Hey everyone- I know there is already a birth plan thread, but I thought one for pain management specifically may be helpful!
I took my birthing class on Sunday and had not even thought of the idea of narcotics instead of (or before) an epidural. What is everyone thinking? Or from STMs, how do you feel about Narcotics VS. Epidurals?
According to the instructor of the birthing class, she said narcotics these days don't really affect the infant too much. Yes, it is passed through the placenta, but she said she doesn't notice a difference between epidural babies, VS narcotic babies. I also have lumbar scoliosis, so that is something to consider as well. My midwife wants me to go get a consult from the anesthesiologist before we even know if I can have one.
From what I have learned some pros of narcotics are; You can walk around and move if you want to, which can speed up labor. More control during pushing, you can still tell whats going on, as they don't actually numb you, you can hop into the tub if you want to, no catheter.
Epidural: you dont feel anything, it does not pass through the placenta, wont affect your mind, it is probably easier to get rest during contractions.
What are some other pros and cons?
I think our "plan" will be, A.) Natural, breathing and relaxation techniques ETC. B.) Narcotics C.) Epidural
My plan looks similar to yours, but interested to hear what others have to say about pros/cons. My labor and delivery class is this weekend so I was planning to ask about these options!
This is a great idea. I'm still uncertain what I want too, as regards narcotics versus epidural. My first thought is going natural as long as I can and then an epidural toward the end (but I know it's easy to pass by the deadline to get an epidural if you're not careful!) because I'd like to be able to move around, use the tub, etc. So that's why I think the narcotic route might be good. But there's also the fact that I don't want her to be drowsy when trying to bf, which I was told is possible depending on how soon/often before the birth the narcotics are administered. So I don't know and I'd love to hear from the STMs too. I think I've decided I won't do totally drug free this time but maybe next time, personally.
I don't have personal experience with pain management but I was talking labour with a friend this morning and she had an epidural with her first and tried fentanyl with the second. She said with the way her contractions felt with the second there's no way she would have be able to sit still long enough to get the epidural (and I agree with my first there's no possible way an epidural would have been an option, I couldn't possibly have say in one position the whole time they put it in) and she said with the fentanyl for her second it worked but only lasted about 5 minutes before it wore off and the pain was as bad if not worse than before she got it
I don't know if narcotics (for delivery) are available at my hospital. I know they don't have laughing gas. I'm just going to go with the old fashioned epidural.
DD #1: April 2017 DD #2: May 2020 Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
My hospital offers nitrous oxide, so that is definitely my first step. From there I think I would go to epidural if I wanted one. The nurse at our birthing class did say that sometimes once you are ready to push (numbers wise), they will let the baby descend more on its own without pushing if you don't feel the urge because of the epidural. Therefore hopefully cutting down on some of that time. In my head it sounds nice to get through some of labor, have an epidural, hopefully get to rest a.bit, and then push. Of course, that all depends on how labor is going, if I "top up" the epidural, or if we let it trickle out on its own until I get the urge to push.
I had an epidural with my first and will most likely get another with this one. I was induced the first time around, so the fact that I was getting pitocin made me accept having to get an epidural early on. I'm hoping I will go into labor naturally this time so I may not get one as early as before. I do remember thinking there wasn't any way I would be able to be still long enough for the epidural, but somehow I managed.
Background: With DS I got to the hospital and I was already 8 cm dilated. I BEGGED for an epidural because I was so scared, but the nurses told me they doubt they would be able to place one because I couldn't sit still long enough. I told them that I would do ANYTHING to have an epidural placed and be out of pain, including sitting completely still for a few minutes. I did it.
I'm going to ask my OB at my next appt what hospital policy is. I'm at a new hospital this time around with new insurance. I think I got pretty lucky to get an epidural at 8-9 cm dilated as I hear most hospitals won't do it at that point. So if my OB says the latest they will offer an epidural is 6-7 cm, then I'm going to have to pay better attention to my body, so I don't miss out on the opportunity to get an epidural if I want one. But I'm still 50/50 on trying naturally.
