Natural OR Epidural?

jovanjada0308 · July 2016

Hello everyone,
I am 25 weeks pregnant with baby #4. With my previous babies I always had pain medication however, with my last child the epidural was not effective. I'm considering going natural with this birth but I am very afraid. Any advice for a person considering Natural birth? I forgot to mention I am on medication for high blood pressure could my condition affect a Natural Birth? Thank in advance!

NoraAurora · July 2016

As far as your BP- good question for your OB.

As as far as the rest, I will let others answer. I'm #epidural4lyfe

ByeBabyBunting · July 2016

I took the epidural at 4cm because they said I'd be laboring all night and I knew I couldn't. I started pushing not more than 5 minutes after they got it placed and only got one dose of meds before they turned it off. I'm still annoyed about it. I'm going to listen to my body more this time. I totally didn't need it.

SuperNerd42 · July 2016

A birth with an epi is still considered natural, the phrase used most often is med-free or intervention free

I only have one experience to draw on, but my birth ended up being med-free, but it's because I finished dilating too quickly! The anesthesiologist didn't make it there in time. I feel empowered knowing I can do it, but if labor is grinding on I'll definitely make that call again.

For me the ability to move around and labor in different positions was a huge motivator to try and stay med-free. I used the ball, spent a little time in the tub, and made so so many laps. The worst parts were when they were monitoring me and I had to stay on my back.

Unfortunately I have no experience with high bp and labor, so I'd ask you dr next time you're in.

mothernorth · July 2016

If you are struggling with high BP, the stress of med free labor on your body could compromise your situation. I am no doctor and am not telling you it WOULD, but it could. I would strongly suggest you bring this up with your OB or MFM. I've had one med-free birth, and one epidural. Personally, I'm also staying team epi this time around if I can.

Edit for spellz.

Kc0825 · July 2016

In my experience and talking with friends. With our DS I had an epi. The doctor was in such a hurry she put it in too far and wiggled it. It didn't bother me at the time but after they took it out I was leaking spinal fluid and was having horrible headaches. I also felt like I got hit by a car after they took it out. It was like all the pain I just put by body through hit me at once. On the other hand. I visited some friends of mine that went med free and they were sitting up indian style in bed the next day. Walking around, felt great they said. I'm talking it as it comes this time. I'll be at a different hospital with different doctor's so the experience will be different. But I'm with you also a scary thing if I have to go natural.

Piperella · July 2016

I can't answer your question from a medical standpoint, but I would say that you should really look into registering for some classes that focus on natural births, hypnobirthing, etc. There are a lot of types of "natural" births and you should look into getting more information from someone trained in those kinds of births. I know for me, I'm not necessarily trying to go for 100% natural, but I wanted to understand much of the practices that I would be using to help limit the amount of medication and interventions used. You may also want to check out some doulas in your area that could be of great benefit to you having an experienced "coach" by your side.

waterfall213 · July 2016

I got an epidural with my first. I think it slowed my progress and I had a horrible recovery. There was no time for an epi with my second, she came super fast. The pain was really intense but it was over as soon as she was out. I had a much easier recovery from her birth.

I'm planning to go med-free again this time. However, I'm leaving my options open in case things don't progress quickly this time.

Pupatella · July 2016

Agree with previous posters about asking your OB about your BP and how that will affect your labor.

I am planning to do a med free birth and have signed up for, and am in my 4th week of, the Bradley Method classes. It's a 12 week course geared towards having a med free labor and birth. I find the classes and material very informative, and would highly recommend!!

Best of luck!!

sportiegrl1213 · July 2016

I'm all about to the drugs if needed. I don't want to suffer if I don't have to.. I do have a pretty high threshold for pain after all the horrible surgeries I had to go thru so hopefully I can stick it out for as long as I can.

NicholeL16 · July 2016

I am delivering at a birthing center and med free is the only option available. Unless there is a complication that requires me to be transferred to the hospital near by that is the route we will go.

