To have an Epidural or not to have one?

[bebedreamr]

I am only 13 weeks, so I have AGES to figure out what I am going to do. I'll start off by saying that I am a wimp (seriously) and so I can't understand why I feel this way but... I am curious to see if I can have my first baby without an epidural. I am interested to hear your experiences!
The thing about an epidural is that it drugs the baby, and me, it has nasty side effects (my friend couldn't care for her baby or move for 2 weeks after birth due to migranes from an epidural gone wrong), it could kill or paralyze me, and it could even not work!!! At the same token, I will feel EVERYTHING if I choose to go without, which freaks me out a bit. I suppose it might also depend on the duration of the labor, and if I have to have a c-section.
I'd love to hear your opinions, stories, facts! Anything to help my decision! Also, suggestions for making labor easier?

 

[Ouverture]

Keep in mind that the epidural is not your only option for pain relief

For many women, walking, using a tub (warm water), squatting, using a ball, sitting on a stool. . .are all they need to alleviate the pressure enough to get through it. I highly recommend that you read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, lots of facts and info in there on the natural process of labor and natural pain management.

With an epidural, you also increase your risk of pulling muscles in your legs (from people holding your legs apart and you can't feel to say ouch), as well as stalling your labor and needing intervention (pitocin, forceps, c-section). All awful things to have to recover from! I believe that epi's definitely have their place, but for a normal, healthy labor. . .it's possible that you prolong your recovery and make things worse by getting one - it may be easier to go through the birth without and have a quick recovery, if that makes sense.

That's how I think of it anyways! HTH! I do believe that if you want to go natural, you have to know how to alleviate pain/pressure and understand what you are doing - if you go into it saying the epi is a backup, but don't prepare yourself to go without (learning how to manage, learning different positions, knowing that you don't HAVE to labor/birth on your back), then it will be a lot harder for you.

 

[2RockinBoys]

Im currently pregger's with my Second Son. With my first son i made it very clear that an epi was not an option!! Just the thought of having a tube shoved up my spine make's me cringe!! As well as what Ouveture has said about natural way's of eleviating pain, there is also

-Water
Using a bath or birth pool during labour can relax you and make your contractions seem less painful. Hospital staff will closely monitor the water temperature to make sure it doesn’t exceed 37C (98.6F).

-Gas and air
Gas and air (also known as Entonox) is a combination of oxygen and nitrous oxide. You breathe in the gases through a mask or mouthpiece with slow, deep breaths. It quickly reduces pain, though won’t remove it completely. It’s easy to use, but may make you feel sick or light-headed.

-TENS
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machines deliver small amounts of electrical current through pads taped to your back. You control the strength of the current using a hand-held device.
TENS blocks pain signals and stimulates your body's production of endorphins (natural pain-killing chemicals). It’s most effective during the early stages of labour and won’t help during the pushing stage. There are no known side effects.

-Medication
Medicines, such as pethidine or diamorphine, can be injected to help you relax and lessen the pain. They take approximately 20 minutes to work and last two to four hours. Side effects include:
feeling woozy or forgetful
finding it hard to push if the medicines haven’t worn off by the end of labour
if the medicines are given too close to the time of delivery, they can affect your baby’s breathing and your baby may need an antidote
they can interfere with breastfeeding

I went with Gas and Air, and had 2 shots of diamorphine as i was so upset because i had to be induced after spending 5hours in the birthing pool, though it did make me puke both times. Gas and Air was awesome, but make's your mouth dry so lot's of water required!

 

[Lauraxamy]

I'd say each to their own but I personally didn't want one and didn't have one. My first reason, I hate needles I don't like the thought of one in my back. However if I'd of felt like I needed one I'd of had one, I'm not against them but honestly the gas and air I found amazing! Also staying active if you can during labour really helped me at the start, walking around, using a ball. There's pethedine you can have as well! It's entirely upto you but I would consider trying other pain relief first x

 

[SIEGAL]

I am not sure how it is in Canada but in the US we dont get gas and air or TENS or anything its an epidural/narcotics or nothing. And not to scare you (maybe its b/c my birth was super fast) but it freakin hurts - alot - when you have no pain relief. But I think it depends on the birth - I went from 6 cm (at dr. office) to 9 cm (when got to hospital) in 10-15 mins and like 10 cm not long after so I couldnt really sit on a ball or go into a tub or anything. I got the epidural at 10 cm - I felt so much better - it slowed my labor - I took a 1 hr nap -then pushed the baby out pain free in like 50 mins with some tearing (didnt feel a contraction, tear, or ANYTHING). To be honest - it was actually pleasant ( I was also still high from the demoral) - and I am not traumatized from the pain like a lot of women I know. I do admit I had a horrible allergic reaction to the tape they used to stick the epidural needle to my back - so that was excruciatingly itchy but still well worth it. If you want to go pain-med free thats great but don't feel like a "loser" or w/e for getting the pain meds. I think it helped me look at her birth fondly and helped me bond as I had a good experience.

 

[AnonymousMoi]

I am only 13 weeks, so I have AGES to figure out what I am going to do. I'll start off by saying that I am a wimp (seriously) and so I can't understand why I feel this way but... I am curious to see if I can have my first baby without an epidural. I am interested to hear your experiences!
The thing about an epidural is that it drugs the baby, and me, it has nasty side effects (my friend couldn't care for her baby or move for 2 weeks after birth due to migranes from an epidural gone wrong), it could kill or paralyze me, and it could even not work!!! At the same token, I will feel EVERYTHING if I choose to go without, which freaks me out a bit. I suppose it might also depend on the duration of the labor, and if I have to have a c-section.
I'd love to hear your opinions, stories, facts! Anything to help my decision! Also, suggestions for making labor easier?

