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Epidurals - for or against?

posted 1 year ago in Babies
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    1.
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    Helper bee
    sessaj    October 23, 2010   NL, Canada

    So we've just been informed that due to the policies where we live (and apparently because there is only one anesthesiologist (sp?) here) I have to advise my dr in the next few weeks if I want an epidural, and if I say yes, I will get one when one can be given to me during labour, regardless of how I'm feeling at that stage - obviously not if I show up at the hospital at 8 cm, but otherwise...

    I was expecting this to go as it does on TV, lol - I'd get there, see how it goes, try to do it on my own but if I decide at some point that I would like an epidural, then I would give the word and one would be given (maybe a little less demanding and princess-y, but you know what I mean, right?).  Now I'm being told that I have to say yes before I even go into labour and if I want it, I get it when I get it... no waiting to see how I'm feeling.  Or I guess I could say no epidural and then if I get to 6 cm and want one, I can't change my mind.

    Anyway, sorry this is long... I'm just trying to do some research on epidurals and would really appreciate hearing some opinions from "real people" who have either had them or haven't, or plan to or don't, and what your reasons were or are.  Now that I feel I have to decide in advance, I'm seeking out as much info as I can find to help me make this decision!

    Thanks in advance Bees!

     
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    SoontobeMrsA    June 2012   MA/NH line

    Eeek! I'm sorry you have to decide so far in advance. I had an epidural and def don't regret it.

     
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    Bumble bee
    Neva    July 2010  

    I was told pretty much the same thing.  I told them yes I wanted one because I was afraid to say no and then find I really wanted one.  If you say yes, you can still say no at the time if you really don't want one.

    I think the reason they tell you that they decide when to give it to you may have to do with the doctor's schedule.  When I was told that the anesthesiologist was there and ready, I didn't really feel like I needed it yet.  But I was told it was now or never (so I chose now), because if I didn't take the epidural when he was available, he was going somewhere else and it might be several hours before he returned.  If at that point, I still wanted one, I could have one...BUT...if labor had progressed too far by the time he came back, I'd be out of luck.

    So I went with taking the epidural when it was available and I'm glad I did.  I really was able to relax during most of the labor (watching contractions on the monitor and thinking, "Wow, I bet that one would hurt!").  It was pretty much worn  off by the time I was ready to push anyway.

     
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    Buzzing bee
    cannotwait    February 1, 2009   TX

    Wow, that is an annoying policy!  Before I got pregnant, I assumed I would get an epidural, and I thought home birth advocates were crazy.  Then, I ended up choosing a natural birth w/ a doula & OB at a hospital and would now consider a home birth with a midwife!  Honestly, there were times when I didn't think I could do it, but I did!  That was just the transition part (7-8cm) where it was very intense.  For me, that was worse than the pushing, but I've heard some women think pushing is worse than contractions. 

    For me, I wanted to be able to move freely and try delivery in the squat position (pelvis is more open), so that's why I didn't want an epidural, plus I just worry about the "intervention cascade".  If you are at all interested in natural, watch "The Business of Being Born" & read Ina May's natural childbirth book.  There are some amazing anecdotes & statistics!

    Only you know your body & pain tolerance, though, so it might be safer to say yes then refuse it in the moment.  I will say, though, it takes a ton of resolve to stick with natural.  If I hadn't been so adamant & had a doula, I would've probably had drugs, bc DH didn't know what to do when I was at the worst part (that didn't last long).  Honestly, after I got through the transition, though, I was AOK...excited for baby time!

     
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    Buzzing bee
    firsttimemom    December 18, 2010  

    I see all one million stances and opinions on epidurals. Personally, I will be in an environment where I won't be given pitocin or any other contraction inducing drugs and therefore don't see the need for an epidural. In your case, I'm assuming you're in a hospital, I would have them put you down for one because you never know what kinds of drugs they will want to put you on. If they start you on pitocin and you don't have an epidural...I've heard some horror stories about that. 

     
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    Busy bee
    harmonyeee    May 8, 2009  

    wow...i'm sorry you are being asked to make that decision so early :( that doesn't seem fair at all. i don't have personal experiences with epidurals yet, but if i were you, i would probably request one now - even if you only have a tiny inkling of a feeling you might possibly want one - and then decline it if you feel like you can make it without it at the time they offer it. that way, you are covered in case you want it at the moment they offer it but won't have to wish you had requested it.