MRSCORKER · July 2016

I have no idea what my pain threshold is. I've been lucky to have never had to experience any really horrible physical pain. That being said, I plan to labor as long as possible med free. If that means I get an epi at 4 cm, 8 cm, or never, so be it. I'll do what I can. I'm not taking any med-free classes to prepare but I am about to start Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and will make a decision after that about how I want to prepare. I'll most likely read up on whatever method I think will work best for me. That being said, I don't have any BP issues at the moment so, OP, I would definitely ask about that and make a decision based on the information provided to you by your doc. My best advice would be to go in with a plan and an open mind knowing that it can change at any moment. Whatever gets your LO out safely!

ingoscj · July 2016

Epidural fan over here. I had to be induced with my DD. Yeah, after we arrived at the hospital she was born a mere 38 hours later. I got the epidural after they broke my water. Before then the pain of the contractions wasn't bad at all. The epidural didn't go all of the way down though. It covered my ute, but I could still move my legs and feel her coming out. But I was fine with that. I can handle shorter intense pain, but the hours and hours and hours of contractions would have been too draining for me.

with your elevated bp you may have complications that could limit you options. It is definitely worth talking to your OB about. If you want to go med free, plan to do that. But don't be too hard on yourself if things just don't go as planned.

cassieleeanne · July 2016

FTM but I am going with an epidural, I have so many back problems that I think having the meds will help me through the pain.

mrszoess · July 2016

uh whattttt @mrscorker?? that sounds crazy, and almost like I want to see a reality show about it.

My best friend had two giant babies, one with an epi and one without. She told me the recovery without was far more pleasant and easy. She didn't really have a choice with the second one anyway but she said while the birth was horrendous, it was worth the easy recovery.

sportiegrl1213 · July 2016

You're lucky @MRSCORKER. I sort of wish I didn't know what my threshold was. But on the other hand it does give me more confidence to know I can do this. Still scared shitless but no turning back now. LOL

MRSCORKER · July 2016

sportiegrl1213 said:

You're lucky @MRSCORKER. I sort of wish I didn't know what my threshold was. But on the other hand it does give me more confidence to know I can do this. Still scared shitless but no turning back now. LOL

Yeah, I'm a little nervous about being in the dark though. There is part of me that feels a little bit like I don't want to be a wimp but another part that knows that's naive considering I have no idea what I'm in for!

nlane0723 · July 2016

Thank you! @SuperNerd42 I hate that the term "natural birth" is associated with a med free birth. All birth is natural, medicated or not.

I had an epidural with DD and I'm really glad that I did. I don't know if I would have had the strength to push after being in labor for so long if I had gone med free. It wasn't ssomething I ever considered though because I like drugs.

emmaaa · July 2016

I'm a FTM and when one of the doctors asked me what my "plan" was, I told her that I would like to go med-free if possible but I'm leaving my options open. I don't want to open myself up for feeling disappointed or ashamed of myself if I feel like I physically cannot handle a med-free birth or end up needing a c-section.

mothernorth · July 2016

I don't like the term "natural birth" because unless you plan to just let it happen where ever it happens and tend to everything yourself with whoever and whatever you have available, there is going to be some "unnatural" intervention in some form at some point.

MRSCORKER · July 2016

AllyTheKid said:

I don't like the term "natural birth" because unless you plan to just let it happen where ever it happens and tend to everything yourself with whoever and whatever you have available, there is going to be some "unnatural" intervention in some form at some point.

Have you ever heard about those people that want to give birth out in the woods in a stream or some shit so it's "all natural"?! People are so crazy. I realize this is off-topic but that's what I think about when I hear "Natural Birth".

waterfall213 · July 2016

emmaaa said:

I'm a FTM and when one of the doctors asked me what my "plan" was, I told her that I would like to go med-free if possible but I'm leaving my options open. I don't want to open myself up for feeling disappointed or ashamed of myself if I feel like I physically cannot handle a med-free birth or end up needing a c-section.

