MemberAt my first ChildBirth Education class the teacher mentioned that 8 out of 10 moms get a epidural. The 2 out of 10 because some just come in too late for an epidural and I’m assuming those that opt not to.
So just curious what percentage of us Bees got epidurals, took pain pills or went completely med free.
Please share!
MemberThe plan was to go all natural, but then I was induced with Pitocin and I couldn’t take it – I asked for an epidural after 6 hours, being dilated only at 3.5…
MemberI had Pitocin with the first and NO pain meds. #2 I had Iv pain medication at 7 centimeters and it completely stalled labor. I went on to completely dialate with out it and ended up getting a spinal block at 10 cm ( most doctors wont do this).
MemberFor my sons birth (he is now 3) I had ALL the medications. It was a complicated labor and I don’t think I would have gotten threw it without the meds. I almost had a C section but was able to get him out on my own. With that said I really wish I could have done it without the meds. My son now has Sensory Intigration Disorder and possibly has ADHD but still to young to be diagnosed. I really feel like it is my fault for taking the meds. I feel guilty about it. For my next one (we are ttc now) I plan to do it natural. I don’t want any meds at all not even pitocin.
MemberI took a pill (not sure which one) earlier in the labor, when the contractions were super uncomfortable but not enough to warrant hardcore meds. Once my contractions were hard and I couldn’t handle the pain well anymore, I was able to get the epidural. FWIW, my labors were induced (baby’s were big and full term but not wanting to come out 🙂 so there were more meds involved than in a natural labor to begin with.
MemberMy first labour I had a Morphine injection during the contractions and after the birth I had to have stitches, so they put me on gas which made me as high as a kite.
Second time around I only had gas on a very low setting for the period where the contractions get really strong just before starting to push. They more gave it to me to help me concentrate on my breathing, which is why it was on a super low setting. I didnt get the feeling of being high and dizzy though, thats how low it was.
MemberAnd wow, 8 out of 10 get an epidural? I think the stats here in Aus are a lot lower then that. The hospital where I had both my children only use epidural in urgent situations. And the other two local hospitals in my area do not even have epidural as an option. If you birth there and get complications they have to transfer you to the hospital I went to for one.
MemberInterestingly enough with a little research apparently the Epidural Rate in Aus varies depending on Hospitals and Doctors.
The hospital where I gave birth has an epidural rate of 30% which has been falling over recent years.
MemberI had to have everything, and apparently I had some pill as well, even though I don’t remember it at all.
I started labouring 40 hours before my son was born, and somewhere in the middle my contractions stopped so I had some drugs to make me have them, then an epidural because they were so strong. And gas.
I don’t remember most of it, and I was really wanting a natural birth, but my body said no. Stupid body, lol.
MemberEpidural rates are higher in Private hospitals in Australia because they can be planned and paid for ahead of time. Well, that’s what I read somewhere… O.o
MemberThank you everyone for sharing! I think it’s helpful to know that you might go into labor thinking one thing but mother nature or baby has another idea in mind!
That was per my childbirth instructor. So it might be a statistic for that specific hospital, I’m not sure.
MemberNo meds and I had labor start Friday morning and I didn’t have Wombat until Sunday morning. My labor stalled, but we restarted it using natural techniques. In all honesty, I really loved my labor. I had meds with Moose, which were pointless. After having meds, not an epidural though, I’ll never have meds for labor. I remember all of the labor and it was really bonding.
MemberI had an epidural, which after 24 hours of horrible back labor, really helped. I was refreshed, clear headed, pushed quickly (took 20 minutes), it didn’t make me fuzzy or affect bonding at all. That was it for pain meds.
I’m hoping to go without this time to compare experiences.
MemberI had an epidural with my daughter, no other pain meds. I actually made the decision long before labor that I was ok with an epidural (if it came to that) but no other narcotics, even though I was preparing for a med-free birth. I have basically the same plan going in with baby #2: I’m ok with getting an epidural if needed, but I don’t want any other pain meds.
Memberi had an epidural and honestly…so glad i did. after hours of really intense back-to-back contractions, it was like heaven. i was able to rest, get some much needed sleep, and enjoy my labor with hubby by my side. i felt like i was laying on the beach 🙂 my labor progressed quickly (i went from 3cm to fully dilated in 6 hours) and my son was born with no health issues for either of us. i know things work out differently for everyone, but i will definitely be getting one for future babies 🙂
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