how many moms had pain meds during labor?

Nancy - posted on 04/21/2009

I was induced w/ both of my pregnancies... the first one was natural, no pain meds what so ever... ok... yes, it hurt, but, nothing that was mind blowing.. I mean, you're having a baby. It's going to hurt some, but then on my second pregnancy.. It was twins. My doctor gave me NO choice. She ordered my epidural and then I enjoyed the birth of my boys.. all I felt with them was pressure. No pain. I felt so good afterwards that I sat up in bed and put on makeup to get ready to greet my visitors. The second twin was even born breach, ok, he was butt first with his head down between his feet. I didn't even feel that. (Till later) so, if you want the pain meds, an epidural is the way to to go... it just feels like a little prick on your back when they give it to you...no big deal.....Best of luck

Stacey - posted on 04/20/2009

I had epidurals with all 5 of them!

Tanya - posted on 04/20/2009

I told my doctor I don't want to feel a thing and I didn't the epadural was great it is not scary like everyone thinks

Candace - posted on 04/20/2009

For my first child I went in with an open mind. I ultimately needed an epidural for my cervix to relax and dilate. I got the epidural with the second child as well. Why feel pain if you don't have too. I enjoyed labor much more with the epidural.

Jennie - posted on 04/20/2009

Gas and air and then 1 shot of morphine to aid with the back pain.

I was advised morphine over pethadine as this can make you feel woozy and the baby also. Try and go as long as you can between each stage of pain relief so your body can respond naturally and you peak too early.

April - posted on 04/20/2009

I tried everything to do it naturally but ended up taking the epidural which did not help at all.

Angela - posted on 04/19/2009

I have 3 kids and didn't use pain meds. on any of them....did it all natural.

Jennifer - posted on 04/19/2009

I used drugs both times, but didn't set out to in the beginning. Both times I had to be induced and both times there were complications during delivery. If I hadn't have taken the epidural I would likely have had to go under general anesthesia for a c-section. And using the epidural allowed me to have two vaginal deliveries. Keep an open mind and don't be too hard on yourself. The important thing is the baby gets here healthy, not the how the process is completed.

Tania - posted on 04/18/2009

I had Epidurals with 6 of my children, 1 failed it only numbed my upper right thigh, and another time It worked too well. I was numb for 2 days and severly pulled muscels that left me walking on a cane for 3 months and to this day, 15 yrs later, I still experience the pain. But I didn't have any pain meds for my 7th delivery 11 months ago and loved the experience. Was in a lot of pain but will never forget the actual feeling of childbirth. If I become crazy enough to have an 8th child, I wouldn't use anything either.

Lynette - posted on 04/18/2009

I had it all. I was in slow labour for days and to top it off was overdue. I was in quite a lot of pain, so in the end had to have some. My epi didnt work on my right side so still had pain and then had to have some more painrelief to top it up. But I wouldn't change it for anything.

Hena - posted on 04/18/2009

I took an epidural for my first child, I was terrified of the pain. With my 2nd I decided to go natural, did a ton of reading before hand and everything went exactly how I wanted it. I feel totally blessed and proud of myself for not having taken anything...I feel like after giving natural birth I can do anything, lol!

Jessica - posted on 04/17/2009

I had a planned c-section and went into labor 4 weeks early. I received a spinal and even if I didn't have to have a c-section I would have asked for an epidural b/c I had horrible back pain. I had all the pleasures of contraction but just having to push.

Brandi - posted on 04/17/2009

Hey Nikki, I would recommend the epidural. It was great! I had to have two c- sections but my first was unplanned so i was greatful that they gave it to me. I don't see the point in going threw pain when all it takes is about 2 seconds to get rid of it. GO FOR IT!!

Rebekah - posted on 04/17/2009

I was induced with my first daughter because she was supposedly going to be too difficult to have vaginally at the time of my due date. I had a shot of something at about 4 cm...did nothing! Then asked for the epi around 6cm. Took the pain away yes but obviously not the pressure. (btw I do not like how I hear how many inductions and scheduled c-sections there are now a days. This is all a matter of convenience to have a controlled environment IMHO and we should start letting these babies come when they are ready...again just MHO.)



