the truth about delivery...

Samantha - posted on 05/05/2010

everyone is different! all i can say to you is dont make any decisions now bc even if you are sure you want whatever you have chosen you will most probs change it in the end!! i did!! things like baby not bein in the right place, having a long labour etc i was in labour for about 2 1/2 days so i needed an epidural cos i needed sleep! good luck!!

Kiara - posted on 05/05/2010

Everyone is different. Personally I went in with the midstate of no pain meds, but when those contractions really hit I quickly changed my mind. Its your delivery and just like she really can't control the name of the kid or the shoes you wore to your wedding, she has no control over your delivery. Don't do anything you don't want to do. And if you do want an epi - go for it. Its your body!

Natalie - posted on 05/05/2010

I didn't want to freak future mommy out, but I ended up with an episiotomy and forcep delivery. I had such dense muscle fibres in my uterus for dancing for years, that despite being fully dialated and +2 my son's head couldn't quite squeeze past. It was an uncomplicated delivery and I could tell that I was getting tired and couldn't do much more without help, so I got a vaginal local ONLY for the snip and forceps and Jacob was born seamlessly. Now I am a tiny person 5'3'' and when I was due I only weighed 140 (I gained 15lbs), and only 6lbs13ozs of that was my son and the rest was water and placenta. I apperently could have torn and hemoraged if I hadn't had some intervention, and being that classically the 2nd baby is always bigger I've made allowances for another snip and scoop or an epidural that is a freezing agent only since I am allergic to demoral and my body absorbs other clinical pain killers too fast. The joys of having natural red in your hair believe it or not. When my doctor was putting the stitches in he had to freeze me 5 TIMES and that was for 5 stitches, go figure.

Grace - posted on 05/05/2010

Don't tell them no before you go in! Very important!
My deliveries were both easy and successful. My younger got stuck and refused to turn and the first was not ready and too forever to even go into labor. But active labor on the first was only 5 hours with 45 min of push time. The second was 4 hours, kid you not, from 4 cm to out comes baby.
But don't get ideas from other stories. Your delivery will be different and unique to you. Enjoy it. Or at least value it! It will end and your life will never be the same.
Don't be surprised by what you might say. Made my hubby promise not to make me have sex again. As soon as my doc cleared it, I jumped HIM! LOL

Charlie - posted on 05/05/2010

Everyone is different so don't listen to your mother in law. Just because something happens to one person doesn't mean it will happen to you. My son was born 2007 and for him I had an epidural. My labour was 7 hours in total but I had a back labour. I had 6 hours of just feeling everything go tight but as soon as I got to 10cm they took it away from me as I needed to feel. I'm in Germany so will be different in uk, I've been told they don't take it off you. My husband said that he cried straight away, I can't remember that, it was all abit of a haze to be honest. My daughter was January this year again in germany. I was induced which isn't at all bad. I didn't have any pain relief this time, not through choice but I'm so glad I didn't. I heard her cry straight away and could move around on the bed better than when I'd had the epidural. They don't do gas and air over here so its all or nothing, at least you have that option. We can only tell you what happened to us and how we felt but you'll know what is right for you at the time. The doctors and midwives are there to make this as comfortable and stress free for you as possible (as wellas making sure you and baby are fine) so tell them what you want. Good luck and I hope it all goes well for you :)

Zoë - posted on 05/05/2010

No one can actually tell you what your labour is going to be like i made a birth plan with my first child and nothing went to plan!!! so with my second i just went with the flow and everything was less stressful and calmer. Good luck with the labour and believe me its all forgotten when you are holding your baby in your arms. Take care X