I would like to avoid an epidural if at all possible. I have been meditating and trying to relax a lot. Both my mom and my sister had med free births and I would like to do the same.
I am on the fence about narcotics for the reasons previously mentioned. My midwife said that the hospital policy is that you can't have more than three doses in an hour and that you can't have any during the pushing stage. She said it only lasts any where between 10-15 minutes.
The hospital doesn't offer nitrous oxicide. Which I'm super bummed about since it was my first choice. When I asked my midwife why, she said it was because of push back from the anthestiologists.
I can't remember what I had, but I did request something before I got my epidural with DS since I had to wait for the doc to do them for others before me. I feel like it did slow things down a bit, but it helped me cope with the pain while I waited. I did last longer before getting any meds than I thought I would tho, so I'm happy with the way that part of that delivery went down.
Since odds are now that I will be induced and I hear contractions from the pit are more painful, I'm getting that epi at the first chance I get, lol.
Me: 37, DH: 35 :: TCC since 2/11 SA: Perfect! CD3 HSG = Blocked Right Tube
April- Femara 2.5mg + Trigger + IUI = BFN May- Femara 5mg = CX - No Response on Left = BFN June- Femara 7.5mg + Trigger + IUI = BFN August- Lap & Hysteroscopy = Blocked & Partially Blocked Tubes September- Femara 5mg = CX - No Response on Left = BFN October- 100mg Clomid + Trigger + TI = BFN IVF # 1: Stims 11/30 ER 12/12/12! (10R, 10M, 8F, 2T, 6 F) :: Beta #1- 176 c/p @ 4w4d FET #1 February 26th :: Lost 4 to Thaw, Transferred 2 = BFFN IVF # 2 Stims 5/10 ER 5/21 (15R, 13M, 13F, 2T, 7F- 6d3 & 1d5) :: Beta # 1- 15 c/p @ 4w
FET #2 Cancelled, Right Tube Developed a Hydro 8/28 Hydro & Scar Tissue Removed Cleared for FET FET #2.2 Scheduled for September 20th 2 Thawed, 2 Transferred! Beta #1- 96, Beta #2 906! :: EDD June 10th 2015- 2 failed FET. We are done SURPRISE! BFP 8/8/16 EDD 4/1/17
We are expecting baby number 5 April 24th. This go round, if we use anything at all it will be narcotics, it allows you to relax between contractions which is really helpful and still allows you to move as you wish.
4 babies so far and 4 epidurals, but I've only had a 50% success rate. My labors are pretty fast and furious and I get over my head w the pain pretty early on so for the last 2 I literally came into triage asking for the bloodwork and iv fluids that I knew I had to have done before the anesthesiologist could do his magic. I don't know if this has something to do with the fact that they don't always work for me, but I've always been able to move my legs and feel contractions so I'm pretty sure I'll be requesting one again in a few weeks, although I would give the nitrous oxide a try if it was offered.
I didn't use any meds last time and plan on doing the same. I don't think I will ever choose narcotics. I don't like feeling loopy AT ALL. I know it is different for different people. But, I am very much afraid of not being in control of my body and especially mind. I think I would choose an epidural if I felt like I really needed one.
Me: 28 year old SAHM/Birth Doula DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
Married: October 8, 2011
DD1: September 24, 2013 BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016 DD2: April 16, 2017 BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
My main thing against the epidural is that I am so so so scared that I cannot control myself and cannot sit still whilst they put it in. But this also makes me scared because I am likely to be induced in which case everyone says I will need an epidural. I was thinking about trying to manage the pain for as long as I can, but then people tell me if I am to have an epidural, I might as well have it early on and not suffer. Any thoughts, especially from those who have been induced? @KirstinH88@Dannylion24@Magheeta ?
