I was very much of the mind set that I will try to go med-free but we'll see what happens when I get there. I've pretty much have taken that same thought process already for this pregnancy.
I had an epi and had an easy recovery. From the time my water broke to the time I delivered was about 29 hours, I had a "failed" epi at first, the Dr removed it and before I could say NO more stuck another one in. However; by the time I actually pushed and delievered the epi was pretty much gone, it really helped me sleep for a while which is what I needed. My Dr had to cut me a little so I did have a few stiches but I was up and walking around and out and about after I had my son.
Again, we'll see how it goes when I get to the hospital for this baby. If I feel like I need it I'll take it no reason to feel like I'm doing something wrong or failing myself if I don't (that's just my mind set).
Post by brickhouse on Sept 17, 2014 11:09:59 GMT -5
I had PPD with my first. Had Demerol and an epidural. Breastfeeding was unsuccessful and my baby was very groggy and tired. We couldn't ever get a good latch. I felt awful the entire evening and next several days.
Second child I decided I wanted to go med free. It was extremely important to me to breastfeed successfully, and I wanted to make sure the odds were with me. I did it. Had zero PPD, instantly bonded with my second baby, and breastfed immediately after birth. She is almost 2 and we are still going strong.
You can do it. Birth affirmations, watching positive birth videos, and breathing helped the most. Pressure on my back and being able to labor with movement was very helpful too. If you're wanting a med free experience, make sure your doctor or midwife is supportive of your birth plan. I made sure the nurses knew to not offer me pain meds while I was in labor, and they were very respectful of that. Good luck!
There is a lot of research about epidurals leading to more negative outcomes... just a few of the studies:
A review of multiple studies concluded epidurals increase chance of interventions and subsequent complications and decrease chance of vaginal birth, and weaken the newborn's immune system www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12011872/
There are plenty of other studies that show evidence that epidurals affect natural fluctuations in the neurotransmitters and hormone levels that are responsible for many of the above processes, so building a case that this is actually a cause and effect thing, not just correlational.
For me, it was worth it to go pain-med free with both labors.
In your source, there are just as many studies saying the opposite.
Post by badtzmaru22 on Sept 17, 2014 11:17:54 GMT -5
I had an epi the first time, but not the second, but it wasn't on purpose. I was only in labor about an hour total with #2, and the anesthesiologist came in to tell me the risks, and I felt like I had to push.
Honestly, pushing felt about the same both times, but it was much easier for me to focus with the epidural (and oxygen I had to have that time). I tore about the same as well, but recovery for me was SO MUCH better without the epi. I felt amazing after giving birth the first time, just because of the emotional high, but I felt fucking amazing after my med-free birth. AND I felt like a bad ass for pushing out an almost ten pound baby in 15 minutes with no meds.
If I ever have another baby (not likely) and I can somehow magically know that I'll have another short labor, I'd skip the epi and actually plan for a med-free birth instead of just winging it. For a first labor, with not knowing how long it would be, (ended up being 6-7 hours of epi time I think) it was definitely the right choice. Oh, and I had to have it redone because it only worked on one side, and that sucked. But it was fine after it got fixed.
Personally, I say that the money spent on the epidural was the best money I have ever spent. I have a very low pain tolerance, so I knew going in, I wanted an epidural. I was much more relaxed and present, mentally. I feel like I would have missed so much had I been in pain. It went so fast as it is. For me, it was very important to be aware and mentally there during delivery, and I know I wouldn't have been had I been in pain.
Two of my best friends went without the epidural, though, and said they loved their experiences, and even did it again.
It is a really personal experience. Honestly, the most important thing is to know that it will happen the way it will happen. Maybe you don't get it, and make it through without a problem. Maybe you decide to wait and see. Maybe you decide, like me, to get one as soon as possible. But you have to do what it right for you.
ETA: in terms of recovery, I thought it was very easy, actually. I stopped bleeding completely by five weeks, and no heavy bleeding after a couple of weeks. I was sore for a few days, but then fine (as long as I wasn't using the stairs). I may have played it up, though, so H would keep bringing me snacks and stuff.