     

     
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    Blushing bee
    Mrs.duck    August 13, 2011   Columbia, La

    Well I personally had a very horrible expierence with my epidural. But after having an epidural twice and niether of them working properly, I would still recommend having one. Since neither of mine did work I basically had my daughter all natural, and let me tell ya what, I wish I would have had something to relieve me. Its all just your personal feelings toward it. But its not easy to just say- oh no it hurts too bad, let me haave one now. Because they can and will refuse you one. Better safe than sorry though. Oh and make sure to tell the doctors and nurses if something doesn;t feel right with the epidural. I was repeatedly told I was wrong about something being wrong, and guess what... something was wrong. Listen the the one administering the epidural, not a nurse who doesn't know without even looking.

     
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    Honey bee
    Zinzerena    April 14, 2012   Virginia

    I had one with my son, but didn't need it with my daughter.  One doesn't need it, if one isn't in pain.  (Do NOT wish for this, cause you won't be believed if you're in labor, having contractions.  Only if you're dilating will you be believed... at least at my local hospital and current office... jerks...)

    Truthfully, it depends on the person and how you react to pain and meds.  I would suggest getting it though.  better to have it and it be useful, than no have it and have NO meds to help you. 

     
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    Mrs. Spring    May 10, 2009   California

    I agree with previous posters that it might be best to say yes now, and then you still have some flexibility in deciding in the moment.  Unless you are committed to a med-free birth and are preparing for it now, it might be difficult to go without an epidural.  I mean, you would still ge through it without an epidural (plenty of women have med-free births throughout the world every day), but it could be very tough unless you are committed, have studied up on some alternative pain-relief methods, have a good labor support system, etc...  Do you have to make a decision on other pain meds right now, too?  Or would you still be able to choose to use other pain meds (just not an epidural) during labor, if you need them?

    Fwiw, I prepared for a med-free birth and ended up getting an epidural.  I studied/practiced the Bradley method (on my own, not in a class), but I also prepared a list of labor positions and techniques I could use in addition.  When I actually went into labor, my contractions came way faster and harder than the "textbook" labor, and I just wasn't prepared to deal with that level of difficulty that early on.  What surprised me wasn't necessarily the pain of the contractions; what surprised me was how weak I felt during the contractions.  I literally couldn't hold myself up, and my husband had to support me standing or kneeling to get through.  Also, I was puking a lot early on.  Throwing up is really common in active labor, but I was throwing up like every couple to few contractions.  I had to have an IV almost immediately to help me stay hydrated, and after that, I just knew I wasn't going to be able to make it without pain meds.  I got an epidural about an hour to 1.5 hours in to active labor, and slept almost until it was time to push, pushed for like 1/2 an hour and had my daughter with pretty much no complications.  Next time, I plan on doing something pretty similar: prepare for a med-free birth, but get an epidural if/when I need it.  I think it worked for me.

     
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    Buzzing bee
    ohheavenlyday    August 20, 2011   Savannah, Georgia

    It was similar for me. If I wanted to have an epidural at all, I had to go to the anethesiologist's office, watch a video on the process, and get a signed form from them saying I had watched the video and understood what would happen. I HAD to bring that to the hospital and give it to them; if I didn't, no matter how many times I requested an epidural, they could not administer one. I went in expecting not to have one, do the whole natural childbirth thing. LAUGHABLE. So freaking unnecessary. 

    Although it seems annoying now, taking an epidural when they can administer it is really for your benefit. I went through 2 hours of hard contractions, all dead set on natural birth, before caving and admitting I wanted and NEEDED an epidural. And THEN I had to wait 40 minutes until the anesthesiologist could make her way to my room. Basically, by the time you think you might want one, labor quickly begins ratcheting up and can get pretty unbearable while you wait. Trust me, it's nice that they will just administer it when they can- this way you're not stuck in agony waiting for them to be able to get to you. By the time I got mine, a nurse had to hold me still because the contractions were causing me to shake so badly the anesthesiologist was having a hard time finding the right spot to inject the needle. And the relief is almost instantaneous and you are so much more relaxed. I seriously don't know why I was so stupid and prideful to try and do it without one when it makes it so much easier. Don't forget; after the birth, you have to like, care for the baby. There's no resting once the birth is done, so having an epidural really makes you much less exhausted and spent. It's still work, and it still hurts, but there's just no need to make yourself go through that pain. 