Me: 35 year old FTM, a busy city banker living in London, and a constant worrier. My DH: French guy, car fanatic, best husband ever. Our baby boy: Due on 17 April, currently 37 weeks. I can't believe it - I made it to full term!!!! Last measurement: 3150 gs at 37+1! This is going to be a big baby
I was induced with DD.. on a holiday with no available anesthesiologist in house.. they pushed narcotics and I will never go that route again. I was soooo out of it I felt drunk. I'm glad it wore off long before I had DD.. they had to call in an anesthesiologist because I needed an emergency csection but I would 100% go the epidural over narcotics if I had the choice again.
I'm with @mrsstuessy I hate narcotics. I've always just slugged through pain to avoid taking them. We have nitrous oxide at our hospital so that's my plan because I'm going the med-free route. I tend to have a pretty high pain tolerance, I'm hoping that applies to contractions!
@smallanimal I know it's different for everyone but I went to the hospital because my water broke, I wasn't in active labor and was only 2cm dilated so they had to induce me. I didn't think the contractions were too bad and was able to make it to 7cm before getting an epidural. And even then I didn't feel I really needed it the doctor kind of scared me into it saying we don't need any heros it will get a lot worse. Again, I know it's different for everyone and it's good to go in with a plan but ultimately I think you just need to listen to what you think your body needs in the moment. I know I ended up regretting the epidural because it didn't even work properly and it dropped my blood pressure so low that I had to lay completely flat while pushing which kind of sucked in my opinion.
I opted not to do narcotics during my last labor because I personally don't do super well on them, so I didn't want to feel miserable and out of it when I got to meet my son. I had an epidural after 17 hours of going the med free route...my contractions were super painful and not very productive (we later found out because DS's head didn't descend into my pelvis, so there was little to no pressure being applied to my cervix for me to dilate), and after being induced, not sleeping at all the night before being induced, and so long of an unproductive labor I opted for the epidural so that I could rest. It was a PITA to get it put in...I cried more from having to hold still through all of those contractions than I had previously. Shortly after the epidural went in I took a nap (ha!), and a few hours after that DS started to go into distress, so they brought in the US machine, found that his head was stuck sideways into my pelvis, and prepped me for an emergency c-section. I was glad that I'd had the epidural because it allowed me to stay awake during my c-section...if I hadn't have gotten it I probably would have needed to be knocked out to get DS out in a timely fashion.
If I go into labor naturally this time, before my RCS date (fingers crossed!!), I will probably opt for the epidural again, if there's time for it, mostly because I am already at risk of needing a c-section (due to the previous one being relatively recent) and I don't want to be knocked out.
ETA that I could still feel the pressure of contractions (and it was super weird when they started pulling my insides around for the c-section), but nothing hurt. My epidural wore off probably 2 hours after my c-section (when I went in for the c-section they gave me a top-off to make sure that it didn't wear off while they were cutting). I was up and walking around 3 hours post-op.
I had an epidural with DS, and the anesthesiologist was amazing! Even my OB asked "Did Dana do the epi? I always request Dana for my patients." The only reason I finally requested one at 7 cm, was because I had been laboring for almost 24 hours, and hadn't slept in 2.5 days. I just needed rest. With my particular epi, I was able to still feel my contractions at the top of my uterus, however it was just pressure, they didn't hurt. It wore off within two hours of delivering DS. My only issue was figuring out how to push. My pushes were not very effective, because I couldn't feel, and it took 1.5 hours of pushing. This time around I am practicing the Hypnobabies technique. I'm really hoping for a med-free birth using breathing and relaxation. Narcotics make me extremely nauseous, so I would pass on those no matter what.
I had an epi with DS (I think I was about 7cm and they had just broken my water) when I got it. I may have already posted this on here, but it only half worked. I could feel everything on one side of my body and if I switched the side that I was laying on the side that I could feel switched. I feel like it managed the pain a little for me without being over the top strong. I was able to walk around and take a quick shower about an hour after giving birth.
I plan on getting another this time around and just plan on asking them to keep the dosage relatively low so that I can still feel my legs, and feel most of what's going on when it's time to push. I have never had narcotics, but I feel like I will be more with it with a low dose epi versus narcotics.