Post by TrudyCampbell on Sept 17, 2014 11:34:58 GMT -5
I did med free for my first, pushed for 3 hours, had a great birth but then a horrifying recovery due to a post partum hemorrhage.
For my second, I decided to get the epidural, but I accidentally gave birth 8 minutes after they placed it so it never had a chance to kick in. They took the epi out immediately after the birth so it was in for under 30 minutes probably. My recovery was awesome. I was up and about immediately.
If I had a third, I wouldn't get an epidural. I regret getting it because my 2nd labor was really manageable. I didn't need it, I was just really tired.
Did anybody else NOT find their contractions more painful with pitocin? Granted, I (most likely) did not go through any part of transition w/o the epi either time, but the contractions I did feel with E were no more painful than the ones I felt with J. They were closer together, but honestly, I was freaking out so much the first part of Joanna's labor that I didn't really have time to collect myself between contractions anyway.
I don't know that I'm really "qualified" to answer but I never really felt the contractions to much before or after the pitocin I had. DS was sunny side up so all my focus was completely on my back so even after the pitocin I was so focused on the fact that I thought my back was going burn off I really don't remember to many contractions at all (even though they were there based on the monitor).
I had PPD with my first. Had Demerol and an epidural. Breastfeeding was unsuccessful and my baby was very groggy and tired. We couldn't ever get a good latch. I felt awful the entire evening and next several days.
This was most likely the Demerol and not the epidural. I had ppd and latching issues with my first and none with my second and I had an epi both times.
Some of the scare tactics in here are ridiculous and inaccurate but @wandering addressed them.
Here is my advice as someone who sees this frequently. Typically it is harder to go med free your first time, because there are a lot more unknowns. Some do it, some eventually get the epi. The first time you don't have a "proven pelvis" and you have no reference for how long you could possibly labor. It is fear of the unknown or future pain then the current pain sometimes. It is hard to be tied down in a bed with monitors if you are trying to go med free, so getting induced does make it harder because it will limit your movements. Some moms still manage that as well. I have seen some that say "ehhh, I would like to go no epi if I can" do it, and I have seen moms with doulas and deeply researched coping mechanisms not make it. It is very different for each person.
-I think it depends on how your labor progresses. If baby is positioned well and you do it quickly, your chances are better. If you get stuck at four cm for hours and can't see an end in site, it's harder. -a lot of people get frantic with the pain, and they can't do it. If you can get your head around its good pain, and stay in control of your mind and breathing, it's more manageable - around transition (7-8 cm) everyone loses their mind. But by then, if you have made it that far, the end is in site and it becomes very hard to sit still for an epi. -your nurse makes a huge difference. Ask for the most "natural friendly" nurse they have. Some really suck at natural patients, and others may be the only reason you get through it.
Post by bittybomb on Sept 17, 2014 11:48:48 GMT -5
I've given birth 3 times. No c sections. I had the epidural each time. With my first, I felt like I was made to push before I was ready, and I really couldn't feel a damned thing. I pushed for almost 3 hours, but it was so forced. I was exhausted by the time he came.
With my second, my ob strongly suspected the cord was around her neck so she was vacuum assisted, and I pushed for like 10 minutes before she was out. Again, didn't feel a damned thing.
With my third, my ob turned down the epidural right before I was to push. Even though I had the epidural, I could feel it all, and it was literally amazing. The epidural, I imagine, definitely took the edge off, but I literally felt him coming out when I had not ever felt that with either of his siblings.
My epidurals all wore off at one point or another and I needed several topoffs, and I can tell you that those were the most painful fucking minutes of my life. I would never want to experience that the entire time I was laboring.
Post by sometimesrunner on Sept 17, 2014 11:49:48 GMT -5
I could be a spokesperson for the epidural. My delivery went swimmingly and I'm so glad I got the epi. H and I were watching America's Funniest Home Videos between contractions.
If there's a part of you that wants to go natural, I would look into Bradley classes or the like. Be prepared, but know that signing up for a class or reading a book doesn't lock you into not getting an epi. You don't have to decide until you're in the moment.
