Epidural or no epidural?

[goldlion]

Wasn't sure if this was the right place to put this, but here I go anyways.

So my doctor has told me that I have to decide where it is I plan on giving birth to my baby. I have essentially two choices: a town an hour away that does not give epidurals, or a city four hours away that DOES give epidurals.

First I was not hesitant to say "no epidural", but after watching several episodes of "A Baby Story", I'm a little worried Not sure what I want afterall.

Do any of you prefer the epidural? Or is natural pregnancy not as scary as I think?

 

[Tezzy]

i didnt have one coz the anethsatist (sp) was busy

at the time i wanted one but proved i could do it on just gas and air

this time i dont one

 

[goldlion]

what is gas and air? do you think most hospitals do that?

 

[Tezzy]

Gas and air is another term for [SIZE=-1]Entonox. its like laughing gas.

you could always ring your local hospitals and see if they supply it.

most hospitals in the UK have it on tap.
[/SIZE]

 

[Jo]

I had an epidural with Emily and the labour seemed to really drag, i had to feel my belly to see when i was having a contraction

With Jack I called for one but it was too late and i found his birth the easiest and the fastest

 

[goldlion]

thank you ladies very helpful

 

[sophie]

I never had one with my son and i dont intend to have one this time, i know it sounds silly but i was more scared of the epi than the whole labour thing! I felt so in control whilst giving birth ive heard storys about epi that put me off!
xx

 

[Layla]

i had one on all 3 of mine and i plan to have one again this time, my pain threshold isnt very high so i know i need one, i couldnt cope without it

x

 

[goldlion]

one of my good friends had a baby girl last december in the town about an hour away. she said the pain was horrible, but she loved having the baby naturally because she could feel everything that was happening.

i'm starting to lean more towards the 'no epidural' side.. but i'm so indecisive! i wish i didn't have to make the decision so quickly.

 

[Layla]

id love to be able to do it without one but im to much of a wimp lol

I had mobile epis so i could still feel my legs etc and when i needed to push, just didnt have all the pain

x

 

[goldlion]

mhmm, i'm mostly scared that my i'm going to wimp out and that my pain tolerance isn't high enough. i've got loads of tattoos and such, but I don't think getting a tattoo and labour are in the same category hehe.

 

[Layla]

lol no, i have lots of tattoos and i love that kind of pain, its strange!

x

 

[Louise]

Never had an epi, as this is my first baby- but the gas and air did nothing for me at all when I was given in last week during an examination .
It just made me feel out of control, like I had been drinking bottle after bottle of vodka and tbh, I did NOT like feeling like that at all.
Im having an epi, dont really want one, but like layla, my pain threshold is not good. A bad headache makes me cry sometimes so I def need something.

 

[Hels]

Personally, I chose to have Charlie at a hospital that didnt do epidurals (midwife lead care) but unfortunatly that wasnt meant to be, and i had to be transfered to the main hospital, which was luckily 10 minutes away by ambulance. My labour was very long and my BP was high and baby back to back. I did end up having an epi which was good, and it stablised my BP. I had an emergency c-section.

If they dont do epidurals, do they do c-sections?

 

[goldlion]

I'm not entirely sure if they do c-sections, I'll definitely have to look into that ASAP.

 

[Helen]

Just wondering what would happen if you decided to opt for the hospital 4 hours away. I'm guessing that a 4 hour car journey when you are in labour would be pretty much intolerable so would they induce you?

Definitely check out the c-section thing. What would happen at the nearer hospital if there was an emergency? Is the 4 hour away place the next nearest place?

When do the docs want you to decide by?

 

[goldlion]

Hehe! Thankfully I wouldn't have to drive for four hours while in labour. I would get flown out to the city. However, I think for extra precautions they make sure you're in the area a bit of ahead of time just incase you go into labour early.

Yes, the four hour city is the next nearest place unfortunately. I really wish they still delivered babies here! That would be much more convenient.

I believe my doctor wants me to decide before my next appointment on October 10 so she can start setting up appointments for me.

 

[goldlion]

Having only these two options, it's very difficult to decide where to go and what to do.

 

[bek74]

I didn't have anything when I had my 3 boys. I would never of had an epi. I was to worried in case they hit the wrong spot and I ended up in a wheelchair for the rest of my life ( very rare but can happen). I told my gyno, if anything goes wrong during my labour just to knock me out and take my baby.

I have also heard women who have an epi have longer labours and also having trouble pushing bubs out because they can't feel anything.

 

[goldlion]

The longer labour thing makes a lot of sense, and I certainly don't want a long one. I suppose the risks outway the good aspects of the epidural. Thanks for everyone's input!