natural or epidral?

Kimberly - posted on 01/07/2010

I also had to have an emergency c-section but that was after I labored all day natural, I even pushed, but after a while of pushing, her heart rate began to drop so they had to take her! Either way , I was mentally prepared to labor and it wasn't bad at all! Honestly the more active you are before and during pregnancy they say the easier it will be and for me, laboring was easy! Besides, it's what we are made to do. 90%mental 10%physical!

Erin - posted on 01/07/2010

I had a scheduled c-section so I had to have a spinal block ( the epidural wouldn't work). I'm hoping with my next child I can birth vaginally.

Ashley - posted on 01/07/2010

All Natural..I did it that way.. Women are made to give birth to babies!!!!

Darcie - posted on 01/07/2010

well i had an epidural but my pressure dropped so low and my son's heart rate was dipping and they were concerned about the both of us so my epidural drip had to be shut off probably 45 minutes before i started pushing so i felt it all. it was painful but he and i are both ok and thats all that really mattered.

Elizabeth - posted on 01/07/2010

I did it natural, No Epidural for me. I was thinking about it, but my daughter came too fast. I pushed for 15 minutes and she was out. do research on whats best for you. Good Luck!

Carolee - posted on 01/07/2010

EPIDURAL!!! I went through 20 hours of labor before I got mine, in which time I progressed from a 2 to a 7... in 20 HOURS! After I got the epidural, I slept for 3 hours. The nurse woke me up to check me, and told me I had to push because he was coming out wether I was ready or not. I pushed for 1/2 hour, and he was born just before the epi wore off.



I have to say, though, that it hurts a lot if they get the epi wrong on the first try. Like half of your body is on fire. It feels really good when the "ice water" feeling comes with the epidural when they get it in right, though.

Lydia - posted on 01/07/2010

whatever you need you need - if you can do it au natural then thats great - if you need the epidural then that ok too (I took the epidural and probably will next time too)

La Neya - posted on 01/07/2010

i didn't have an epidral because i didn't want to harm my son i don't feel there a good thing but everyone is intitled to there own opinion

Marie - posted on 01/07/2010

I had my little boy at the end of my own bed, at home, with 3 midwives in attendance
(2 full, 1 apprentice). It was great. Once I got cleaned up, and he got cleaned up, and the midwives left, I lay in my own bed cuddled down with the baby, juice, food hubby picked up, and my cell phone. Hubby went to bed, and I called all my friends and family. Labour was 9 hours, no painkillers.

Adrienne - posted on 01/07/2010

I had an epidural for my first son. I was in the middle of getting an epidural for my second son but my son came to quick, and because they were in the middle of giving me an epidural and had to pull it out quickly I ended up having a spinal headache. Worse thing you could ever imagine and had to have a blood patch to fix it. I'm due to have my third child and I'm going full out natural.

Jessica - posted on 01/07/2010

i had said the whole time that i was pregnant, "when the time comes, i want the epidural". however, (even though it was my first pregnancy) when the time did come i was in for a surprise! my water broke about thirty minutes before my first contraction.
i got to the hospital about an hour and fifteen minutes later and my contractions were already less than two minutes apart... i thought it was the worst pain i'd ever felt. as soon as they got me into a bed and checked to see where i was, they told me i was ready and needed to push on my next contraction. i told the nurse, "no i need an epidural". she informed me that me there was no time for an epidural. we went back and forth for a minute or so, even though in my heart i knew there really was no time to get one, i could feel the pressure... i needed to push!
the worst part was when he was just kinda chillin there with his little head half-way out. it felt like he was literally ripping me apart. i've never felt that kind of pain before, but as soon as he was out, that pain was gone!! and i just had this little bundle of slimy goopy baby laying on my chest, looking at me like he already knew just exactly who i was. the placenta came out, they stitched me up, and i didn't feel a thing.
of course, going to the bathroom and sitting in general still hurt, but you're gonna feel that afterward whether you have the drugs or not!
my labor was really quick, and if i'd had the chance i think i would have gotten the epidural. i don't know if i could have handled that pain for 12+ hours. but having had the natural birth gave me such a great feeling of pride in myself... it was something i had never imagined i would or could have done.
so anyway, basically the pain that i felt was worth it for me. it made the experience something i can be proud of. and if i ever have another child i think i would like to try going as far as i can in labor before i get the epidural.
best of luck to you! you'll know what is best for you when the time comes... either way, you're gonna end up with a beautiful little baby, hopefully healthy and happy. and that's what really counts!