I'm not going to go point by point about these articles that you posted, but saying that these articles show that epidurals lead to negative outcomes is misleading.
Statistically, women who get epidurals have greater negative outcomes. There is also evidence for a causal relationship, not just correlation. True, not every woman who has an epidural has any or one of these negative outcomes, but as many have pointed out, there is no way to predict what will happen to any individual during L&D. Personally, my priority was to reduce the risk of those outcomes over reducing the pain of labor. OP will obviously choose as she sees fit.
ok, this is just grating and sanctimonious. It also sets up moms to begin the cycle of self doubt and insecurity in the eyes of other moms. "oh, well *I* weighed the risks, and decided that for MY baby, it wasn't worth it, but if you decide it's worth the risk because the pain is too much, well, you do you." *fake smile.*
Yes, that's putting words into your mouth, but that's exactly what I saw when I read that bolded statement.
Motherhood is hard. It comes at you like a slap in the face and even when you think you're ready for it, you're not. Labor is physically and mentally exhausting, no matter how you go about it. The absolute last thing anyone needs is to have a seed of guilt planted in their mind about "putting their baby at risk" when really, getting pain meds is, perhaps, one of the LEAST risky things one can do during pregnancy. Smoking? Drinking like a fish? Getting high out of your mind? Continuing a beloved hobby of MMA cage fighting? Huge risks. Epidural? Maybe not so much.
I've worked with moms who've flat out told me they failed, and are completely crushed that they "broke down" and used pain medication. That should never happen, and I find it awful that the notion that they could somehow fail in HOW they labored was even put into their head. That not even 24 hours into it, they're beating themselves up about doing something wrong. No. They got through it, and are freaking rockstars. As is every other mother who starts that journey.
OP - do what's right for you. Maybe that's laboring without meds. Maybe that's getting pain medication. Maybe it's going to involve discovering (like I did) that your pain tolerance is very different than you though it was, and you'll tell the anesthesiologist "I'll do anything for you. Anything you want. Just make the pain stop." But please DON'T allow yourself to feel guilty or disappointed in yourself if things don't go as planned. Birth can be empowering in all of its varied forms.
I had PPD with my first. Had Demerol and an epidural. Breastfeeding was unsuccessful and my baby was very groggy and tired. We couldn't ever get a good latch. I felt awful the entire evening and next several days.
This was most likely the Demerol and not the epidural. I had ppd and latching issues with my first and none with my second and I had an epi both times.
Some of the scare tactics in here are ridiculous and inaccurate but @wandering addressed them.
Here is my advice as someone who sees this frequently. Typically it is harder to go med free your first time, because there are a lot more unknowns. Some do it, some eventually get the epi. The first time you don't have a "proven pelvis" and you have no reference for how long you could possibly labor. It is fear of the unknown or future pain then the current pain sometimes. It is hard to be tied down in a bed with monitors if you are trying to go med free, so getting induced does make it harder because it will limit your movements. Some moms still manage that as well. I have seen some that say "ehhh, I would like to go no epi if I can" do it, and I have seen moms with doulas and deeply researched coping mechanisms not make it. It is very different for each person.
-I think it depends on how your labor progresses. If baby is positioned well and you do it quickly, your chances are better. If you get stuck at four cm for hours and can't see an end in site, it's harder. -a lot of people get frantic with the pain, and they can't do it. If you can get your head around its good pain, and stay in control of your mind and breathing, it's more manageable - around transition (7-8 cm) everyone loses their mind. But by then, if you have made it that far, the end is in site and it becomes very hard to sit still for an epi. -your nurse makes a huge difference. Ask for the most "natural friendly" nurse they have. Some really suck at natural patients, and others may be the only reason you get through it.
I think this is so very true regardless of whether you go natural or not. I was lucky enough to have the same very amazing nurse for my second and third. With the nurse for my first delivery, she was more concerned with my husband's comfort than mine, which totally ticked me off. She apparently felt I was squeezing his hand a bit too tightly and instead offered me a towel.
Post by FastHands on Sept 17, 2014 11:57:53 GMT -5
And I didn't read all of the replies so ignore if it's been covered, but talk to your dr about your cath worries. They may be able to ease them.
I thought I'd want to do med free fwiw, but only bec I was worried about impact to baby. But I also told dh that it felt silly to make a plan before I really know what labor is like. I mean, in planning for "cold weather" you might think, "oh, I can tough it out without a snowsuit." But maybe your plan is figuring on like 45 degrees, but you find out it's actually 20 below. Lol. And every person is different in contraction intensity, not just pain tolerance, so talking/reading can only get you so far. So when mine felt like my already-sore hips were being stabbed, I knew I would lose my mind without the epi.
Post by sharknado on Sept 17, 2014 11:58:32 GMT -5
You guys, you guys, you guys. My birth plan was to have no birth plan. It worked out excellently. Both of my births were sooooo different. I hate being pregnant with all of my being and I wanted number 2 out so badly that my OB stripped my membranes at 39 weeks and I had him that day. No meds, there wasn't time and I was PISSED. My recovery with him was so much worse, I almost died due to a blood clot in my uterus. I had an epi with my daughter and the easiest recovery ever. Both kids latched just fine and nursed well.
My poor nurse offered her hands for me to squeeze after H almost passed out while I was getting the epidural. lol
My nurse asked if dh wanted to sit in front of me or if he was the queasy sort, in which case she would. I am SO GLAD DH did it. I blew hard during a contraction fighting to stay still, and I saw dh like flinch. After the dr left I was like "omg is my breath terrible?!??" He paused, considering what to say, and finally said "....it's a little bit ripe..." lol
kristie, what are your thoughts on epidurals slowing labor? And then I know some people say the epi relaxed them enough that they were able to progress when they couldn't before. Does it make a difference how early you get them? Is it a crapshoot? Dependent on the individual? Or is there no cause and effect relationship there at all?
Anecdotally, I have no issues with epidurals at any time. My orders are usually wide open for when I can get the patient an epidural. I prefer to have a decent contraction pattern and to see cervical change, but I have done it without that for some. I don't think it slows them down from what I have seen. But if I can't get a good contraction pattern or cervical change, her body might not be ready to deliver (medical inductions), and getting the epi early might limit options later.
Post by sandyapples on Sept 17, 2014 12:06:11 GMT -5
I had any Epi both times and was induced both times. For DD1 I wanted to go med free but I didn't really prepare myself for it. I was really scared of having horrible complications. I can tell you I was the happiest I have even been in my life when it kicked in. With DD2 I went in planning on it, got it when I was about 4cms and it was great. Both times I could still feel contractions and when to push. I had no issues after and a quick recovery.
I was induced and doing ok with no epi until they broke my water. Then the Dr. was like, "it will probably be pretty painful now, so let your nurse know if you want some ibuprofen", as he waltzed out the room. IBUPROFEN! Luckily my nurse saw my face and immediately put in for the epi, thus saving that fool's life. Lol. That thing was glorious, and I was asleep before the anesthesiologist had left the room. The only thing I eventually felt was a lot of pressure as I was unknowingly laboring down. I didn't feel anything during pushing, but I just listened to the nurse who was coaching me through the contractions on the monitor. It only took a few minutes to get her out. I was also a big fan of the catheter and was sad when I eventually had to get up to pee.
That said, I'm hoping to go into labor on my own next time and to labor med-free for as long as possible. I could have handled the contractions if I had been able to move around. They hurt, but being immobile was what made them unbearable. Unfortunately, moving wasn't an option due to my pre-e.
Post by FastHands on Sept 17, 2014 12:09:22 GMT -5
Also, there is absolutely no way to have a causal link bet epis and slow breathing or other neg effects because labor is not and cannot be a controlled experiment. Confounding variables that often impact whether a woman GETS an epi are jyst as likely to impact (if not be solely responsible for) those negative outcomes. I did extensive research, and for me it was enough that I was willing to try, but not enough to rule out the epi. I did rule out iv psin meds fwiw.