Grace - posted on 05/05/2010

Delivery for me was fairly easy. I actually hate to say that because I know that it is not always like that. My first was about 5 hours hard labor and 45 min of pushing. Hard labor is from 5 cm to delivery. The doctor was a moron and the nurse was rude AND they brought in an EMT trainee to see all my lovely bits stretched to kingdom come. I was miserable, but my family was all in the waiting room. I almost said "there" but that sounded like they were in delivery. No WAY was that happening!
My second was 4 hours from 4cm when we got to the hospital (and the last two doctor visits) to out-comes-baby. Kid you not, she was even stuck! Also had a nurse yelling ( I do mean YELLING) at me to push and an idiot husband who texted every five freaking seconds. Told him if he didn't put down the phone and get over there and hold my hand, I was GOING to kill him. Meant every word too!
But seriously don't make expectations based on other people's experiences. It's a mistake. Besides, your delivery is probably going to be more like your own mother's than his.
Oh, and just so you know, I had all those same thoughts about epidurals and stuff. Epidural both times. Didn't even have time to work on the second one!

Crystal - posted on 05/05/2010

Do what you feel more comfortable with. I had a natural birth and it wasn't that bad. Don't listen to any of the scary stories. Just don't focus on the pain, focus on the beauty and joy of the new baby.

Celeste - posted on 05/05/2010

When I had my daughter this last September, I was induced a week before her due date because I had borderline high blood pressure. The induction started at 2pm and I lasted until 4:30am before I gave in and got an epidural. The women in my family has a history of having sunny side up babies and back labor. The pitocin did not help matters at all! It is true when they say that it makes your contractions 10 times worse. I was not afraid when I went in to be induced but the pain just became too unbearable. My birth plan stated that I did not want an epidural and I told my husband and mother that under no circumstances was I to get one! lol BIG mistake sayin that. They both caved and let me get it because I was in so much pain I couldn't focus. I am hoping with our next child I can go without being induced and having an epidural.

My sister had her baby in February and she did it without ANY pain medication at all. I was right with her through her whole labor and coached her through everything. I know she was hating me at the time because I know the pain she was in but I just kept telling her that it was to late for pain meds. She made it to almost 9cm before she started wanting something. I just kept explaining that this late it would be better for the baby not to be drugged. She now thanks me for not letting her get anything because although my niece came 10 days late, she had inhaled some fluid and ended up with pneumonia. She unfortunately spent her first 10 days in the NICU. The doctors and nurses kept telling us that it could have been A LOT worse if my sister had taken pain meds when she asked for them.

You just need to keep in mind that yes it is going to probably hurt quite a bit, but just remember that the prize at the end will make you forget everything you went through during your labor!! I wish you all the best and hope everything goes well. Follow what your body tells you!

Stephanie - posted on 05/05/2010

:) don't listen to her. Set it in your mind that you're going to do this naturally. Don't give yourself an out or a backup or... because when you're in the moment you'll give in. it's just to easy and too encouraged to give in and have an epidural.

that said, people handle pain differently. you know your body and focus and self-control best. if an epidural is a tool that will help you deliver best, then go for it. if not, then don't give yourself that out. it'll only undermine your determination. :)

me, I hate needles. really. can't stand em. so it's not an option I let myself have. I birthed my twins naturally. my singleton naturally. and I'm gonna do it again in 4 months naturally.

Natalie - posted on 05/05/2010

Oh Danielle, I'm sorry that your mother-in-law is being such a stress for you. Everyone here will tell you a different story of how they did or didn't handle the pain so well but understanding the mechanics of it and how to help things along is way better than worrying about it. Your entire abdominal cavity, your back, your legs your butt and your vagina are all going to be working together as best they can to push baby down and out. The last few centimeters of dialation will be a transition period for your brain to focus and you may feel the want to panic about the pain. If you prepare your body before hand like massaging your perinial muscle with KY jelly or Vitamin oil, and go for walks and have some good orgasmic sex you can give your body a gentle intro to what labour will be like.

My personal experience reminds me of feeling like there was a really fat, heavy person sitting on my stomach that made me want to have a really big bowel movement. I used Entinox to get through my dialation and when the time came to push and breathe, if I did it properly it wasn't so much pain as it was A LOT OF PRESSURE! If I didn't have a good breath or push at the right time then yes it hurt but the pain subsided as soon as I was barring down in the right places.