I HATED trying to push. I couldn't feel anything and wanted to punch the nurse who insisted I keep trying when I couldn't even feel what muscles to use.....at least not as well I know I could have naturally. Her head was stuck for some time (it felt like forever, I'm sure it was only a few minutes in reality) and they told me they were going to have to get the vacuum. My mother screamed at me in tone that I really needed to push her out so she would be ok and I did.



I chose not to have drugs with my second daughter. I used a midwife this pregnancy which helped with my support system and encouragement. I stayed at home until I was 6cm and then walked for most of the labor which helped speed it up. It was awesome being able to move around/walk/use the ball etc.



I will say that those shows like 'A baby story' etc. that show these mothers (hell some of you might even be reading this) that give out the little moans here and there....and the ooooooo's ever so gradually are effing bionic. I screamed my %&*(#$g head off, I needed a priest at one point. They had to walk my oldest daughter all the way down the hallway to the nursery so she wouldn't get scared lol.



That wasn't even pain, that was something demonic. I kept getting these waves of extreme heat where I thought I was going to drown in my own sweat....then I would be shaking freezing. I could NOT seem to get enough air in between my contractions and needed oxygen....they should have snuck on in some N20.



"breathe through it" my a$$!



The need to push came on so quickly and was such an amazingly welcomed (for a second) feeling I can't even describe it. My midwife then came over to me, gave me the best woman empowering 2 minute pep talk imaginable and then it was go time. I can't even describe the feeling of her head coming out. It felt like someone was taking a blowtorch to my gina and kept going in a slow circle as she stretched me.



NOW...with all that said- I wouldn't have done it any other way and wish I hadn't had the epi with my oldest daughter Kaitlyn. I have such a special admiration towards Taylor because of the experience. I remember every moment and every stage. I remember how still she was when I needed to catch my breath and how when I would move to a position she didn't like she would jab me with her knee.



The feeling of those contractions was so @#4&^8 brutal I now have so much respect for my mother and all others who birthed 1,2,3,and more children without using pain meds. I get the whole "why torture yourself" argument and hey it's all relative. But man, I think every woman should experience that. I applaud all mothers who have done it in the past....and to all of us moms who have the choice now a days and tough it out.





*For the previous statements to be truly authentic every 4th word should be the word "fu_king" to get the author's true feelings on said matter, thank you.

Rebekah - posted on 04/17/2009

I was induced with my first daughter because she was supposedly going to be too difficult to have vaginally at the time of my due date. I had a shot of something at about 4 cm...did nothing! Then asked for the epi around 6cm. Took the pain away yes but obviously not the pressure. (btw I do not like how I hear how many inductions and scheduled c-sections there are now a days. This is all a matter of convenience to have a controlled environment IMHO and we should start letting these babies come when they are ready...again just MHO.)



I HATED trying to push. I couldn't feel anything and wanted to punch the nurse who insisted I keep trying when I couldn't even feel what muscles to use.....at least not as well I know I could have naturally. Her head was stuck for some time (it felt like forever, I'm sure it was only a few minutes in reality) and they told me they were going to have to get the vacuum. My mother screamed at me in tone that I really needed to push her out so she would be ok and I did.



I chose not to have drugs with my second daughter. I used a midwife this pregnancy which helped with my support system and encouragement. I stayed at home until I was 6cm and then walked for most of the labor which helped speed it up. It was awesome being able to move around/walk/use the ball etc.



I will say that those shows like 'A baby story' etc. that show these mothers (hell some of you might even be reading this) that give out the little moans here and there....and the ooooooo's ever so gradually are effing bionic. I screamed my %&*(#$g head off, I needed a priest at one point. They had to walk my oldest daughter all the way down the hallway to the nursery so she wouldn't get scared lol.



