Epidural thoughts?

rismac · July 2019

I am a FTM & I wanted to get other mother’s opinions on epidurals. When my mother had me she did not have an epidural and I was a natural birth. What are everyone’s thoughts on getting an epidural verse not getting an epidural? TIA!

daffodil_shoe · July 2019

That’s a very personal decision. Please do your research on the risks, so that you make an informed decision. Personally, I didn’t think I wanted one, but changed my mind when I got stuck at 8cm. Once I got it, my body could relax and finish dilating. I had no problems with it, and was very happy with it.

I work in a birthing center. I find that most FTMs who initially say they don’t want an epidural do end up getting one. If a STM+ who has had a med-free birth before says she doesn’t want one, she usually can do it med-free again.

Generally I find that when a mom is stuck and can’t dilate more, getting the epidural helps them relax and they dilate quicker.

That all being said, if you are very confident that you don’t want an epidural, I recommend looking into different pain management techniques, and seriously consider hiring a doula.

leksiL · July 2019

I wanted an intervention and med-free birth and ended up with a cesarean due to breech presentation. Birth plans should be flexible as @daffodil_shoe suggests! I don't think it is helpful to add value judgments to how a mom decides to give birth. At first I felt like an absolute failure after having my cesarean. At the end of the day, all that matters is a healthy and happy baby and momma.

jvk2012 · July 2019

I had an epidural and would absolutely do it again. I was able to relax and talk with my H (after hardly sleeping for 2 days while being induced) and have energy for pushing. They turned it down so I could feel everything I needed to feel to push (trust me, I felt it!) but then turned it back up while they gave me a few stitches.

ibabyloveb87 · July 2019

I won’t have to make a decision this time since I’m a RCS, but I would do the epidural every single time. I tried for a few hours med free and I just couldn’t do it. Doesn’t make me less of a mom. Do your research, talk to your doctor, and make the best decision for you. Knowing that it might change when the time comes, and that’s ok.

DDRRT1982 · July 2019

I always get these grand ideas during pregnancy that I might want to try med free, but then that first contraction hits and all the pressure happens and I chicken out. I tend to have back labor, so that extra sucks. My first one was basically med free because they were actually trying to stop my labor, but my last four I have had an epidural and it was glorious. I have had no adverse reactions from it and don’t regret my decision because I am a paranoid mess during labor so it helped me relax.

I am a RT that works NICU and I go on lots of deliveries. From my observation, women who go med free need lots of support. By the time pushing happens you are exhausted. Pushing is hard, especially when you haven’t rested and you hurt. Your support system needs to be proactive and creative to keep you strong. Sometimes they need to suggest new positions or advocate for breaks and alternative strategies. They also need to help you understand when it’s time to do whatever is necessary to get the baby out. Pushing is hard on you and is also stressful for the baby. Sometimes they don’t tolerate all the stress and everyone needs to work together to do what’s best for mom and baby. Make sure your doula, H/partner, and l&d nurse know you need them to be proactive. I have watched women suffer while everyone stands around and expects a women that’s exhausted perform a miracle with no help. So many times I have wanted to suggest stuff, but it’s not my place in the healthcare setting and it’s frustrating. With that being said, you most definitely can do this med free. You just need support, energy, and the understanding things can change quickly. It’s honestly so awesome watching women succeed at a med free delivery and the relief that washes over them post delivery is so heartwarming.

TennisLove30 · July 2019

I wanted to try for as long as possible without it, but after 18 hours of labor I gave in. It allowed me to sleep, but I ended up with an emergency c-section in the end.

rismac · July 2019

Thank you all so much for the advice!!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️

jessieR358 · July 2019

I had an epidural with my first. I wanted a med free birth, but I had to be induced and that flew out the window. I had back pain for 2 weeks after delivery that I think was related to the epidural.
Second baby I had a Hypnobabies doula and planned on going med free. I got to the hospital in excruciating pain and begged for an epidural, but it was too late. I had my OB give lidocaine for the ring of fire.
For baby #3 I don’t think I’ll have time for an epidural! My second came less than an hour getting to the Hospital. If this one is the same, I can do it again. If I had to labor like that for hours I’d get an epidural in a heart beat.

therealbitts · July 2019

Do what is best for you and go into it knowing things may not go as planned. I prepared for a med free birth with my first, and it was very difficult, but I did it. After it was over, I told my husband that I would never begrudge anyone for getting an epidural. It was hard work. But, I did a lot of preparation to get in the right mental state for a med free labor. That helped a lot. My last two labors were med free, but were much faster than my first, which helped a lot. You can do it if you do some preparation beforehand and have the right support.

kiwi2628 · July 2019

Take your birth plans and throw them out a window. Do your research so you know about the options, but you may opt to go med free and be unable to since you need a c section. Or you may decide to get an epidural and find you have developed low platelets and can’t get one (what happened to me!). At the end of the day it’s about healthy mom and healthy baby.

craftywitch · July 2019

I think it's a personal decision and that everyone should learn about the physiological process of birth, what to expect during labor, and all of the options and interventions that are available along with the risks and benefits of those options. The second part of this is assembling an environment and team that are going to give you the best chances of achieving the birth you want.