I had an epidural with DS, and the anesthesiologist was amazing! Even my OB asked "Did Dana do the epi? I always request Dana for my patients." The only reason I finally requested one at 7 cm, was because I had been laboring for almost 24 hours, and hadn't slept in 2.5 days. I just needed rest. With my particular epi, I was able to still feel my contractions at the top of my uterus, however it was just pressure, they didn't hurt. It wore off within two hours of delivering DS. My only issue was figuring out how to push. My pushes were not very effective, because I couldn't feel, and it took 1.5 hours of pushing. This time around I am practicing the Hypnobabies technique. I'm really hoping for a med-free birth using breathing and relaxation. Narcotics make me extremely nauseous, so I would pass on those no matter what.
Hypnobabies is AWESOME. This helped me to have a med free birth with DD2.
With DD1 I got an epidural in transition b/c I freaked out and didn't realize I was in transition and felt like I couldn't do it anymore (totally normal, by the way. I know this in hindsight). Anyway by the time I got the epidural I was completely dilated 10 min later so I totally could have done without. The epi really made it hard for me to push effectively. And I had to lay on my left side b/c it was messing with my baby's heart rate so I was stuck in a very uncomfortable position and had to push flat on my back which resulted in a LOT of second degree tearing (think Frankenstein). Needless to say, never again.
@smallanimal - like PP's have said, everyone's labor is different. I decided to get the epidural early because I figured I would need it anyway, and wanted to be able to rest as much as possible in order to allow my labor to progress. My focus was to be "relaxed" (ie minimize distractions and stress) to allow my body to progress, so I knew an epidural would be the route for me. I never considered narcotics because I do not like the way I feel on them, and wanted to be as alert as possible. The hospital I delivered at is very baby-friendly and modern, so the nurses were incredibly helpful in making sure that I was adjusted or moved around as needed. I ended up being able to take two amazing naps with the epidural, and after the second, I woke up and told the nurse I could feel pressure every time I had a contraction. She checked me and was like "wow, you're at a 3, time to push!" and DS was born after 3 big pushes. I also had an episiotomy, so having the epidural made that a walk in the park, too.
I did experience some discomfort in my back a few days after the epidural was removed, but I'm not 100% sure the pain was associated with it. My whole body felt like my joints could pop out of place any minute, so I'm thinking it had more to do with the relaxin hormone than the epidural.
Definitely do your research. Knowledge is your friend. I found that the more I understood about the process, the more comfortable I was going into it. Hope that helps!
@smallanimal I can't speak for being induced as I never was. But, my epidural was a godsend. You will be amazed at how still you can sit if you know there is a light at the end of the tunnel that the pain will go away. DH says I was like two different people in labor. Without the epi, I was grouchy (well duh, I'm in pain!) but as soon as the epi was placed, I turned into this calm, cool, collected person. I was chit chatting with all the nurses and cracking jokes. The epidural worked well enough to numb me, but I still felt the pressure of contractions and pushing, etc. It just took away the pain. After delivering baby and afterbirth, and being stitched back up (that took awhile because I had a resident (student) OB being overseen my a legitimate OB) I was able to get up and go to the bathroom and walk around if wanted.
Had an epidural with DD. No regrets. I had a fourth degree tear. That would have been literal hell on earth without the epidural. I'm not trying to be caviler, but you will not know how YOUR labor will go. If you can manage with breathing and do not have a marathon pushing session, that's AWESOME! If you have an extremely long labor and need an epidural to avoid a c-section, that's AWESOME! I may annoy some people with this, but I really, really strongly advise against going in with a "set in stone" birth plan. You can't control what will happen and nothing makes me more sad than moms that are negative about this amazing thing they just did because it "didn't go as planned."
ETA: missing words. I'm too pregnant to make sense
In our Lamaze class our instructor talked about receiving a very low dose of Stadol (apparently this is the narcotic our hospital uses) during her labor and that it helped "take the edge off" her contractions during transition, which certainly sounds nice However I also know that I don't do well on narcotics typically, especially when I haven't had much to eat.
