My birthing story on my daughter's arrival

First off, I want to congratulate Cugirl for Nolan's arrival.  I missed her post (because I was at the hospital) and figure she won't get to read it if I reply.

Second, my daughter Naomi finally arrived!  I was scheduled for an induction on 11/8 morning.  The doctor felt that my pelvis will be too small for my daughter if I wait longer.  As it turned out, I started having contraction on my own the night before!  (yeah!)  It was a long labor though, 23 hours total.  I had contractions starting 1:30am ~ 5:00pm til fully dilated and pushed for 4 hours until 9pm.  Finally, doctor said she had to give me a c-section or I can opt for the vacuum.  My doctor said I have 3 contractions to push with vaccuum-assisted, because the baby was under stress and I had a fever plus infection.  Furthermore, my baby has meconium when the water broke.  Luckily, at the last push of the 3 contractions, she finally came out provided that my doctor gave me a 2nd-degree episotomy.  It's the best scenario I can imagine and still was able to go vaginally.  Thanks to my experienced OB.  Apparently my OB was right, my pelvis was indeed too small for Naomi even though she was 1 day early, and weighted at a modest 6 lb 10 oz at birth.  She was 19.25 inches long.

Get the epidural!  I got it at 6 cm dilated with tears on my face and didn't feel any pain afterward, but the pain kicked in again after 10 cm dilated and it would be hell if I didn't have the epidural.  Good luck to fellow mom-to-be

[sam2]

Congratulations!

[happymom3]

Congratulations and I'll give a big fat Amen on the epidural!!

[Jamie12269]

Congratulations !!  I was wondering if i could ask you a question (or anyone that would care to answer) when you have the epidural is there any feeling as the baby is coming out?  I am due in april and am terrified of the pain.. Not the contractions so much, just the bit when the baby comes out. If i have an epidural will i be pain free??

[emma10]

Pushing can be very ineffective when you're on the epidural precisely because you can't feel what you're doing and focus your muscles. You can't really even tell if you are pushing.  That is partially why it leads to so much more intervention, c-sections etc. Baby spends more time in canal.

I had a close call with one epidural and did the next baby with nothing. It was also a more satisfying experience (2nd one) but I will certainly admit that the 2nd labor, which was NOT back labor and was NOT 24hours long like the first, was easier, almost like a different event entirely. Sometimes you get a labor that is much harder/easier--it's best to make your mind up when you see how it's going, not ahead of time since you might be able to do it on your own and avoid all those drugs in your system and baby's.  Both ways for me were the right way under the conditions.

[cugirl]

Congrats on your little girl!!!

[ma2isiah]

I am a labor and delivery RN. As for what I have see on the job, it depends on your body and how the epidural works for you.  A few people feel almost nothing when the baby is coming out.  Most people feel pressure. And some feel pain.  Personally,I had a epidural with my son and I felt a lot of pressure when I was 10cm and more pressure with pushing. Then I felt like a ring of fire when he was crowning. It is better I think to feel the pressure, it makes it easier to push.  Good luck with your labor and delivery!

[happymom3]

I'm not trying to disagree with anyone BUT I could very much feel pressure (not pain) with the epidural. I could also very much feel when I needed to push and how my muscles were contracting to push. I had no problems. But I agree you need to decide when you are going through it because everyone is different! Keep your options open.

[JJety]

Congratulations on your daughter!!!!!!!

[wonderme]

Congratulations on your beautiful little girl!

As for the epidural, my opinion is to use it if you want and/or need it.  I had a c-section with my first and VBAC with my second.  The first nurse wasn't into epidurals (she didn't have one) and put me off even though I was in pain.  When her replacement showed up I asked when I could have one and she told me anytime I wanted.

I had 3 doses and it didn't kick off the pain (baby was laying on a nerve -- but as soon as she moved it stopped).

I thoroughly enjoyed the birth.  I could feel the pressure and my labor was not long -- went in with contractions at midnight (they even gave me pitocin b/c my labor stalled) and had the epidural by 6-7 am, fully dialated at 11 am -- pushed and baby delivered at 11:29 am.  I was not in excruciating pain which allowed me to enjoy it all!

It is all personal and medical implications should be discussed with your doctor.

You should do what you want as long as it is safe for you and the baby -- I just think that we, as women, get guilted into going natural.  Sometimes it's best, but when medically safe I say make it an enjoyable experience.

Good luck!

[Gili]

The pain was non-existent up til 10 cm., and was bearable (like 6 cm dilated without epidural) during pushing with the epidural.  I didn't feel the baby come out because the pain of contractions during pushing was too intense even with the epidural.  No pain during the episotomy, but feel a little snip, more like electrical snap, then felt the pull of the stitches, no pain.   I didn't feel much pressure at all, only right before I pushed.  I also felt my muscle when I pushed (along with the pain, of course).