     
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    Blushing bee
    Mrs.duck    August 13, 2011   Columbia, La

    oh and btw something to consider is that your labor could go a thousand ways and it is best to be prepared. Look I respect everyones point of veiw on this, and I will admit I really struggled with this myself. BUT I had a HORRIBLE labor! and I dont care what anyone says, I have tons of tats and have had many piercings, and my daughters labor was excrutiating. She was facing up i think instead of down or something backwards like that anyways, she got stuck and I pushed with no pain meds for 3 hours since my epi was inserted wrong for a second time. And I was put on the drip that morning too, so my contrations were much worse too. But After 15 hours of labor I had to have an emergency c section. Please keep in mind that things can always change, no matter how much planning you do.

     
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    Buzzing bee
    cannotwait    February 1, 2009   TX

    @ohheavenlyday: I don't think going natural made me stupid or prideful.  I know you were talking about how you felt, but still...I like to say...pain meds have risks for you and baby...the main risk from going natural is pain for ME only.  I chose pain now over pain later.  People say epidurals don't slow down your labor, but I have a hard time believing that.  I "only" had a 13 hour labor and was moving all around and laboring in different positions that felt appropriate based on different phases of labor.

    I know epidurals are low risk, but what about that small percentage that do have the bad side effects?

     
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    Honey bee
    Zinzerena    April 14, 2012   Virginia

    @cannotwait: I agree it's a personal choice and no one should be made bad for going either way.

    I had an epidural with my son, and my leg (si joint was out of place) felt like it was breaking.  Imagine trying to bend a VERY GREEN twig that keeps bending and bending and WILL NOT BREAK.  That, was my leg.  I was being given MORPHINE (yes, I distinctly remember the anesthesiologist saying morphine) and it did NOTHING.  The spinal block and c-section solved that problem... at least until I got sensation back an hour or so later.  Then it just ached.

    Now, I also have a VERY HIGH threshold for pain.  Crushed finger in door with no pain type threshold.  Sprained my ankle and kept walking on it type threshold.  So I feel safe saying most women would've been in more pain than me, and I was BEGGING to have the pain stopped (I NEVER beg, lol) and I also said "just break it already", in reference to my leg.  (Yep, I was out of it, lol).

    My daughter, I had no pain and needed no epidural or any pain meds.  She was an elective c-section.

    It's all personal choice, but I recommend them.  Also, do EXACTLY what the anesthesiologist says.  It will make a difference.  

    Good luck!!!!

     
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    Buzzing bee
    ohheavenlyday    August 20, 2011   Savannah, Georgia

    @cannotwait:

    In my experience, the epidural didn't slow down labor at all. Like you, my labor was 13 total hours with 12 minutes of pushing. As far as bad side effects, they're pretty limited to headaches for the mother occasionally. Nothing happens to the baby; they come out just as alert and healthy as the babies who are delivered without epidurals. In my opinion, it's a miracle of modern medicine and it really did nobody any good NOT to use it. The baby was not affected if I did or did not use one, so why not just make things a little more comfortable? 

     
    15.
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    Helper bee
    michkarose      

    I probably cant get one even I wanted too :(  My back is so heavily tattooed in the areas where it would be administered, that most Dr's will refuse to do so due to potential "bacteria infection".  It is a bit of a controversial topic haha

    If I had the choice, I would probably say no.

     
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    SecretName    June 2010   California

    I don't really understand this.

    I think you have some great advice, say yes now and you can always say no later.

    What happens though if you were to say no, and you need an emergency c-section?  Obviously they need an anesthesiologist then?!?

     
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    Sugar bee
    camrie    September 5, 2010   Louisville

    Wow that's awful that you have to decide so far in advance (luckily our hospital has 2 anesthesiologists in L&D at all times). But I guess they want to make sure it's available should you want it. I'm in the camp of say "Yes" now and then you can always tell them "No" later (it's not like they could give you an epidural without your cooperation).

