Undecided

[CSweets]

I am 22 weeks pregnant and ever since I found out I was pregnant I've been worried about the labor part. Here's the reason.

Well 1. I don't know who wouldn't be worried about it

2. My boyfriend doesn't want me to get an epidural because I tend to jump a lot with shots or sudden pain. He thinks I'll move when they give me my shot and I'll end up paralyzed.

3. I want to go with a natural birth because I heard that narcotics can cause respiratory problems to the baby and that naturally will be the best way.

4. I'm not exactly sure what my pain tolerance is. I think it's okay. But I don't think it's good enough for labor.

Basically what I am saying is I don't want to have to go into labor and say I want a natural birth and then when I can't handle it anymore say I want an epidural and they say it's too late.


I just would like any opinion on what everyone else is doing or has done. And stories of what labor is really like cuz some people tell me that your so focused on getting to see your baby that you don't even realize the pain.


I'm so confused and undecided.


Thanks

 

[FayDanielle]

Hey hun
Im like you too, my OH also doesnt want me to have an epidural, as hes worried about the whole paralysis aswell!

Thing is hun, if you wanna go natural do it...by the time its too late to have an epidural youll be almost ready to push, and apparently its not that that hurts, its the actual contractions that hurt, so when it is 'too late' to have one...you'll be almost there to birthing your baby
xxx

 

[Tanara]

I was 9 days overdue with my son, they induced me. Anyways the only thing i had was laughing gas which does nothing for pain it just keeps you calm, I had a 9lbs baby, and honestly the pain wasnt that bad.

From my experience it felt like bad period cramps and like i had to take a giant BM. The pain was all gone the moment i looked into his eyes, and i will be having a natural birth with this baby again.

The way i look at it is the pain is only temperary and i will give my child the best start, in the end the pain fades, but some of the problems associated with medications during labor dont always.

this is my personal opinion, although i do not judge anyone who does not have a natural birth, its all up to how you feel.

edit: ^^ as fay said when you actually get to the pushing part, pushing releaves the feeling of the contractions, Honestly once i started pushing it didnt hurt very much it was like BH.

 

[xx~Lor~xx]

I was 11 days overdue when I went into labour naturally. In my experience the contractions were definately the worst part of the whole thing, by the time you get to the pushing part you know you've almost got your LO in your arms, so you are just so determined to get through it, that bit just stings. It is true when they call it 'the ring of fire'.

It's definately a terrifying experience going into labour, I was so scared, and definately had decided against an epidural. I hate needles, and the place where I had decided to give birth didn't have the facilities for epidurals anyway.

I was at a complete loss about what to do about pain relief. In the end I decided that I wanted the minimum possible, and I decided to use a birthing pool. That was a really good choice for me, the water is just so relaxing and just helps relief some of the 'heavy' feeling of being pregnant. It was alot easier to move around in the water too, feeling alot lighter and everything. About half way through my labour I went for the gas and air too, I didn't find it took pain away or anything, but it definately helped me concentrate on my breathing instead of the pain of the contractions.

Due to LO's sack breaking in the pool and as she was late she had pooed inside me, I had to get out to give birth. But it only took about 15 minutes of actual pushing to get her out.

Just know everyone is scared. But how i thought of it was that a woman is designed to give birth, it's natural. Oh and also, listen to your midwife, especially when you are pushing. When she says to 'hold your push' or something along those lines, i.e don't relax between pushes, it will take alot shorter time for LO to come out.

And hey, I'm going to do it all again in 6 months time It can be bareable.

xoxox

 

[xprincessx]

im too worried myself about paralysis as it doesnt seem worth it IMO...i'd rather put up with a few days of pain (no matter how unbearable) then risk even the slightest chance of never being able to move from the neck down again...but everyone sees it differently and that's just my view.

the only thing you have to remember is that nobody has ever died from the PAIN of giving birth and if you take each contraction/pain at a time it should make it seem easier x

 

[LoisP]

didn't want to read and run. Am also opting for a natural birth, fingers crossed that goes to plan. Things will be fine, it's gonna hurt us all like crazy and we'll just want it over. But when it is over, you apparently just forget the pain, it's weird, i think it's so that you go on to have more kids, if you had a vivid memory of your labour, you'd never want kids again, so mother nature gets rid of the painful memory of labour as much as it can (not speaking from experience obviously as this is baby #1 just going by what friends and family who have had babys have said. You'll do fine babe, worry, obviously because it's going to hurt, but don't worry too much, because it's ridiculously worth it in the end

 

[mrsmartin91]

I want an epidural, no narcotics tho. IMO the risk of paralysis is very small..

 

[Eabha'sMum]

I too am wearily hoping for a natural birth, gas, air & birthing pool... fx'd it happens, and i cope! Definately don't want an epidural, cos i know i will want to get up and move around x

 

[Sophiiie]

I'm going to try and get it through it with just gas and air, I really don't want to have an epidural. But I just don't know what I'll be like when it comes to it, I've got a pretty high pain threshold, but I think this is going to be a completely new level of pain lol x

 

[bbyno1]

im planning on having a natural water birth aswell..
i was speaking to the midwife saying i really dont want the epidural and plan to only have gas and air do you think il be able to do it?
she said that its all in the mind..if you do your breathing correct,stay as calm as possible,try to relax,take deep breaths and believe that you are strong enough to do it-you will do it.you just have to have a strong head on your shoulders and be confident..
i kow its hard not to worry but worrying isnt going to make it hurt any less and you WILL be able to do it..if thats what you have your mind set on..
think positivex

 

[Lissa3120]

I told my self it would be the worst pain i had EVER felt in my life, and i was expecting it, i was totally prepared to be in agony, i was ready to take all the drugs and pain relief they had going...
I laughed the whole way through, with out an ounce of pain relief... i didnt even believe i was in labor until i was on my way home with my baby...

 

[Embo]

I use to worry about this also, but now I am overdue I really don't care what pain I have to go through aslong as I can have my baby! x