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Epidural or no?
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?
Many people choose an epidural and have no problems...personally, after needing an emergency spinal anaesthetic and suffering nerve damage, i would never choose to let someone put another needle in my spine! I had a totally natural birth second time around and it was a wonderful experience.
I've had an epidural (for a back injury, not childbirth) and I was ready to kiss that doctor by the time he was done...such a wonderful relief from the pain. If I need it, I'm getting an epidural. I suffered no ill effects from my last one, it was a totally positive experience for me. So if I need it, I'm getting one.
Think about it this way, 66/1000 is .066, which is really tiny odds. I'm a lot more scared of the CVS procedure, where your odds are 1/100 of miscarriage, and amniocentesis, where your odds are 1/200, and women do that all the time even knowing the odds.
Think about it this way, 66/1000 is .066, which is really tiny odds. I'm a lot more scared of the CVS procedure, where your odds are 1/100 of miscarriage, and amniocentesis, where your odds are 1/200, and women do that all the time even knowing the odds.
I had one with my first that didn't even work and now I have back problems. all the rest of my kids were easy natural births and i would never go back.
I had a natural birth with my first & was totally fine plan to do the same with my second I didn't make this choice on my own no research I just don't like needles
I had 3 epidurals for herniated discs, and though I had no problem with them, they did nothing to help my pain. With my first childbirth I asked for an epidural, and it brought instant relief. However, my recovery was very very slow after and I was sent home with a catheter for a week because I was unable to urinate at all. My second birth I opted for IV meds if needed, no epidural. I got through with no meds at all, and I was up walking around with my daughter 1 hour after birth. My plan is the same for this birth, no epidural.
With that in mind, I have to say that no matter what your feelings are, and what your plan is, you always have to be ready for a change. In no way do you have to let the Dr. or nurse push you into anything you don't want, unless there is truly an emergency, but things do happen, and if you find the pain unbearable, don't feel bad if suddenly those odds don't seem so bad to you. (which they are not at all!) My nurse was aware that I did not want an epidural, and she was wonderful throughout my labor. She encouraged me and helped me through along with DH. I asked for an epidural at one point and they both talked me down because they knew my feelings, and they were absolutely right. I was lucky, both times I reached the point of asking for an epidural, I birthed my babies within an hour, so it went quickly for me by that point.
With that in mind, I have to say that no matter what your feelings are, and what your plan is, you always have to be ready for a change. In no way do you have to let the Dr. or nurse push you into anything you don't want, unless there is truly an emergency, but things do happen, and if you find the pain unbearable, don't feel bad if suddenly those odds don't seem so bad to you. (which they are not at all!) My nurse was aware that I did not want an epidural, and she was wonderful throughout my labor. She encouraged me and helped me through along with DH. I asked for an epidural at one point and they both talked me down because they knew my feelings, and they were absolutely right. I was lucky, both times I reached the point of asking for an epidural, I birthed my babies within an hour, so it went quickly for me by that point.
There is risk to everything. Yes, many women do epidural without knowing all the facts but that applies to everyday life. Many also do not know the risk that pregnancy alone can carry, what natural birth can do, what c-section can do. There's even risk to you walking around or driving your car around.
Many hospitals give them when the female asks for it. It's not forced upon them. I had an epidural and had no problems. I was able to walk immediately after my daughters birth, and could do anything I wanted.
You have to weigh your own thoughts. Birth can be done however you feel, and whether you medicate or not doesn't mean you're uninformed or weaker than someone else.
Many hospitals give them when the female asks for it. It's not forced upon them. I had an epidural and had no problems. I was able to walk immediately after my daughters birth, and could do anything I wanted.
You have to weigh your own thoughts. Birth can be done however you feel, and whether you medicate or not doesn't mean you're uninformed or weaker than someone else.
I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I think that people never think they could be in the small percentage where something goes wrong.
No I think people realize that they might be in that small percent, but you can't live life fearing that small percent because there's a small percent of risk for EVERYTHING :-).
I got an epidural with my first two, and long story short the epi wore off with my 1st before I started pushing, but I was lucky I had it in place because I ended up transferred to the OR for 1 1/2 hours of tear repair and the anesthesiologist just ramped up the pain relief instead of having to put me under....
with my 2nd, I got the epi but it stopped working so I pushed and labored w/o pain relief.
SO with #3 (due in April) I'm going to skip the epidural all together. I've already pushed out 2 with pretty much no epidurals so I don't see the point in putting myself through it again, I just have bad luck, lol.