    I JUST took a class at our hospital about them. It was lead by a CRNA and it was VERY helpful to hear about the procedural, the risks and see how they actually did it. She said that basically the only reason you CAN'T get an epidural or a spinal is because you can't hold still for it but there isn't really a certain point you pass where you can't get one (dilation-wise).

    @SecretName: Yeah good question! Emergency C-sections usually have to be done really quickly. What would they make her bite a belt and deal with the pain?

     

     
    18.
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    Winter2013    February 9, 2013   NY

    @firsttimemom: I agree I was planning on a natural birth through out my pregnancy then the morning my water broke and I was admitted to the hospital, I was only 1-2cm dilated and not effaced (sp) at all, so they started me on pitocin and that was rough, maybe almosy half way through (of upping the dosage evry 15-20minutes) I asked for an epideral becuase the contractions were horrible. Oh and it wore out on the left side of my body so I felt the contractions still :(

    My sister has had 2 natural births and one included a water birth :), she is pregnant with a 3rd now and not sure if she is going water again or not but I know she also had a doula.

    It kind of scares me now that I think of it, that the anesthesiologist (sp) was not there later on after a few hours of pushing and had to get a c-section, we had to wait about 20-30 minutes for him to get back to the hospital. Now what would have happened if it was an emergency and I needed to be rushed to the OR stat! If we decide to have another child I will be getting a c-section again just so I don't have to go thru all that crap again and other reasons, but for those that don't need it maybe go to a hospital that has one on duty 24hrs, because honestly and not trying to scare anyone you just never know what is gonna happen. That's just MHO.

     
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    cbee    July 26, 2010  

    So what are the down sides of an epidural?  Sorry, I am clueless- but I want to become informed and it seems most posters are pro-epidural (?)  Would love to hear both sides?  Just "listening" in :)

     
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    noritake22    March 31, 2011   Seattle

    I am definately for an epidural. I have had three children.

    The first one, I was bound and determined to have natural with no drugs; by the time I wanted some, it was way too late. It hurt like a son of a gun, but I did forget about the pain almost immediately after my daughter was born.

    The second one, I had natural too, but that was because he came so fast; he was almost born before we could get to the hospital. Still totally worth it.

    The third one, I was in labor for almost the entire pregnancy and had to be put in the hospital. He came two months early, but because they had me in the hospital and on drugs that were supposed to slow his coming, I ended up getting an epidural because my water broke big time. The epidural was so totally worth it. I could sleep during the contractions and I was awake during the birth. And again, so totally worth it.

    If I would have had an epidural for my first child, I probably would have had a lot more kids than just three; it was just so much easier because there was less pain, so I could concentrate on what was going on around me.

     
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    PutABirdOnIt    December 30, 2010   Los Angeles, CA

    @SecretName: Well, I can answer that question:  They knock you out and you miss the delivery.  Sometimes you don't get a choice:)  Take the epi and you won't be sorry.

     
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    july09bridetobe    July 25, 2009  

    This policy sounds very strange. I would say agree to one now with the idea that you can refuse later.

    I had my daughter without pain meds and there was never a time where I felt out of control. Towards the end I was wondering if I should ask for something, but I also knew that it hurt more because I was so near to being done. Like a previous poster said, once it was over I immediately forgot about the pain. I took strong Motrin while I was in the hospital recovering, but that was just a precaution. I did it without drugs and I was glad it worked out that way. I think it's important to remember every birth is different and everyone needs to make their own deccision.

     
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    Buzzing bee
    cannotwait    February 1, 2009   TX

    <sigh> I'm really trying not to take things personally, since I am not judging people for their choices..I am just trying to present another perspective. but really?  "it's a miracle of modern medicine and it really did nobody any good NOT to use it."  um, OK!

    I am not a doctor, so I really hope you will research the risks on your own.  Generally speaking, though, I do not take blanket medical advice from strangers.  I think epidurals work out well in 90+% of the time, and those women advocate for them.  However, what about the rest?  You can get 90 women on here saying how great they are, but that doesn't guarantee you won't have an issue or that the pain meds will even be effective in relieving your pain (therefore giving you all the risk with none of the rewards).

