Natural Childbirth VS Epidural/Medication/Interventions

[littlelilith]

I had an epidural with DD (my first and only so far). I was doing great with no drugs, but then they decided they needed to 'augment' my labor with pitocin which makes things get way more intense/painful quickly. I asked for the epi then, but never would have if I'd have known what I know now! The anestheologist had to try so many times I lost count, get more needles, go up higher on my back (I was numb from armpits down), etc. I counted 7 times, then lost track after that (there were at least 3-4 more attempts after that, but I was in tears at this point and not really paying attention. Later the anesthesiologist told me he had seen some spinal fluid leaking out and thinks he more or less gave me an accidental spinal tap. I had spinal headaches for weeks afterward (read: about 50x worse than a bad migraine), had all kinds of other problems resulting from that, including regular headaches and migraines even now, 3 1/2 years later, when I never really got headaches before.

Basically.. no more needles in my back if I can help it. If we decide to have another (our experiences with the after effects of all this have strongly discouraged us on having another biological child), I'm going to shoot for all natural.

[lovejag77]

Originally Posted by littlelilith I had an epidural with DD (my first and only so far). I was doing great with no drugs, but then they decided they needed to 'augment' my labor with pitocin which makes things get way more intense/painful quickly. I asked for the epi then, but never would have if I'd have known what I know now! The anestheologist had to try so many times I lost count, get more needles, go up higher on my back (I was numb from armpits down), etc. I counted 7 times, then lost track after that (there were at least 3-4 more attempts after that, but I was in tears at this point and not really paying attention. Later the anesthesiologist told me he had seen some spinal fluid leaking out and thinks he more or less gave me an accidental spinal tap. I had spinal headaches for weeks afterward (read: about 50x worse than a bad migraine), had all kinds of other problems resulting from that, including regular headaches and migraines even now, 3 1/2 years later, when I never really got headaches before. Basically.. no more needles in my back if I can help it. If we decide to have another (our experiences with the after effects of all this have strongly discouraged us on having another biological child), I'm going to shoot for all natural.

Dont let it discourage you from having another baby. I too had a bad epi experience but if you try to avoid medical intervention next time you'll probably be fine. Alot of the things doctors due nowadays is so unneccesary. For example they will try to give you petocin even though you've only been in labor 4 hrs and have dialted because they want to hurry up and get you out. If you can't handle the pain you could always get a small does of iv pain meds they are usually safer then having a needle in your spine. The scary thing about medical stuff is you really gotta do your homework. Sometimes the pain for a day or two is worth not having side effects. also epis make a mother more likely to tear worse,have a c-section,cause the baby to not be able to shift position and end up in the wrong position,slow labor etc. More power the the woman that didn't have problems. But i have yet to meet a friend or family member including me that hasnt had a problem. It took my doctor 40 minutes to put mine in and it wore off.

[cpaige]

I am due in a few weeks, and I am all for the Epidural. I have a pretty good tolerance for pain, but there is only so much a person is built to take! LOL....that is MY opinion and I'm sticking with it!!! I will fight against the Pitocin as I have heard zero good things about it, and have no desire for it. Betcha a man invented it!! LOL

[addy'sgram]

My 19 year old daughter was induced, and she was still able to go natural-without and epidural. And she was very happy about that.

[xythnia]

#1: Toured the hospital. Left feeling like it was for sick people not having babies. Ended up having midwives. Told I was late and would have to go to the hospital to be induced. Walked 8 miles that night with my mom and started labor the next morning. Water labored a bit (in a small pool - didn't help, just felt wet!), last hours of labor my midwife held my hand and was so calm that I fell asleep for the next 3 hours. Woke up and had a happy, healthy big boy 10 hours after starting labor with no complications.

15 years later...

