Anything besides an epidural?

[shthom5227]

Hey ladies, I'm curious is there anything besides an epidural? I'm not a fan of needles...I know I should be by now. I read that some women do something called a saline drip? Narcotics can cause the baby to be loopy so I'm trying to avoid that as well. I have the pregnancy ball I'll be taking with me to the hospital but i know that might not work.

[lousie_1986]

Water birth is an awesome option if being fully aware and mobile is important to you, as well as no after effects on baby (except they come up slightly cleaner!). It helped with pain significantly for me for both births so definitely using a birth pool again for this one :) Pain went from about a 9 (getting unbearable for me) to a 5 or 6 (reasonable, able to talk and laugh again if needed). I still had moments in the pool where I'd rate the pain as a 9 again but I had breaks to recover, so it was never for a long time and therefore still bearable.

I think the other thing you're talking about is saline injections? My friend had them, they're fairly new, and they help with back pain in labour. They inject water between the muscle and skin (I think?) in the lower back and it somehow reduces the pain. My friend said they were very painful to get initially but definitely helped with the back labour afterwards. Probably not great for someone already trying to steer clear of needles though!

I've also heard TENS machines can help with contraction pains (an electrical pulse that can stimulate muscles - you run the machine up and down or around the area in pain). They're small and you can buy them online, and they're very safe for mum and baby. I'd give that a go combined with heat packs and shower if I hadn't discovered water birth first.

[phenana]

Gas, TENS machine, pethadine is given over here and isn't too harsb

[capricabsg]

I've heard of laughing gas...but unfortunately many hospitals in the US don't offer it I asked my Dr and he said they don't have it at the hospital I'm delivering at. I think its big in Europe. I really wish we had it here in america it seems to be a good option if you don't want the epidural.

[mrmjpm]

Stadol Was amazing I used it with my first and will do it again

[Ayoso86]

Stadol is to take the edge off and help u rest, it doesn't take away the pain but it does take ur mind off it.

[Myeverything843]

Just had a labor class and they recommend statol

[hothotsauce]

I know some people who have had laughing gas for pain management.

[hisinkdprincezz]

Statol was nice. I had one dose and it just knocked me out for an hour so i could try and sleep.  

[oopsyay]

A saline drip isn't a painkiller at all, but standard fluids they give people to help them stay hydrated. There are a few different options for pain management out there, but your best bet would be to discuss it with your OB at your next appointment.
There's lots of different labor positions you can try if you're looking to go drug free. A lot of women say they got some relief by kneeling on their hands and knees.
You could also look into weather a tub or a shower will be available where you deliver.

[AriellaMer]

There's something called statol that takes the edge off, so I've heard.