    I think each woman must decide if the benefit of pain medication outweighs the risk for them, and it is a very personal decision.  I just encourage you to read from many sources/perspectives before deciding.

    from webMD, but I'm sure you can find many other sources:

    Epidural anesthesia using standard medication doses increases your risk of:

    • Having a prolonged labor. The average epidural labor takes an extra hour to deliver the baby.2 (Some studies suggest that epidural labors are no longer than average labors when medication is not given until the cervix is at least 4cmdilated.3)
    • Having a drop in blood pressure (hypotension), which can lower your baby's heart rate. This is why you receive fluids through an intravenous (IV) line beforehand and why you're encouraged to lie on your side, which improves blood flow.
    • Being unable to feel your contractions and to push. This increases your risk of needing an assisted (forceps or vacuum) delivery and possibly your chance of needing a cesarean section you wouldn't otherwise have needed.2
    • Having your baby move into the wrong position (malposition) because of slack pelvic muscles and a slack uterus. This increases your risk of needing an assisted (forceps or vacuum) delivery. Some experts question whether malposition may happen first, causing pain that leads a woman to ask for an epidural.2 Talk to your health professional about his or her experience with this problem.
    • Having a seizure related to the medication. This is very rare.

    After childbirth with an epidural, you may have:

    • Back soreness at the catheter site during recovery. This is uncommon. Some women fear that an epidural causes chronic back pain-studies have not shown a connection between new back pain and epidural use.2
    • Severe, prolonged headache after delivery, when the spinal cord sheath has accidentally been punctured during the procedure. A puncture occurs in about 3% of women receiving an epidural. About 70% of these women develop the headache after childbirth. The puncture is repaired by an anesthesiologist, using another injection in the puncture area. This usually relieves the headache.

    Edit: end quote
    Many of the above (like forceps use) carry their own risks.

     
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    SecretName    June 2010   California

    @PutABirdOnIt:But still, in order to knock you out, don't you need an anesthesiologist!  I udnerstand that sometimes during a C-section you don't get to be "awake" but either way you need an anesthesiologist there! 

     
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    PutABirdOnIt    December 30, 2010   Los Angeles, CA

    @SecretName: If it's an emergency, they have to act quickly so I can't imagine a hospital that can't perform emergency surgery if necessary.  My friend's obgyn had cut her baby out so quick that she apologized to her later for making the cut a little crooked.  My friend didn't mind:)

    Anyway, it's been awhile since i've had a baby and I've never heard of having to choose an epidural in advance. That kind of sucks.

     
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    jubyju22    June 26, 2010   North Carolina

    @cannotwait: I think you've highlighted the main points about why people choose not to get epidurals. I'm aiming for a natural birth and I think that sometimes epidurals can start the "snowball" effect of interventions.. pitocin, c-section, etc. However, that isn't ALWAYS the case.

    This is a pretty interesting article that my doula posted: http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?p=2019&sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d74f185a868d42d%2C0

    It seems unfortunate and unfair that your doctor is making you decide on this now. It sounds like in your situation it would be easier to say "yes" now and then say "no" in the moment than to say "no" now and have to fight for one when you are in labor. Since you are starting to do research, I would ask the doctor if you can have a few weeks to finish your research and commit to what type of birth you want to have before giving him an answer. Choosing these things is highly personal and you should be given the time and support to make the best decision for you and your baby!

     
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    Zinzerena    April 14, 2012   Virginia

    @cannotwait: for the record, I had to be TOLD when to push with my son, and with my daughter, it was a completely different story.

    My daughter was in the birth canal trying to be born and I was sitting on the bed reading a book, completely oblivious to it. NO EPIDURAL.  Only an IV with pitocin (which I did NOT request).  

    Fact: Each woman is different.  

    Fact: No one knows if it will work or not until you get it

    Fact: It's each woman's decision.

    Fact: NO ONE should be bad-mouthing, or putting anyone down for their choice.

     

    If you have questions, talk to the dr. or the anesthesiologist, if possible.  

    In fact, it's typically recommended  you talk to the anesthesiologist involved because you should feel comfortable with him/her.  You have the right to know how many they've done, how many times they've done it and had problems, etc etc.  If you have insurance, there should be a number you can call and ask if they have a number you can call to talk to a nurse.  (My insurance offers this and has the number on the insurance card).  

