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I am really killing my own threads today :( No one has heard of this??
i have heard of it, and debated it... but i am going to go natural so it is not an option for me... i have heard good things though.. it makes it so you can walk around and don't have to just lay up in bed after being numbed..
@daniellemybelle: I have never heard of this before. It might be an option though...if natural is too much to endure.
@brittanymichelle: Good for you! That is my goal as well, but like @PrncssDva said, I'd like to have a back-up plan that helps with pain and still allows me to labor as normally as possible.
After more research, I found that they inject a narcotic into your spine that works immediately, and then a very low dose of anesthesia through the epidural IV. I know narcotics have been connected to troubles with breastfeeding immediately, and I'm not sure I feel comfortable with the risk of the drugs being passed on to the baby. I think I'd rather ask for a low dose of a "classic" epidural than ask for a "walking" epidural. Interesting stuff!
@daniellemybelle: WOW.....giving a mother narcotics seems strange to me.
I have a really high pain threshhold, like seriously I am hardly ever in pain. If I can handle giving birth naturally then fine but the moment it starts hurting so much I want to break my husbands hand off then I will have me an epidural. I don't think there is nothing wrong with having an epidural, everyone feels different things. I also want to give birth in a hospital on a bed none of that at home births or water births :P
I think the "epi lite" is the best of both worlds but the worst of both worlds in a way. I think there is still risk that you wouldn't be able to walk, and I don't think all docs/hopspitals offer it. My friend did have a full epidural, though, and she actually had them lower it before she pushed, so she could feel more.
We did Bradley Birth Classes and it was amazing. We learned how to have a natural birth, bonded closer, and met a lot of nice people. Look into it because it's not as bad as it seems, I promise (even though I would've never believed myself).
Oh I had never heard of this. I am almost overwhelmed with all of the (conflicting) information out there so I have done very little research until we're ready to really TTC. Thanks for mentioning this! I have always been fearful of the classic epidural, my mother had one when she gave birth to my brother (13 years ago) and it caused her major spinal issues (I don't remember the specifics). But this is something I think I'd research as a possible option.
I don't think it's a good idea for some of the reasons that have already been stated. Chances are, any amount of the epidural you will not be able to walk, change position, etc. Those things are too important to me to sacrifice. Plus, I plan on giving birth at a birth center where it would not even be an option. I think if I went into labor knowing an epidural was an option I would not do the mental preparation necessary to get through without because you always have your back up plan.
I actually work in Labor & Delivery and a co-worker recently brought in this movie that I really enjoyed. It's called "The Business of Giving Birth". It sounds like you are doing a lot of research which is so wonderful because I think a lot of expectant mothers really do not have any idea about various birthing processes. That movie really opened my eyes....it goes against all hospital practices (which is what I do) but is a must see movie for all moms!
Anyways... the medication given is going to vary from patient to patient... but for the very large hospital system I work for we do not allow a mother to "crouch or squat" during delivery.... It sounds like you should explore a mid-wife option or Bradley Birth Classes like another gal posted!?
Ooops.. the movie is actually "The Business of Being Born''. :)
See the movie @MelBell11 talks about or read the book Rikki Lake, yes Rikki Lake, co-authored. It opened my eyes while not trash talking births. I gave birth in a Birth Center and it was nice and the nurses were helpful for the most part.
@MelBell11: I plan to explore a midwife option, but I hope to be able to combine more natural childbirth with a hospital birth. I know a lot of people don't do this but I think you can get the best of both worlds. Even though I don't want an over-medicalized birth, I would feel safer birthing in a hospital, or a birth center attached to/affiliated with a hospital.
I think that sounds like a great idea! I know that I am not going to be able to go the all natural route so I'll look into options like this when it is time. When I have severe cramping from my endometriosis my body overheats and I often lose consciousness from the pain so I don't really want to risk the chance of passing out during labor.
I have no idea what I would do yet, but I enjoy reading all the posts! We are TTC next month. I dont like pain so drugs would be nice, but the needle scares me!
Awww it's really fantastic that you are considering what would work best for you, your body, and family. There are women who give birth within the hospital, have a doctor, and also have a midwife. When you decide upon a hospital you would want to make sure they allow your midwife in the room/OR or even if they would let you have a birth plan. It really varies everywhere, but the main goal is getting mommy and newborn out healthy with the best experience possible.
I don't have anything to contribute to the debate, having not given birth myself, but I do want to compliment everyone on this thread. I've done a lot of research on childbirth and it seems that whenever the epidural question comes up on other sites, people commenting become so polarized and "yell" their opinions about what is best at each other. But NOT here on this thread :-) I'm so impressed! Thanks everyone for your honest & polite opinions!!!
does anyone know if tricare pays for birth centers or midwives?
All the birth stories on here lately are really freaking me out, I don't think I will be able to have an epidural so I will be au natural whether I want to or not. Makes me nervous.
@daniellemybelle: I would listen to this podcast episode: http://www.pregtastic.com/everything-epidurals/ It's been a looooonnnngg time since I've done so, but if I"m not mistaken the expert they have on the show states that the walking epidural is largely misunderstood. From what he describes I'm not sure you would get the experience you are looking for.
One thing to keep in mind, is that when you get the epidural they also are going to monitor your blood pressure (I believe it has to be done for 20 minutes every hour) and you will also have an IV. It's going to be difficult to be mobile with all of that going on. But that Pregtastic podcast should answer a lot of your questions!
@avocado: Thanks Jenna! I love your blog :) I will definitely listen to that podcast - I already like the name of the blog!
I live in a large metropolitan area, and none of the hospitals around here (probably over a dozen) allow them, so I think it would be very, very rare that a walking epidural is allowed. The reason given is that more often than not, it becomes a "falling down epidural," which, obviously, the hospital would want to avoid.
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So I am several years from TTC but I love reading birth stories and learning about birth - can't be too prepared, right? Anyway, I have been conflicted about whether or not I would want an epidural when I give birth one day. I am not into the over-medicalization of birth, and would like to have a midwife and/or doula attend my birth, and avoid unnecessary interventions as much as possible. One of the big drawbacks of an epidural in my opinion is that it can stall labor and make it hard for a mom to know when to push because she can't feel her contractions. Still, I've heard enough stories and seen enough YouTube videos (yikes!) to know that if my labor ends up being prolonged and severely painful, I will want pain relief!
Well, in my (Google) research, I came across "walking" or "light" epidurals, where a very low dose is given so that you can still feel your contractions, but the pain is lessened. You can still get up and move around and go to the bathroom, and you can crouch or squat to deliver your baby because you can feel your legs. This seems like a great option and I'm surprised I've never heard of it before! Has anyone had one or is anyone thinking of having one?