Just in case no one has told you, there's no shame in having an epidural if you get to a point where you need the help or you just can't do it anymore. You are most definately NOT your M-I-L and that means that you can do things differently and have a good experience, as intense and memorable as it will be you can still marvel at your body's in-born knowledge to do what it needs to do to bring a baby into this world.

Amy - posted on 05/05/2010

My son was posterior, which is supposed to cause longer, harder labors, and much longer and more difficult pushing. He was my 2nd, and my 1st attempt at a vbac (my first was tangled completely in the cord and would have been stillborn if not for the emergency c-section). The labor was not at all as bad as I expected. With my first one, the contractions were hard because of the induction medicine they gave me to speed up labor after 12 hours of light contractions after my water broke. I wasn't progressing, so they gave me cytotec. Of course the reason I wasn't progressing is because he was all tangled up and never dropped into the birth canal, so all the induction meds did was force him down and strangle him. We lost his heartbeat for a minute and a half! So those contractions were super painful, but that was because they weren't natural, and they shouldn't have been happening. However, with my second son, there was no induction, no speeding up of labor, and the contractions were 100% bearable. They contractions woke me up at 5:30AM at 2 minutes apart. I took a shower, dried my hair, got my older son's clothes ready for church, and waited for a friend to get to my house to stay with him until he woke up. My husband and I left our house around 7:30, and that's when the contractions started getting more intense. I couldn't really talk through them anymore. But again, they were totally bearable. They lasted about a minute each, and were 2 minutes apart. I could just breathe through them, and things were fine between contractions. We drove the 30 minutes to the hospital, and when I got there, they had to do IV antibiotics because of group B strep, and do all of the admitting stuff, and that took about an hour. I was at a 3 when I got there, and I just wanted to get in the tub! But after the iv and stuff, I was at a 5, so they let me get in the tub, and it was SOOOOO wonderful! It was like starting labor all over again. That sounds weird, but what I mean is that after I got in the tub, the contractions felt like they had at the beginning. I probably could have slept through them. I was in the tub for a couple of hours, and I got out when the contractions were getting too intense to talk through again, and when we got back to the room, I was at a 10! I started pushing, and after 45 minutes, he was there! Now I'm not going to lie to you - the pushing was just about the worst pain EVER, but the doctor said it was because he was facing up instead of down (posterior), and it makes the pushing a lot worse. The doctor had his hand inside me the whole time I was pushing trying to turn him around. Once he did it, it was the next push, and he was out, and all the pain was gone! I thought I would never make it through the pushing, but I did! It was such an incredible experience, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. There's something so great about being able to walk to the bathroom 20 minutes after you've had a kid, and being able to take a shower after a couple hours!

AND before you make your decision, you need to have the facts. People can tell you stories about what happened to them, good or bad, but the cold hard facts are what helped me make my decision. In your first labor, induction makes you 4 times more likely to have a c-section. An epidural doubles your chances of having a c-section. Epidurals have been proven to cause labors to last longer, and have been proven to make the 2nd stage (pushing) longer. Of course, people will say they had an epi and their labor was short, or they only pushed a couple of times...but again, research has proven this. It doesn't happen in every case, but they are the facts.

Labor was hard - that's why it's called labor. But it's completely bearable, as long as you go into it with the right mindset. If you let yourself get overwhelmed by the pain, it will be overwhelming. If you tell yourself that you can't do it - you won't. :) But I think you can...and it's AWESOME!!

Another thing I've noticed is that the people who say not to have natural childbirth are almost ALWAYS people that have never done it. Most people that have done it will tell you that it's great! If you are considering climbing Mount Everest or running a marathon, would you ask someone that's never done it, then take their word for it when they tell you that you shouldn't? No, you'd ask someone that has done it and take their word for it! :) Good luck!

