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Birthing

So what's everyone's opinion on natural vs epidural birth? I've heard good and bad about both but still haven't decided myself.
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1654035 tn?1332425178
I learned Lamaze but probably didnt give it the emphasis I should have. I was breathing though the contractions and it did little to remove the pain. Epidural worked for me and if all goes well will be my plan this time around.
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Avatar universal
I did try breathing exercises at first but I was already having trouble breathing due to how big my baby was. It really just frustrated me so my Husband switched to massaging my feet and back while I had a focal point for every contraction.
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Avatar universal
I was wondering why no one seems to be doing Lamaze? Back in the day that was THE thing for a fast(er) labor and no epidural. Did any of you do breathing exercises to prepare for labor or did you just go in and see how it went?
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Avatar universal
I wanted to go natural with my first but once the contractions was 1 to 2 minutes apart I had to have it. It was good and I didn't feel any pain or pressure. Now with the twins I got it but it didn't kick in on time and I felt all pain and pressure with them. I will be getting one with this baby also. I hate to be in pain.
Helpful - 0
1035252 tn?1427227833
I had a very traumatic complication with my first delivery which I nearly died from ... but I had an epidural (which didn't hurt at ALL to have placed, it was very quick and easy) with my first....however, I never pushed the button for more relief so it had worn off by the time I delivered. Luckily it was in place though because I ended up being transferred to the OR for 1 1/2 hours of sewing after my daughter was born, and the anesthesiologist was able to just ramp up the pain relief instead of having to put me under.

With my 2nd...I have a bad back and opted for the epidural out of fear from what had happened with my first delivery, but because of my bad back my anesthesiologist had a hard time placing the epi and it was a very painful experience. after several tries he finally said "if we don't get it on this try, you aren't getting an epidural"...well, he placed it, and it worked! then..it stopped working, lol. so I delivered my son with no relief.

So with baby #3, having already delivered 2 babies pretty much drug free, I'm just going to skip the epidural and go natural this time. the thing that appeals to me is being able to get up and move around to help baby descend faster and facilitate birth. I'm 100% confident that the reason I tore with my first baby was because I was flat on my back...I won't do that again because I nearly died from the blood loss that followed and needed 2 blood transfusions. with my 2nd, I was able to move around a bit more and shift position and had only 6 pushes and no tearing - it was great, and I was up right away.

