medication during your delivery?

Chelsea - posted on 06/09/2012

I had an epidural and it was the best thing ever! I felt absolutely no pain after I got it. It's not as bad as everyone says. It does not really hurt to get it, and the "heavyness" of your legs that people say you'll have I did not. I was up walking around within the hour after I gave birth. I would deffinately get it again if I ever have another child. Well worth it.

America3437 - posted on 06/07/2012

All natural all 3 times! Would never do it any other way!

Tia - posted on 06/06/2012

i delivered with no medication!!!! i recomend it all the way! unless its way to difficult to handle.

Kelina - posted on 05/30/2012

for the most part, you get only what you ask for. If they induce you you'll need an iv. There are a couple of pain relief options, the gas, whatever that is. I took one whiff nearly threw up and decided I could do without during my second baby. Honestly the worst pain was when I wasn't quite ready to push, but trying to just relax. It's torture to sit there and do nothing. But once I was pushing it was way better. The funny thing is, the biggest memory I have from that birth is thinking, I didn't know I could make that sound! I've seen the video of the birth too but don't remember it that way at all. the woman in the video looks like she's in a lot of pain, but I honestly wasn't. That was simply what my body was doing to get me through it. I did have an epidural with my first after 33 ish hours of labor, I needed some rest. You don't see the needle. they just tell you to roll over and try to keep your knees up. I don't remember feeling it either, I just remember really needing to pee. lol, my midwife put a catheter in after they gave me the epidural and I laughed when she went, wow you really did need to pee! Having done both, I'd go with unmedicated every time. One thing they will do is give you a shot of pitocin in your leg right after baby to help with getting your uterus to contract to expel the placenta. you can refuse this, your doctor should talk to you about it soon. they'll do a few things to baby too but again this should be discussed with you soon.

Claire - posted on 05/30/2012

You get whatever medication YOU authorize. If you do not want any kind of medication during labor, then you can refuse it. I did and I am so happy that I didn't use medication. I wouldn't change a thing because it's an experience that should be felt... it's amazing.

The most common medications used are epidurals and pitocin. It's funny because pitocin will induce labor, or speed it up, and it makes contractions come quicker and stronger. And epidurals try to take away the pain that has been caused by these quicker and stronger contractions. It's a vicious cycle, like a roller coaster.. and not worth it if you ask me!

I don't want someone to tell me when it's time to push, I want to feel it. I want to be the one in control. It is my body and believe it or not, it knows what to do. And when medications make it harder for you and inevitably affect the baby, I'm so not for it.

So whatever you choose, just remember:
-your body instinctively knows what to do
-choose what is best for you AND your newborn baby and how you want to bring him or her into the world
-this can be the most empowering experiences of your life!
-stand up for yourself! you have the power to accept or refuse ANY treatments or medications for you and your baby. Remember, the hospital is a business $$$

Best of luck! I wish all the best for you and your baby! Congratulations :)

Tina - posted on 05/29/2012

It really depends on your circumstances you don't have to have medication unless something is wrong or you really need pain relief. If you're having an epidural you may need iv as you may need meds for low blood pressure and so on and fluids. I had an epidural in the last stages of labour my labour was long i didn't want pain relief but i ended up having an epidural and ended up having a c section baby was too big. It was a relief as i could relax a bit after having it. I was pretty terrified about having the epidural because of the needles and what ever but honestly i was worrying over nothing it's over so quickly. Try not to panic too much about it. I wreckon my anxiety about it all was worse than the actual experience.