Alicia - posted on 01/07/2010

with both my boys i had an epidral the first time it worked the next time it didn't so more or less i didn't have one...

Jess - posted on 01/07/2010

Quoting Haane:

natural because my insurance didnt cover an epi and i didn't wanna spend $1000 for it.

I can't imagine being in your position. I live in Australia and medical care is free for everybody !  I didn't pay anything for my pregnancy care, my daughters birth, my stay in hospital or even my daughter's week in special care.  And I certainly didnt pay for any medication or pain relief I was given during my stay in hospital.

I begged for the epidural after being induced because I had monitor equipment that didn't allow me to move at all, which isn't natural and hurts more. My epidural never arrived and I managed to get through with just gas but it was a horrible experience.

Not being able to afford the pain relief just shouldn't be a concern in a hospital. Insurance is optional here, you only need it if you want a private hospital room and to use your own doctor.

Jenny - posted on 01/07/2010

EPIDURAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Please don't think you're a wimp for taking it. You're still bearing a child with or without it, why so something so amazing and not be able to remember it due to the pain? In today's day and age, it has little to no effect on your baby.

Stephanie - posted on 01/07/2010

epideral!!!

Haane - posted on 01/07/2010

natural because my insurance didnt cover an epi and i didn't wanna spend $1000 for it.

Elle - posted on 01/07/2010

I've only had one baby so far. I labored for 23 hours naturally, until I was given Pitocin (at 7 cm) it really wasnt that bad. Yeah it was painfull but nothing I couldn't walk or talk or breath through. The 6 hours of unmedicated Pitocin were bad, all I could do was close my easy of focus on my relaxing/ breathing. Unfortunately the Pitocin did not get my past 7cm and I had a csection under general anesthesia (due to a severe allergy to the main medication in the epidural). VBAC is not an option for me but if it were I would go natural. My options were very limited due to my allergy, I couldnt have an epidural evven if i wanted one.

Jessica - posted on 01/07/2010

I had an epidural then an emergency c-section. When the contractions hit and labor got heavy i knew i wanted that relief. Every person is different. Have a plan but you can always change your mind if you choose

Veronica - posted on 01/07/2010

PS when people tell you to get the epi, because natural is soooo painful and it feels like you are dying -- are people who need to get a thing in their brain called "THIS IS WHAT LABOR CAN FEEL LIKE" it is painful, it can be excrutiating, some labor for days, others have their child out in seconds - some have minor tears, other tear from their cervix, down and out, or into their anus -- we are all different, we are all goign to labor differently. I tore with 6/7 pound baby's! my sister inlaw had 9 and 10 lb babies and did not tear -- so you see, it is different for everyone.



Go in there, with the confidence that YOU CAN do it, YOU CAN have this baby -- and you will do just fine.



Ok, im getting outta here, before i take up your whole post! LOL

Veronica - posted on 01/07/2010

I have to go with Stefanie on this one. Do your research on the side affects, and dangers with ANY drug. Dont just ask the doctor - they will reassure that everything is ok -- read read and read some more about it. This way you are well informed about what you want - when you need/want it.



My first baby I did all natural. I won't lie, it was painful, but once i had it, it was all over. I liked it because I had the chance to try different positions, bathing, showering, and just working with my NATURAL state body and mind. Of course when laboring you are going to go out of your mind - you are working to get a baby out, and it takes a lot of work and pain and effort and energy.

My second child was a HORRIBLE delivery. My contractions were excrutiating, i labored from 2 am til about 10 am, with not much progress - then all of a sudden it felt like someone was ripping in there when i had a contractino -- i was literally doubling over, and losing my breath -- it hurt THAT bad. Got to the hospital, and i was only 3cm! The fucking doctor/nurse - both being bitches - popped my water, and put me on petocin! I was sooo angry - they had no right to do that - i wanted to be left alone to just labor normally, and allow my waters to break on their own -- I NEVER let them break my water - and wont let it happen again!! Next thing i know, my babies heart rate went from a healthy 137 down to 30/40 bpm!!! He was strangling on the cord -- so i ended up having e-c-sect. I made them knock me out with general anesthesia - i didnt want to wait for an epi - i was in too much pain, my baby was strangling. My hubby says the cord was around his chest and neck, and he was soooo dark purple, he thought he was dead! Scary stuff!!

