Natural Childbirth VS Epidural/Medication/Interventions

[Merczilla]

I had 3 natural, no drugs. Last one emergency C-section. The two in the middle, they had to do emergency D&C's after, as my placenta wouldn't detach, so I ended up in surgery anyway. For me, the worst it ever was, was like really severe menstrual cramps. So it really wasn't bad at all. I had no need for any pain meds at all.....other than the c-section. At my age at the time (43), I had a very difficult time healing up and found that more painful than childbirth. Things still aren't "right" down there. lol

It's whatever works for you. I have a rather high pain threshold, so it was no biggie. I've had people tell me it was the most horrible thing they ever went through. *shrugs* Everyone is different. If you can get through it without drugs, good for you.

[MnM's Mama]

:D Yes and I would do it again! Went to hold M2 and he nuzzled me which was cute but then he actually latched right on OMG! and he was hungry, boy that was a HUGE hello! but M1 was too cuddly from jaundice/bilirubin and passed out on my chest!

[mom2lucas]

Its a personal choice, but keep your options open. My patient advocate nurse gave me some great advice: when you can no longer think clearly because of the pain, then you need something to take the edge off.

I was induced with both of my babies, and I had epidurals both times. I had not planned to have one with DS but I got to the point I could no longer think or move. With DD, I had the same plan. If the pain is bad enough that I can no longer think or be able to make decisions if I need to, then I was getting one. Actually I got it when I hit 5 and was about to have my water broken. I had no problems breast feeding either time. I didn't have the tingling sensations the next day or anything like that. I didn't get headaches or back pain, but I did have a little spot that felt tight for a couple of days. Now its fine.

[coupon*clipper]

I had a drug-free labor and birth with both of mine, and would do it over again in a heartbeat.

I went into it with an open mind however. I really wanted to have a natural labor/delivery, but also didn't want to spend my labor sobbing in pain. What kind of memory is that? I decided that if it got really bad, I would definitely get an epidural. But the trick that worked for me was staying upright and walking. That brought the pain level down to a level I could manage. Lying down made the contractions 100 times worse.

Also remember this: In any other time in our life, pain is an indication that something is wrong. Except for labor. That's probably the scariest part. We start thinking "but this hurts a lot, something must be wrong, I better get drugs". But in reality, labor is the only time when pain is normal, not an indication that something's wrong.

I wish you the best!

[caitlyn12284]

I wanted to leave that decision to the time and how I was feeling. I had hopes of going natural but was not at all too proud to ask for the epi!! I was induced because of high blood pressure at 37 weeks with my DS and was in labor for 30 hours, terrible back labor...no fun. Finally in the last 1/2 hour I decided to get the epidural and it totally rushed the process, from 2cm to 10cm in literally 1/2 hour. In my opinion, it is totally a personal decision. Whatever you feel comfortable with, go for it!!

[murphycoupons]

I was induced and had epidurals with both of mine. I have a spine condition and had the epidurals put in right after the induction and but did not start the meds until I needed them. I had no trouble breast feeding either one and it was the right choice for me. However, that does not mean it is the right choice for anyone else. Listen to and follow your heart.

[anothershopper2]

I agree with the pp. When I asked my OB about it - she said she found that the women who were flexible about their birth experience (as in if something had to change) seemed to be the most happy about it. But if you have a strong preference for all natural then I think you should stick with it, but if you are on the fence, then I think that's perfectly all right too. I had to get an induction at 37 weeks 6 days and I didn't find out until less than 2 weeks before. So I was not ready. I took birthing classes and I think they leaned me even more towards epidural than not. But after I discovered that I needed an induction, I felt like epidural is probably the way to go since I needed to get pitocin, and my friends said the contractions are worse with pitocin. I had so many things in me that I didn't feel bad. I lasted pretty ok until I was 6 cm or so... the contractions were like horrible horrible menstrual cramps for me. I think the worse was the pressure... that I really couldn't take and epidural does nothing to relieve that at least not for me. But I discovered that I needed to feel something in order to push properly. So the nurse had to shut it off after 30 minutes of pushing cause I was making no progress pushing and by the time I pushed her out another 45 minutes later, I really felt it. But one leg was still a bit numb for the whole rest of the night.

Again - it depends on you and everyone has their own personal story... Good luck and congrats!

[peachafrye]

The first time I had an epidural, I was induced, blah, blah and I had a really hard time, the second time I went all natural and had no problems. I wouldn't look down on anybody that wants an epidural, cause the first time I did too, but I would recommend that you research it first. It wasn't until after I had my first that I researched it and found that having an epidural increasing your chances of c-section and some other complications. If you are going to try to do without the epidural I would say to not be afraid to vocalize when you get to the point in labor that you can't be silent anymore, I truly believe that is what helped me and just because you don't get an epidural doesn't mean they can't give you a shot of something in the arm . HTH and good luck either way. OHH and I breastfed both and had no problems.

[Sculpture Widow]

I have been through both extremes.

My first was an emergency c-section. Baby was breech with absolutely no measurable amniotic fluid at 36 week. The c-section was a piece of cake. Really. I had heard all of these horror stories about c-sections, and I was bound and determined to have an all natural birth. But...sometimes strange stuff happens....and it did.
I have to say I was in really good physical shape, so I don't know if that played into my great experience. I had a spinal block (not completey knocked out) and I didn't even feel it while they were administiring it. Also, absolutely NO issues breastfeeding. My #1 DS nursed until he was almost 3! Also, I was up walking around in a couple days & healed very quickly from the c-section.

Then with my second baby, I had an all natural birth. I only took ibuprofen after. Another unusual experience than most women probably.....sure the contractions hurt, but....I had absolutely no urge to push when it was time to do so. I would not let them check me, and when my midwife finally forced me into checking how far I was dilated, I was complete (10 cm), just sitting there, breathing, working thru the contractions. My doula said I was probably at 10 cm for an hour or so before they checked me. We all joke that somehow I had a self-induced epidural...I felt no pain when pushing, in fact at that point (when they finally made me push) I could NOT feel the contractions, and had to watch the monitor just like everyone else to see when they were coming, so I would know when to push. My only issue was that I am small framed, this was my first vaginal birth, and my new boy was 9.3. So, my issues with having an vaginal birth were the issues afterward...how it changed my body, etc. Oh, and horrible issues breastfeeding......I thought it was going to be a piece of cake, since I had such a wonderful breastfeeding relationship with my first. But my second was very difficult, and the 15 months I nursed him were quite traumatic, and I feel horrible every day b/c he's not nursing anymore -- now 16 months.

I just wanted to throw the breastfeeding thing in there, b/c I know there are lots of folks out there who will say if you have drugs during labor, or a c-section, etc, that nursing can be more difficult. It was just the complete opposite for me. My first baby was sleepy, but I don't think it was meds in his system, it was just that he was early. Breastfeeding must be learned by both mom & baby. For both of my babies, it was NOT easy in the beginning. I LOVED breastfeeding more than anything. So my opinion is NO MATTER what kind of birth you have, your baby CAN breastfeed. It just takes work & patience & good counseling!! Never let anyone discourge you!!! The football hold (nursing position) saved my life!

We are done having kids, but if I were to do it again, I would have the natural birth. The risk to mom & baby is less, no matter what. I know it sounds like I would choose differently from my story above, but in my heart I feel like a natural birth is the right thing to try (for me).

Good Luck!!

[searcher]

I am not sure I agree with that doctor! I am a redhead and I have a low pain tolerance!