Natural Childbirth VS Epidural/Medication/Interventions

[Merczilla]

Originally Posted by queenofthehivemomof5 The only way to have a baby un-naturally is if you push it out of your nose... Do what you gotta do! *SNIPS* With DS I had an emergency c-section because his umblicial cord was in the birth canal and getting cut off with contractions (I was induced for 2 weeks prior to him deciding it was his time...only kid where my water broke and I went into labor naturally)

lol I forgot that part.....my second kid was also my only one to actually be a "textbook" delivery. 39 weeks, water breaks, hubby take shower, go to hospital, born 5 hours after we got there. My water never broke with any of the others. Labor is different if your water is still intact. I had an ambulance attendant/EMS person with my third, that I just KNEW he didn't believe I was really in labor. (Long story about how I came to be in an ambulance) My daughter was born less than 30 minutes after arriving at the hospital. Yeah, I wasn't REALLY in labor. :hectic1:

[VivaciousJewelz]

Thanks for the posts, everyone! I ran out of reps for today, but I'll try to rep as many as I can!

Originally Posted by tinabohio Oh, and as to pain, after talking with a good many of my female friends who have gone through labors and had kidney/gall stones- the pain from the stones is so much worse! Across the board, talking with those who went natural childbirth, they said they were crying for some pain relief with those! Just so you kind of can know more of what to possibly expect... (that and I am still dealing with the remnants of my laser blasted and stent installed kidney stone- worse than my induced labor and pitocin I tell you!)

I was hospitalized for kidney stones in Sept 2005. It was the worst pain ever. I was in pain for about 5 hours before I finally got medication (2 hours at home, 3 hours in the hospital). After I was released and they gave me a perscription, it was several more days before they had to blast me, and the pain was awful. I would pop 4-5 vicodin a DAY and it wouldn't take the edge off the pain, but I found it was managable if I walked and did breathing exercises. I was even able to go to work while in pain (though I couldn't drive myself) and as long as I took a break every hour and kept breathing through the pain, it was managable.

I don't have my heart set on any one birth plan. I'm for anything that brings Caroline out as a happy and healthy baby. I pretty much just told DH that we would see what happens and if I could handle it naturally, than fine, but if I needed an epidural, or a c-section, or anything like that, then we would just deal with it. I'm very grateful for all the different stories, though. I have a fairly decent pain tolerance since I did martial arts for years and my grandfather was one of my instructors and he used rather cruel methods to build my pain tolerance. If labor is as painful as kidney stones, I could probably handle it naturally through breathing/walking, but if it's any worse, I'll be asking for an epidural, LOL.

[momof2inohio]

I was induced with my son, he was 2 days overdue and already 8 lbs and I was tiny back then so my Dr. was afraid if she didnt induce he would get too big. I had an epidural and delivered him in just under 4 hours.

With my daughter I was also induced 2 weeks early since my amniotic fluid was low. Same deal as with my son, just under 4 hours of labor and I had an epidural.

[shoppinglinda223]

My husband wanted me to have a natural childbirth but said the final decision was completely up to me. I planned on having a natural childbirth. We took the six week childbirth course, practiced breathing techniques, etc.

I had developed gestational diabetes which required insulin shots to control. By my 39th week, my sugar numbers got so out of control that my doctor decided to induce. I had cervidel and picotin. I tried to deal with the pain the best I could. By five centimeters, my water broke and I couldn't handle the pain anymore. I was crying hysterically and losing focus. My husband, who really wanted me to do it without medication before I went into labor, was actually talking me into getting the epidural. He couldn't bear to see me in so much pain. I decided to get the epidural.

Best decision ever for me! After the epidural I was a much happier woman in labor and was able to calm down. I had no side effects or tingling afterwards.

I will definately request an epidural for any future babies. What matters most is doing what you want to do and what you think is best. You are the one having the baby - not the doctors, midwives, nurses, dulas, husband, etc!

[carisal]

Originally Posted by regbyandjulie Thanks for the posts, everyone! I ran out of reps for today, but I'll try to rep as many as I can! I was hospitalized for kidney stones in Sept 2005. It was the worst pain ever. I was in pain for about 5 hours before I finally got medication (2 hours at home, 3 hours in the hospital). After I was released and they gave me a perscription, it was several more days before they had to blast me, and the pain was awful. I would pop 4-5 vicodin a DAY and it wouldn't take the edge off the pain, but I found it was managable if I walked and did breathing exercises. I was even able to go to work while in pain (though I couldn't drive myself) and as long as I took a break every hour and kept breathing through the pain, it was managable. I don't have my heart set on any one birth plan. I'm for anything that brings Caroline out as a happy and healthy baby. I pretty much just told DH that we would see what happens and if I could handle it naturally, than fine, but if I needed an epidural, or a c-section, or anything like that, then we would just deal with it. I'm very grateful for all the different stories, though. I have a fairly decent pain tolerance since I did martial arts for years and my grandfather was one of my instructors and he used rather cruel methods to build my pain tolerance. If labor is as painful as kidney stones, I could probably handle it naturally through breathing/walking, but if it's any worse, I'll be asking for an epidural, LOL.