     
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    ohheavenlyday    August 20, 2011   Savannah, Georgia

    @cannotwait:

    Obviously I was referring to my own situation with that sentence. It did nobody any good in MY situation not to use it- the baby was doing fine, I was in pain, the drugs helped me get through labor easier and she still came out fine. Not using it in my case would have put me through pain that was completely unnecessary because my baby's health wasn't affected whether I got the epidural or not. 

     
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    MsMamaBear       Atlanta

    I haven't heard of this policy, but I plan to get one. The worst pain I've had was my gall bladder when it had to be removed...giving birth is going to be no joke. Thankfully, I have 6 more months until I have to do this.LOL

     
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    camrie    September 5, 2010   Louisville

    @cbee: There's also a chance of getting a spinal headache if they go thru the dura (where the epidural is placed) and hit your spinal cord with the needle causing a puncture. This type of headache is worse than a migraine and can last 7 days - however it can be "fixed" by something called a blood patch which is basically another epidural to seal the hole. Also if blood doesn't clot normally there is a risk for paralysis but this is EXTREMELY rare.

    Basically as with ANY medical procedure there are risks and benefits. I feel informed as to the risks and still intend on getting one because I feel like the benefits to me personally and being able to successfully deliver my baby outweigh those risks.

    But to the OP: Don't let anyone influence your decision - do the research and decide what's most important to you because no one is going to have to deliver that baby but you. Just know that in your case you may not have the option to change your mind.

     
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    dchokiebride3    October 10, 2009   Washington DC

    I'm going to put in my two cents (from my personal experience about 8 weeks ago!) :)

    I wanted to have a natural childbirth for many of the reasons that Cannotwait posted and because I'm not a fan of a needle anywhere near my spinal column.  Actually, I was more afraid of getting the epidural than the pain of labor.

    HOWEVER...I had horrible back labor.  Now, I have no idea what "normal" labor feels like, but I have a friend who has had two kids.  She had back labor with the first and told me just the other day that back labor was 1,000 times worse.  I also only slept for 15 minutes before my labor began and there was NO WAY I was resting with the intensity of the pain and how fast my contractions were coming.

    As for the bad effects of epidurals, my labor was only 10 hours and I only pushed for 30 minutes and this was my first child.  So, don't let all those things necessarily scare you.  I think you want to keep the option open however you can because you never know if your little one will be "star gazing" as one of the midwives put it to me (face up = back labor).  Or if there is something else that necessitates you to have an epidural, like needed to REST before you push an 8 lb watermelon out of your birth canal :)

     
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    sessaj    October 23, 2010   NL, Canada

    Thanks so much for your input and stories everyone, I do find it really helpful to hear what others chose to do and why.

    I know the policy sounds strange - my guess is that it's because we live in a pretty small place (population of < 9,000) and they can't arrange for an epidural at any time... though to be honest I don't know why - I was thinking the same thing as other posters...what if I needed an emergency C-section?  And what difference does it make if I say yes now, there's no way to tell when I'll go in labour, so it's not like saying yes now means anyone can really plan for anything!  I'll definitely ask more questions about the purpose behind having to decide now when I get to meet with the OB next week... it was my family dr that said this last week, then a co-worker who had her baby here explained that there's only one anesthesiologist, etc.  So perhaps some of my info isn't all that accurate!

    I had already decided that I would have an epidural if I felt I needed one... my "plan" is (was!) to be open minded and go with what makes sense for me at the time.  I'd be happy to have a natural birth, but it's not important to me like it is for a lot of people (and I totally respect anyone's decision to do anything about their own plans... I'm a big fan of the "to each their own" school!).  I guess my concern now is that I thought I could make the decision when I needed to, rather than having to make it now.

    I think the majority suggestion that I say yes now and then have the option to refuse during labour makes the most sense... I just wish I could know somehow when the offer will come!  If I'm at 3 cm and am offered the epidural, I'm a little worried that I'll feel pressured to take it because I'll be afraid I'll need it or want it later and if I don't say yes at that point, I won't be able to say yes later.  Then again, I may get to 3 cm and be begging for the epidural right that second, ha ha!  I just assume that if there's going to be a point when I really feel that I want / need it, it'll be later, and that the offer will have been presented at that point.