That wasn't even pain, that was something demonic. I kept getting these waves of extreme heat where I thought I was going to drown in my own sweat....then I would be shaking freezing. I could NOT seem to get enough air in between my contractions and needed oxygen....they should have snuck on in some N20.



"breathe through it" my a$$!



The need to push came on so quickly and was such an amazingly welcomed (for a second) feeling I can't even describe it. My midwife then came over to me, gave me the best woman empowering 2 minute pep talk imaginable and then it was go time. I can't even describe the feeling of her head coming out. It felt like someone was taking a blowtorch to my gina and kept going in a slow circle as she stretched me.



NOW...with all that said- I wouldn't have done it any other way and wish I hadn't had the epi with my oldest daughter Kaitlyn. I have such a special admiration towards Taylor because of the experience. I remember every moment and every stage. I remember how still she was when I needed to catch my breath and how when I would move to a position she didn't like she would jab me with her knee.



The feeling of those contractions was so @#4&^8 brutal I now have so much respect for my mother and all others who birthed 1,2,3,and more children without using pain meds. I get the whole "why torture yourself" argument and hey it's all relative. But man, I think every woman should experience that. I applaud all mothers who have done it in the past....and to all of us moms who have the choice now a days and tough it out.





*For the previous statements to be truly authentic every 4th word should be the word "fu_king" to get the author's true feelings on said matter, thank you.

Crystal - posted on 04/17/2009

Definitely! I had Dimmerol and the Epidural! I was in heaven!

Ramona - posted on 04/17/2009

ohh... one more thing - after I had the baby, i was able to walk to the bathroom and around the room right away and the baby was alert and crying :) - no side effects or anything bad

Ramona - posted on 04/17/2009

i had an epidural and it was great!!!! I watched tv and slept until the doctor said it was time to have the baby. I dare to say I had zero pain. I just hope the next one will be the same :) I totally don't see the point in having to endure the pain for who knows how many hours. There are other times where you can show the world you're brave.

Marketa - posted on 04/17/2009

After six hours of severe pain I got demerol,Thank god I took it-it helped me get the much needed sleep (even if it was only a couple of hours).The rest was all natural as there was no time for the epidural-totally unexpected by me.I am still thankful for those couple of hours of a bit of relief.

Jennifer - posted on 04/17/2009

I have an epi during both of my labors would not have done it without one.

Christine - posted on 04/17/2009

I had 2 shots of Fentynol (I think that is how it is spelled) as well as the epidural. I had 4 1/2 hours of labor. When they put her on my chest, she picked her head up and looked at me. I know some fear having a "sleepy baby" but she was alert and started suckling immediately. It didn't seem to have any affect on her. Don't be afraid of the meds - I wouldn't have done it without them!

Melody - posted on 04/17/2009

I am a 3rd year midwifery student and in the 3 years I have been training there has only been a handful of women who have not had pain relief of some sort. You just need to know what you want before the time comes and now the ins and outs of the pain relief available. With my first son I had a epidural and with second boy only needed entonox (gas). This is very much a personal thing, but I would suggest doing some background work on what each pain relief does to you and baby

Kristin - posted on 04/17/2009

I had the epidural with my oldest son and then was put to sleep with my second son due to emergency c-section!

Andrea - posted on 04/17/2009

Drugs? Yes please!!!! Both times!

Lisa - posted on 04/17/2009

I had nubain with my first two to just take the edge off but had nothing else. It worked great as I was able to relax between contractions. With my third baby, I didn't have time to get anything as she came really fast. That was the best - no side effects or anything.

Lisa - posted on 04/17/2009

I had nubain with my first two to just take the edge off but had nothing else. It worked great as I was able to relax between contractions. With my third baby, I didn't have time to get anything as she came really fast. That was the best - no side effects or anything.

Theresa - posted on 04/17/2009

I have had one child with meds and one child without. The child without meds was more alert and active at birth, but the meds sure do help mom.

Brenda - posted on 04/17/2009

Quoting Michelle:

Quoting Jennifer:
The second time around I had back labor and epidurals do not work on back labor at all.

