plus side -- TMI warning -- I did not poop on the table with my unmediated birth whereas I totally did with my epidural birth

Yeah, I've only ever had an epidural birth (decision that I made in the heat of the moment and I am SO GLAD I did because giving birth was actually a pleasant process if you can believe that) but apparently I did poop as well. DH, who saw EVERYTHING despite our best efforts to leave at least a little to the imagination, claims he didn't actually see poop but did admit that he heard a nurse talking about a "poopy mess" down there. Whoops. At least I was blissfully ignorant about it in the moment.

EH112212 · July 2016

I went about 12 hours before I got an epidural, and I threw up a lot before and after the epidural.

Teach123 · July 2016

I had a c-section, and I was dry-heaving up stomach bile during that. It sounds like it is one of those things that you can puke in any birthing situation. It just depends on what your body decides to do.

mommywesley · July 2016

So I had an epidural with all mine, but my last one came so fast it hadn't kicked in all the way yet. I was definitely queasy throughout labor, but never threw up in any. Lots of breathing into a bag though lol

Carly79 · July 2016

Vomiting during labor is common regardless of having an epidural or not, just depends on the person. My sister-in-law had an epidural and threw up with every other contraction, it was one of her signs she was having one since she couldn't feel them.

Vivi20 · July 2016

Oh lordy. Well, here's to praying I won't throw up with this labor. I didn't with my daughter. Once I had the epidural I felt fantastic. But I'll definitely be letting the nurses know that I'll want anti-nausea meds STAT if I start feeling sick.

stumptownmama · July 2016

I did not throw up but I felt nauseous and said I was going to throw up. So thankful I didn't!

julianna88-2 · July 2016

Two out of three I did without meds. Before I even got to the hospital my water broke and I was throwing up. According to the midwives is normal.

michellemikeliu · July 2016

I gave birth with no epidural or medication (only because my daughter came really fast). I did not throw up. I was in a lot of pain though.

sweetyjenj · July 2016

I've never heard of throwing up being a thing! I've been warned about all kinds of dirty details by friends or family, but no one said anything about throwing up. Thank you @jlea05 for starting this thread. At least i know it's normal if I start feeling that.

LoneStar21416 · July 2016

I feel so naive. I'm the same as you @sweetyjenj I didn't know throwing up could be so common!! I loathe throwing up as well. Gah. Not something I realized I needed to worry about!

sagoon · July 2016

I had no idea this was a thing either! I had an epidural last time but labored for quite a while before that with no drugs. I had no urge to throw up. I'll just add this to my list of things to worry about.

JohnaDouglas · July 2016

I threw up and had an epidural I was 7 cm dialated when I did. It was a one time thing though.

sarahctoth · July 2016

With my first I threw up once with an epidural right before I started pushing. With my second I threw up once when I was at 5cm with no epidural.

nolemomma14 · July 2016

I threw up first time around, but it was really before anything got going. After getting to the hospital, they had me drink 2 orange juices to get baby moving since he wasn't very active. I hadn't eaten since the night before so I think it was just the surgery drink on an empty stomach and walking around with contractions. Was fine after that though, eventually got an epidural and didn't get sick then either.

Renee1105 · July 2016

I would also like to add that I had a gigantic meal before I went into labor. The nurse asked me what I ate that day and I was embarrassed to admit everything I had.

Knottie1443924966 · July 2016

I was also surprised to hear about the throwing up being a common thing

sjanish · July 2016

I have never thrown up during labor..medicated or no drugs. Every labor and every person us so different!

BrennansMom2012 · July 2016

I had an epidural but didn't throw up until I started pushing and apparently I pooped as well but never knew until days later when my hubby told me. It's all natural and every person is different. I will say I could care less that I puked! The pressure is so intense and the whole experience overwhelming (in a good way, especially if it's your first) that it's not a big deal. The nurses actually expect it and are very professional and quick to help and clean you up.

sjanish · July 2016

Renee1105 said:

I would also like to add that I had a gigantic meal before I went into labor. The nurse asked me what I ate that day and I was embarrassed to admit everything I had.

I ate a chipotle burrito right before o checked in with my 2nd.

ladysaceb · July 2016

With my 4 kids I have had 2 good epidurals, 1 failed epidural, and 1 natural birth. I did not throw up with any of them but my natural labor was literally the worst pain in my entire life. That being said, I tried to go natural with my 4th but labor was not progressing so I ended up getting an epidural so I could get some rest. I may look into some breathing techniques and positions to try natural labor again this time.

Cranbaby · July 2016

I did! I had a Popsicle and it came right back up. I'm also terrified of throwing up but strangely it didn't bother me; I was kind of like "huh, how about that." Apparently it's a good sign, and common during transition.

herdofcows · July 2016

Nope. Did not puke during labor or pregnancy. I did puke after a csection though.

Carly79 · July 2016

@ladysaceb if you want to try natural birth again, check out the Bradley Method. There are a number of other great "methods" too but that's the one we did. If you actually take the classes from a trained facilitator it's a 12 week class that focuses on the how's and whys of labor, food, and relaxation. Very coach/support person based. My husband and I got a lot out of it. Really though, relaxation techniques and positioning are the most important pieces (in my mind). I take prenatal yoga and found that the breathing from that really helped in addition to what we learned in our classes.

scgirl6113 · July 2016

I second the Bradley method classes! My husband and I both got so much out of it. My husband was reluctant to take them because it was definitely a time commitment but we both agreed it was so worth it in the end!

ajmcarroll · July 2016

I threw up right before I was given an epidural. I was so hot and uncomfortable. That being said, I promise when you're in labor throwing up will be the last thing you care about.

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