Natural Childbirth VS Epidural/Medication/Interventions

[cbms]

I have had four births. No epi's. I did allow a half dose of Nubain (sp?) in my IV when I was having #3. The stupid nurse would NOT leave me the heck alone about my "need" for an epidural. *major eye rolling* I finally said, "give me a half dose of something in the IV and leave me the hell alone!" All it did was make me angry-it made me tired. I'd fall asleep, wake up puking and contracting, then sleep for a minute. Wake up puking and contracting, then fall asleep for a minute. You get the idea...

#4 was the most amazing birth ever. I decided (after the horrible nurse with #3) that I would go with a birth center. I went into labor and just relaxed with my extended family (at the Christmas celebration 2 days before Christmas) and then went to the center-where my husband, children, mom, sister in law, a few nieces, and my dad were with me during the birth (well-dad was outside the room, but just feet away). We met the midwife there at 6:45. I had my baby at 7:43 PM after just a few pushes and the most relaxed labor I've had so far... and I was home before 1 AM posting my birth story and sleeping in my own bed with my tiny little boy beside me. My sister also took an entire collection of pictures so I can remember the experience through photos.

Never again will I have a hospital birth (I don't plan on having any more births at all... but sometimes things happen lol).

I found for me, that labor is very much a mind over matter issue. I told myself that there was no way that labor was more than my body could handle-as my body was MADE for laboring and giving birth. I didn't fight my body-instead, I really put myself into a relaxed state during contractions.

My first labor was 9 hours total. Second was 1 hour 45 minutes. Third was about 31 hours (after a six year gap-and she's been a troublemaker ever since)! The fourth was under 8 hours.

The only one I had medication with was the worst one.

[couponmom2008]

Originally Posted by W0Wme You will know if and when you want drugs or an epi, just don't put yourself through more stress than you or your body can handle... Each woman is different, some can handle the pain, some can't. Some are so afraid to try at the first sign of pain they take the epi, depends on you really. Doesn't make you a bad person either way. We all can give you advice, but you are none of us. You know your strengths, your body and your decision is yours for your own reasons. Natural Childbirth is like a lock and key, everything has to fit (how often do you find that perfect pair of jeans when shopping to fit & on sale? exactly!) Too many variables come into play with childbirth. Ironically, I was more afraid of that needle for a epi than I was giving natural childbirth. In my case I was able to do natural childbirth, I had my son 5 1/2 hours after my water broke... 3 pushes... all went really fast and a definite shocker to all being my first (and only) baby! I kid people and explain thats why I didn't have another baby because the first one went too well ... LOL. Seriously, its all play it by ear type of thing & I do wish you and the baby the best!

Wonderful advice:smile77:

[kmcody0522]

My Experiences:

DD#1 was born 8 days past her due date and labor started on its own at 3 AM, I went to the hospital where I was checked and admitted to Labor and Delivery. I used the birthing tub, but couldn't deliver in it as there was meconium in the water. She was born with no medication. 8 lbs 6 oz and a whole lotta stitches. Labor lasted 6 hours. I was not able to breastfeed because at the time it was only me and her and I went right back to work at 4 weeks postpartum.

DD#2 was born 3 weeks early. Labor started on its on and by the time I got to the hospital I was at 5 cm and admitted to labor and delivery. This time during my pregnancy I was GBS positive and given an IV. I did opt for some fentanyl pushes in my IV, which did not make me drowsy or sick to my stomach. And it ONLY took the edge off. My main reason was that during this labor I was laughing and joking with labor at 5 cm and no one could believe I wasn't in serious pain. Then when my water broke I had no time to switch gears and focus, so the fentanyl helped me relax so I could focus on the pushing. She was 6 lbs 14 oz no tearing. I also did not breastfeed with DD#2, I was in college for nursing and luckily had her 2 days after my summer semester ended.

