Epidural or no?

[WestIndianMama2b]

Im wondering what u ladies are planning on doing. This is my first baby but there is no way I will use epidural or spinal block. Ive researched the topic alot and the risks are so great. And I saw the study said only 67 out of a thousand women have adverse reactions/problems but im not interested in being number 66! Im interested in getting a midwife and trying for a natural birth but will do systemic drugs if I feel unable to deal. I wonder do any of u feel that epidurals are accepted by women without being fully aware of the risks? Or that hospitals shouldnt b so quick to give them out? Or do you think there is no prob?

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I didn't read one response because there are just too many.

I just gave birth to my 7th child 3 1/2 months ago.  I have had epidurals with some and not with others.  I personally like getting an epidural as it allows me to relax and enjoy giving birth more.  I personally don't like pain and don't feel the need to be in pain to prove anything to anyone.  Epidurals have been around for a very long time now, so I feel pretty comfortable getting one.

I think it's a personal choice really.

[JoJo629]

ive done it both ways, and i will definitely get it again.  It really let me enjoy the experience more.

[Lesley27]

I should add that my daughter was 12 days over due, induced, was 9 lbs 2 oz and her head was in the 95 percentile....37.5 cm...and she never dropped and wasnt ever going to... she was very much stuck!

[Lesley27]

This is some info from an online article called "Natural Childbirth: Is It Worth Pushing For?" by Mary Pickett, M.D., Harvard Medical School

in the article that 60% of  moms that plan on a all natural birth end up getting some type of pain relief...first time moms success rate is only 29% and second timers that follow through is 68%... so this just shows that natural can be done but even those with a natural birth plan do change their minds so its best to go in with an open mind and dont beat yourself up if you do change your mind...
Another part in the article talked about a study that followed 50 woman who were going for the all natural experience and 23 of these women delivered naturally, 24 received an epidural to deliver vaginally, and 3 required a cesarean section

So anyway i just thought that was interesting, i like to read statistics and what not... but yes read up on your options... if you want to have a birth plan just keep an open mind cause some factors are out of your control...take care, congrats on your pregnancy, and i hope you have a wonderful experience!  :)

[MsKitty84]

I hear ya! We have big babies in our family too -- pretty much all over 9 pounds. All the men on my side are huge, and I'm the smallest woman of the bunch. Fortunately my guy  is average sized (he was a preemie but I think his brother was somewhere in the 7-pound range) so I'm hoping for a slightly smaller little one.

[MsKitty84]

I am going with a midwives' clinic and am planning a natural waterbirth. We will have access to an OB and be next door to a hospital with privileges in case of complications. Best of both worlds!

[xxxlerxxx]

I was induced. 2 days in hospital (labor...not counting after delivery). I was having pretty bad contractions. But I was able to breathe through it. They came & gave me the epidural. Didn't find it necessary but I got it anyway. It took away the pain. But by the time it was time to push. It wore off. Felt everything. Which was a nice experience. Minutes after birth I was able to get up and walk myself to the bathroom. I felt amazing!

[bpck041712]

I will be delivering via a water birth at my hospital with my OB. If intervention is absolutely necessary I am open minded to it, but my doctor is the best with natural births in my city so I have high hopes.. I have nothing against epis, I would just prefer to go natural. My best friend and god mother wanted to be present during the birth up until I told her no drugs, then she said "youre ******* crazy - I don't want to witness it any longer" Haha.. made me chuckle

[chelseaneddie]

I had an epidural with my 1st because I was also induced early with a horrible drug called pitocin! I was in labor 20 hrs and in so much pain from the pitocin that I was tensed up and wouldn't dilate. When I got my epi I was 6cm and thought I was dying. I was so happy and relaxed after that I gave birth 30 min later and only had to push 4 times. Anyway in my case it was great! W this pregnancy I will get it if needed!

[jojo_bean]

I personally reading the facts and discussing with family and friends I'm going to get an epidural, I do not want much pain even though I know it can wear off, my mom and aunt almost had to have c-sections because they just physically weren't able to push any more and know that, I would rather take the risk of the epidural, than a bigger chance of a c-section, yes I know there's always a chance but, I believe my chances can go down if I get the epidural. This is just my first pregnancy, and I'm only 15 wks and only 20 but I've already looked into the risks already

[Stef110]

I have 3 kids. I had epidurals with the first 2. I went in not planning to have them. I waited out as long as I could before the pain became unbearable. They kept wanting me to wait to push. The doctor literally got there just in time to help the baby out. I swear once the baby was at least 25% of the way out!(after epidural of course). #3 was a rush and had to push her out without contractions or have an emergency c-section. I was really worried then about her not getting oxygen. The cord had wrapped around her body so when the doctor broke my water the cord started to suffocate her. That was crazy and honestly did not hurt as bad as I thought it would.

My first was born on her due date. I was induced with the other 2. They were, I think, 2 and 3 days past due. My last baby was 9lb 15oz.

I would recommend having an experienced doctor give the epidural. Definitely ask how experienced they are. My first time around the doctor got it on the first try! That was awesome. Which I should note that my hubby works at the hospital in a diff department and he knew the doctors by name. The second time around I got someone else and he had to try 4 times before getting it! He said if he didn't get it the 5th time that I wouldn't be able to get it. But really, after all that, I think I would of rather not gotten it all!
Also with baby #1 they tried giving me a pain reliever. It was demarol(sp?). I was allergic to it. It made my arm red and made me sick/dry heave. That was not good.

We are currently ttc #4 and I am opting to go natural this time around. Hopefully I can do it.