Chassidi - posted on 05/05/2010

I went through the same thing. I was sooo nervous when it was time to have my baby 4 months ago. I didn't want an epidural at first but I ended up having one because of back labor. Every woman is different with their pain tolerance but I'm glad I got mine because they had to put an itrauterine monitor in and I have a very low pain tolerance. I don't know if I would have been able to handle that. But I still have nerve pains from my epidural...that's the only bad thing. I wish I would have been able to handle it without an epidural...and If you can then more power to you!!!! I really look up to the women that do it without one. :)

Sarah-Anne - posted on 05/05/2010

i made it 25 hours without getting an epidural. when i finally did, no one told me i would be confined to bed. i never would have gotten one if i knew that before. the doctor also told me that i probably would have ended up with a c-section if i hadn't gotten the epidural, since i hadn't dilated past the 1/2cm i was when i went in to be induced, and that every time they kicked up the petocin i just got more swollen. i also am allergic to narcotics, so my epidural was only the numbing stuff, no "drugs".

Andrea - posted on 05/05/2010

Even at my check-ups the nurses and doctors rolled their eyes when I told them I planned to deliver drug-free. "You say that now" was the usual response. Everyone is different, but I am extemely grateful that I didn't listen to everyone's advice about how getting an epidural is the only way to go. I felt very much a part of the birth process. I wasn't numb and I was mentally aware during and after the birth. I felt very much in control of my body. My labor and birth went smoothly and quickly. Part of that is also because I declined other medical advice such as inducing labor. Had I been induced, my body might have struggled to go into labor when it wasn't ready. Inducing often leads to Pitocin which causes unnatural hard labor which leads to a desperate plea for an epidural which most often leads to a loss of bodily sensation which leads to a struggle to deliver and follow your own body's signals which very often leads to an emergency C section. Of course that scenario does not always occur, but it frequently does happen. Follow your intuition. Listen to your body. It knows better than friends, family and medical staff. One thing I found comforting about contractions is that although they did hurt, they would rise and fall. As soon as one began to feel unbearable, it would subside, but each one brought my baby closer to being born. It's a beautiful experience. Hope your experience is how you want it, not how other people want it :)

Shavaune - posted on 05/05/2010

I gave birth 4 times without drugs. I never knew how high my pain tolerance was until I was in labor and I don't think any woman really does. Just go with the flow and don't let other people push you to do something you don't want to do. Woman were giving birth for thousands of years before pain killers were invented. We are designed to "handle" it!

Andrea - posted on 05/05/2010

Labor is different for everyone and usually for every pregnancy. I had just general pain killer because I was so exhausted but if I had gotten sleep the night before probably would have been fine without. I know people who wanted an epideral and I know people who said they didnt want it but couldnt stand the pain. Makes a difference of how you walk in there too. If your determined not to have one, you'll make it through without. Good Luck!

Nikki - posted on 05/05/2010

i told my midwife i didnt want an epidural at all before i went into labour, because of the risks. when i did eventually go into labour they asked me anyway, i said no but they kept harrassing me about it saying i wouldnt be able to handle it because i was a young mum. i had my daughter without it, only you know ur own pain threshold, and you can decide when ur in labour anyway so i wouldnt worry just yet and enjoy ur pregnancy

Kristen - posted on 05/05/2010

Im a mother of two and let me share my experience:

First child: I was a week overdue and went in for induction at 7 AM, BUT they didnt start it till 10 AM =/ that bothered me, cause I ate before I came in, then they told me I couldnt eat after that. They started with the cervidel (it looks like a tampon and they insert it into you to soften your cervix) and during this time they wanted me to stay in bed. I was pretty upset, all my ideas for having my little girl was gone. My doula, who I had trained with for my labor went outta town and i was just not comfortable with her replacement, so my mom turned coach, THANK GOD! About 12-1 PM is when my contractions started and then about5ish they started the pitosin and my contractions really hit me. ALL back labor, it was horrible and they wouldnt turn down the pitossin like my mother asked. My breathing started getting bothersome cause they were all back to back contractions and in my back. About 9-10 PM I was really weak. They gave me morphin, and let me tell you! I felt EVERYTHING, but my mind was so loopy i wasnt able to respond to it. I was THANKFUL when that wore off, but then i was crying to my mom I only needed a 5 minute break and I would be able, but that 5 minutes never came. She called for the epidural for me. I really thought I was going to be able, but back labor was no joke! Just after midnight I got it and was doing alot better. I was able to rest and back to talking to my family who was there. I had gotten pretty nasty with them all before the epi! lol When I was finally feeling the need to push my epi had worn off alot. I felt alot of it and it didnt help that she was stuck at 0 and wouldnt come further down. So she was extracted via vaccuum at 4:37 AM. I do think the pain was worth it and like alot have said you forget alot of it after your baby is born! I had an episitomy and that was the most sore part after labor. If you get stitches or need to be cut, epsom salt bathes are your friend!

Second birth 5 years later: Once again the doctor wanted to induce me, but this time on my due date! I had been contracting for days and not getting any progress. I was sooo sad and let down and feared that i was going to go thru all the same bad parts of the first. I went in at 8 PM and they started it right away this time, but no cervidel! Just pitossin and everything was steady and progressed so nicely for me. I was able to get some sleep thru the night with the contractions and early morning the contractions were alot stronger, so they gave me a pain med ( I wish I could tell you the name but it was not morphine, it was something new they started to use) it wasnt all that bad and helped some. About 10 AM I was rocking and rolling, and then the back pains started. I was done trying to be a rockstar and called for the epi! The man was so nice and it went smoothly, even tho I asked for him to come back and make sure cause it seemed like along time for it to start working, they turned it up some and gave me a clicker, which i only had to use once! But let me tell you, that epi moved things right along. I was ready to push very shortly after! I didnt feel pain AT ALL, but I knew I had to push. I even asked them to turn it down, cause i couldnt feel myself pushing and I wanted to make sure I was doing it right. (doing it right means you use your FULL bottom to push. Alot of women try and keep their butt closed in fear of pooing, but labor goes alot smoother when you use your whole bottom) He came out like a breeeze at 1:30 PM. No tearing, no stitches. LOVELY! I had a little hard time recooperating after, I was very weak. But I drank alot of juice and ate a decent meal, and that restored alot of energy and I was able to move around alot better.

Each women is different, each labor is different. I would do it a million times to have my babies tho. They make it all worth it! Dont listen to when people say the epi slows things down either, that is false! You will know when and if your ready for one! Good luck!

Amy - posted on 05/05/2010

No two labors are the same. My labor was nothing what I expected at all. Do whats right for you, dont let anyone talk you into anything.

Ashley - posted on 05/05/2010

All deliveries are different. I never wanted one, but after the "real" pain started I actually was passing out which isn't conducive for pushing lol. So I got the epidural. After that I was happy to participate in the labour lol. I also have a fairly low pain threshold I am told lol. But many women go all natural, and have no problems. Just remember that you need support and that changes of plans are not failures!

Tammy - posted on 05/05/2010

Everyone handles pain differently. I had a 9 lb 9 oz little boy without an epidural and I also tore 4th degree. I ended up getting the epidural afterwards so they can stich me up, but I will do it again without the epidural. It is a know fact that not using an epidural can cut your labor time down. Because epidurals slow your labor down, and then they give to drugs to speed it up and then you need more of the epidural to help with pain. It is a on going cycle and a lot of women end of with "emergency" c-sections, when they would not have needed it in the first place. :) Thats just my opinion, so just do what you feel you need too. Good luck

Kaley - posted on 05/05/2010

Everyone is differant when it comes to the labor pains, I would wait until you get to the hospital and see how your are feeling to decide on whether or not you want the epidural or not.