This is exactly how I went into DD #1's birth. I wanted to try for med-free but was open to an epidural or other interventions if necessary.

mothernorth · July 2016

@MRSCORKER That's cool for them, if that's their thing. Whatevs. No thanks for me though, I've evolved and shit. Give me my meds.

Also, I guess I'm the odd man out here because my non-medicated was a billion times worse all the way around. Ripping, tearing, awful recovery. It happened way faster yes, but that wasn't really a plus considering my body had no time to prepare. Epi was a longer process, but I was comfortable the whole time, and was even laughing and joking around with my doctor and nurses WHILE pushing LO out.

MRSCORKER · July 2016

AllyTheKid said:

@MRSCORKER That's cool for them, if that's their thing. Whatevs. No thanks for me though, I've evolved and shit. Give me my meds.

Yeah, you do you, but I reserve the right to think anyone who purposely gives birth in the wilderness a tad on the crazy side.

klv · July 2016

Team epi!

had one with DD. It was weird and not what i expected at all ( did not know what to expect really). I felt it was worth it. I got it at 4 cm and very quickly progressed to 10 because I was able to relax a bit.

Planning to to get one again with this guy!

ibabyloveb87 · July 2016

Just had my meeting with the anesthesiologist and I'm still pro-epidural. Not that I know what either kind of birth is like!

Pupatella · July 2016

MRSCORKER said:

AllyTheKid said:

I don't like the term "natural birth" because unless you plan to just let it happen where ever it happens and tend to everything yourself with whoever and whatever you have available, there is going to be some "unnatural" intervention in some form at some point.

Have you ever heard about those people that want to give birth out in the woods in a stream or some shit so it's "all natural"?! People are so crazy. I realize this is off-topic but that's what I think about when I hear "Natural Birth".

Omg. I saw one episode of this and it scared the crap out of me. It's called "Born in the Wild" and aired on Lifetime. They have a few segments on youtube....

The episode I saw the woman was giving birth on a desolate beach. Yea, no thank you. What if something goes wrong? It didn't seem lIke anyone was there other than the cameraman, but there could have been an OB standing by just in case.

MRSCORKER · July 2016

Pupatella said:

MRSCORKER said:

AllyTheKid said:

I don't like the term "natural birth" because unless you plan to just let it happen where ever it happens and tend to everything yourself with whoever and whatever you have available, there is going to be some "unnatural" intervention in some form at some point.

Have you ever heard about those people that want to give birth out in the woods in a stream or some shit so it's "all natural"?! People are so crazy. I realize this is off-topic but that's what I think about when I hear "Natural Birth".

Omg. I saw one episode of this and it scared the crap out of me. It's called "Born in the Wild" and aired on Lifetime. They have a few segments on youtube....

The episode I saw the woman was giving birth on a desolate beach. Yea, no thank you. What if something goes wrong? It didn't seem lIke anyone was there other than the cameraman, but there could have been an OB standing by just in case.

Yes! People are NUTS.

Kaytee1087 · July 2016

Pupatella said:

MRSCORKER said:

AllyTheKid said:

I don't like the term "natural birth" because unless you plan to just let it happen where ever it happens and tend to everything yourself with whoever and whatever you have available, there is going to be some "unnatural" intervention in some form at some point.

Have you ever heard about those people that want to give birth out in the woods in a stream or some shit so it's "all natural"?! People are so crazy. I realize this is off-topic but that's what I think about when I hear "Natural Birth".

Omg. I saw one episode of this and it scared the crap out of me. It's called "Born in the Wild" and aired on Lifetime. They have a few segments on youtube....

The episode I saw the woman was giving birth on a desolate beach. Yea, no thank you. What if something goes wrong? It didn't seem lIke anyone was there other than the cameraman, but there could have been an OB standing by just in case.