My third and fourth children i tried the epidural - my labors were super fast - which meant super hard contractions that made me dialate very fast. The one with my third child went good - the anesth. was great, and the only thing i felt was some of the contracting near my pelvic, and i felt a little bit of the stretching when i pushed him out. It was good - but what sucked was when the epi wore off - then BAM it was like a flash of pain that waved in on me - and i couldnt even nurse my baby, cause the contractions hurt like hell. The fourth baby - they fucked up on my epi - i had a contraction he said ' here we go' i didnt know what he meant by that - i thought he was doing numbing shots or something - and JAB he stuck the needle in my back, i jumped he missed and hit my column sending spinal fluid spurting out of my back, he quickly jabbed me again in another area and got it. he said i would get a headache because of the missing fluid - oh boy did I - i laid down, and my water broke, my little girl was right there, i pushed twice and she was out - all that shit for nothing! when i sat up to push - my head literally cracked and i had an almost paralyzed moment - my head hurt soooooooooo bad, i couldnt even move it a centimeter without shooting excrutiating pain in my head! i had to lay there for hours recouperating, could not hold my baby cause of the pain i was in, and then they wanted to do a blood patch by giving me a spinal!! i said hell no, i have the epi in, put it through there!! it took some convincing, and finally they did. And then of course, once again when the epi wore off, all the pain hit me like a brick house.



SO, finally, with my fifth child - and my plan for my sixth child -- is all natural. with my fifth i was scared, i hadnt had a natural birth since my first baby - (as far as one w/out drugs) -- but it went better than i expected, it still hurt to labor, and the labor was fast - i went into labor at like 10 pm and had him by 5/6 am -- after i had him, i had suffered all the pain through labor, so i didnt have any pain - cause the little cramping, and sore vagina/etc. was NOTHING to me - compared to the shockwave after an epi. I felt absolutely awesome about myself, that i had accomplished something - and that i didnt wimp out. And i plan the same with this next one - all natural with no drugs.





SO -- sorry if i scared anyone from ever having children again -- but seriously -- God designed us to have babies -- we are built to handle labor and delivery -- its just painful -- but we get through that pain, and the baby gets here, and its all over with. It has certainly made me a stonger person, that I do believe.



Make your choice with much research, and write down all the things you want and dont want in your labor and delivery -- and the doctors will work with that -- and its ok to change things in the middle of labor -- you might not like being on the birthing ball, or on your hands and knees crouching over -- so try something different.

I know walking was a new one for me, with my 5th pg. - when i walked around during labor - it felt SO much better! the gravity pulled down, and the back labor was much less - because i wasnt laying down for there to be pressure. So i recommend walking around for as long as you can handle. Get those hips open, do some meditation, prayer if you pray, and remember that women have done this since day one - WE CAN DO IT - without drugs! hehehe

I wish you the best of luck - do what you feel is right for YOU when the time comes. Take care!

V

Kari - posted on 01/07/2010

I had an epidural and it was AWESOME. I was really nervous and scared when I went in, I had planned on not getting one but when it was the lst chance to get it I took it. It doesnt hurt at all! And it calmed me down a lot. Your not so calm to where you dont know what is happening but it just calms you enough to where your not freaking out and raising your heartbeat. I was not given a catheder when I got my epidural. I was given one the night before when I had went in but the thought I had a UTI, and I had gone in becaues I had started going into labor but they sent me home. The catheder I did get hfadd nothing at all to do with the epidural. And I wasnt bedridden at all as soon as they took my daughter to the nursery to double check everything and make sure she was ok(she was almost 3 weeks early) and wanted me to get up and walk around. And they didnt constatnly monitor my blood pressure. They did monitor the fetal movement but I was personally happy for that I knew what was going on with her. I had no swelling at all on any part of my body. And nothing went wrong wiht my insides and I didnt almost die or anything. I loved my epidural and I have a high pain tolerance but I still wanted one. Even if you dont have a epidural something can still go wrong, if you go natural a number of things can go wrong also. I loved mine and I was able to enjoy the moment she came out more cause I wasnt hurting and I was asble to focus more on pushing than the pain. Gettin one isnt a sign of being weak, some people told me that I wasnt strong enough for my baby and that I should be able to take any amount of pain for her and I would but if I dont HAVE to then I'm not. So you make the choice and do what you want, dont listen to anyone else! And enjoy it!

