staying strong against doctors who are persistant about pain meds

Liz - posted on 07/01/2012

Pamela - I can see your point about overthinking the situation, but I also think it's a good idea to be prepared for pain. I don't think that believing that labor and delivery will be like laying in a hammock drinking lemonade is very helpful.

Your doctor won't pressure you into pain meds unless they feel like you are not in (some) control of your situation. Sometimes the pain of labor and delivery can cause a person to tense up and make things slow down and therefore getting some kind of pain relief can help get you back into your "sane" mind.

Ultimately, I think it's great that you want to go med-free! I also think having a birth plan is a great idea, that way the doctors and nurses will know in advance what your wishes are, and won't keep annoying you with questions about it as you're in labor.

Kale - posted on 07/01/2012

they say your labor is like your mothers....and im preparing for the worst so when it finally arrives ill be prepared or ill be relieved it wasnt as bad as anticipating. but I also have many "issues" that guarantee me a painful labor like how painful the pregnancy itself has been so far im currently 31 and a half weeks.

Kirsten - posted on 06/30/2012

First, you don't see your delivery doctor until you are pushing. So don't worry about the pressure from him/her. The only time that they will "pressure" you is when they are mapping out your birth plan. Second, have you taken a birthing class yet? They teach you how to ease the pain and natural remedies and they also teach you about the drugs that they use and any side effects they may have. Third, write out your birth plan - you will hand it straight to the nurse that's taking care of you and if there is a shift change, she will hand it to the next nurse. And just a note, if you DO decide you want the drugs, tell them RIGHT away because once you get to a certain point (I believe it's 7cm or 8cm) you CANNOT be given the drugs. Also, you have to realize that if there is an emergency c-section, it is pretty much out of your hands.

For my birth, I had a password that only my husband and I knew. When it got to that point, I screamed it out. The epidural wasn't too bad (though they missed the first time because I looked at the needle like an idiot and got scared) and I haven't had any side effects from it. My main thing was I did NOT want a c-section (my sister had two - the first was an emergency, and the second was an even BIGGER emergency and both her stories horrified me to the point of I did not want that AT ALL) so the nurse, smart little thing she is, decided to tell me if I didn't start pushing correctly, that I would have to have a c-section. Well, needless to say, about 30 seconds later, she was scrambling to get the doctor in! She almost delivered my baby herself!

Trust the nurses - they are the ones that take care of you and they don't get paid for upselling drugs.

Also, you could always hire a midwife.

Pamela - posted on 06/29/2012

Why do you KNOW your birth will be painful? Because someone else's was? Because you've seen that crap in movies with women screaming, etc. while going through labor and the birthing process?

STOP comparing yourself with others. Next stop creating a painful labor by SAYING it will be so.

WE CREATE WITH OUR WORDS! Every word you speak creates a reality in your life. So when you say it will be painful YOU are creating that for yourself in advance! WHY?

There are herbs teas that you can take as you near the end of your pregnancy that will aid in the baby being more slippery and therefore easing out through the birth canal. Consult your health food store for these herbal teas or capsules.

If you will not opt for a mid-wife, then make sure you use the herbal teas or capsules in advance of your due date (refer to the instructions on the tea, etc.) This will aid in a swift, easy delivery.

You can also INSIST on not being given any drugs at birth. Ask your doctor for such a form so you can read it in advance. If your doctor refuses....get another doctor. A doctor who is refusing to follow your wishes is either trying to make more money for himself or the hospital or the anethesiologist or the drug company. Don't fall for it! You do have rights. INSIST ON THEM or change doctors!

The best to you!

Brittney - posted on 06/29/2012

You need a birth plan and stick to what you want, don't let them pressure you into anything you don't want to do (unless it becomes an emergency situation and you trust them). The person/people in the room with you need to be aware of your wishes too.

I didn't have pain meds but I made it clear I didn't want any at all. They kept saying its not too late, but I refused and then it became too late, so they didn't ask anymore. They had to use a vacuum extractor to get my daughter out and they gave an an emergency episiotomy which required a lot of stitches, but overall I was happy they didn't force any meds on me.

Michelle - posted on 06/29/2012

I had all of mine with minimal pain meds. I had a shot of pethadine with my 1st but that was 5 hours before he was born so that had worn off. He was a vacuum extraction and a heap of stitches. My 2nd I didn't have time for anything but he was only 50 mins!!!!!

My 3rd I just had gas because of how quick #2 was they wouldn't give me anything.

I was lucky that where I went we weren't pressured into having anything. We had to ask for it if we wanted it. I know here in Australia we usually have midwives instead of doctors around for the delivery so I guess that's the bonus.

Sharon - posted on 06/28/2012

If you feel very strongly about this then I think that the person you choose to be your "birth partner" needs to be aware of how strongly you feel so he/she can advocate for you during the birth. They can speak for you when you are feeling as if you might give in. I wish you all the best.