It probably depends on the individual situation.  I had intense back labor, too, and the epidural worked wonders for me.

I'm in the boat of it worked great for me.  I had ALL back labor and the epidural was awesome, doc got it in the first time, and even though it wore off twice, it was still amazing at taking away the pain (of course it didn't take away the pressure but I birthed after it wore off the second time).

Brenda - posted on 04/17/2009

Reading through I notice others had trouble with Stadol, for me it worked like a charm, took away the pain and didn't make me sleepy at all.

Brenda - posted on 04/17/2009

I was induced, and it took about ten hours for my stubborn self to ask for any meds (all back labor, pitocin is evil stuff I'll tell you). I didn't want anything but they gave me the option of using Stadol which is the non narcotic form of demoral. I had two doses of that, and when it wore off, I had an epidural. It was a good thing because I was already slated for a c section and exhausted, and the epidural allowed me to sleep between contractions. They had to dose it again, and the second time it wore off I was ready to push. It was 20 hours after they broke my water and an hour of pushing, which even though I had no pain meds at that time, didn't hurt at all. The pushing made the pain go away just as well as the pain meds did!!

Rachel - posted on 04/17/2009

I had an epidural with both of mine and it was wonderful!!! No shame at all!

Sarah - posted on 04/17/2009

Quoting CoreyAnn:

I never wanted to have any tranquilizers just an epidural, however I got to the hospital late and to get an epidural you have to go through paper work and blood work first. So I gave in and they gave me fentinal* which helped, it didn't take the pain away but you didn't really care as much, which was nice. I finally got my epidural at 9 cent. (which I highly recommend, the needle really didn't hurt me) but they took the epidural off completely because it slowed me down alot. I def. recommend the epidural, there are no side effects to the baby, as for side effects for the fentinal, it would have made the baby a little sleepy, but it wears off in an hour so it was out of my system by the time my daughter was born and she was very alert. Hope this gave you a little insight, good luck.

wow, your story is almost identical to mine! I did not get the fentinal though because they said i was dilating too fast! i finally got my epidural at 9 cm also, i was in so much pain before that. i give alot of credit to women who have natural child birth!

Kassie - posted on 04/17/2009

I had a narcotic to dull the pain, but it made me sleep, when it wore off, they gave me the ep

Elizabeth - posted on 04/17/2009

i had a whole tank of laughing gas and an epideral and i LOVED it

Angela - posted on 04/17/2009

With my first I had Pethadine and I agree it was great, I managed to get about 2 hrs sleep then used the gas and air for the second stage, but for my daughter I just stayed at home as long as possible so I was in control and stayed really calm, when it actually came to having her I tried the gas and air but it made me feel sick, so I had her compleatly naturally. Hope this helps

Stephanie - posted on 04/17/2009

I agree with Elizabeth about the stadol, made me sleepy and did nothing for the pain. I've had three and with my first two I was going to try to do without but by the time my dr. broke my water, they couldn't give me the epidural fast enough.(with my second the epidural didn't even have time to kick in fully, I was only numb on one side) My third birth was a breeze, I knew exactly when to ask for my epidural so the whole experience was actually very peaceful and pleasant. Too bad I'm done cause I'd love to go through it again.

Penny - posted on 04/17/2009

i had three lots of pethadine too...good stuff!lol.

Penny - posted on 04/17/2009

I too had pethadine which made me fall asleep between my contractions, i helped massively, but the only side effect was that because of when i had it, it made baby very drowsy.I also had gas and air..which was a great help too, but it did make me feel a litle sick.

