Method of Childbirth

Hi all:) I was just wondering which method of childbirth y'all are using, Natural, Epidural, etc. With my first born, I had to be induced for health reasons, and I did receive an epidural but it didn't work. I was numb about an hour but turns out the medicine wasn't going in my spine, so it completely wore off by the time I delivered. I'm really thinking about going natural again because I've read so much about how when you get an epidural, you obviously can't feel anything so it's harder to know where to focus exactly where you're pushing. So can any of you ladies tell me your experience? Was it easy to know where to push, or should I go ahead without the epidural? Gosh it is painful, but I know how worth it it wil be once I see my baby boy:) Everyone's thoughts and advice is more than welcomed!

[luvmy2girls]

if you did it once it will be easier this time.  I went natural after my first and after its over you feel so much better imo.... epidural can hinder your ability to push but can also help you stay calm....  you will probably get 50 different opinions on this one.  good luck with everything

[kfrasher]

I had an epidural with my first daughter, but not for vaginal birth..it was for a c-section.BUT I hated how I felt with it!! I was numb for hours n hours after the surgery was over..it was awful..my next two c-sections and this one coming up I've used a spinal..I could feel my toes within an hour after surgery..;-) best wishes hun!!

[Kendradawn88]

Your right luvmy2girls, after my daughter came out I did feel so much better! That's why I'm seriously considering natural again. If I can do it once, I can do again lol! I just wanted to hear some other people's experience:)

[Spiket77]

I went unmedicated with my son and I will next time too (whenever that is). I think you can do it again and it will be better. You can actually prepare for a natural birth if you know that is what you are going into. I think for a lot of people find the idea of going unmedicated scary because they haven't prepared for it. Read up on different natural birth methods and do your homework.

But...everyone is going to have different opinions about this one. My recovery was EASY! I was in the shower 1 hour after delivery and home 3 hours after delivery. No tears, no numb parts, no catheters or IVs...ha! I can't even imagine having to deal with that while breathing in those first precious moments with your new special baby!

Best of luck to you!

[Kendradawn88]

Spiket77, I had an IV that they put in as soon as I was admitted but none of the other things you mentioned either, but I was very sore down there for a few days. It was painful if I sat or walked the wrong way, and I was definitely walking funny a day or 2. It went away completely after a week, but that's a lot of trauma to that area. You didn't hurt at all? I basically felt as if I'd been beat up from pushing and going through the whole process was exhausting. I know that I used muscles that day I had never used before lol!

[snagglepuss1]

Induced with all 3 of my children, all vaginal births, first I had pethidine with her and ended up being sick, swore I'd never have it again, managed on gas and air for a 19.5 hr labour, she was back to back and born by ventouse. Used just birthing ball and gas and air with both my boys, intend to o the same again with this baby.

[Spiket77]

Yes, I was sore and after my 'high' wore off I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I could manage it with over the counter tylenol and frozen pads with comfrey tea on them (for swelling). I labored for 3 days so mostly I was exhausted but otherwise fine.

[chelseaneddie]

Hi! Just wanted to add my story. My daughter who is 8, I was induced with pitocen which was horrible 18 hours of labor. I literally thought I was dying. Contractions were full force the entire time which is what pitocen does. Anyway I begged for an epidural at 6 centimeters and finally got one. After the epidural I was relaxed and labor went much faster since I was relaxed. 1 hour and 2 pushes later she arrived and after I felt fine. They stitched me up and gave me an ice pad and I fell asleep with daughter in my arms. So my experience w the epidural was great. With this pregnancy I'm hoping to not be induced and not need pitocen so I will try to go natural without the epidural as well but if I need it, I will get it. Good luck and everyone is different so its all about your pain tolerance. Congratulations!!

[Lesley27]

I am most likely gonna have an elective C section, i was induced last time(cervadil), after 12 hours of pain i got the epideral, and it was heaven, then stopped progressing even after they broke my water and started pitocin... and went for a last resort Csection 27 hours from the start... i never had any pain following the C section, and other than the point up to the epideral i have no complaints... all went pretty good for how my cards were delt...

My baby never came down, she was face up, head arched back and her head was in the 95 percentile so it was a lost battle from the start... but honestly i never had any intentions of natural, im totally pro medical intervention... i never had a true birth plan, mine was to just go with the flo...

[chelseaneddie]

Btw I felt everything. The epidural curved the pain but I had full feeling. I actually told them I needed to push and they didn't believe me at first. Lol. Then they looked and said "get the Dr she is right, she needs to push". So I felt everything and was not numb but def pain free. :)

[Msme3]

I'm going to get an epidural. With my first daughter I was in labor for hours, I pushed for hours put on oxygen and the delivery was so traumatizing. I had busted vesles in my face it was just bad, worse then I expected and worse then I know it should have been! With my second daughter I waited til I was about 6 cm and got an epidural! Best thing ever invented! I felt no pain at all but I did feel pressure! I pushed about two or three times and the delivery part was over! After about 20 mins I could walk. The experience was 100% times better for me and I'm going to have an epidural again with this pregnancy #3. It really is to each there own! You just have to do what's best for you and not allow anyone else's feelings about what's best, choose your birthing method and know your the one going through it not anyone else :))

[luvmy2girls]

also without an epidural you are able to move around which in itself is great for pain relief..... bring on your back is miserable!

[PJ466]

Hi

I had a fully natural birth, no meds. The labour pains were manageable and was a very fulfilling experience. The only reason I will never go natural again is due to the after effects, I had so many stitches, I couldn’t sit for weeks. I had to breastfeed on my knees it was hell. So if I ever have another child I will request a c-section.

[MamaBear0612]

I want the drugs. :)  Even if all that pain didn't really scare me, my OB says I'll need an epidural because of an old back injury. But I'm trying to avoid c-section unless there's some specific medical reason I need it. I'm going to be a single mom and though I'll have help, I'll just feel better if I'm not trying to heal from surgery and take care of my daughter at the same time.

[sghlg]

You guys are brave! I had the epidural with my daughter I don't do well with pain but it was easy and fast I pushed about 5 times (if I remember correctly) and she was out the second she came out the epidural was gone and I was able to get up by myself even tho the nurses keep trying to help me lol everything was well after that...my aunt had a epidural with her daughter and it also wore off before the baby came out so its really up to you..GOOD LUCK & CONGRATULATIONS :)

[sghlg]

You guys are brave! I had the epidural with my daughter I don't do well with pain but it was easy and fast I pushed about 5 times (if I remember correctly) and she was out the second she came out the epidural was gone and I was able to get up by myself even tho the nurses keep trying to help me lol everything was well after that...my aunt had a epidural with her daughter and it also wore off before the baby came out so its really up to you..GOOD LUCK & CONGRATULATIONS :)

[Mommyjeep11]

I had a very similar experience to Lesley. I was induced with pitocen and it was excruciating from the start. I finally asked for something to take the edge off and they gave me neubane in my iv. It made me super loopy but I was able to relax and get some rest. However it also stalled my labor at around 5 cm and after it not starting back up with more pitocen my dr opted for a c section. Apparently my husband said it was fine and I grinned and gave the thumbs up. (I don't remember any of that). My son also had a large head. He was 95% for his head also. So I'm sure I would have ended up with a c section anyways. This time around I am having a scheduled c section. Where I live our hospitals don't really allow you to have the choice to try for a vbac. Plus I have had some other issues since having my son so my dr isnt letting me go full term. I'm also a slight control freak so knowing that I have to be at the hospital at a certain time, surgery is at a certain time and I'll be holding my baby soon after is very relaxing on its own for me.  I am going to ask for different drugs than they gave me last time though. I don't remember anything for several days after my son was born. That mad me really sad and I would wake up and freak out because I couldn't feel him moving and my husband would have to calm me down. Again this was him telling me since I had no idea what had gone on. But my dr ha assured me that since its schedule and I have an idea of what to expect things should go a lot smoother this time around.

[Msme3]

It was nice to see a few of you say your getting an epidural. All I mostly read on here is no meds followed by how bad epidurals are. This topic is just like breast vs formula or stay at home vs work outside the home... To each there own and I'm glad there's a little of everything on here for women to share and read expeirence of many sides.

[bbfuzz711]

Msme3 your right everyone has their own choice I've read pros and cons on both sides every person is different so everyone should have a different birthing plan I myself plan to go natural I have my reasons but I can understand where some may not agree with me I think in this matter go with your heart and listen to medical reasoning its whatever the mother is most comfortable with good luck ladies and congrats to those with lil bumps I know can't wait for my lil girl to get here!

[wolfire7]

I had an epidural with my first. But I had what the doctor called "hot spots" which are places the epidural didn't work on me. They gave me a second epidural and still nothing.... I could feel everything under my skin but just my skin numbed. Now with that I will consider an epidural this time too if it gets too bad or I can't relax enough. But I will not ask for pain meds. They gave me stadol to help with the pain (cause the epidural sped up my labor I went from 4 to 10 in an hour) after my baby came I didn't even get to see her they rushed her out of the room and took her to the nursery so they could give her med to counter act what they gave me. I didn't get to see her for 8 hours. I don't want that again so I plan to start off natural and then get a epidural if it is needed. But I might change my mind when I get in the delivery room every time is different.

[Kendradawn88]

Thank you all for sharing your stories! It seems it is different for everyone, so the choice is basically what you feel best for yourself and your body. I guess for now I don't have a 100% solid plan, but I will wait until I'm there to decide what I'll do. You never know what will actually happen, the baby could be breech, you may feel the pain is too much and stopping your progression, etc. So I see no need to stress over it. I wish all you ladies a wonderful birth no matter what you choose:) Thanks again!