I had a med-free birth and it was all of the things I hoped it would be, but it was by no means easy or peaceful. I had back labor with baby in a posterior position until transition, and I feel that succeeding in my birth plan had everything to do with the med-free birth center I chose and the extensive birth team I had supporting me. My team included 2 doulas, a midwife, my favorite nurse, a photographer who was also a doula, and my husband who took classes on how to be a supportive birth partner.

bg122785 · July 2019

I tried to go without for as long as I could with my first pregnancy. I had no plan on not using one, but wanted to see how much my body could take. For me, it was a relief. I was able to get some sleep and since my daughter was sunny side up, I was able to be put in different positions to help get her to move and be more relaxed. I will probably do the same this next pregnancy.

jvk2012 · July 2019

I will also add that I had an amazing L&D nurse who had me get into different positions including all 4s leaning on the head of the bed to get my daughter into better position. She supported some safe movements despite an epidural in order to help my labor progress.

robynlynn2000 · July 2019

I had a CS with my daughter due to breech position. But with my son i opted for a VBAC, my water broke at 730am, and was given pitocin to speed up labor at 9am because of no contractions. By 230pm my contractions were every 20 seconds. And by 5pm they were 10 seconds apart. My doctor checked me and I was at 1cm. I was miserable and she was leaving for the day. The second doctor came in and asked if i wanted an epidural. Hell yeah! Only 10 hours of contractions and i was done. I relaxed for 4 hours and messed the bed unknowingly. Embarrassing but i was told it was common. Then my son was delivered at 948pm. So after the epidural i progressed 8cm in 5 hours, vs 1cm for 10 hours. I would recommend it again. This time im opting for another cs.

cmd723-z · July 2019

I had an emergency CS due to high blood pressure. I think the worst thing was the shock and disappointment of not getting the birth that I wanted. That and breastfeeding wasn’t a magical, easy, super bonding experience. My own high expectations were the leading contributor to my postpartum blues. I only say blues because depression isn’t a word I take lightly and I’m not sure I was totally there. My point is that it is good to have a plan and do your research. But it doesn’t always work out the way you want. And you may have to be ok with that.

cmd723-z · July 2019

And just to add my own $.02 about epidurals... it’s just so personal. I started out early pregnancy thinking I would get one. But as time went on I thought I could do without, started empowering myself that I didn’t need one. Then all that went down the crapper anyway the day my daughter was born because of other circumstances. I think this is completely up to you and there isn’t a wrong answer if you get one or not. It’s really no ones business anyway.

doodleoodle · July 2019

With my first I was all about having a med free birth, but ended up needing a c-section as the baby was breech. With my second, I wanted a med free birth... until I went into labor. On my way to the hospital all I could think about was getting the epidural. Unfortunately, or fortunately you could say, there was no time! I ended up delivering about 15 minutes after checking in. I’m sure I won’t have time to get an epidural this time either, but if I were in labor for hours I would get one in a heartbeat. I will say, the one nice thing about not getting an epidural is being able to get out of bed that day and take a shower. Which was amazing. I felt so gross after labor. But that is a teeny tiny pro, there are so many big pros and cons for both sides.

The best advice I can give is to be kind to yourself if your birth doesn’t go as planned... and to advocate for yourself. For example, I knew I did not want an episiotomy and I made sure that I told every OB in the practice multiple times.

merigoround · July 2019

I personally had an epidural with my daughter and the experience was amazing! I am 100% confident that I want to do it again.
Some women really want to go it on their own, and some make it and are thrilled with it. I have several friends who went in with a birth plan who changed their mind and got the epidural who felt really self critical over their choice. I feel awful for them.
i guess my opinion isn’t on someone’s choice, it’s more about how much room they are giving themselves for a change in the plan if they need it.

jessieR358 · July 2019

@doodleoodle lol my goal this time is to not have a car birth. That should be yours too

i had an episiotomy with my first and it took forrrrreeeeevvvverr to heal. It was horrible and caused a lot of sexual problems. I was so against it but my son was coming out with his arm against his head and they convinced me I needed it. Needless to say, I had a doula second go around to stand up for me.

doodleoodle · July 2019

@jessieR358 I had an OB appointment that Friday and was completely closed and 0% effaced. I arrived at the hospital 4 cm dilated that Sunday and 10 minutes later I was pushing, 5 minutes later she was born. It was WILD. And somehow, until this moment I never realized a car birth was a possibility.