BUT with that said...I think epidurals are a great resource for the women who need them. almost all women who have epidurals won't have any sort of a complication or problem with them, and for a woman who has had a long exhausting labor it can give you the rest you need to push and in some cases avoid a c-section because of that. that's nothing to pooh-pooh!
but on the other hand, I did have very painful back labor with my 2nd and still managed to do without, and my recovery was instant (up sitting cross-legged minutes later, up peeing right after that, then back in bed and fast asleep while the baby was checked in the nursery lol).
I got an epidural with my first two, and long story short the epi wore off with my 1st before I started pushing, but I was lucky I had it in place because I ended up transferred to the OR for 1 1/2 hours of tear repair and the anesthesiologist just ramped up the pain relief instead of having to put me under....
with my 2nd, I got the epi but it stopped working so I pushed and labored w/o pain relief.
SO with #3 (due in April) I'm going to skip the epidural all together. I've already pushed out 2 with pretty much no epidurals so I don't see the point in putting myself through it again, I just have bad luck, lol.
BUT with that said...I think epidurals are a great resource for the women who need them. almost all women who have epidurals won't have any sort of a complication or problem with them, and for a woman who has had a long exhausting labor it can give you the rest you need to push and in some cases avoid a c-section because of that. that's nothing to pooh-pooh!
but on the other hand, I did have very painful back labor with my 2nd and still managed to do without, and my recovery was instant (up sitting cross-legged minutes later, up peeing right after that, then back in bed and fast asleep while the baby was checked in the nursery lol).
I understand that the odds appear small, but that means that out of every 1000 women on this page, 67 of us would have issues if we all had an epi. I know it would be easier for you to have one seeing as you had a previous positive experience, but the risks are still very high and imo not worth it. I agree that women do CVS, and Amniocentesis, without knowing the odds or even fully understanding the procedure. However I'm not getting any of those tests. Doctors don't really explain to women that these tests are optional and that there is not much you can do about the results anyway, except have an abortion if you find out something that might b bad, that is i you don't miscarry. I took a genetic counseling class,where the cheif ob at the hospital expain in depth each procedure, and the risks and then help you pick a strategy for childbirth. More women should take more classes like that and be more educated about what is going on with their bodies.
I had an epidural with my son in September. I had minor nerve damage but nothing at all that would prevent me from carrying on day to day. Of course, I was poked 3 times before it took. My spine is so crazy.
Since I am pregnant again, I will definitely get another one IF it takes and I feel I can't handle the pain. There are risks with or without it. But I went in thinking I didn't want one but I got one.
Since I am pregnant again, I will definitely get another one IF it takes and I feel I can't handle the pain. There are risks with or without it. But I went in thinking I didn't want one but I got one.
I am going in with an open mind. I have found out about natural methods of pain management and will try to do it all natural. If I don't I will take drugs in the IV nothing else. The risks may seem small to you, but I don't see how a few hours of pain relief is worth possibly a lifetime of pain or paralysis. I'm not going to have any nurses with me either. I want to do this birth with my midwife, husband, and our moms.I'm having a dr for in case of an emergency becuase I'm asthamtic...which is also another factor which the doctors never tell you can cause complications with an epidural or spinal block, but after reasearching I've found that being asthmatic,the risks are higher for me. In case of an emergency such as a c section, I will choose to be sedated. I know that will mean that I have to wait a little longer to see my baby, but it is worth it to me, because anyways I will have already waited a long time and there is not be any of the risks posed by an epi.
You have to realize that when you say the women here haven't educated themselves on the risks of epidurals, you're mistaken! Most of us have given birth at least once, if not several times, and have a fairly good running knowledge of pain relief options during delivery. Many of us have even had epidurals, which gives us a pretty good place of experience to speak from.
And actually being sedated IS riskier...but for the baby, not you.
Just remember that we all have different opinions and experiences, and you shouldn't insult someone because they have one different than your own :-).
And actually being sedated IS riskier...but for the baby, not you.
Just remember that we all have different opinions and experiences, and you shouldn't insult someone because they have one different than your own :-).
actually studies show that epidurals can increase the number of women who have complications, need to have episiotomy, & need to have forceps help the babies come out. I agree that there is a small percent of risks to most things in life. But also we have to realize that when they tell us 67 out of a 1000 that is based on their studies, where they have their best doctors, who do this routinely performing the procedure. In real life we do not have those conditions which automatically raises the risk. I also think that the epidural could be good for women who do need them. But I do not think most women do. They just do not want to deal with the pain. I know a lot of women and girls who've had babies and they are not aware of the risks at all! But I'm happy to hear that you recovered so fast from your back labor. I've heard that is really brutal
It's not just a few hours of pain relief. Not all women can handle the pain of labour. I had over 36 hours of active labour (back labour) little to no sleep, no food and a pregnancy were I was already beyond exhausted. I spent 9 months vomiting all day, everyday and it takes a huge toll on your body. My daughter was face up and tilted, making it even more difficult to push her out. It's easy to say now that you'll do something, but until you have been in labour you have no idea what will happen.