Emily - posted on 04/17/2009

I had an epidural, we waited until I was about 6 dialated. Even though I had the epidural I still had the urge to push when it was time. Also it helped me rest in between contractions. It's all your choice. I decided to go as long as I could then recieve it. I was up about 1 1/2 hrs after birth walking so it didn't affect me for too long. Good Luck

Amber - posted on 04/17/2009

i was in labor for 24 hours before i asked for any pain meds, i had walked for hours and still was dilating very fast. i had the stadol and also hated it, felt like i had too many magaritas and had the spins...so then it brought on nausea. didn't want it again, about four hours later i got the epidural and that worked wonders, 2 hours later i had my daughter. i wasn't dilating because i wasn't relaxed enough. i was determined not to have any pain meds, wanted to have my daughter without...HA! i would say it depends on the labor whether you decide to have any or not

Jane - posted on 04/17/2009

I coped easily with TENs, birthing pool and some gas and air but finally needed an epidural as I had to have a forceps delivery. Never again - the loss of control was terrifying and I shook so much I couldn't hold my baby properly for ages.

Jane - posted on 04/17/2009

I coped easily with TENs, birthing pool and some gas and air but finally needed an epidural as I had to have a forceps delivery. Never again - the loss of control was terrifying and I shook so much I couldn't hold my baby properly for ages.

Jacquie - posted on 04/17/2009

Quoting Angie:

No, I think that if you allow your body to do what it needs to do, pain meds aren't necessary. My OB with my second child said that he believes that pain meds are so common because docs like to be able to control labor. Doctors have convinced women that they aren't strong enough to labor unaided. To be honest, it's not that bad (all my kids had heads in the 75% and I'm a WIMP) and it's far healthier for the baby. I was induced twice and wasn't with the middle child. The only time pain meds are necessary is when there is a risk that you will need a c-section. Trust you body. YOU CAN DO IT! Delivering a baby is NOT a medical procedure (like having a tooth pulled) it is a life event. Our bodies are made to deliver babies. It's true we don't get medals but we do have healthier babies if we forgo the meds. My 1st child would have died had I given in to the pain meds and this was NOT something we knew before he was born - why take a chance???? I am proud to say that I didn't think of what was easiest for ME but what was best for my child during my deliveries.

That being said I still believe in live and let live, the choice is yours alone. Just like anything if you're on line here you have many resources at your fingertips, look into your options before giving birth, be prepared.

Crystal - posted on 04/17/2009

I got an epodural...i knew that i was gonna get one! The pain wasnt terrible but i didnt wanna find out how much worse it would get becuz it was pretty bad already.

Ebony - posted on 04/16/2009

I had Gas and Saline injections. The saline injections were fantastic! hurt to get them done but worked a treat! and there is not side effects for the baby!

Delmara - posted on 04/16/2009

you can do it without the drugs. everyone tried to scare me into thinking it was terrible and that i was crazy for not wanting an epidural. it wasnt half as bad as i thought it would be. do what you want, but the best lesson i learned was not to listen to everyone else.

Noelle - posted on 04/16/2009

i had an epidural, but it didnt take and i felt EVERYTHING!!! ive heard they are awsome for most people though :)

Lora - posted on 04/16/2009

Hi Nikki...My Dr injected me with Demerol, she said it was completely safe however my labor progressed allot faster after having it than she thought it would. Too much got to my son and 'overdosed' him, he wouldnt breath when he was born and it took allot to get him breathing. I absolutely see good reasons for pain meds, but that made me so aware that things can go wrong and they are not always as safe as they are made out to be. Thankfully, he did breath, but it could have gone REALLY badly.

Jennifer - posted on 04/16/2009

I had no pain meds with 1st son, 2nd had ep, with the third I tried to go w/o went 7 hours with niothing. Finally got ep worked wonderfully just enough meds to stop pain and still was able to exp a wonderful birth. If u can go w/o great if not a low amt is still ok. GOOD LUCK

Amy - posted on 04/16/2009

I was given fentanyl when I was about 7cm while I waited for the anestigioligist to arrive with the epidural. The fentanyl worked well for about 15 min, then I started to really feel labour pains again, I do however feel that it helped me relax more while I was getting the epidural - which was amazing! Personally I feel that there was no need to be in pain if I didn't have to, and my labour was very hard because my little darling got stuck, so without it I would have probably gone into shock with the pain and panic!