[CR2010]

I planned on not getting the epiDural. Don't must of us moms? Haha

I went into labor at 9am went to the hospital that night/morning at 3am and was 4cm almost 5 had my water broke at 6 and at 11am I was really ready for an epi i was holding off till I couldn't because I wanted to prove my mom and husband wrong! Well they had to stick me four times in my back to get it. So It was finally in place around 12pm and at 2 I started pushing an had my son at 2:53pm. Wish I would have waited but I hadn't slept and the pain was unbareable. It gave me the energy to push because I literally slept from when I got it till the time I pushed haha.

Recovery was fine. I Was up with in the hour and ready to do mommy things not tired at all..

Only negatives. I do have dull back pains but as the time goes on barely at all. Like none as of a year later

[NicoleW09]

I agree that you're taking this a bit far. I'm sorry, but 67 out of 1000 is a low number. My epidural didnt work on one side, but it made my back labor much more tolerable. I suffered no ill effects from it other than a sore back. I tried the iv meds an they wore off after thirty minutes. It wasn't worth it to get drugged up every half hour when I had an eighteen hour labor. I knew the risks and I made the choice that I felt was best for me and my baby.

[ashaleelynn]

I am very undecided.. Both my sisters got the epi. And had no complications. BUT my body seems to react to everything lol. So i am undecided. I really want to do it naturally. As this is my first and i want a drug free expierence and as crazy as it is, i want to feel everything. My worst fear is tho (as im sure it is every mothers) that something will go wrong or ill have complications and have to have an energ. C section or be cut to make more room ect. And would not like to feel that pain.lol. So im hoping for the best and see what happens. I still have lots of time to decide.

[june282012]

And FYI systemic drugs are more likely to make you and baby groggy after birth. Epidural doesn't cause drowsiness, just numbness.

[june282012]

There are risks with labor in general. It's a traumatic thing for the body to go though, Jo matter what. With that said, I had an epi with my daughter and had a pretty terrible experience, and it ended up not working properly, but even so, I am now preg with number 2 and I am going to go into l&d with an open mind. If I think I can go without, I will, if not, ill try an epi again. The chances of something really bad happening are actually really really rare. Most common thing is a need for a c section due to stalled labor, but some studies are not conclusive as to wether that is caused by the epi or not. Just go with your gut and listen to  your body.

[nicole8989]

As far as it being a risk yes it is.  But so is not having a epi. I watched my sister flatline while giving natural birth because her body couldnt handle the stress.   And as far as alternative pain meds are risky also.

[nicole8989]

Omg you are reading way to much into it.   Im on my 3rd pregnancy.  With my first two children i was induced with pitocin which make the contractions stronger and quicker.  So yes i got a epi.  With both. And will with my child to come.  If you are so strong on youe belief then dont ask other women to comment on them..  

[expectingbaby4]

All three of my girls were delivered naturally.  It hurt but as soon as that baby is out the spin dosent matter. It will be pure baby bliss. I'm planing on natural delivery with our 4th lil girl in may!!.

[chantelleAlyce]

My whole pregnancy I didn't want an epidural, however I was 2 weeks overdue, I was induced and also had back labour, my labour went for 2 days, in the end I needed the epidural as my pains were just constant. Looking back it was the best thing for me, because as it was I was pushing for two hours and I was so tired, if I had never had the epodural I would never have gotten any relief from the pain, and would have made me more tired and harder to push. It is a personal choice, i had no complications with it, I was up and walking around when he was born. I say keep an open mind about anything, with this one I'm going in and if I can do it natural I will but if needed to I will get another epidural. You don't really no what you'll need or how bad your labour will be untill your in it.

[PetiteWonder]

i went in with my birth with an open mind. i was not set on having an epidural but i also was not set on a natural birth.. i wanted to see how things go.. you have no idea how child birth will be until you are in and everyone experience is different.... some people find the pain unbearable from the start others have no issues until later...  

I did the majority of my labor drug free..  My contractions were not that bad.. did they hurt, yes but i could get through them.. I didnt have back labor thank god....  I unfortunately got to labor overnight after being up since 3am the day before.. they dont let you eat when your in labor so i was straving and sick....  i made the mistake of deciding to tub it at 4am and it made my contractions come really close together, almost non stop and made me want to throw up.. i was so exhausted, i decided i wanted to rest.. i was 8cm around this point.. i got the epidural, it was amazing and i went to sleep for an hour.. then i ended up pushing for 2.5 hrs and ended up with a vacuum becuase it turns out my dds umbical cord was short and she was getting pulled back in ...

i didnt have any issues, not even back pain from the epidural..

[la_reina87]

I had epidurals with my first 2 boys and everything went great. I was still able to use the bathroom myself and not have to be cathed. My 3rd son on the other hand was a whole other situation. I was already dialated to a 9 when I was checking in. And he was born litteraly 15minutes after we got there. So I didn't have time for an epidural or even an iv. It was insane. So, I think with my 4th (due 7-16-12) I am gonna try to go epidural free!

[Kendraerika]

I had a bad experience. I will never do it again. First it took 20 minutes of putting it in and taking it out to get it in the right place, but it left me with a spinal migraine for a week after giving birth, and it DIDN'T EVEN WORK. Not one bit. This baby is going time be all natural.I did it once, I can do it again.

[keostrand]

This is my first baby and I am planning on giving birth naturally but if the pain gets too bad I will probably get the epi. I want to do it naturally but my family gives birth to very large babies (9 and 10 pounders) and everyone in my family has bad back labor so I'm going to try it natural but if it gets to be too much I will probably get an epi