#2: Wanted another home birth but new regulations and insurance issues have killed off most of the local midwives and we couldn't do it out of pocket. Found a birth center that closed down 1 month prior but the Dr/Owners now worked out of a hospital's birthing center. Ended up "late" and told I had to induce. Walked out of the hospital, looked up natural induction methods. Went for a 3 mile walk with hubby then had a little "quality time" with each other (look it up - men have a natural form of Pitocin...) - woke up 1 hour later in full labor. Went to the hospital, labored in any position I wanted (on all fours was best but they kept making me get on my back to "check" and then it hurt SOO bad). Actually felt myself transition to the final, "need to push now" stage and had my daughter 6 hours after starting labor. HOWEVER...This time I did hemorrage and they dumped some clotting crap into my system and pushed on my uterus to help it contract down to size (HURT...LIKE....H*LL!!!). I passed a huge clot hours later but was otherwise fine.

Just like most mommas have said. It's really personal. Do what you have to but educate yourself no matter what you choose! Don't let people say you HAVE to have one thing or another. And while no one should look down on a momma who went with meds...umm...please don't call those of us who opted for the natural route martyrs... Both sides of that coin are judgmental and wrong.

Both my sisters' had epidurals and meds and my Niece and Nephew are all grown up and fine. Me? I am glad I did it naturally both times. Both babies were happy, alert, eyes wide, no crying - just calm, hungry and tired (it is hard on them too!). I am hopefully done (We don't want more) but if I had to do it again, I'd love to do a hypnobirth - awesome video of a mom on youtube with one and it was beautiful - made me cry!

[Pammijo58]

I had my first three children without even a Tylenol. My last two...numb from the neck down, as it should be!

[honeysucklerose]

With my dd, I used childbirth hypnosis and had a painless labor. It really, really works. After three kids and three different experiences, I would never, ever want to go through labor without hypnosis. It was a great experience and one I'd repeat in a heartbeat if I were ever going to have any more babies.

[deb60]

I had mine bot girls over 20 years ago and about be a grandma for the 1st time. With DD #1 was in hospital for 16 weeks with premature labor so when it came time to deliver was scared to death. Went to hospital and said was at 5cm and I told them I could be in pain at home. 2 hours later was back and in the delivery room (walked in and had enough time to have nurse pull off my jeans and within 10 minutes baby was here. Had a little longer time in L&D with # 2 since we were in Europe and 50 miles from the hospital and DH was in a panic and scared to death he'd have to deliver baby himself on the side of autobahn. Had no pain meds with either but do believe it's a very personal choice. DD wants natural birth and DH teases her that he wont have to go to hospital at delivery time since we live only 6 blocks away and he'll be able to hear the whole thing from the backyard.

[amcatanzaro]

I did NOT have an epi, only the pain meds that they put in the iv. Two births this way. I had an excellent experience with both. I went into labor naturally and delivered normally.

Now the lady in the next room had an epi from my screaming, but I was done much sooner than her.

[nccouponqueen]

I cannot say enough good things about midwives, birth centers and natural childbirth. My first childbirthing experience was 11 years ago today as a single mom and it was your standard experience- hospital delivery w/ epidural. DS was whisked away from me moments after delivery and taken to nursery. Did not see him again for several hours afterward...which I believe made breastfeeding all the more challenging. It was very impersonal & controlled. I felt like I had nearly zero input on anything during labor & delivery.

10 years, a marriage and 2 miscarriages later, DH and I successfully conceived a baby girl. After researching birthing methods and options & asking more direct questions of our ob/gyn office (a group practice), we decided to switch to an entirely midwife staffed birth center midway through the pregnancy and we were so glad we did! The experience was night and day from my first child's entry into the world. It felt natural, in every sense of the word. We felt empowered throughout the process and our daughter's birth was a truly beautiful, family centered experience. We got to bond with our daughter as a family immediately after her delivery and we left the birth center as a complete family just several hours after her birth.

DH was much more involved than he would have been in a hospital setting- midwife allowed him to act as my primary coach. It was intense and intimate. We had planned on having our other 3 children witness the delivery but they did not arrive until well into pushing...and at that point, I wanted my focus to be completely on the task at hand so they weren't there until seconds after their baby sister was born.

Another wonderful part of birth center delivery for us thrifty ladies- it was HALF the cost of a hospital delivery.

I could go on and on...if you have any questions about birth centers, midwives or natural childbirth in general feel free to PM me. I'm a big advocate!