I think that my plan remains to go med-free as long as I can so that I can move around, use the tub, eat something light, etc. I've put in my birth plan that I will request drugs (either Stadol or an epidural) if I want one and that I don't want to be offered one. I had no idea @chelle087 that epidurals can come in low doses (although it does make sense!), and if I do get one, I'd like to request that so that I can feel what's going on and hopefully push effectively.
I still go back and forth on this because as a FTM who's never been hospitalized, never broken a bone except for my nose, never had major surgery, etc. I have a hard time conceptualizing what the pain will feel like, and I honestly don't know much about my pain tolerance. So I have a plan but I'm also trying to be open to what may or may not arise as things happen.
I'm planning on being flexible. If I'm induced I'm definitely using an epi. Our labor instructor said pitosin contactions are much worse than regular ones. If I go into labor naturally I will try to avoid the epi.
I had an epidural with DS induced pitocin 19 hour labor but it wore off during transition and I spent the next 3 hours pushing feeling everything but too unstable to move. The anaesthesiologist refused to redo the epidural at that point. This time around I'm working on preparing med free coping methods, which I wished I did have to help manage pain and fear. Everything was great until the epidural wore off, and I felt like I went from 0-100 in minutes. I don't regret the epidural for DS since I got rest before the marathon pushing session and narrowly avoided a vacuum assist. I don't believe in a set plan but having multiple tools in case what you want doesn't work out.
I have never had narcotics for anything so, I will not be "trying them out" during labor. I am interested in the nitrous and will be asking my OB about it. I know our hospital offers it. The negative effects would be much shorter with the gas if I didn't like it. I will be going med free as long as possible. Last time, I did feel pressured by both my husband and the nurses for the epi.
My epi experience wasn't terrible. I had contractions all through it and it was uncomfortable but, the placement of the needle itself is not something you will/should feel. I would also say the nurses did not manage me well though because I think I felt much more than I should have during pushing. My labor felt great with the epi. My husband and I just watched TV until they said I was ready to push.
@schef070911 I am not positive, but have heard of people saying that the nurse or doctor had turned their epidural down when it came close to time to push so that they had more control. I guess I should double check with my doctor before I go in requesting a low dosage if it doesn't exist!
I am starting to have more questions that I probably need to talk to my provider about, but I'll throw them out there in case anyone has any thoughts. I know there is no real way to accurately estimate baby's size at this point, but that makes it hard because I would probably have a different pain management plan for a 6 lb baby than I would a 10 lb baby. All babies in my family have been over 9 lbs so I'm assuming ours will be as well, so I guess I'll have to make my plan erring on the side of a big baby. My concern with a big baby is tearing... my sister in law had a 4th degree tear with her 9lb 11oz baby. I know this isn't super common, but I would worry about choosing to not get an epidural and then having something similar happen. I also know episiotomies are not super common these days, but what happens if you don't have an epidural and they decide you need one? Any thoughts?
@BabyBlake042017 this was discussed at my childbirth class yesterday. At least at my hospital, if you don't have an epidural and they need to do an episiotomy, they inject a local anasthetic to numb the area. It seems that my hospital doesn't do them very often though.
@BabyBlake042017 there's no surefire way to prevent tearing, but there are a few things you can do to try prevent it. Different positions for birthing as well as waiting until you feel the urge to push (rather than being told based on an internal exam), and a few other things can help. I think sometimes even just having some information on your side and techniques to try could help quite a bit because it's certainly a real fear that could cause you to tense up in labor - and then increase your chances of tearing!
Me: 31 DH: 36 Married 5 years DD born 8/30/13 #2 expected 4/25/17
@BabyBlake042017 I would never base tearing on baby size. My I had a 6lb baby and had bi-lateral third degree tearing. I was never offered the episiotomy. I had an epidural and a local for stiching pp. I didn't know that was on the worse side of tearing until weeks later when someone explained it to me. Honestly, tearing was not a big deal for me. They only gave me motrin for pain after and I had no issues. I didn't even take them after the hospital stay.