DD#3 Well, during this pregnancy I had so many false starts it wasn't even funny. I had gone 7 days past my due date with her and even had a scheduled induction day. I woke up on induction day with contractions, and was up at the hospital at 8. I told myself that this was the last time I was going to do this and I didnt have anything to prove to myself so I was opting for the epidural. I did not feel the needle go into my back whatsoever, and as soon as the medication began flowing through the catheter they put in my back it was bliss. I had one hour of pain free so I was able to rest and then was able to feel enough to push. However, I did need to change position once to get her to come out. She was the largest of all 3 girls weighing in at 9 lbs 3 oz but required no stitches.
I decided that I wanted to nurse baby number 3 very early in my pregnancy and wanted to avoid any medications that could potentially make baby drowsy or sleepy as I wanted to hold her and begin nursing right away. I have been nursing her now exclusively for 3 months and plan to continue. I did not have any side effects from the epidural whatsoever, so for me it was a great experience. Good luck in your decision and best wishes to you and your family!!

[Dengineer]

Here's my stories--two natural, one not so much--


First DD--I was induced at 41 weeks, had Stadol, barfed all over the bed, passed out for 2 hours and then pushed for an hour. Total time in labor--about 9 hours. Everything was ok in the end but I DID NOT want another experience like that again! I felt like crap for several days afterward, although the baby didn't seem affected at all.

DS--No drugs at all--EASIEST BIRTH (and easiest child too, go figure!). Water broke at home about 7 pm and we scurried to the hospital. I started having mild contractions about midnight. Kept asking the nurses to check my progress over the next 3 hours because the contractions were getting more intense. Was assured that NOTHING was going on and that I would get some pitocin at 5 am to get my labor started. Finally about 3:45 a.m. I asked for some pain medication since from talking to the nurses I thought I was going to be there another 12 hours at least. They did check me at that point and I was 9+ centimeters dilated. I said forget the medication and DS was born about 30 minutes later.

Second DD--Again, no drugs at all--I had my cervix stripped at 41 weeks and about 36 hours later I went into this weird pre-labor where I had a strong contraction every 10 minutes for two entire days. Finally about 48 hours after the contractions started I went to the hospital, they broke my water and DD was born about 2 1/2 hours later. It was a VERY intense 2 1/2 hours and was almost as bad as being induced, but if I had known it was only going to last 2 1/2 hours it wouldn't have been so bad.

A lot of the things that apparently work for other people did not interest me at all. I did NOT want a water birth, didn't want any "pleasant" music or anyone touching me. I wanted complete silence and a lot of space. I also wasn't that interested in moving around a lot, except changing positions in the bed--I liked elevating the head of the bed straight up and down and sitting up on my knees and leaning sideways against it.

I highly recommend a doula--I used one for the last baby and she was AWESOME! She handled all the nurses for me and basically everyone was kicked out of the room except me and her until the VERY end. (DH was with the two older kids.) She even jumped all over one of the nurses at one of my pre-natal appointments--they said on ultrasound the baby was going to be 9 lb 12 ounces (she wasn't) and the nurse joked I would definitely need an epidural with a baby that big and the doula jumped right in and loudly said something like "Well, she's given birth naturally before and there's no reason she can't do it again!" She was GREAT and worth every penny--I think we paid her about $450.

[clippingfool]

One word: hypnobabies.com
Used it for all three (have a 2 week old) and would do it again if we have another :)
Totally worth it!!

[warcraftbaby]

This is my Public Service Announcement version of a birth story for anyone who plans on a medicated birth.

On Fri I started having the every 5 min contractions, went to the hospital, only 3cm and completely effaced but home I went. Dealt with that all day and finally managed sleep around midnite-1ish early Sat. At approx 2:30am I woke up to my water breaking and MY HUSBAND DIDN'T BELIEVE ME :hectic1: He refused to get up to take me to the hospital so I cleaned up my waters while in labor, waiting on him to get up and drive me to the hospital

We get to the hossy around 3am, I immediately begin telling everyone in sight EPIDURAL. Around 3:30 a nurse finally informs me I can't have an epi because NO ONE IS ON STAFF TO GIVE ONE. We had taken no birth classes because I had planned on pain control as soon as they would give it to me. So my pain tolerance ended at that moment and I was the crazy lady in labor screaming for drugs. I got some Fentanyl but it's all they could give me because I progressed very quickly. That wore off about 3:45 and that's when they realized I'd gone from 3cm when I came in to 10cm and called the dr. Those EVIL UNHOLY people would not let me push and made me hold in the baby until the dr arrived an HOUR LATER. Then I did push for 26mins and they had to do an episiotomy (which I am vehemently opposed to except for the situation that happened to me o the irony) and vacuum her out because she was OP meaning she was facing the wrong way and got stuck. So I managed to do without an epi and some decent pain relief and survived.

