Questions for women who have kids?

mrsbailey8 · Mar 26th, 2012, 10:41 AM

So originally i wanted to have an epidural...but i have some questions. Ive had heart palpatations and heart fluttering throughout this pregnancy and my dr sent me to a cardiologist and the did an ekg, halter moniter, and echo (ultrasound of the heart) and everything came back normal but i still have the palpatations and flutters...i read a story about a woman who had a history of heart palpatations and got an epidural and her heaet rate went up to 180 and they had to give her oxygen and stuff to calm it down...so my question is has anyone here had heart palpatations and had an epidural?

Secondly, has anyone NOT used an epidural and used a different pain med like Demerol or morphine? Was the pain still really bad or did the meds make it bearable?

Maple Leaf · Mar 26th, 2012, 10:46 AM

I have tachycardia which is a fast resting heart rate. At rest it is in the 90s but my blood pressure is always below 120/80.
I heard quite the opposite that they would recommend the epidural to ensure a lower heart rate and blood pressure in labour?! I have had 2 babies before one with epidural one without. I wouldn't worry too much, there is always going to be a story to scare you out there. Have a word with your Dr at your next visit and try and get some more information. I am hoping for just gas and air again this time but if an epidural is recommended I won't hesitate in getting one. X

lisab1986 · Mar 26th, 2012, 10:47 AM

I have had palpatations in all three pregnancies ..this one being the worst by far! I havent had an ecg yet and im 30 weeks lol but i have had 2 natural births and imvho i wouldnt touch an epidural with a bargepole.
First i had g&a and pethadine and secons was a g&a as i had a homebirth..im planning another homebirth this time and yeah it hurts like hell but its sooooo worth it to be able to give birth and be up and about within minutes of birth.

megangrohl · Mar 26th, 2012, 10:49 AM

I have not given birth yet but my sister that had hers preemie had morphine 8 mg and she was still in quite a bit of pain - although still tolerable. Don't read anything online, you really should stop that because all you will find is the bad stories. There really is nothing good read online when it comes to that type of thing. All you can do is ask your doctor and become well informed because everyone reacts different to all different types of pain relief.

joanna1980 · Mar 26th, 2012, 10:54 AM

I'm sure your be fine , if they thought a eperdurial was a bad idea they would say some thing , there always be someone who had a bad experience of something but not everyone is the same , x

newaddition · Mar 26th, 2012, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsbailey8

So originally i wanted to have an epidural...but i have some questions. Ive had heart palpatations and heart fluttering throughout this pregnancy and my dr sent me to a cardiologist and the did an ekg, halter moniter, and echo (ultrasound of the heart) and everything came back normal but i still have the palpatations and flutters...i read a story about a woman who had a history of heart palpatations and got an epidural and her heaet rate went up to 180 and they had to give her oxygen and stuff to calm it down...so my question is has anyone here had heart palpatations and had an epidural?

Secondly, has anyone NOT used an epidural and used a different pain med like Demerol or morphine? Was the pain still really bad or did the meds make it bearable?

I did not have an epidural with my first ( just a bit of gas) and I will not have one this time either. First time they weren't offered at that hospital, this time I know it's very possibly to go without... My sons birth was not bad at all, I did fine without the epidural. I don't know, for me, the epidural just makes me nervous. But that's just my opinion. Lots of ppl have them with no issues.

mrsbailey8 · Mar 26th, 2012, 14:24 PM

Thanks! I know I really should stop reading things online but I have such a bad fear of dying during or shortly after childbirth that I keep wanting to know my risks etc. But I keep just making myself more and more afraid about everything!

okmomma · Mar 26th, 2012, 15:12 PM

Talk to your doctor. If they don't think you should have an epidural, they should tell you. With my son, I wanted to try to do it without the epidural. I do not like needles. I started with staydol (sp?). That made me so sleepy. Once that wasn't working, I asked for the epidural. Best thing I did. I didn't feel the needle. I was able to relax for the rest of my labor. This time, I am getting an epidural as soon as I can. I also thought that epidurals lower bp and heartrate, but I could be wrong.

beth_terri · Mar 26th, 2012, 15:15 PM

I didnt have an epidural and hope not to this time. I had pethadine but I was allergic to it so was sick and it didnt stop the pain. The pain is bad of course but its just one of them things our bodies are designed to deal with

The pain doesnt last forever and its for a good cause
xx

MyMomToldMe · Mar 26th, 2012, 15:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsbailey8

So originally i wanted to have an epidural...but i have some questions. Ive had heart palpatations and heart fluttering throughout this pregnancy and my dr sent me to a cardiologist and the did an ekg, halter moniter, and echo (ultrasound of the heart) and everything came back normal but i still have the palpatations and flutters...i read a story about a woman who had a history of heart palpatations and got an epidural and her heaet rate went up to 180 and they had to give her oxygen and stuff to calm it down...so my question is has anyone here had heart palpatations and had an epidural?