Post by MJHershey on Sept 17, 2014 12:09:25 GMT -5
Well, My first was an induction and I had an epidural at 4cm and really enjoyed it, it helped me rest and save up energy. it did not slow anything down that I know of, and the labor was pretty uneventful. I did tear (2nd degree) but he came out pretty fast once I started pushing so I figured that was pretty standard.
DS2 came on his own and fast. Between first contraction and birth was about 4 hours. We got to the hospital about 15 minutes before he was born so no time for an epidural. My body had been involuntarily pushing for an hour on the way there so it kind of took on a life of it's own. I cursed when i put two and two together and realized i was going to do this without meds... but you know what?
It was actually just fine. Granted, it was a fast labor so I didn't have a lot of time in pain. But my body was doing it on it's own and while it hurt and it stung, I liked being able to know that I was pushing correctly. I also liked not having to worry about "getting my legs back" and recovery was a lot easier (also i realize it was my second kid).
I also tore with him, but he was a pound bigger and also came fast, but I don't think the tear was a significant.
I NATURALLY shoved my kids out, after receiving an epidural. My friend NATURALLY carried her son and then birthed him via csection. People who go med free don't get to co opt "natural." We need not get into "well, she didn't have an epi, but took a couple ibuprofen that morning so she was quasi natural but not totally natural and also I totally saw her eat some cheetos and those are totes made with chemical preservatives."
Did anybody else NOT find their contractions more painful with pitocin? Granted, I (most likely) did not go through any part of transition w/o the epi either time, but the contractions I did feel with E were no more painful than the ones I felt with J. They were closer together, but honestly, I was freaking out so much the first part of Joanna's labor that I didn't really have time to collect myself between contractions anyway.
My water broke with C before they started the pit. The contractions got insanely intense after my water was broken, I did not notice a difference when they started the pit. I also think I didn't expect the pit to make it worse, if that makes any sense?
I am reminded by reading these stories that the biggest takeaway is, you don't know how YOU labor until, well, you're in labor.
Example: I threw up during every contraction. After 24 hours I just. could. not. do. it. anymore. Enter epi.
Had it not been for that, I might have been able to handle the pain. Who knows. Point is, labor is different for everyone and I kind of think the "YOU CAN DO IT" affirmations, while well meaning, can set someone up to feel like a failure. Barfing for 24 hours? No, I can't, nor could most women, and its unreasonable to expect someone to, KWIM?
I hate that this debate is so loaded when the important part, the kid, is the same.
My nurse asked if dh wanted to sit in front of me or if he was the queasy sort, in which case she would. I am SO GLAD DH did it. I blew hard during a contraction fighting to stay still, and I saw dh like flinch. After the dr left I was like "omg is my breath terrible?!??" He paused, considering what to say, and finally said "....it's a little bit ripe..." lol
lolll
I felt worse for the anesthetist b/c I was farting the entire time she was placing the epi.
This is cracking me up. My H said my anesthesiologist was a cocky bastard, and that he was showing off and twirling the instruments around all fancy-like as he was working. The nurses were apparently rolling their eyes.
I felt worse for the anesthetist b/c I was farting the entire time she was placing the epi.
This is cracking me up. My H said my anesthesiologist was a cocky bastard, and that he was showing off and twirling the instruments around all fancy-like as he was working. The nurses were apparently rolling their eyes.
Omg douche. Probably with women waiting in agony, too.
Apparently mine was really hot? Dh commented later like yeah I bet you loved that anesthesiologist! But I didn't get his point at all. I could not have picked that man out of a lineup if my life depended on it. He was mostly behind me, but moreso I was just not really aware of ANYTHING let alone checking out a hottie. Lol
Post by lightyears on Sept 17, 2014 12:52:14 GMT -5
my epidural was a life saver. it was so worth it. i was actually able to rest. and i was sooooo sure i wouldn't need it.
now, it did wear off though and my anesthesiologist had to pull it and then she placed a fucking high spinal before my c/s, but that's a completely different story.