My SIL has had two 9lb babies with barely any tearing and my other SIL had a 6lb baby and tore through the perineum. I really don't think it will be a concern when you go into labor as there are so many other things happening. Also, the vagina is a mystical lady and meant to handle more than we can comprehend. My OBs and midwives have recommended primrose oil (after 36 weeks), semen and olive oil massage to help prep the area.
Bodies typically don't make babies larger than they can birth. Of course there are some exceptions. So many things impact tearing! Namely position of baby, if they have a nuchal hand or something up by their head as they emerge, birth position, if you have support on your perenium while birthing, forced pushing vs allowing babe to labor down on his/her own, etc.
i can tell you that delivery isn't comfy with or without an epidural. It is A hole typically the size of a pea stretching and expelling something the size of a watermelon. but I had essentially no tearing with my med free birth and I firmly believe that is bc of my position and the fact that I had full control of the situation and also that I allowed babe to labor down on her own.
all that to say I wouldn't worry about weight. A tiny friend of mine just birthed a 10lb5oz babe with zero tearing. You just never know.
I went med-free with both of my girls and am doing it again (as long as he cooperates). I'm just not a fan of the side effects of pain management and while I'm also not a fan of labor pains, it was worth it to me. The best thing for me was learning the Bradley Method and what is normal during labor--like feeling like I couldn't do it anymore during transition. And laboring in the bathtub. It feels sooooooooo good! With a good team around me, being mentally prepared, and having different laboring positions to try I feel I was set up for success.
To those who wonder what labor feels like, I tell my husband it's like how it feels when you have the worst abdominal cramps ever except nothing can make them go away until birth. Then you have the craziest sensation of pooping out a bowling ball. At least that was my experience!
I am planning a home birth, so my primary pain management plans involve breathing, strategic relaxation, and water immersion, which are honestly good things to read up on, even if you plan on getting an epidural ASAP. My home birth turned c section involved a transfer to the hospital, which was the worst part of the whole thing. Knowing how to cope before you get to the pain meds can really make a big difference.
My one pointed piece of advice of pain management advice that doesn't pertain to drugs is this: keep things "low and deep" and if something is working at home (position, breathing), try not to change it on the way to the hospital. When you get high pitched and screamy, your anxiety goes up and your tension along with it, making the pain worse. Low moans work SO much better even when your whole internal world feels out of control. So...that's my pain med free advice from the mama who spent a 35 minute ride from hell trying to push out a breech baby, who stupidly decided to lay on her side in the car when that was the hardest position of my entire labor, and who definitely lost all breathing and focus and was screaming and swearing.
That said, the epidural was definitely my godsend when I finally arrived. I almost kicked someone when they told me my labs had to come back before they could give it to me. I did not care at all that a giant needle went in my back, and I did have almost immediate relief once I got it. I consider epidurals to be a valuable tool in the box for labor, though they are not without risks. Mine didn't take as well on one side. The nurse offered me a peanut ball to help it spread around, which is a great tool if you have an epidural because it keeps your pelvis open and gives you a little mobility while stuck in a bed. Both of those things can help you progress and possibly avoid a c section. I also ended up getting a little bit panicky once it took hold even though I was grateful to be out of pain. It was really claustrophobic for a few minutes to feel numb and trapped, having never lost feeling in my body from the waist down before.
Regarding narcotics, I hear a lot of people talk about feeling loopy or disconnected so I think I'd probably avoid them if were choosing the hospital route. It sucks to not feel in control of yourself. It was bad enough that I was given terbutaline on arrival so I was shaking like a leaf for quite some time pre and post delivery.
Re: Pain management during labor
they put it in) and she said with the fentanyl for her second it worked but only lasted about 5 minutes before it wore off and the pain was as bad if not worse than before she got it
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
I'm going to ask my OB at my next appt what hospital policy is. I'm at a new hospital this time around with new insurance. I think I got pretty lucky to get an epidural at 8-9 cm dilated as I hear most hospitals won't do it at that point. So if my OB says the latest they will offer an epidural is 6-7 cm, then I'm going to have to pay better attention to my body, so I don't miss out on the opportunity to get an epidural if I want one. But I'm still 50/50 on trying naturally.