Secondly, has anyone NOT used an epidural and used a different pain med like Demerol or morphine? Was the pain still really bad or did the meds make it bearable?

About to teach a class on pain next week. The interesting thing about morphine is that it affects the dull (long-lasting) pain, but not the sharp pain. It works on different axons in the nervous system.

However, people who take morphine before surgery have reduced pain after the procedure... I am guessing this would apply to childbirth also. So, I don't think it will make any of the sharper pain more bearable, but it might really improve recovery.

Mar 26th, 2012, 10:41 AM	#1
mrsbailey8 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: US Posts: 578	Questions for women who have kids? So originally i wanted to have an epidural...but i have some questions. Ive had heart palpatations and heart fluttering throughout this pregnancy and my dr sent me to a cardiologist and the did an ekg, halter moniter, and echo (ultrasound of the heart) and everything came back normal but i still have the palpatations and flutters...i read a story about a woman who had a history of heart palpatations and got an epidural and her heaet rate went up to 180 and they had to give her oxygen and stuff to calm it down...so my question is has anyone here had heart palpatations and had an epidural? Secondly, has anyone NOT used an epidural and used a different pain med like Demerol or morphine? Was the pain still really bad or did the meds make it bearable?

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Mar 26th, 2012, 10:46 AM	#2
Maple Leaf Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Langley BC previously Sheffield UK Posts: 1,738	I have tachycardia which is a fast resting heart rate. At rest it is in the 90s but my blood pressure is always below 120/80. I heard quite the opposite that they would recommend the epidural to ensure a lower heart rate and blood pressure in labour?! I have had 2 babies before one with epidural one without. I wouldn't worry too much, there is always going to be a story to scare you out there. Have a word with your Dr at your next visit and try and get some more information. I am hoping for just gas and air again this time but if an epidural is recommended I won't hesitate in getting one. X

Status: Offline

Mar 26th, 2012, 10:47 AM	#3
lisab1986 Pregnant (Expecting) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 1,095	I have had palpatations in all three pregnancies ..this one being the worst by far! I havent had an ecg yet and im 30 weeks lol but i have had 2 natural births and imvho i wouldnt touch an epidural with a bargepole. First i had g&a and pethadine and secons was a g&a as i had a homebirth..im planning another homebirth this time and yeah it hurts like hell but its sooooo worth it to be able to give birth and be up and about within minutes of birth.

Status: Offline

Mar 26th, 2012, 10:49 AM	#4
megangrohl Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 6,314	I have not given birth yet but my sister that had hers preemie had morphine 8 mg and she was still in quite a bit of pain - although still tolerable. Don't read anything online, you really should stop that because all you will find is the bad stories. There really is nothing good read online when it comes to that type of thing. All you can do is ask your doctor and become well informed because everyone reacts different to all different types of pain relief.

Status: Offline

Mar 26th, 2012, 10:54 AM	#5
joanna1980 Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Eastbourne Posts: 991	I'm sure your be fine , if they thought a eperdurial was a bad idea they would say some thing , there always be someone who had a bad experience of something but not everyone is the same , x

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Mar 26th, 2012, 14:24 PM	#7
mrsbailey8 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: US Posts: 578	Thanks! I know I really should stop reading things online but I have such a bad fear of dying during or shortly after childbirth that I keep wanting to know my risks etc. But I keep just making myself more and more afraid about everything!

Status: Offline

Mar 26th, 2012, 15:12 PM	#8
okmomma Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: USA Posts: 285	Talk to your doctor. If they don't think you should have an epidural, they should tell you. With my son, I wanted to try to do it without the epidural. I do not like needles. I started with staydol (sp?). That made me so sleepy. Once that wasn't working, I asked for the epidural. Best thing I did. I didn't feel the needle. I was able to relax for the rest of my labor. This time, I am getting an epidural as soon as I can. I also thought that epidurals lower bp and heartrate, but I could be wrong.

Status: Offline

Mar 26th, 2012, 15:15 PM	#9
beth_terri Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Scarborough Posts: 7,068	I didnt have an epidural and hope not to this time. I had pethadine but I was allergic to it so was sick and it didnt stop the pain. The pain is bad of course but its just one of them things our bodies are designed to deal with The pain doesnt last forever and its for a good cause xx

Status: Offline

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