Amanda - posted on 05/05/2010

i heard some scarey stories, but honestly it wasnt that bad, my son is 19 weeks and i would do it all over again, u can do it, good luck and i hope ur labour and delievery was as quick as mine♥

Katherine - posted on 05/05/2010

you need all the support you can get juring pregnancy and birth. this is your body and the chioces you make are entiraly yours to make. dont be pushed into anything you are not happy with. iv got three children, iv had c section and 2 normal viginal births. the truth of the matter is neither are pleasant but a womans body is designed and fully capible of handling it. take what pain relief feels right to you. good luck kath x

Hannah - posted on 05/05/2010

Its Really up to you. everyone different i had gas and air and that made me sick. so i had a epadural and that fell out after 5 mins so in the end i done it on my own! and i would do it again. but as soon as you see your baby all the pain will go x

Eva - posted on 05/05/2010

I delivered two boys and had them without any drugs and i'd have another again without any drugs, I guess I just have a high tolerance for pain, but dont worry because in the end when you meet your baby, your pain will have been all worth it, seeing my babies was the best pain-reliever.

Amy - posted on 05/05/2010

I knew I would get one, would you get a root canal without novocaine or gas?? Why feel the pain if you don't have to? But it is all up to you, my mom didn't have any pain meds for 2 of her 3 kids (one was a c-section def can't do that natural!) and I knew ahead of time I wanted it. But I was thinking yesterday about it and labor and delivery was the easiest part of pregnancy for me. If I could skip the 9 months and just go to the hospital I'd have another one sooner than 3-5 years! Good luck! It's not as scary as everyone says on tv.

Krista - posted on 05/05/2010

you need to make that decision before hand. I knew I wanted one because I have a low pain tolerance. I got mine after I was 5 centimeters and was so happy. A friend of mine had no pain meds with her first daughter and is currently expecting, she does not plan on getting an epidural this time either.

Emma - posted on 05/05/2010

It's not that bad why else do women go through it so many times! I've had 3 children and not one epidural and i've never felt the need. Don't get me wrong its not a walk in the park it does hurt and depending on your babys position the pain will differ. My first came out face up which gave me awful back pain, it was also a very long labour but first labours often are. My 2nd came out in 3 hours and my 3rd was a shoulder dystocia its not common so don't be worried. I've got nervous with all 3 as each labour is different.

Good luck xx

Lyza-anne - posted on 05/05/2010

i had three boys with no meds... it all depends on the person on if they want/ need the drugs everyone is different.... your body will let you know if you can do with out the drugs...

Ashley=) - posted on 05/05/2010

The truth is we do what we have to while in that situation.We do know what to do while in labour, what to take and what not to take etc..the main thing is you will get through it and you will do the very best you can for you, whether it be 100% natural or some kind of pain relieve or epidural.The main thing is be proud of the decisions you make and dont feel discouraged for making any of them and i wish you a safe delivery and a wonderful healthy bundle of joy.Everything that will take place up to the point that you hold your little one is well worth it, so keep that in mind all the time before that happens.:-)

Allie - posted on 05/05/2010

I didn't think i wanted epadural. but after the broke my water i got one. it was not that bad and i wore off a hr before i had her it makes the waiting those 12 hrs go by faster because u can sleep a little ! so when it becomes time to push your not so tired. good luck!!!!!!

Angela - posted on 05/05/2010

It's really up to yourself if you get an epadural or not. I did have an epadural for the majority of my labor and I found it helped alot. But it all depends on your labor and how much pain or discompfort your in. Every labor is different for every woman. I know woman who went without and made out great as well. But as I said it' s your choice, it's your labor and your body, and you know how much you can handle.