You stated it yourself. The risks CAN cause this, but it doesn't mean it will. Natural birth carries the same risks. There are also dozens of other factors that influence this. Baby could be large than expected, mother isn't pushing properly, baby won't drop, etc etc. You can look anything and everything on the web, but final figures don't tell you the additional information needed to say that it is only one thing that causes it.
You stated it yourself. The risks CAN cause this, but it doesn't mean it will. Natural birth carries the same risks. There are also dozens of other factors that influence this. Baby could be large than expected, mother isn't pushing properly, baby won't drop, etc etc. You can look anything and everything on the web, but final figures don't tell you the additional information needed to say that it is only one thing that causes it.
My hospital does not work with midwives, and there are no birthing centers in my area. I also am far away from the hospital, so a home birth has higher risks for me, although I would love one. I am lucky that the nurses at my hospital are pretty much working as midwives, and are all for natural birthing if that's what one wants. The thing is, they also believe that we are in control of what we do want, and they would never insult or belittle an woman who feels they need that pain relief. It may not be just a few hours...it may be 24 hours or longer for some women. I happened to be lucky and quick, but that is not the norm. Since I am quick I don't elect for the pain relief, but if I was in labor for more than 24 hours I can not honestly say what I would do. Pain has a strange way of altering our feelings and beliefs when we are exposed to it for a period of time. I dn't believe that most women don't need pain meds. I think that childbirth is an amazing experience, and some may need that relief to enjoy their births. To each her own.
I am surprised you could have the option of being sedated for a c-section, the hospitals here won't sedate mom for one unless it is a critical emergency, as it is risky for baby. It is also risky for you, some people have terrible reactions to anesthesia. My brother aspirated and ended up on a ventilator for 3 months with Staph pneumonia after being sedated for a routine 1 hour procedure. He almost died and had permanent damage to his lungs which in the future did attribute to his premature death. It was a procedure that could have been done without him being sedated at all.
I am surprised you could have the option of being sedated for a c-section, the hospitals here won't sedate mom for one unless it is a critical emergency, as it is risky for baby. It is also risky for you, some people have terrible reactions to anesthesia. My brother aspirated and ended up on a ventilator for 3 months with Staph pneumonia after being sedated for a routine 1 hour procedure. He almost died and had permanent damage to his lungs which in the future did attribute to his premature death. It was a procedure that could have been done without him being sedated at all.
I've given birth 6 times. I am, and was, fully aware of the risks of epidural, however *I* feel the risks are minimal. With that said...I had a spinal block with my first because it was an emergency c-section. I had one natural, with no drugs, and the other four with epidurals. None of my babies, nor I, had ANY issues with the epidurals or the spinal block. Just my experience :)
And I'm not insulting anyone. I've known about three women, who each time sedated, for three kids each. I think it's easier on the mother and baby. Epidural is risky for a baby too. Mostly because it causes hypotension in the mom which causes the baby to be unable to get enough oxygen. Then the baby is found to be in distress hence the emergency c-sec. I am not talking about the women on this forum either, I do not know the measures they have taken or not. Just that a lot of other women don't. If you look up, you will find that most who get injured are like they didn't know or understand the risk completely and then they want to know why they can't sue the hospitals. I just would like if the dr's would actually take the time, or make a class that's mandatory, where women can be more educated prior to actual labor and delivery situation.
Wanted to add that I commend you for wanting a natural birth. Had I had the support network, a GOOD labor coach (DH isn't all that in the moral support department) and the availability of a midwife or doula I would have gone that route with most of my pregnancies.
I've had three! With no problems! And one baby without one cuz there was no time for one and let me tell you worst pain ever! I plan on getting one with this baby!
With my first the epidural only worked on 1;2 of my body but it was bareable. With my second they kept delaying and I literally didn't get it until I was 10 cm. Even though it was only in effect for maybe 30 minutes I would never trade those 30 minutes. I was in so much pain it was a relief to be able to have a couple moments without stress before baby got here.
thanx. And I'm so happy you had such a positive experience. I wish there was more midwives available to everyone. SO many insurance companies don't want to cover them and I think it's crazy. I'm sorry to hear about your brother as well. In a big way when it comes to medical situations, we are the mercy of the doc, andd sometimes they make the wrong decisions. I'm sorry to say that I've had experiences with some doctor's that scare me, because they seem to have a god complex, like it was impossible for them to be wrong.
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
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.
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