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
I am on the fence about narcotics for the reasons previously mentioned. My midwife said that the hospital policy is that you can't have more than three doses in an hour and that you can't have any during the pushing stage. She said it only lasts any where between 10-15 minutes.
The hospital doesn't offer nitrous oxicide. Which I'm super bummed about since it was my first choice. When I asked my midwife why, she said it was because of push back from the anthestiologists.
Since odds are now that I will be induced and I hear contractions from the pit are more painful, I'm getting that epi at the first chance I get, lol.
June- Femara 7.5mg + Trigger + IUI = BFN August- Lap & Hysteroscopy = Blocked & Partially Blocked Tubes
September- Femara 5mg = CX - No Response on Left = BFN October- 100mg Clomid + Trigger + TI = BFN
IVF # 1: Stims 11/30 ER 12/12/12! (10R, 10M, 8F, 2T, 6 F) :: Beta #1- 176 c/p @ 4w4d
FET #1 February 26th :: Lost 4 to Thaw, Transferred 2 = BFFN
IVF # 2 Stims 5/10 ER 5/21 (15R, 13M, 13F, 2T, 7F- 6d3 & 1d5) :: Beta # 1- 15 c/p @ 4w
FET #2.2 Scheduled for September 20th
2 Thawed, 2 Transferred! Beta #1- 96, Beta #2 906! :: EDD June 10th
2015- 2 failed FET. We are done
SURPRISE! BFP 8/8/16 EDD 4/1/17
DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016
DD2: April 16, 2017
BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
My DH: French guy, car fanatic, best husband ever.
Our baby boy: Due on 17 April, currently 37 weeks. I can't believe it - I made it to full term!!!!
Last measurement: 3150 gs at 37+1! This is going to be a big baby
Baby Boy due 04/07/17
Here is a good resource regarding the pros and cons of narcotics during labor:
https://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/narcotics/
Here is a good resource regarding epidural during labor:
https://safebirthproject.com/epidurals-for-delivery-pros-and-cons/
Both can have side effects for sure.
DD1 born 5/24/10.
Missed M/C at 14 wks Feb 2012.
DD2 born 5/14/13.
Missed M/C at 9 wks July 2015.
If I go into labor naturally this time, before my RCS date (fingers crossed!!), I will probably opt for the epidural again, if there's time for it, mostly because I am already at risk of needing a c-section (due to the previous one being relatively recent) and I don't want to be knocked out.
ETA that I could still feel the pressure of contractions (and it was super weird when they started pulling my insides around for the c-section), but nothing hurt. My epidural wore off probably 2 hours after my c-section (when I went in for the c-section they gave me a top-off to make sure that it didn't wear off while they were cutting). I was up and walking around 3 hours post-op.
This time around I am practicing the Hypnobabies technique. I'm really hoping for a med-free birth using breathing and relaxation. Narcotics make me extremely nauseous, so I would pass on those no matter what.
I plan on getting another this time around and just plan on asking them to keep the dosage relatively low so that I can still feel my legs, and feel most of what's going on when it's time to push. I have never had narcotics, but I feel like I will be more with it with a low dose epi versus narcotics.
Hypnobabies is AWESOME. This helped me to have a med free birth with DD2.
With DD1 I got an epidural in transition b/c I freaked out and didn't realize I was in transition and felt like I couldn't do it anymore (totally normal, by the way. I know this in hindsight). Anyway by the time I got the epidural I was completely dilated 10 min later so I totally could have done without. The epi really made it hard for me to push effectively. And I had to lay on my left side b/c it was messing with my baby's heart rate so I was stuck in a very uncomfortable position and had to push flat on my back which resulted in a LOT of second degree tearing (think Frankenstein). Needless to say, never again.
DD1 born 5/24/10.
Missed M/C at 14 wks Feb 2012.
DD2 born 5/14/13.
Missed M/C at 9 wks July 2015.
I did experience some discomfort in my back a few days after the epidural was removed, but I'm not 100% sure the pain was associated with it. My whole body felt like my joints could pop out of place any minute, so I'm thinking it had more to do with the relaxin hormone than the epidural.