Lois - posted on 05/05/2010

I laugh with my first born my mum said what if they stick the needle in the wrong place and your paraylised?? way to ease my concerns i had diamorphean with my first and was away witht the birdies and just gas and air with my second now im pregnant and still thinking water? home? epi? im going with the flow. But you need to tell your mother in law its your body and if you dont feel like having a giant needle stuck in your back there are plenty of other options you can choose from that your comfortable with. Also she should be supporting you and listening to your concerns not telling you what you can and cant do ? youv come this far your in the home stretch!! i bet youll be fab and wow them all!! good luck xx

Ashley - posted on 05/05/2010

Hun, everyone's, and I mean EVERYONE'S labor & delivery is different! She can't base what she thinks your l&d will be like based upon hers. You'll know when the time comes how much you can handle. You can hold off as long as you can before getting the epidural, if you get one at all. My mom had 5 (yes, FIVE) kids natural, with no epidural or pain meds! But I'm glad I got the epi. You'll know when the time comes what to do! Good luck!

S. - posted on 05/05/2010

awwww your MIL is well out of order and some one should tell her to shut up. if delivery was that bad the world would be extinct of people millions of years ago, i'm on my 3rd now due in october, with my two girls i had NO pain relief with either however i did have very easy times with both. I would never say never to any drug's if i needed them. (i always put "offer if needed" on my birthing plan)
it is true it is painful as our body's use mussles that it dont usually use, but it is a different pain that is worth it as it is the only way your baby can come in to the world.
EVERYBODY is different but your body will handle more then you think it will, and you wil be stronger then you think you are xx good luck

Sarah - posted on 05/05/2010

I had 2 epidurals but that was because both of my children were born via c-section. Ultimately it is your decision because it is your body and your baby. As long as you are within the threshold for an epidural you can get one at the last moment if you are in unbearable pain. Take a birthing class to show you different techniques to ease labor pains...Some people have such minimal pain they don't even realize they are in labor. Your tolerance for pain will determine if it will be hard on you without an epidural. Personally I have a high threshold for pain and the epidurals didn't bother me more than a pinch. Best of luck and congrats!!!!!!!

Trisha - posted on 05/05/2010

I missed my window to get an epidural and I just had local. I always wanted to have a drug free birth but I was very uncomfortable...and in all honestly child birth was NOT as bad as I thought it was going to be. You will do fine and you can deside in the moment what you would like and what is best for you.

Emma - posted on 05/05/2010

I wanted an epidural but was to far along by the time i got to hospital to get one so i had nothing at all,
I was expecting hell on earth and well it honestly was not that bad,
So when i had my next kid i had nothing as well.
I would say see how it goes if it gets to much get one if you don't feel you need one don't,
We are built to make babies and i think often woman play up the pain a bit to out do each other.
There is no right or wrong answer but don't be forced in to anything and just because you MIL had a bad labour has no bearing on what yours will be like.

Good luck and let us know how it went :-)

Beckie - posted on 05/05/2010

I was the same i didn't want any drugs and i was dead set against an epidural. With my first i had pethadine and nothing else. With my second i just had gas, as i had a 45minute labour. Everyone is different you wil just have to wait till the time comes and see how you are coping. It's all a personal choice.

Mandy - posted on 05/05/2010

My labour was 35 hours. I think that without the epidural I would've been in a lot more pain. I was also given demerol every 4 hours up until I was dilated enough for the epidural.

Everyone handles pain differently, and you'll make the right choice for you when the time comes.

Congratulations and good luck :)

Ruthie - posted on 05/05/2010

Im not going to lie, but yes it is painful!

Giving birth never goes according to plan, my midwife always reminded me that there was plan A, plan B and plan C (emergency cesarean). My plan A was to have a drug free water birth and to have the gas as a back up. I ended up moving to plan B, with gas, pethidine and an epidural and almost needed to get the 'vontouse' out! On the other hand, my sister in law planned to have every drug possible and ended up having a drug free water birth. Our places completely shifted!

Every woman deals with birth differently and there are ways to handle the pain with or without drugs. You wont really know until you get there, so the best plan you can have is to know all the different ways to deal with the pain. You can get through it and just remember that after this you will FINALLY get to meet your beautiful baby, the feeling is so amazing that you'll forget about the hardship of birth.