Next time I hope for an epi, but my OB said 90% chance I won't get any pain relief because I'll progress too quickly :sad: I obviously CAN do it without pain relief I certainly didn't/don't want to. It probably would've helped TONS if I had taken a birthing class, and also if I had better insurance to go to a different hossy that would've had SOMEONE on staff that could deliver a baby without making me hold her in for a flippin hour, or someone on staff who can administer an epi at any hour not just 9 to 5 :hectic1:

So my PSA is TAKE A BIRTHING CLASS no matter what option you choose. It's totally up to you what you do. My pain scale has labor at #1, abdominal surgery #2, and tattoos at #3 so obviously I have a low pain tolerance I think as long as you're prepared for any situation you'll do ok!

[clp8904]

I had my 1st child without any medications b/c he came so fast. Water broke at 130am he was born at 432am, by the time I got to the hospital it was too late for any medication so I was told. 2nd child was induced, I waited too late for the drugs again. My pain tolorence is really high so I didn't know I was in labor the 1st time and the 2nd time it wasnt hurting until it was time to push. I only pushed for 10-15 minutes.

[sumi123]

as far as my own personal experience i would suggest to go naturally as i had the worst condition due to epidural i was progressing very quickly from just 1cm to 5 cm but the evil nurse kept saying to go for an epi i didnt wanted too even the doc said you would have your baby by evening but silly me i got lured in by the nurse who was at my head saying oh its so good you wont feel the pain so eventually i let it go for a epi but that was the saddest part as soon as i was given an epi everything stopped my water broke and i was stuck at 6cm i waited for 10 hrs but my cervix didnt dilated beyond that 6cm mark and by the end i developed fever so they had to do an emergency c sec and i was so sore for months i couldnt hold my baby and i was under the influence of meds till the next day when i got to see my dd so i would suggest you to talk talk and talk to your doctor before you go in labor about all the medications and side effects of them as i never did dont be like me but this time i am careful i am going for a vbac and i changed my doc and tell her on every visit remeber it natural this time even though each pregnancy is different but its aways best to keep informed now they say that yeah epidurals causes labor to slow down but whats the use when you hear it after you have been cut open .
i wish you allthe best to you and to all others dont listen to others listen to you and you only

[mysticme]

I went into premature labor at 34 weeks with my DS. I woke up one morning and thought I had wet the bed. I was so embarrassed and was trying to change the sheets (while my hubby was still in the bed). It never occurred to me that my water had broken. I wasn't concerned until I saw blood when I went to the bathroom. I wasn't having any contractions but the blood scared me so I went to the doctor's office alone to get a checkup. The doctor told me I was in labor but I convinced her to allow me to leave the hospital, drive home to get my hubby and come back. At the time we only had one car and he did not know how to drive (Crazy Brits rely on public transportation too much). Anyway, I came home and packed up clothing, shaved my legs and we headed back to the hospital. I gave birth about 3 hours later. It was totally natural (no meds) and was great. I didn't really even know when I was having contractions, I just felt the pressure at the end. I remember feeling his head come out and it felt kinda good. The shot used to numb me to sew me up was the worse part of it all. He was very small, alittle less than 5 pounds, but healthy. I was up walking around an hour after giving birth and felt great.

When I had my DD, 5 years later it was very similar. She came at 37 weeks and was larger than DS at alittle less than 6 pounds. I was shopping in Bi-lo when my water broke . I remember fussing at the bagger to keep everything cold together so we could just drop it in the fridge and go to the hospital. I felt like it was going to be a fast one. The contractions got worse going to the hospital (hubby drove this time) and I had about 3 really bad contractions while walking around once we got settled into our room. I always think I was just getting a taste of what it might be like for other women and they were bring you to your knees bad. I was older, 35, and more out of shape than with DS so pushing was more difficult but still bearable. I gave birth (without meds again) about 2 hours after getting to the hospital. I think I would've been fine afterward but my hubby pulled my leg too hard the wrong way and pulled my thigh muscles out of whack. Getting numbed and getting over the damage my hubby did to my leg was the worst part.
I consider myself extremely lucky.

[meems]

DD #1..all natural..DD #2, drugs! Both were 12 hr labors..I did have a vision doubling, kick my butt migraine, but that was my only side effect from the epi.