epidural??

[Piggies__]

So, since its getting so close for me to meet my baby girl.. I'm curious. Nervous. Anxious. Excited. Everything. &now starting to think if I am going to be able to do it naturally or if I will get epidural? What are everyone's experiences with epidural? Pitocin? Other pain med options, or the all natural way?

[cdolan2012]

I wasn't progressing in labor because I was so tense. The epidural helped to relax me. I dilated from 3 cm to 9 cm within an hour of getting my epidural. Will definitely be getting an epidural this time. The injection site was sore for a couple weeks afterwards, but well worth it, in my opinion.

[martysquirrel27]

I did the epidural. I gad a positive  experience  but I really don't want to have one this time. I held until 8 cm before having one with first so maybe I can at least hold off til then. I just don't like the risks. I know it's very rare but the idea of chancing  paralysis bothers me.

[lagurl213]

I had the epi twice. My oldest is 11 and my youngest is 2 1/2 yrs old. Im 7 mo preg and I will take it again. I didnt tear with my 1st, I did with my 2nd and I didnt feel a thing (only 1 stich) amd both my kids were 8.5 lbs and 8.11 lbs. I had long labor for both of my kids. 1st 24 hrs and 2nd 28 hrs. I hope this pregnancy when it comes to labor that its cut in half because labor is just painful contraction. I pushed my kids out less than 10 pushes. The epi wore out for me both times. But it reduced the pain in half. You do what works for you when game time comes on. Some women love natural non med labor some dont and habe different pain tolerance which is ok either or. Do what is best for the baby and yourself. Happy Mom happy life :)

[figaro08j]

The epidural was great. No pain. I was just pushing and laughing at my boyfriends face expression when they told me not to push :) Epidural gave me a pleasant birthing experience.

[lguzmom]

I've had 2 babies. One with an epidural and one without. I'm pregnant with number 3 right now and will do without again. I hated being stuck on my back in bed for hours and being forced to deliver that wayn I had a 4,5- degree episiotomy. My labor was way longer and worse and my recovery was worse. Second birth was so much better. I labored in water and delivered on hands and knees with no tears or cuts and was able to walk around. Recovery was so much better too. If you do end up with an epidural though don't worry about it. You'll do great either way. :)

[lousie_1986]

Also, epidurals can be great for pain relief, especially for really long tiring labours, but any intervention that disrupts the natural birthing process comes with it's own set of small risks, so make sure you're ok with these:

Higher chance of lengthened labor (due to interruption of normal labour hormones)
3x the risk of severe perineal tear.
Increased risk of cesarean section by up to 2.5 times.
3x the occurrence of induction with synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin).
4x the chance a baby will be persistently posterior (POP, face up) in the final stages of labor, which decreases chances of unassisted vaginal birth.
Increased chances of complications from instrumental delivery (risks of bruising, facial injuries, displacement of skull bones and blood clots in the scalp for babies, and of episiotomy and tears to the vagina and perineum in mothers).
Increased risk of pelvic floor problems (urinary, anal and sexual disorders) in mothers after birth.

[lousie_1986]

I personally can't stand the thought of being tied down to a bed on my back for hours as it's a terrible birthing position that goes against gravity. I've had 2 water births and loved them, having another one for this baby too! Really made my births relaxing.

[mommajen2015]

Get epidural!! Feels just like a bee sting. They put a numbing gel on,and didnt hurt a bit. I also slept up untill they told me i had to push. I am currently 38+4 and super nervous about appt tomorrow!!

[Jonesy2015]

I got the epidural but I never could relax enough to sleep before pushing. I felt like I was on high mode lol. I think I was excited, nervous, and ready to just get her out is why I couldn't relax enough to sleep. My epidural also wore off before I started pushing. No one believed me until after he started to sew me up where he cut me so I wouldn't rip and I kept saying I feel that and it hurts. I'm getting one again though without question because even since it wore off it helped through some bad contractions.

[mashamaria]

Definitely epidural! I had a great experience. My labor was only 2 hours. But epidural made it so much easier and happier. And my doc had to remove placenta manually.... It would be super painful without epidural.
Make your choice! And good luck! It is so great to be a mother! :-)

[mommieviola]

Hi... I got epidural and it was great. I Slept For 6 House B4 My Baby Girl Came So I recommend.

[mrsp416]

Pitocen isnt a pain med it just speeds up your contractions...get the epidural unless you have a high tolanance for pain dont try to be a hero. Trust me you will thank me. If you get an epi you will sleep and relax so come time to push you will be alert and awake you wont be exhausted. It makes for a much more comfortable delivery. I didnt feel my son come out only need 2 little sitches felt like i could run laps around the hospital after. GET THE DRUGS LOL. my Sil just had my nephew i told her the same thing bc she was going to possibly go natural well after 4 days of laboring at home and goinf thru that pain when they finally admitted her she go the epidural and after said wtf was i thinking...you need the epidural. So thats my opinion. I am on baby #2 and i get the epi. Good luck