I just googled that show. Woah... Home birth isn't for me (I like drugs and access to medical professionals) but I can at least wrap my head around why people birth at home. Going outside and totally in nature just doesn't even really seem safe...?

ignoscemihi · July 2016

@AllyTheKid I'm with you. I didn't have an epidural with my first because I couldn't (was on blood thinners, and by the time they could test to make sure they were out of my system, it was too late), but I would have if I had the option. Giving birth hurts, especially if you tear (which I did), and I think quick deliveries can be harder because your body doesn't have time to stretch. I'm going into the second with the same attitude as I had with the first - I'll go as long as I can without an epidural, but if it's an option, I'll definitely take advantage of the advances in medical science and get the drugs.

mrszoess · July 2016

now I gotta watch this. you think its on Netflix?

Michi1382 · July 2016

I was obsessed for a while with watching home births on YouTube. They can get pretty in there and I was fascinated! Not to the point where I'd do it, but fascinated nonetheless lol I think there was an article on FB recently about a woman who gave birth while standing over a thing stream in the woods. Whoa.

ammiddleton3 · July 2016

The same reason you are considering a med free birth is my reason as well. This is my second, and my first the epidural didn't take. I got about an hour of bliss, and then it got very painful again and they couldn't keep it away but I couldn't move my legs. I ended up with a c-section and they almost had to completely put me under because of the epidural not being effective. By the end of the section I could feel them stitching me up because it kept wearing off so fast. It's not worth the risk this time, so I'm avoiding it. I am getting ready to start the hypnobabies home study course to prepare for this!

TurtleMomma · July 2016

I'm going med free. I'm just reading up on various birth books for coping techniques. Can't afford classes and they're always on weekends when I work anyways.

PCOSbaby · July 2016

Off to Google "Born In The Wild"...

SpaceBurger · July 2016

@TurtleMomma If you find any terrific books, I'd love to know. I'm in the same boat where the classes are wayyyy too expensive, and I was too late for most of them anyways

SuperNerd42 · July 2016

Home birth is definitely not my cuppa tea, but I don't totally side eye someone that wants to try it so long as they take proper precautions and research, etc etc. I'm a bit biased in favor of being at a clinic, hospital, or at least a birthing center though, as I nearly passed out after delivery. Having medical staff at hand to hook me up to an IV was pretty clutch. No such thing at home- I would have blacked out completely.

Birthing in nature? No way in hell. The only ONLY way that would happen to me is if I don't get to the hospital in time and I birth this girl while waddling through the parking lot.

I did the standard Lamaze class - it was the only one that fit into our schedule. It was fine, but not earth shattering. The goofy breathing pattern did not help me at all. Honestly I leaned more on some of my yoga experience with centering myself, breathing, and movement than I did with anything I learned at the class. The medicine ball was pretty slick though - definitely request one of those. All the class really did was scare DH shitless when going over the epi in detail. He had reservations, but I told him that if I want one I'm getting it and he can just shut it.

queen_frostine · July 2016

I'm going for the epi, hopefully after I've dilated enough. Obviously we all have to play it by ear to some extent. In my hospital they put you on an IV (plus I'm strep-B pos so I have to have IV antibiotics) so if they're limiting my movement anyway, I might as well limit the pain. I love drugs anyway

UFJen · July 2016

I'm a FTM and am team epi. Don't have a super high pain tolerance and have just thought that why be in pain if I don't have to be. Maybe I'm in the minority, but when they offer the drugs I'm taking them!

mrszoess · July 2016

@ufjen I'm with you sister lol

TurtleMomma · July 2016

SpaceBurger said:

@TurtleMomma If you find any terrific books, I'd love to know. I'm in the same boat where the classes are wayyyy too expensive, and I was too late for most of them anyways

I'm currently browsing The Birth Partner (Simpkin I think?)

Want a personalized experience?

Natural OR Epidural?

Best Answers

Re: Natural OR Epidural?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards