Labor and Delivery

Samantha - posted on 01/08/2009

Oh honey, let me help you.  I am a nurse (although not a labor and delivery nurse but an ICU nurse) so I know a thing or 2 about meds.  The epidural will save your life.  I feel very strongly about this.  I had one and it was heavenly!!  I actually had the combined spinal-epidural, which is a specific kind that gives you immediate relief, with sustained relief for later on when the immediate drug begins to wear off.  The epidural itself was designed to be 80% effective, which is supposed to help you feel to push.  It did, even though that 20% got bad after a while!  By the time I had to push though, it stopped hurting so much because you could actually do something with the contractions (push the baby out).  I got a wonderful book called "Easy Labor" that helped me immensely to decide what kind of pain control I wanted to use.  It described them all in detail.  I decided against narcotics because they make you feel "out of it" and they are much more likely to cause drowsiness in the newborn.  The epidural is sooooo safe nowadays since they are done routinely, including for some back surgeries.  I've had patients come back post-operatively from back surgeries with epidurals that saved their lives!  The risk of becoming paralyzed is so small that it's hardly even considered to be a risk.  I'm telling you, once you feel that pain and it gets bad, you're going to be like, "I'll take the risk!"  Don't worry about classes.  I'm sure that breathing exercises would not have helped me through the pain.  Focusing is important, but everyone is different.  Don't be hard on yourself about classes; you may have to get a c-section and not even use what you learned anyway, which would feel like a waste.

Erica - posted on 01/08/2009

Thanks for all of your birth stories and your recommendations.  I am pregnant for the first time, and expecting twins in early June (although I hope I deliver in mid to late may, truthfully!).  I only know one thing--I am a HORRIBLE patient and I do not deal well with pain at all, whether my body is made to do this, or not.  Based on that, I am thinking that I need to find a way to be as comfortable as possible, and if that means some sort of drugs, I guess that's what I need.  I will talk to my OB as time progresses here--so far I am having a good pregnancy with nothing to be concerned about.  I am on track with fetal growth, weight gain, blood pressure, blood levels, etc.  I definitely plan on taking the hospital tour and maybe an accelerated class that my husband can attend with me, if the hospital offers that.  I don't know that we could do a six week lamaze class, but we'll see what my doctor recommends.  I am quite nervous about giving birth, the length of time, the pain, any dangers that whatever happens in the process can be to my babies, but hopefully all will be well!  Thanks for all of your stories and advice here.  I'm glad I signed up for this community group!

Crystal - posted on 01/07/2009

I am terrified of getting needles in my back too! I don't really know what to tell you because a lot depends on the options available at the hospital you are delivering. Talk to your doctor or a health nurse about the options available to you and discuss the pros and cons of each. Both of my girls were emergency ceasareans, tho, so someone had to hold me and force me to get the epidural. It wasn't that bad the with the first one, but the second one had to try twice to get it... and I'm still ok. Still, I understand how you feel. The thought of another needle in my back makes me want to be sick...

Megan - posted on 01/07/2009

I had the same fear of the epidural as you do and wanted to go through my labor as naturally as possible. I think the thing that helped me out the most was taking a shower and then later getting into a jet tub. I didn't deliver in the tub but the warm water and the jets were definitely helpful during the contractions so I could relax a little bit. Hope everything goes well with your delivery.

Hanna - posted on 01/07/2009

I agree with Ida, I would take a child-birth class just to make sure what the hospital policies are and to make sure that you and hubby are on the same page. as far as general stuff, well yeah unless u take the full 6 weeks Lamaze course, you'll be able to learn all of it in books. However, i think it's worthwhile to take the course just to know what will happen at the hospital where you deliver and definitely talk to your OB before going into labor to make sure that you are both on the same page.

now as far as natural vs drugs -- hospitals are set up to protect themselves against any possible liabilities and them and your doctors are on time schedule (whether you like it or not) so they will induce labor, give u and epidural, and do whatever is necessary to deliver you as fast as possible and as efficiently as possible (and if that means that you'll need to get stitched up, then so be it). also, please be aware that the more drugs they put into you, the more money they make. This is why if you want to go completely natural, you do have to ask a ton of questions about the IVs and everything else they give to you (and in a few hospitals you actually have to request for them not to do it because it's standard procedure). Again, this is why u should take the childbirth class -- to learn the procedures & policies of the hospital and also if you do want to go natural, to make sure ur hubby knows what to expect (quite a few of them are known to faint believe it or not).

now for the drugs, if you need them, definitely get them -- last thing you want is to go into a marathon labor and be worn out by the time u need to push the baby out. read some literature before you go in (as much as u possibly can in such short period of time) and find out where you need to show up for delivery.

as far as "having to be induced" when the baby is late -- my mom went through 3 completely natural childbirths (2 after an operation -- her uterus broke & she lost a set of twins at 4 months so it was similar to a c-section, a bit worse) -- we all came out fine, she did have longer labor and her two older kids (my sister and i) were 4 & 3 weeks late. we all came out fine with no complications and if anything, i was a very early developer (having sat in her the longest). but back then, instead of inducing labor, they did an extra ultra-sound to make sure the baby was ok and they only went in if something was wrong with the baby. Of course my mom lucked out that her OB was also known for having low intervention rates (which included turning the baby to make sure he comes out ok), but it's definitely something to think about when it comes to modern medicine.
either way, only you can decide what you want and what's best for you. my personal advice, try to go natural before everything else (just find out up to which point u can still ask for drugs if you need them), you might be one of the lucky ones that won't need any and u'll have a quick labor. if you are active and exercising, it should definitely help a lot (and if you've taken prenatal yoga, you know all the breathing and the meditation routines to work through the pain). Good luck to you and congratulations!

Tanna - posted on 01/07/2009

Hi Tracy -

My husband and I welcomed our precious little girl this past August.  We didn't take any classes at all.  I always told myself that women are built to do this and I was certain I could pull through without being "taught".  As far as the epidural - I too had a fear of it but I promise you that by that point the little bit of pain you go through for them to insert the needle is nothing compared to the pain you go through feeling each and every contraction.  After my epidural I was so relaxed that I was able to take a nap and when I woke up my precious Kaylee was making her way into the world.  I pushed for 13 minutes and didn't feel a thing.  The numb feeling isn't bad at all - as a matter of fact, when you are done it's not like you want to go running around the hospital floors anyways.  If I would do it all over again - I wouldn't change a thing. 

Good luck to you - it'll be tough, but I promise it's ALL worth it!

Ida - posted on 01/07/2009

Dear Tracy, my partner and I did the one day accelerated course at our hospital and found it to be very useful. Not only did it include a tour of the facility (so things felt more familiar) but we , also learned about hospital specific policies that may affect you. For example, at our hospital they allow epidurals any time up to before the baby crowns, at others they will not allow it after,say, you are 4cm dilated etc. So I'd strongly recommend it - given it is one where you and your partner can go.

In terms of pain stuff - I had to go for an induction because of high blood pressure I developed that wouldn't go down. About 3 hours after induction started my blood pressure got really really bad so they had to give me narcotics. I felt sad because I didn't want my baby to get it but under the circumstances it saved her life - the blood pressure went down to safer levels (I only got one shot). Another 2 hours later I got the epidural. It was really painless and made a huge difference for us. I delivered my baby about 8 hrs later and the pushing part was only 1 hr and I only got 2 stitches. I'm feeling great. So I'd strongly recommend the epidural and trust in your doctor that when they know you don't want narcotics but have to give it to you for medical reasons, that you will both be ok. labor is not that bad! :) all the best. You'll do great - the best advice I got from a stranger at our baby class - "you were created to have babies, you have all it takes to have this baby, believe in your body". :)

Kelli - posted on 01/07/2009

As for classes, we took them. Didn't help much. Just helped me to remember to breathe slowly during labor! Epidural is a MUST. I got till 5 dialation and then they gave me the epidural. I took anap and when I woke up, pushed for 10 miutes and she was out! Makes the process a lot easier, and less painful!

Jody - posted on 01/07/2009

And I was 8 days early and only in the hospital for 5 hours before giving birth. The epidural didn't slow anything down. They told me I would probably be pushing for a couple hours because an epidural can slow things down but I only pushed for maybe 20 minutes. Also, for me, my epidural only numbed my waste to my thighs. I could still feel my contractions but they weren't intense at all. It's not like you can't feel your whole body or something. Don't think about it to much that's what I did. Enjoy this experience!! It's amazing!

Jody - posted on 01/07/2009

I was very afraid of the epidural and like you I try not to take meds either but when I was experiencing intense contractions I wasn't afraid of it at all. It was a life saver. You will be fine. They made me feel very safe about what they're doing. They do it all the time. You won't even think about because you are over joyed with the thought of your baby entereing the world.

Kylie - posted on 01/07/2009

hi i can understand how you feel, this might settle you abit.......when i had my first i tore from front to back and i had no choice on epidural. i was tired, ached, in pain below but i had help and support to get me in position and it was quick and easy..i wouldnt consider epidural unless the pain in unbearable. i had gas and air and i loved it never had anythig else was amazing! would do it again if i could lol...honestly its not as bad as it sounds

Sonia - posted on 01/06/2009

not long now hey!! good luck go with the flow but also be open to options i had epidural for my first but ended up with emergency C section, but the pain was so so bad i was so pleased i did but you know were all different so just relax and do s your body needs!!!!! i had my 2nd child in august and elected for c section so i am not a grea help to you sorry hope all goes well lol son x

Frances - posted on 01/05/2009

I would say that its nice to have a plan of what you might like to consider (gas etc) and to know your options. However when it comes to it I think its best  to have an open mind and take advice from your medical carers at the time  and also listen to your instincts. I found the gas made me sick but a TENS machine really helped, even if it was only to give me something else to concentrate on. But in the end I did have an epidural which was the best thing for me as I had to have forceps delivery. At the end of the day it is painful but it wasn't as bad as I perhaps imagined and it is true that once you have your baby that really is all that matters. Within a few hours I would have done it all again.

Nadine - posted on 01/03/2009

Hi Tracy, I'm a first time mum also, my son is 7months old. To be honest, I didn't put too much emphasis on what drugs I will use when labour came along. I reckon if you plan it too much, you would worry yourself sick or get disappointed that things didn't go as you wanted it to. I just had it in my mind that whatever happens, I will (and my hubby) decide on the spot.

If I had to use drugs to help me, I wanted to try gas first; which what happened in the end anyways. I remember the pain got abit too much and I asked for an epidural but I was too dilated.

I also used the bath, the exercise ball and Hubby and the midwives were massaging my back which was a great help!

I was in labour for about 6 hours; they had to use the vaccuum on bub since his head was bit tilted or something and all my pushing wasn't doing anything! It didn't hurt at all when they used the vaccuum and when bub was coming out. All I felt was this massive thing coming outta me lol! I think I was just so focused on getting him outta there asap that all the pain literally goes away!

But in the end, just go in there with an open mind and whichever way bub comes out; either natural or C section, be very proud of yourself!!!



Good luck and what a wonderful way to start the new year for you and hubby!



PS. Hubby and I did 2 classes, the Ante Natal (a few of the hubbies fell asleep inc mine lol) and Breastfeeding. Trust me, you didn't miss much lol! As long as you know where the Birth Suite is, the phone number of your hospital, and your bag is packed, you're good to go lol



xoxo

Karen - posted on 01/02/2009

You sound exactly like me - fear of epidural and all. I was going to do the same as you - I hope it works out for you. I ended up having a c-section, so pain meds weren't an issue; I ended up having a spinal. However, the one thing I learned from my birth class that I would have tried was the gas. It sounded like it would have gotten me through the parts that might have made me want to give up and go for the epidural.

Jen - posted on 12/23/2008

Also, I forgot to add that with the epiduaral I couldn't feel the contractions at all until it was time to deliver, then I could only feel them slightly but was stll able to push & deliver by myself except that I had to get an episiotomy. I was able to hold my healthy baby right away and then my husband took him to see waiting family while I got stitched up. And between the morphine that didn't work and the epidural, I sat on the birthing ball for an hour and a half while waiting for the anaestheologist who was in surgery... during that time i went from 1 cm to 3, so it did make progress but it was very painful and i just about screamed at the nurse & my family... the epidural let me relax and made it a much more pleasant experience.... I didn't take classes, but had read a book so felt like I had a pretty good idea of what was going on...

Jaclyn - posted on 12/22/2008

I had Nubain and no epidural it still hurts but you are kind of loopy. I liked it because it didn't knock me so I knew what was going on. Just try and focus and listen to your dr. I squeezed my poor husbands arm so hard he had marks for days!! I have focus point and breath. You will do fine.

Jen - posted on 12/22/2008

Morphine didn't help me either... 18 hours after my water broke I was still only 3 cm.. I was scared of the epidura. but it turned out to be the best decision I could have made (ask my family that I was thoroughly annoyed with by that time).. 3 hours after the epidural my baby boy was in my arms. They say that it helps relax your body which can also speed up the dilating process.. Worked for me and I would start requesting it earlier next time!!

Lynsey - posted on 12/22/2008

Everyone is different so you have to do what is best for you. I was induced early and was only in labor for about 5 hours with my first baby. I went naturally and I wouldn't have changed a thing about it. At the end it's tough but I just kept reminding myself that the Lord wouldn't give me more than I could handle with Him by my side. I also had a very supportive husband. I agree with Jenni. You CAN do anything. I would just keep an open mind going into it. If I had had a long labor I might not have been as lucky with going naturally.

Lysa - posted on 12/21/2008

I tried the laughing gas, taking a bath, I'm alergic to demerol, and the epidural. The epi by far was very soothing and helpful. In rare cases it doesn't work propaly, i was one of them.. My right side hip, leg was completly numb but my left side I felt the pain.

To be honest, I do not regret getting the epidural what so ever. I was able to rest before and it really helped with the pain and it helps you relax your muscles and body and it helps with the dialation and effacement.

Good luck!

Britney - posted on 12/21/2008

i had my baby without drugs and even though it was certainly painful, it was healthier for the both of us and everyone commented on how clear and alert my little girl was for days. if you want to go natural, you have to be determined because if you give yourself an option to change your mind, you'll take it! if you decide you want to go natural, Ina May's Guide to Childbirth is amazing.

Lucina - posted on 12/20/2008

i had the morphine an hour nd half b4 a had my little girl it did no gud 4 me wots so eva, my little girl was born normal untill about an hour later when she had died in her cot the doctors nd midwifes got her back nd tock her to speical care she was in 4 a week coz she kept goin blue and had to give her oxygen plenty of times, now i've got her home she has attacks were she strains her self nd flaps all ova, shes had test done, x-rays and a exchange transfusion coz her blood was to thick nd that was due to my labour, i think u shud perpare urself 4 everything, but theres plenty of babies that cum in to this world everyday and r perfect. so its not to say every baby is born wiv problems, the midwifes and doctors were great wiv me, my lad and r little girl they give us plenty of support and traind us wot to do incase she kept goin blue when we had home.



all my advise is to u is 2 b perpared 4 everything nd gud luck not lyk u will need it as am sure u will do great nd have a healthy strong baby

Shannon - posted on 12/20/2008

I didn't have any, so I am sorry I can't help. I drank a ton of raspberry leaf tea for about 3 weeks before my son was born and my labour was only about 3.5 hours total from start to finish....

With my first child... I had an epidural. Now looking back, I wish I hadn't. It was less pain, but they had to tell me when to push cuz I couldn't feel anything.

If you truely want them... pray your hosptal has more than one person for the pain killers.... ours didn't so I had to wait for over 2 hours with my daughter.... good luck!

Chase - posted on 12/20/2008

Tracy I am a first time mom too I just delivered my baby boy on Dec 16, I didn't do any of the classes to because I figured it was a waste of money because I was going to forget it as soon as I went into labor. I did have drugs for my labor. It was some drug to take the edge off until the epidural was able to be administered. Its not llike you think. It was really easy because they did it after i got the first drug and while i was having a contraction and my nurse held on to me and kept me still. It was worth it I promise. I enjoyed it and was surprised at how well it went. Plus he tore me when he came out and if I didn't have the drug i am sure I would have felt worse.

Natasha - posted on 12/18/2008

Epidural is definitely the way to go... don't be afraid, the needle for the drip that goes into your arm hurts way more. Just be sure to iterate to the anestesiologist your concerns.
Best of luck!

Alison - posted on 12/18/2008

Congratulations! I am Alison and my daughter Grace was born September 4th and all I have to say is DRUGS!! When I first got to the hospital they provided me with Stay-it-all which only lasts an hour but was my best friend! Then I had the epidural and I liked that but make sure they turn it way down before you push because I could not tell when I was having a contraction.



Good luck

Michelle - posted on 12/18/2008

I think it really depends on what kind of hospital you're in. At mine, I couldn't take a shower, there were no tubs, no birthing balls, and I had to be strapped to the monitors all time time (and the IV too). I had really really wanted to go natural, but I ended up asking for the epidural and regret it almost every day. My labor wasn't that long (8 hrs or less from start to finish), I didn't have to have pitocin (my contractions were coming hard and fast on their own) but I still asked for the epidural. I think it also depends on who's there. If you're wanting to go natural, consider having a friend or doula there to support you, because the nurses and your spouse may not (even if you think they know what you want). So get some support, make sure you'll be allowed to move, and I think you'll have an easier time. Good luck!

Laura - posted on 12/18/2008

I didnt have any time for meds.. i didnt know i was in labour so by the time i got to the hospital i was 6cm already.. i tried some gas and air didnt like it so i did it naturally.. delivered my beautiful daughter on the 28th of may 2008.. it was great didnt hurt at all didnt bleed/tear was perfect.. do it without its best.. but can i add that doctors give epidurals every min of everyday there is NO way they will get it wrong.. trust me.xxx

Chloe - posted on 12/18/2008

i am 21 years old and was in labour for a very long 46 hours... i stayed focused on what i needed to do, i must admit it was SO painful but i managed to only have the gas... and i had a very big healthy boy naturally. it did hurt but was so stressfree and natural, i am such a sook and was asking for the epidural and pethedine but it was too late when i had the courage to ask for it DAMN i learnt my lesson haha hot shower worked the best for me and i didnt want my partner touching me AT ALL, i didnt want to talk or even look at anyone else cause i was too busy zoning out!

Mandi - posted on 12/18/2008

hi there, my name is mandi. i have two little girls. when i had bella my oldest i asked for them to give me meds as i asked for them because i didn't want the epidural either unless i just couldn't handle the pain. i ended up just having nubain dripped into my iv. i didn't think that the delivery was too bad. it was really fast for me though because i was induced. when i had my second daughter adriana i was planning to do the same thing since i already did it once. i was scheduled to be induced but ended up going in the day before. my labor pains were pretty bad. i couldn't hardly breathe. i asked for an epidural but by the time they got it authorized and it all ready it was too late. in the end i was glad that i didn't have it because i too was worried about the side effects. if you just try to pace yourself it's a little easier to get through. best of luck. i hope it goes quick and everything goes smoothly for you. congrats.

Hayley - posted on 12/18/2008

Oh and breathe!!!!

Hayley - posted on 12/18/2008

Avoid the laughing gas! It made me feel like I was the drunkest I have ever been and I started spinning out. My delivery was very rapid and I still wanted drugs! I was going to try pethidine but it was too late by for any form of pain relief (other than the gas). 15 minutes later my daughter was born naturally and although at the time I didn't think so, I'm very glad! I had no stitches and was able to feed my baby as soon a she was born. 2 of my friends have had epidurals and when it came time to push they couldn't feel how hard they were pushing so pushed too hard and tore :-( Anything natural such as homeopathics or the tens machine are good first options but dont be afraid to ask for pain relief when you need it! My best advise would be to have a bath, it is very soothing and relaxing!!!

Jessica - posted on 12/18/2008

I was in labor for 5 days and on the 5th day they finally broke my waters and i gave birth to my beautiful baby boy 5 hours later. I used gas at first which in my opinion did nothing, then they gave me pethadine, which aslo did nothing for me, i asked for an epidural but the said i was too far and couldnt have one. Im so proud that i did it without it now, but at the time i wanted it, it hurts like hell, my advise is take what you think you need at the time, only you will know what you want at the time. Good luck

User - posted on 12/17/2008

Oh, and I didn't do any classes, but I'd suggest maybe a doula if you are really serious about going with out pain meds. You need someone to help direct you in ways to keep your focus off the pain or you will definitely be taking some sort of drugs!

User - posted on 12/17/2008

I was induced with pitocin. A few hours in, I had some pain med (don't remember the name) but all it did was make me nauseated. So after little progress and starting to get into major pain, my doctor let them give me an epidural. I pretty much slept the rest of the way through! Of course it wasn't until 1:31 am that I gave birth so it had been a long day!

Kathy - posted on 12/17/2008

Do it natural - the best for you and the baby! And don't give up! You can do it! You're a woman, and your body was made for this. Do it for all of us who wished we could have and weren't able.

Sherree - posted on 12/15/2008

Epidural was awesome! I highly recommend it. I laboured for a few hours without, then asked for it (had planned to ahead of time). So it's not like I didn't get to "experience labour". I sure did - I had been induced with a hormone on my cervix, so my labour pains were coming fast and furious - every 3 minutes for over an hour and I had had enough. Once I had the epidural - which seemed to take forever to administer even though the doctor was there right away when I asked for it - it was bliss. I could enjoy the rest of the delivery. My husband and I watched a movie and watched the monitor showing my contractions and I couldn't feel a thing! Yet I could move my body and could have walked around if I hadn't been hooked up. It only took 2 more hours with the epidural and I was 10 cm dialated and ready to push. The pushing also was painless. I enjoyed the birth of my daughter and didn't have to endure pain that would have devastated me - I don't know how I could have endured 2 more hours of that labour pain and had enough strength to push for an hour and half (that's what time it took me with my first baby).

Jennifer - posted on 12/13/2008

I was so stubborn though about getting any kind of pain meds.. I was screaming and having such an aweful time, the pitocin made the contractions go one on top of the other. On top of that, she was faced towards my pubic bone, so that also stopped me from progressing. I definitely didn't have a normal labor though.. I feel bad because I think I scared my friends that were there from ever having children again! haha

Wendi - posted on 12/13/2008

I agree with Jennifer about the pitocin. Once they started me on that (same situation, my water broke without me going into labor) I couldn't stand the pain more than a few hours.

Jennifer - posted on 12/13/2008

I was using a midwife my whole pregnancy, and really wanted a natural childbirth because I had used drugs for my son, and it just wasn't what I wanted. I was so prepared for everything, but things didn't really work out like I had planned. My water broke without me going into labor, so I had to be induced. I do not.. repeat DO NOT reccomend a drug free childbirth with pitocin. It makes the labor way more intense than your body is prepared to handle. I went 11 hours of heavy labor before my midwife made me get an epidural. If you don't want an epidural, I can tell you they gave me something kind of like benedryl before I got the actual epidural which worked AMAZING. But the thing with that is you can only use it once, so if you don't progress in your labor its kind of a wasted cause. hope this helped at least a little bit.

Wendi - posted on 12/12/2008

Oh, I also had a great doula who supported me. My labor took 24 hours.

Wendi - posted on 12/12/2008

I recommend a "walking epidural." I planned to do natural, and took Bradley classes, but at 8hrs and only 1cm I asked for epidural. The "walking" one lets you still feel your toes and feet, and I could still feel pressure from the contractions (you can't walk during it, its just called a walking one). I was worried about feeling numb and not involved with an epidural, but it wasn't like that at all. I was able to participate and feel the pressure of the contractions and really help with pushing. Me and baby did get a low fever from the epidural that cleared up after a day, but that was the only side effect. I highly recommend getting one if your labor is taking a long time. If its going fast, I say try and go natural!!

Nicole - posted on 12/10/2008

I had an epidural, and loved it!!! I dont know if I could have made it with out! We are planning to have a second child and I think I might try to hold out for the epidural. I had to be induced with my daughter, and I had pitocin as well. The epidural gave me a chance to rest and be aware of what was going on during the pushing phase. I felt my daughter coming out and it hurt! So if you do have an epidural that dosent neccaserily mean you wont feel anything. I got my epidural at 10am and had was ready to push at 3pm. I then had to wait 2 hours for my doctor to finish a C-Section. I pushed for 45 minutes! The epidural was great, but like I said I think I might try to hold out a little long next time.