Jodi - posted on 01/07/2010

I can honestly say i had both.... I went into the hospital and had to be induced due to high blood pressure. I had to get an epidural later that night because the baby was face up instead of down and she was bruising my spine.... when it was finally time to push )the next day) the epidural ran out. so i was pushing with the epidural for half the time and the other half the time without....than after 29 hours of hard labor I ended up having to have an emergency c-section to get her out. So my recommendation is get the epidural there is no reason to be a martyr you will need help pushing through the contractions because you won't feel them but there was absolutely nothing wrong with me or the baby other than my high blood pressure but I was also almost 4 days overdue.Hope that helps

Jonquil - posted on 01/07/2010

I think that's a decision that is very unique and personal to each woman. Personally I went with natural birth and don't regret the decision. Since I wasn't drugged I could move around the room and go through the movements that instinct pushes a woman to do while in labor to open up the pelvis. I didn't have to deal with much pain because I utilized natural pain relief techniques - visualization, a whirl pool (I could push my back against one of the jets in the right spot to completely eliminate the pain and just the water by itself was very soothing), massage, a birthing ball, etc.

It's going to be really hard though for you to make the decision now about whether you want to go all natural or not and actually follow through with it. You can plan like crazy but labor never goes exactly the way you want it to. It's good to have an idea of what you want, but don't expect to get it that way!

Jennifer - posted on 01/07/2010

i am all for the epideral. personally i didnt want to put myself through the pain and trama and knew that if i were in distress it would out my child in distress. i would have not wanted to feel everything for 20 + hours so im glad i did it

Stefanie - posted on 01/07/2010

I think the risk factors should be listed as well. Going natural, obviously, does not raise your risk factors in any category. However there are risks to getting an epi. Your chances of a c-section go up and they are already high to begin with (1 in 3 labors end with a c-section). Epidurals also have other side effects that some mothers may not want; like being bedridden for the remainder of the birth and for at least 1 hour afterward. You will also be given a catheter, constant fetal monitoring, blood pressure monitoring and IV fluids whether you want them or not. Swelling is also very common (and not very attractive if you are concerned with pictures) so make sure to take your rings off. Uncontrollable shaking is another common side effect. And then there are the rare side effects like respiratory paralysis (lungs stop working) and maternal death to think about. The last two happened to my mother (she was brought back after she died) and that was my deciding factor in declining the epidural.

PLEASE make an informed decision about this rather than just thinking about ending the pain.

Katie - posted on 01/07/2010

I am a HUGE fan of the epidural!! My plan was to see how things progressed because I do have a high pain tolerance, but maybe 1 minute after they broke my water, I was asking for the epidural. I would say, take it step by step and see how things go for you. However, don't wait to long to ask for one because the doc may either be too busy to get to you in time or the doc will say you're too far along. Each of these happened to my older sister and she ended up doing it all natural with both children. So, if your in pain and think it's going to get too hard to handle, there is no harm in asking for the epidural.

Valerie - posted on 01/07/2010

Making sure that the mother and baby is the most important thing that should be the first thing that you consider. I had my first son all natural at home with a midwife and with the second one I was going to do the same thing but due to complications I had to go to the hospital and be induced. I did have to get an epidural because my body was not ready to go into labor so the pain was unbearable. But I think if I have another one I will due it all natural again! Good luck to you whatever your decision is.

April - posted on 01/07/2010

when i had my son i did it all natural, it was really painful but worth it! i didn't have to wait for the effects of the epideral to wear off nor did i have to have a needle stuck in my spine ouch!

Tarsha - posted on 01/07/2010

i have 4 boys and all natural..2 home births 2 water births...u feel so proud when u do it natural and i wanted to experience everything..pain is different 4 everyone and if u feel u need pain meds i say go 4 it, it up 2 u hun, in the end all that matters is a healthy baby
good luck 2 u xox

Stefanie - posted on 01/07/2010

I had all three of mine natural/drug-free. I would never have it any other way. It's not that bad, just let your body work and spend lots of time in the shower/bath.