You went TO WORK with a kidney stone??!! I think you will be fine without an epidural then. I had a KS at 13 weeks pregnant(w/DD/#1) and I wish I had been able to get an epi for that. I would say it was right on par with the pain I got to when I asked for the epi. when it hit it was so sudden and I thought I had been shot in the back. I was at work and I was fine. absolutely fine, cleaning the glass doors... and BAM ***PAIN**** so I called DH and told him to get there right away and take over the store... waited i guess 5 min or so before i called him back and told him i wasnt waiting for him to get there and closed the store. i thought I was going to pass out driving to the hospital. I thank god it took "only" 12 hours to pass but.... I hope I never ever have a repeat. DH had several (5 or 6) each 1 month or so apart, several years ago. Now I know why that is the only time I ever saw him cry...

sorry for the OT but I am amazed you went to work with a kidney stone.

[carolfsvt]

My first was a c-section, the second a long, hard labor with medication and the third was no medication. It was too late by the time I got to the hospital for an epidural which I wanted. However, number 3 by far was the easiest delivery and recovery.

Carol

[Macaela25]

I've just now had time to go back and thoroughly read the OP and responses. In reference to your DH's opinion on the matter, when my DH is the one on the bed pushing, he gets to make decisions on pain management. I'm not saying that your DH shouldn't advise you, but you should ultimately make your own decision without pressure from anyone.

I never would have dreamed of telling my DH what type of pain management to have during or after his surgery. Childbirth is still a medical procedure despite the fact that it is a joyous life event. I think many women (not necessarily you, OP) forget that in the rosy romantic glow of things.

[chefsuz]

Originally Posted by Merczilla lol I forgot that part.....my second kid was also my only one to actually be a "textbook" delivery. 39 weeks, water breaks, hubby take shower, go to hospital, born 5 hours after we got there. My water never broke with any of the others. Labor is different if your water is still intact. I had an ambulance attendant/EMS person with my third, that I just KNEW he didn't believe I was really in labor. (Long story about how I came to be in an ambulance) My daughter was born less than 30 minutes after arriving at the hospital. Yeah, I wasn't REALLY in labor. :hectic1:

LOL - they didn't believe I was in labor either - got to the hospital and I was "so calm" and "looked like I was in a trance" so they kept doing stuff like getting me pillows even though I told them the baby was coming. When they finally checked me 5 minutes later, the nurse yells "I have a head" and suddenly there were people running around trying to get ready. I had my son 3 pushes later.

I did an epidural the first child and hypnobirthing the second. I did hypnobirthing and no meds the second because the first (with the epidural) was an awful experience. After the second, I would willingly go through labor again because it was soo extrordinary to actually feel myself giving birth. But I do think if you're even going to try for no meds, you'll need to do some preparation to help you through the hard parts (things like learning that laboring laying down is A LOT more painful than other positions and the wonderful thing called counterpressure).

ETA: In case it's not obvious, the quick one where I was "in a trance" was the hypnobirthing, without meds one. Good luck and I hope you have the birth experience you want, whatever you choose.

[Debbieomi]

I was induced at 39 weeks and failed to progress past 5 cm dialation. I had planned for a natural birth but ended up with a c/s. The epidural for the c/s was a nightmare, scared witless that I would be paralyzed. (I got the headache from it afterward and had to have the blood patch. Immediate relief. That was my only complication.) I was so disappointed in myself during all the prep for the c/s but once he was born, it was all good. He weighed 11 pounds and 13 ounces and if I had shot him out naturally...I would STILL be walking bowlegged.
Good luck!!

[Mothernature]

Originally Posted by faeryedark Well, my first ws an emergency C-section that they knocked me out for. I liked it that way to be honest, wake -up and, here's your baby! I healed really fast from that too. I wanted my second one to be a C-section too, but they pushed for me to try vaginally, yeah that worked, NOT! Well, it did sorta tho' they had to break DS2's collarbone to get him out, and that was only after they gave me an epidural that has messed up my back. ETA: that the Vaginal birth (for me) took longer to heal from. I was so sore but with the C-section, I was up the next day and walking around fine.

I had an awake emergency c-section. I started walking after the second day. It hurt like **** but i did it.

I was sick for three weeks as I had to go out with Dh to the stores. I had no one to help me with DS. I literally leaned on carts to move around.

I did the needle twice without issue. I would do it again in a heart beat.