Oh and I think you SHOULD take the classes!!! Just so you know what to expect in the hospital, or if an emergency would happen. Its just to give you an idea of what could or might happen, signs of labor and how the labor and delivery processes works at the hospital you are delivering at. I had friends who did not take the classes and they wish they had.

Good luck! Its your decision and do what works for you.

Cheryl - posted on 12/10/2008

I had an epidural and thought it was wonderful. I had to do pitocin but they did the epidural 1 hour before they gave me pitocin. I will do an epidural again. Also, my little daughter came out very very alert so don't believe that your child will not come out alert, yes it is a risk but not a certain thing as I stated my little girl came out alert. She is 4 weeks old.

Stasia - posted on 12/10/2008

Support support support!!! and knowledge!!!!!! I was able to go drug free because I had te support of my partner a doula and my mom and aunt!!! Get as educated as you can because if you can understnd what is happenning in your body and you are able to relax and not be scared it hurts a lot less!!! You were made to do this and you can and will!!!!

Bethany - posted on 12/10/2008

Oh do natural with no drugs!! I had two with the epidural then two natural and I would do natural ten times over again. It hurts, don't get me wrong. But this is what our bodies were designed to do, give birth!! The feeling after you give birth is like nothing else you will ever feel, you feel like you could climb Mt. Everest. The thing about the pain is it has an end, it all has a purpose, the second that baby comes out it's gone and now you have the cutest little baby you've ever seen. Anyway, I'll stop rambling, my opinion, obviously, is to go natural. Good luck!

Lucina - posted on 12/10/2008

Hi there, i didnt want any drugs at all i wantd to go natural, my waters had broken at 5.25am, i had morphine at 6.55pm nd it did no good a felt everything nd am glad a did coz a regret havin that, i had my daughta at 8.25pm, i was only pushin 4 15 minutes, if a cud do it all ova again a wud but wiv out the drugs, its all worth it in the end. good luck



Try it natural first nd c how u feel about it, its u thats gonna go thro all of it so do wot u fink is best 4 u.

Sara - posted on 12/10/2008

BTW... I went natural, and my labor lasted about 8 hours. I spent most of my time in the hospital on a birthing ball with hubby rocking me from side to side. I totally didn't get it during classes, but it was AWESOME during labor. So much less pressure! Sitting on the bed was horrible, but standing up or on the ball, contractions were much more tolerable. If I had been forced to stay in bed for my whole labor, I would have begged for an epi too.

Sara - posted on 12/10/2008

I think FEAR is a big hinderance to a good and healthy labor. If you do not understand what your body is doing, or are afraid of the pain - it will be harder for you to work with your body. Don't forget: our bodies are designed to do this without medications, and our body has it's own mechanisms to help us cope.

I'm not against meds. I think there is certainly a time and a place where they can be necessary, and everyone has their own path to follow. I chose to take Lamaze classes, however, because I wanted to be prepared for any eventuality. You hear enough stories about people planning on an epidural and not being able to get one... I decided I'd rather be prepared to go natural, and if I found I needed pain meds, at least I'd go into it educated about the risks and benefits. Our Lamaze instructor did discuss many of the medications, and what the common reactions were to them.



I've heard a lot of people didn't get any benefit from the one-day type courses offered by hospitals. Lamaze is generally a 6 week committment (and some insurances will cover it!), and Bradley is 12 weeks. But for such a huge, life changing event... think of it like doing your rehab before your surgery to understand the benefit of preparing yourself for labor. The more you prepare yourself mentally and physically, the better off you'll be!

GOOD LUCK! You can do it!

Ching - posted on 12/10/2008

I have went through 22 hours of labor with drug free!!. Lamaze breathing really help on handling the pain. The contraction hit me every 10mins and last for 45sec, it is terrible. thankfully my hubby standby me and do the breathing together if not i don't think i can make it naturally. The greatest feeling is when i did my last pushing, i can feel the baby passing through and suddenly all the pain gone.:) Its not easy to go with natural but determination count.