All the best :)
Ruthie

Noelle - posted on 05/05/2010

hey
try no tto panic over it every one and every labour is so different just go with the flow the more you tense you are the harder it will be. My 1st labour was 23 hrs had really bad back pain got the epidural but it didnt work the way it was meant to it did take the edge of it for me though. I didnt feel much pain when i delivered the head plus i had an episotomy and ventouse done his shoulders where the sorest part. On my 2nd it was pretty much much hell labour only 9 hrs felt like i was going to throw up which is normal went through 2 bottles of gas which i founf usless got epidural which he put in wrong place at 1st try it too didint work at all and i have been left with a weakness in my lower back but the delivery was excruiting the burning sensation plus me tearing a nightmare but once she ws out i was great!!everyone can tell you nightmare stories but you will be able to deal with it when the time comes and dont let anyone pressure you into anything you dont want but keep an open mind and i would say have the epidural bookwed in advance as sometimes there is none available as they can be in theatre or ICU etc.... good luck and you will be fine

Joanna - posted on 05/05/2010

It wasn't as scary for me because I read alot and new what was going on with labor and delivery. The only time I got scared was when my baby went into distress and I had to have a emergency c-section. I filled out my paperwork for my epidural a month before my due date so that when I felt like I needed to have it the person could just come right in and do it then. My mother (bless her soul) had all 9! of us kids with out ANY pain killers! So it really depends on the person one of the good ways to tell if you'll need medication and how strong is how bad your menstrual cramps were right before you got pregnant, because cramps are uterine contractions to get rid of the old lining. The worse the cramps the worse the labor most of the time.

Barbora Milena - posted on 05/05/2010

oh my, why is she scarin u... everyone is different...i had my baby without epidural or any other pain relief... contractions started by noon, by 3p.m. the water broke n by 9p.m. she was born...i just kep walking, jumpin on the gymnastic ball, havin hot showers n joking with my mum... its not so bad as everyone says, actually for me the back pain while dilatetin was worse than the contractions n the final pushing... so just relax, make sure u will be comfortable n havin with u just the ppl who willl support u n make u feel good n go with the flow, u will see what will be the best for u

Nikki - posted on 05/05/2010

i had my 1st baby was born with just gas and air he was 8lb15 and a half oz. that was 6 years ago.
however with my little girl the doctor done a sweep she was born 2 weeks early and i was finding the pain unbearable so i had an epidural. it worked and for me was amazing. the pain had all gone and my little boy was able to come in and see me.
he only left the room when they put the catheter in 20 mins later my princess was born.
go with the flow you body will tell you what you need.

Kerry - posted on 05/05/2010

i had an epidural as i had to go into theatre after i delivered my son....my placenta wouldnt come away. i didnt feel it but i think thats cus the gas and air n just pure adrenalin pumpin through my body xx just go with the flow dont rule anythin out they nly giv you these things if they think its best 4 you

Nikki - posted on 05/05/2010

Jennifer I think you may be a little confused about the epidural, even during a vaginal birth an epidural consists of an injection of an anesthetic into the epidural space of the spinal cord, a hollow needle is placed in your back so they can put a catheter into your back, the catheter is attached to a drip to supply the anaesthetic. You can't have an epidural without a spinal injection.



It sounds scary, but I didn't even feel mine at all, they numb the area first and quite frankly you will probably to worried about the contractions if you get to the point of wanting one, the only think I felt was like someone was pushing on my back, no pain at all, plus the catheter is plastic so the needle doesn't stay in your back, you don't feel it coming out either, the worst part is having the tape they attach it with pulled off your back, feels like your getting a bad back wax!!



The best pain relief I found was to be in the shower on all fours, the difference was amazing, I could't believe it, I was in the shower the entire time until I got my epi.

Jennifer - posted on 05/05/2010

An epidural during a natural birth can also be given to you in a drip. There's no need to have it in the spine. Only in c-sec is it required to be in the spine.