Me and you, we think alike! I'm more scared of the epidural needle and side effects than of child birth! I watched my mom have a spinal block which is kind of like an epidural... she has a very high pain tolerance and she screamed bloody murder. Plus I don't want my baby drugged... and then you have to alternate between the pitdrip and the epidural (because the epidural slows labor, and the pit progesses it...but the pit drip also is said to give you harder, longer more painful contractions... so...)

 

[aj11]

i LOVED my epidural, and had a wonderful birthing experience because of it. good luck with whatever choice you make!

 

[Mypreciouskid]

Sounds like your friend had a bad epidural experience. . I've had 4 epidurals and I was up walking around, showering, etc., very soon after delivery. I thoroughly enjoyed the pain relief, personally. My pain was a 10+ with my first birth, after 12 hours of natural labor. To each their own. Just keep your options open, and see what your body tells you to do during labor.

 

[OneFitMom]

I highly recommend that you read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, lots of facts and info in there on the natural process of labor and natural pain management.

Yes, definitely read that book! It gave me a lot more confidence about the birth process, and was way more valuable than any other pregnancy books I've read.

 

[Mindy_mini]

Firstly, epidurals have no affect on the baby. It blocks the nerve paths in the spinal cord but doesn't pass the placenta so please don't worry about that.

Secondly, your friends experience is not the norm. It's common to have head aches after child birth. There Is one type of headache that's linked to the epidural and it's to do with leak of spinal fluid. If this happens, they can give you what's called a blood patch to help cure it. Here's a link Which explains it

https://www.patient.co.uk/health/Headache-After-an-Epidural-or-Spinal-Anaesthetic.htm

All I'd say is you have ages yet so just familiarise yourself with the different pain releif options and see how you feel when in labour

Ps I had an epidural and loved it. Dd was back to back so it hurt a lot! Epidural helped loads, didn't slow labour down as such (cervix closed a bit when waters went as waters were bulging and holding it open). I know some one said you would need a drip to keep contractions going, I don't know what Canadian medical practices are but in the uk that's only done if it's needed, there is no evidence that labour can't progress with an epidural. (it does happen but not in every case). Also I was up n about within a few hrs of birth

 

[madasa]

Unless I'm wheeling down to surgery for a section.... you can forget it.

My past experience has been that drugs for pain come with a cost, and it isn't one I want to pay again, if I can help it....

 

[kellyb]

I haven't given birth yet, as this is my first. But I'm going for natural, no medications. I agree with those who have said to read books about it--I've been reading a ton on natural childbirth, including taking a Bradley Method class, and it's just amazing how much more confident I feel knowing how many women have gone the natural route, and how I can do the same. I honestly feel like there are just so many more risks with getting an epidural, whereas the "risk" in going natural is the pain I may feel, which isn't an actual risk, but just part of the process. I wish you a ton of luck with whichever decision you make, but be sure not to let other people's stories scare you, as everyone is so different! Unfortunately, we just tend to hear more about the negative experiences than the positive ones. Ugh.

 

[Kimboowee]

1st labour I had an epi, 2nd I had g&a.
My 1st labour was long and 2nd was under 3 hours, I would of happily taken one 2nd time round if I felt I needed it, though maybe try the other methods before and epi

 

[jess1983]

my first labor I had an epidural that didn't work right and I still have back issues because of it because of that my second was all natural and my next whenever that may be I would like to be natural also

 

[Courtcourt]

I would go in with an open mind so you aren't disappointed if you fail. I will say that I asked my MIL about the paralyze risks and some of the scarier parts about epidurals- and while she was kind of hoping I didn't get one- she did tell me she had never seen it happen and has been in L&D nurse for 20 years-ish. We do not get the option to has gas and air in the US, but there are a few other options. I prefer not to take a ything by mouth because I am sensitive to that stuff.

I don't really want one either, but I know I will probably get one. I am just going to hold out as long as possible until that time

 

[cherryglitter]

i was dead against an epidural. i even told OH to not let me have one.

but induction, back to back labour and a baby in completely the wrong position to come out just meant i had to.
i was not coping with the pain at all.

 

[Kittifer]

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[madcatwoman]

I was induced thus the pain was pretty horrendous,plus i had a face presentation which made the pain worse. G&A didnt tickle the spot at all, although i was offered other forms of pain relief i refused them as i knew they could make me sick(im emtophobic).
In the circumstances and Epi was right for me and it worked wonderfully. it does carry risks(as does everything) but ive no idea how id have ever got thru those 10 hours without it, no idea at all. I even managed a kip!.

 

[Verse]

Unless I'm wheeling down to surgery for a section.... you can forget it.

Great line! I've had too many family members suffer lasting issues or even death from routine medical procedures. I'm very uncomfortable accepting even a slight increase in risk of lasting complications for the sake of a few hours relief. I'm hoping to take my pain before/during the birth rather than risk a 3 day headache or something even worse.

 

[Seity]

Have one, you don't get a medal for suffering needlessly with labor pains.