Leslie - posted on 01/07/2010

I recommend the epidural. I did it twice, and the difference you immediately feel is amazing. The pain, the sweating, and the meanness was gone, and I felt more in control and relaxed. My daughter (my first child) was 8lbs 15 oz, I labored for 26 hours with 2 hours of pushing, and I had a 4th degree tear. I thanked got for my epidural! My OB-GYN said she recommends it because the mothers remember the actual birth instead of the pain. In the end, though, it's all about you. What you feel, what you want, and what you think is right.

Shannon - posted on 01/07/2010

honey go with an epideral you do not know the pain you will be going through it is horrible...plus with an epideral it allows you to relax a bit and get some much needed rest. I had one with both of my kids and it was the best thing i have ever done I mean before i got it i was tense and i mean i was sweating from the pain, and after it got it i was able to sleep which allowed me to have the energy to push...it is totally up to you but i would definatly recommend an epideral both for your sanity and the dads

Vilka - posted on 01/07/2010

wanted natural with my daughter but complications arose and needed epidural...im hoping to go natural with my son because i never felt any contraction pains at all...

Brandi - posted on 01/07/2010

I had an epidural with my first baby (which I got 20 mins. before she was born) so didnt' help too much. I was ALL natural with my second. I labored SOOOOOO fast that there was no time for the epidural. Either way it hurts and either way it can be done. Good luck.

Stevie - posted on 01/07/2010

i had an epidural. i will most definetly get one again the next time i have a baby. It was very helpful in relaxing me. I had my labor induced and i slept the whole night until i was fully dialated. I could still feel her come out just minus the pain. In the end it all depends on what you think will be best for yourself.

Christine - posted on 01/07/2010

I wanted so much to give natural but had to have an emergency c-section. Super happy that I have a healthy baby in the end.

Lisa - posted on 01/07/2010

While I wanted to go all natural, I ended up taking some pain medication through an IV. For my next it will be all natural. I think you have to what you feel is right.

Ashley - posted on 01/07/2010

epidural! i cant take much pain! im glad i got it. they gave me too much tho lol and i couldnt feel a thing. including my leg for a couple hours after. lol. you can always have them adjust the meds so you can feel more.

Faith - posted on 01/07/2010

my son is 3 months now and i was induced and I had an epidural! i have a VERY high pain tolerance and was in labor for about 8+ hours b4 I took the epidural. it helped alot bcz by the time 12 am+ rolled around the contractions hurt so bad that i couldnt think straight. as soon as I got it... I couldnt feel any pain. but remember the Epidural only gets rid of the pain... not the pressure that you'll feel when its time for u to give birth!

Ashley - posted on 01/07/2010

all natural! I choose to birth in an out of hospital birth center with midwives... I'm a tiny woman, just under 5'3'' and about 120 lbs pre-pregnancy. Birthed my 8 lbs 5 oz, 21 1/4'' baby boy after 13.5 hours of back labor, 4 hours of pushing, with no tearing!
I'll be having a waterbirth in March.

Ricky - posted on 01/07/2010

I tried to go Natural but ended up getting Demoral I believe (it came in an IV). I didnt want to be completely numb but I needed something to take the edge off. My doctor thought I would have a small baby (I didnt get very big and Me and boyfriend are not very big either, Im 5'1 he is 5'10) but I ended up giving birth to a 8lb 7oz 21inch long boy so everyone was understanding that I needed the drugs.

Elizabeth - posted on 01/07/2010

I went natural, just had the gas to calm the nerves a bit. It's really your own decision, I did it natural because I wanted to experience the birth, call me crazy haha but I'm glad I did. Everyone's different and going to have their different outlooks. I'd still say Natural if I were to have another. All the best, and hope it goes well for you

Sheree - posted on 01/07/2010

I went all natural, to be honest i didnt believe i was in labour. My mum was trying to convince me and ended up taking me to the hospital with my husband. Turned out I was 6cm dialated and had bub 90 minutes after arriving at the hospital, no time for drugs or anything. But would definatly go natural next time around as well :) Best of luck with everything

Andrea - posted on 01/07/2010

I did it with my son and then 18 months later with my daughter each time being induced and every thing.. I still made it all Natural. I loved having both of mine natrual.. If i ever have another baby i would do it the same way... But i would say that when you are in the moment that is when you will know what is right for you and your body.. Best wishes and Take care..

Sherre - posted on 01/07/2010

I had to have an emergency c-section :( I wish I hadn't & I know the expierence is not the same as having a baby naturally. I hope I can have a v-bac with the next.