kmj1426 · July 2019

My first labor was 8 hrs and I pushed for 17 minutes and my second was 6 hrs and I was crowning when the nurse came to check dilation and one contraction later, she had to catch because the dr didn’t make it in the room in time. Both of those I had an epidural almost immediately after getting checked in. With my third, I went in wanting to go med free. I was at 3cm when I got there and 6 hrs later I was a 4. Got the epidural cause I was done at that point and went from a 4 to an 8 in 2 hrs when my epidural stopped working.. no idea what happened. Labor stalled again for 4 more hrs and I pushed DD3 out in 4 pushes. So, for me, the epidural definitely helps me relax and progress quicker I think. I’ll be getting one again.

jessieR358 · July 2019

doodleoodle said:

@jessieR358 I had an OB appointment that Friday and was completely closed and 0% effaced. I arrived at the hospital 4 cm dilated that Sunday and 10 minutes later I was pushing, 5 minutes later she was born. It was WILD. And somehow, until this moment I never realized a car birth was a possibility.

Lololol...my OB was telling me we should schedule another induction because I was 0 too. My mom didn’t even believe me when I was in labor driving to the hospital. Boy was she surprised when I called an hour later and said hey! We have a baby! I arrived at 6cm and as all the doctors described it shortly “sneezed” a baby out...I do not remember it that way. The poor other moms on the floor were probably traumatized from all my screaming

my MIL swears she went to her last OB appointment 9cm dilated with her 4th

jennv0701 · July 2019

An epidural is magic.

Amyface813 · July 2019

I didn’t get an epidural either time but I did a ton of preparation with yoga and hypnobirthing and i watched a ton of calm birth videos. I went in there with no fear and was almost completely relaxed and just let my body take over. My second was almost a car baby too (born 28 minutes after we got to the hospital after an hour drive) which makes things intense but easier (in my experience).

i am pro-WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO! I know people who absolutely loved their epidural and people who were ashamed of getting one. For me, I was more worried about being stuck in bed and feeling trapped. I don’t even like taking ibuprofen though.

babylawyer · July 2019

I intend to get one.

sassypants2010 · July 2019

I had two epidural free inductions with my older two that I am proud of because I felt empowered against nay sayers, but my third I got an epidural because he was sunny side and wasn't turning so I was exhausted. But with this one I'm going to try to go without because I didn't like how the epidural made me feel during and after delivery. My point is go in with a plan but be open to changes and be flexible with yourself.

0hmymadelin3 · July 2019

I had 2 med-free births because, honestly, the thought of an epidural terrifies me more than the pain of contractions. There’s no reason for my fear, it’s just there. lol. Planning another med-free birth for this baby.

joykeeperathome · July 2019

I would thoroughly research all of the possible side effects and benefits so you can make a truly informed decision. I had an epidural with my first and have suffered nerve injury at that spot for the past 7 years since. I had no idea that was a possibility. My chiropractor said it is common and many women have similar experiences. I went on to have 4 more with no epidural. I prefer the freedom to move and the recovery with no complications.

zseirecarg · July 2019

My only birth plan for my 1st was “get an epidural”. Long story short, I got sent home from the hospital, labored all night on my own, when I went back to the hospital I was fully dilated and the doctor had told me there was no time for an epidural. I pushed for a while from being so tired but babe and I were both fine. I had no prep ahead of time. Just be prepared for your plan to change no matter what.

I’ll see how I feel this time around, if there’s time for an epidural ill probably get one.

jessieR358 · July 2019

Did y’all see that story about the mother in Florida that had an epidural and it got stuck. Talk about a nightmare. She was transferred to 2 other hospitals before someone would even touch her back.

shellac835 · July 2019

Ditto what many are saying about being flexible in your birth plan. I had a med-free water birth w/my first and it was really great, but a lot of things went right for that to happen. I also did a lot of reading to prepare ahead of time. Things easily could have ended up differently if labor had taken a long time, baby was in a different position, etc. So yes, inform yourself of options and go in feeling empowered to give birth however you want! And be flexible that things may change when you're in that moment. Def use a doula. Consider checking out a Bradley or Hypnobabies class, read some Ina May Gaskin books, and my fav book was The Birth Partner. Even if you do end up w/an epidural, there are a lot of other interventions that it's worth knowing about so you can make informed decisions about whether you're ok w/them or not.

clee5711 · July 2019

I had an epidural with my first and it was amazing. My water broke on it’s own at home and I got the epidural around 3cm. I pushed out an 8lb6oz baby and felt nothing. It was amazing.
My second I woke up with crazy full blown contractions and was already an 8 when I got to the hospital. They let me attempt an epidural but things went too quickly and it never worked. Thankfully things moved really quickly so the pain didn’t last long but good god I’m hoping for the epidural this time around.

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