Definitely do your research. Knowledge is your friend. I found that the more I understood about the process, the more comfortable I was going into it. Hope that helps!
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
ETA: missing words. I'm too pregnant to make sense
I think that my plan remains to go med-free as long as I can so that I can move around, use the tub, eat something light, etc. I've put in my birth plan that I will request drugs (either Stadol or an epidural) if I want one and that I don't want to be offered one. I had no idea @chelle087 that epidurals can come in low doses (although it does make sense!), and if I do get one, I'd like to request that so that I can feel what's going on and hopefully push effectively.
I still go back and forth on this because as a FTM who's never been hospitalized, never broken a bone except for my nose, never had major surgery, etc. I have a hard time conceptualizing what the pain will feel like, and I honestly don't know much about my pain tolerance. So I have a plan but I'm also trying to be open to what may or may not arise as things happen.
My epi experience wasn't terrible. I had contractions all through it and it was uncomfortable but, the placement of the needle itself is not something you will/should feel. I would also say the nurses did not manage me well though because I think I felt much more than I should have during pushing. My labor felt great with the epi. My husband and I just watched TV until they said I was ready to push.
in requesting a low dosage if it doesn't exist!
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
My SIL has had two 9lb babies with barely any tearing and my other SIL had a 6lb baby and tore through the perineum. I really don't think it will be a concern when you go into labor as there are so many other things happening. Also, the vagina is a mystical lady and meant to handle more than we can comprehend. My OBs and midwives have recommended primrose oil (after 36 weeks), semen and olive oil massage to help prep the area.
i can tell you that delivery isn't comfy with or without an epidural. It is A hole typically the size of a pea stretching and expelling something the size of a watermelon. but I had essentially no tearing with my med free birth and I firmly believe that is bc of my position and the fact that I had full control of the situation and also that I allowed babe to labor down on her own.
all that to say I wouldn't worry about weight. A tiny friend of mine just birthed a 10lb5oz babe with zero tearing. You just never know.
DD1 born 5/24/10.
Missed M/C at 14 wks Feb 2012.
DD2 born 5/14/13.
Missed M/C at 9 wks July 2015.
IVF FET - BFP, due April 2017
To those who wonder what labor feels like, I tell my husband it's like how it feels when you have the worst abdominal cramps ever except nothing can make them go away until birth. Then you have the craziest sensation of pooping out a bowling ball. At least that was my experience!
My one pointed piece of advice of pain management advice that doesn't pertain to drugs is this: keep things "low and deep" and if something is working at home (position, breathing), try not to change it on the way to the hospital. When you get high pitched and screamy, your anxiety goes up and your tension along with it, making the pain worse. Low moans work SO much better even when your whole internal world feels out of control. So...that's my pain med free advice from the mama who spent a 35 minute ride from hell trying to push out a breech baby, who stupidly decided to lay on her side in the car when that was the hardest position of my entire labor, and who definitely lost all breathing and focus and was screaming and swearing.
That said, the epidural was definitely my godsend when I finally arrived. I almost kicked someone when they told me my labs had to come back before they could give it to me. I did not care at all that a giant needle went in my back, and I did have almost immediate relief once I got it. I consider epidurals to be a valuable tool in the box for labor, though they are not without risks. Mine didn't take as well on one side. The nurse offered me a peanut ball to help it spread around, which is a great tool if you have an epidural because it keeps your pelvis open and gives you a little mobility while stuck in a bed. Both of those things can help you progress and possibly avoid a c section. I also ended up getting a little bit panicky once it took hold even though I was grateful to be out of pain. It was really claustrophobic for a few minutes to feel numb and trapped, having never lost feeling in my body from the waist down before.
Regarding narcotics, I hear a lot of people talk about feeling loopy or disconnected so I think I'd probably avoid them if were choosing the hospital route. It sucks to not feel in control of yourself. It was bad enough that I was given terbutaline on arrival so I was shaking like a leaf for quite some time pre and post delivery.