no matter how you choose to deliver, labor and delivery is SO MUCH FUN!!! Even with the problem I had with my first, I still think of my 2 deliveries as 2 of the best days of my life...so much fun, so exciting, so beautiful. i can't wait to be able to move with delivery #3 and walk around...I know from experience what a difference that makes! epidurals are a great option for many women, especially if you are in labor for a long time (that's why I chose one with baby #1 - I was only in active labor for 4 hours, but I was in early labor with painful regular contractions for over 24 hrs so I was tired) or if you have back labor like I did with baby #3, it's really nice to have that option. However having been through it all - tearing, back labor, etc...I'm going natural for #3 :-).
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Avatar universal
i think i was actually asking for the epidural after they broke my waters but it was too late lol and where im from you have to wait for a surgon to be available wich is hardly ever, i know what you guys mean about the back labour its awfull, my little one was back to back for the last two week witch is why labour lasted so long and even after the birth i had intense pain in my back for at least a week and half. it makes it worse coz the contracions dont seem to end. but i think ill still be going natural again seen as in i know what im in for this time cant be any worse i hope lol.
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Avatar universal
I went natural for 96 hours but then I had to have an emergency c-section due to my son's heart rate dropping every contraction after that. I have a high pain tolerance and it helped to have my husband there to squeeze, yell at and even run interference with people when I was irritated. I'd say just go with whatever one makes you comfortable, in the end you'll forget everything you went through when you're able to hold and feed your baby.
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1654035 tn?1332425178
The epidural did not hurt bad at all. I was having contractions and those were really painful and it was totally worth it. plus they are working on your back, you don't have to see the needle, I just kept so focused on not moving and staying perfectly still through the contractions that I barely felt it. At first I was numb only on one side, but he fixed it really quick and I was numb on both sides. I had some tearing and I didn't feel it or the Dr. stiching me up. As soon as baby was there and the Dr. was finished they stopped the epidural and I was able to get up about 1-1.5 hours later. During that time I was just laying with baby and working on breast feeding so I didn't mind not being able to walk. When I could I got up and took a shower and everything while they cleaned up baby and did all they needed to do.
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127529 tn?1331840780
My first was all natural, just gas and air, the worst bit was how sick I was for the first couple of hours and the back ache was bad at that point, but once the contractions became more intense some how that was easier to cope with and with the gas and air I was very relaxed and resting between contractions. All in all my labour and delivery was about 4 or 5 hours so I wasn't exhausted. My sister on the other hand laboured for over 24 hours and needed the epidural to get some rest as she was exhausted. My second child was born by c section but I had to have a general anesthetic as they couldn't get the needle in far enough to get the spinal to take effect. I broke my back in 2000 so epidurals and spinals are very difficult to administer to me because of the scar tissue in my lower back. I hope for a natural birth this time, if it doesn't work out that way it will likely be a c sect under general again.
Helpful - 0
1844410 tn?1322749080
The epidural was only mildly uncomfortable compared to back labor. I too tore during delivery, could completely feel it & the stiches, & was up & around directly after.
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1530342 tn?1405016490
COMMUNITY LEADER
From what I remember I felt the needle go in but it wasn't too bad because I was having a contraction at the same time...
Helpful - 0
1847035 tn?1327274923
lol. well they told me we're gonna give ypu this numbing agent to give you the epidural and I didn't even notice it. but it did help. although I know this is TMI but at the end of my birth or starting to near the end I could feel myself tear. and I could feel my doctor sew me up. but I didn't have trouble getting up and moving. I ate used the restroom and walked around 2 hours later. but everyone is different and experiences it differently.
Helpful - 0
1755745 tn?1313367131
To the ladies who have had an epidural before, is the shot really painful (or are you in so much pain you don't even care at that point)? That needle looks way scary!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This is my first and I'm going to try for a natural birth. I don't like the idea of being numb after you give birth. I want to be able to be up moving around if that's what I feel like doing. However, my family ha a history of really big babies and bad back labor so it sounds like I might end up with an epidural.
Helpful - 0
1847035 tn?1327274923
I know I had the epidural cause of back labor. but I know at some point in time I was sitting almost on one side and I could feel only half on the pain in my back. lol. but it helps. I'm not sure if I want an epidural this one or not.
Helpful - 0
1844410 tn?1322749080
On my first delivery, I had intense back labor for 6 plus hours that was not helping dilation at all. Once I got close to 4 cm, I opted for an epidural to get some relief from the back labor. I was able to rest for about an hour, and I believe this allowed by body to relax & dilate normally. I don't think this would have happened otherwise. Once I was fully dialated, I could definately push. It was still painful, but it only took me 3 or 4 pushes, about 15 mins to deliver. I was thankful for the anestheseologist. This time, I will take a wait & see approach. Every labor is different but if I am faced with unproductive back labor again, I will not hesitate to use the epidural. I think it will be helpful to have an idea of what to expect this time around!
Helpful - 0
1654035 tn?1332425178
I opted for an epidural during my first birth and I was really happy I did. I had to be put on Petosine and whey they started upping the dose my contractions hit REALLY hard and were increedibly painful and I have a decent pain tolerance (I have 8 tattoos). Once the epidural kicked in all of my pain was gone. I could feel pressure but no pain. I was able to sleep for awhile as we waited for my to dialate and I was able to talk to family and friends as we waited. When it came to pushing I was able to push, it took about an hour and a half, I was exahausted and it was really difficult but it was not painful. I can only give you the story of epidural because I have not tried natural. I know some women think that labor goes quicker when you are going natural as you have more motivation to get baby out but I was happy waiting a little longer to have a more enjoyable experience. I will be opting for an epidural this time around again.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i went natrual after 23 hours of active labour and im a total wimp when it comes to pain, i was shocked :o but if the pain relif is there it doesnt harm baby so why suffer... :)  its probly the best option with first babies coz i know i didnt know what hit me when i got to about 4 cm and after i had her i was exausted and traumatised for a week lol
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1530342 tn?1405016490
COMMUNITY LEADER
I think if you can go natural more power to you. I tried it and I only lasted 6hrs. I also have a low tolerance for pain...lol..
Helpful - 0
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