    I will definitely get more info from the OB about how this will work and why, but in the meantime I really appreciate everyone sharing their opinions on epidurals and their own experiences... this is a big help :)

     
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    Mrs. Spring    May 10, 2009   California

    @sessaj:  Well, one way you could make sure you don't get offered the epidural before you really need it, is to not go to the hospital until you're actually in pain.  That way, you can kinda labor for a while and figure out yourself if you're in enough pain to get an epidural without any pressure to get it right that moment.  :) 

    And, as always, check with your doctor and hospital.  Mine wouldn't even admit me until I was 4 centimeters, and I had to show consistent progress of 1/2 centimeter per hour in order to even get an epidural!

     
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    tksjewelry    June 25, 2011   Omaha

    I was one of those rare cases that got a migrane after having an epideral, but I have to say that I still don't regret doing it.  Like a few of the others, I had back labor.  I can't imagine going through that for so many hours without the epideral.

    On the flip side of the coin, my second child labor was 15 min and there was no need for an epideral.

    I think you should just tell them yes for now, and if you get into labor and you feel you don't need it you can always tell them no.

     
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    cyndistar3    September 3, 2011   Post Falls ID

    I gave birth at a midwifery so medication of any kind wasn't available unless I decided to go to the hospital. I am not against epidurals but I would never get one my self. I hate needles of any sort. I do not regret doing it naturally at all, I was in labor for almost 50 hours and had terrible back labor and I would do it all again. I was distracted from the pain the moment I saw my little girl so in the end I thought it was worth it. 

     
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    Crisark    November 5, 2011   WV

    I had an Epidural and loved it! I had one both times and the second time the Anesthesiologist was waiting on me to get there to be induced. So, I was all about having it ordered ahead of time. It's really each persons preference.

     
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    BlueSkies    January 20, 2011   Arizona

    Hi there... I am going to have to be the odd one out here. I have been building a website dedicated entirely against epidurals. And before you all hate me, please hear me out!!!

    I absolutely realize that every woman and experience is different... and ALSO that I have had four children. Three WITH epidurals..... and untill not long ago would have been the first lady on here saying DO IT!!!! It made my labors better in ways that we all know (those of us who have had them).... Even though during each one, there was some sort of complication or another (one side loosing all feeling for hours after labor even, ect.) It still made them soooo much better then my first. The one without. ; )

    But during my last labor, three years ago, it was the worst.... The "headache" was.... unbearable. And I still have pain....every single day. Mostly nerve issues in my lower back and legs. Starting right at the entry point for my epidurals. My doc's say that it is probably life long. And that it was in the consent forms.... I signed happily.

    I am sorry that I had to be the bad news bearer, and I do really realize that it doesn't happen often.... But with the more research I do on it, the more I find out it does happen. : / 

    Just make SURE you make an informed decision... : ) I guess I didn't.... and just trusted. AND didn't want to feel that much pain again!

    Best of luck to you in your decisions!!

     

     
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    TessaDL    October 19, 2007   Orange County, CA

    I didn't have one or any kind of pain relief at all.  I've heard too many horror stories about epidurals and honestly the thought of a giant needle in my back scared me far more than natural child birth.  And I'm actually against epidurals,

    Also, this sounds weird but your body has a way of giving you natural pain relief in a way.  You kind of go into shock and your mind and your body kind of disconnect.  I know it sound crazy but trust me, there is something to that.  

    This a great website and it helped me a lot with my decision: Empowering Each Woman Giving Birth Naturally. It's Rikki Lake's website, she also has a documentary worth checking out.  

     
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    eeniebeans    October 9, 2010   Baltimore

    Had an epidural with my first child- 9 hour labor start to finish, and only pushed 15 minutes so definitely did not slow things down too much.  I will be having an epidural with this child too.  They don't give out a medal at the end for giving birth naturally.

     
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    TessaDL    October 19, 2007   Orange County, CA

    @eeniebeans: I wasn't asking for a medal, that's for sure! It was just my personal choice and I wasn't asking for any kind of special treatment or reward or anything. Probably the main reason I gave birth naturally was because of my own shear determination and stubbornness!! LOL! 

     

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