Ok moms, another post for you. The question this time is...
Did you choose to have an epidural or a natural delivery?
Why?
What were the pros/cons?
(feel free to remain anonymous if you'd rather)
I know I'm still months away from delivery, but I'm wanting to learn as much as I can about both so I can be as prepared as possible (i.e. take classes, learn techniques, etc)
A big THANK YOU to those who gave such great advice and help on the last "Mom" post!
I chose to have an epidural. I figured there was no point in being in pain when I did not have to be and it's safe for both mom and baby. Being in too much pain can also put more stress on the baby and I didn't want to do that. I was terrified to have an epidural but I honestly did not feel a thing! Well, I did feel a lot when my epidural wore off during delivery. :-) I went through delivery without one but I was thankful that I had one before that because it helped me to relax and get a bit of rest before delivery. If you do choose to get one, I would recommend telling the anesthesiologist to do a "light" one. He can always give you more if you need it but if you start light and that works, it does not take as long to wear off and you can still feel a bit more of the contractions (pressure). Much better than a full blown epidural (at least for me)! :-)
ReplyDeleteI know some people don't want to get one because they want to 'feel' like they helped in the delivery or look at things are more naturalistic way. But I'm pretty sure you can tell them how much you want to feel and they can give you just enough. (Don't quote me on that, but I think I've heard that)
ReplyDeleteI was kind of scared that it would kill getting the epidural (going into your spine) but all there was was pressure, no pain :) And I guess I'm not one to comment and judge your choice off of, because if I hadn't gotten one, lil warren wouldnt be alive...they wouldnt have been able to perform the c-section right away. But I'm always gonna get one anyway. I'm more for being comfortable when the babies coming;)
I got an epidural and LOVED it! I don't see why someone wouldn't...it took every pain I was feeling completely away! I seriously barley felt carter coming out of me, that's how amazing it was. Mine was continually administered to me through an IV in my spine so it never wore off the whole birthing process. I didn't take any birthing classes, watch any videos or anything before I had Carter because I didn't want to scare myself. I don't know if that was the best idea but it worked for me, I was completely calm through the whole process. The worst part of labor was the contractions right before I got the epidual. I would also recommend an excersize ball if the hospital has one, the nurse brought one in when my contractions got painful and what I did was sit on it and when the contactions got bad I would roll myself back and forth on it and it helped A TON! That worked for about 2 hours then I asked for the epidural, and was in heaven!!
ReplyDeletep.s. It's lauren...not skyler, haha!
ReplyDeletei got an epidural, for me it was the right decision. i don't do pain to well and before the epidural i was just in so much pain. i tried the medications they offer to reduce the pain before you get an epidural (to kind of hold the epidural off) and they just made me terribly sick, and they did not help the pain in anyway! once i got the epidural (which by the way i can't remember feeling it being placed in at all) i was in heaven. the only thing i would have changed is if i would have known i would have requested a light dose so that i could have felt a little bit more and so that it didn't last so long after riley was born. other than that for me it was the best choice and the one i will make every time. i like to be prepared and the idea of something going wrong and having to be sent in for an emergency c-section, i would just rather already be on the epidural so i could actually be awake for my babies birth. if you aren't from what i have heard they typically have to put you under (i could be wrong), but i wouldn't want to risk it. i think you will make the best choice for you though. there are a lot out there.
ReplyDeleteWell, I planned on going natural. I did hypnobirthing classes and absolutely loved it. I was so nervous about the delivery, but taking those classes really relaxed me and instead made me really look forward to delivery. Many of the mothers in my class were on their second babies and decided to do hypnobirthing because of epidural complications they had with the first like (headaches, numbness in the legs, etc.) My own mother had complications with hers and that's why I was hesitant about doing it myself. The epidural most times does slow down labor, which could be nice, but could be more stress on the baby (that's what happened with my sister-in-law. I ended up having an emergency c-section and had no epidural before hand, so when they came into give it to me, it really hurt! I screamed! But, I think that was the anestigiologist (spelling?). Then I got really sick and was throwing up and they had to put me out. But for me, I think it was a blessing that I was put out because I think I would have really panicked had I seen Cayman when they pulled him out. (Matty said he was completely blue and looked like a little limp doll. He wasn't breathing and they couldn't find a heart beat, but he is fine now). After delivery the only thing that hurt me was my back where the epidural was. The incision in my stomach didn't bother me at all, in fact I had such a fast recovery that my doctor gave me the go ahead to work out again after 3 weeks (normally they say 6 weeks) so it was great. Next time I have a baby I am going to do a VBAC if possible and I would like to try natural again. If there does need to be a c-section they can do epidurals really fast, they don't always need to put you out, I was an exception. Plus, I would like to be able to get up and walk around after. The thing is, this is so individual and so definitely do your research and talk to your doctor. You can definitely pray about it too. I'm sure it will all go well for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great question, and one that can way heavy on your mind as you approach the birth of your first child and want to do the very best thing for her or him.
ReplyDeleteAfter a lot of reading/researching I decided to go "All Natural" with my first...Addi. I had different reasons.... I wanted my baby to be awake and alert afterwards, and start the bonding and breastfeeding off on a great start rather than be drugged. I wanted to be able to be in any position, rather than laying down, because I didn't want to tear. I just felt like it was normal and natural and that I could and wanted to do it! (Amidst other reasons that I can hardly remember) We took some really great birthing classes, following the "Bradley Method." Which helped immensely. I had her at the hospital so I felt like if I needed drugs or there was a problem we would be close to the help we needed. I labored primarily in the bath tub there and it helped immensely. But when all is said and done....my labor was very very long and because I didn't have an epidural I couldn't sleep at all, so I was absolutely exhausted and therefore practically felt like I was hardly even present at delivery because I was so tired. I didn't get to hold her right away for nearly an hour after and so I guess what I am trying to say is all of the dreams I had in going all natural did not come true. But I am glad I did it because that's what I wanted to do with that birth. Having said that...will I do it agian? Probably not. I had a C-section with my second and it was a breeze compared to what I went through with Addi and neither of us would be alive it weren't for C-sections. But I still don't regret doing it the way I did with Addi.
I don't know if I am making sense. Do some reading. Do a lot of praying, and you will know what feels like the right thing to do. Just don't have too many expectations because in the end the only thing that matters is a healthy mom and a healthy baby.
As for me, I hope I get a chance to have another vaginal birth, but With and epidural this time:)
Don't believe people when they say an epidural "drugs" a baby. It's really not true and many doctors will tell you that it is not true either. I had one and my 1st child was one of the most alert newborns any of the nurses and doctors had ever seen. They would never give epidurals if they were dangerous to a baby/mother. I don't know anyone that has had an epidural that says their baby looks or seems drugged in any way. Most all babies are alert enough to start breastfeeding right away if their delivery/health allows. YOU will make the right choice but just don't let people or books scare you. When it comes time for your little one to be born, you and your doctors will know the right decisions and procedures for your specific delivery. =D As far as the epidural hurting, a lot of it has to do with the anesthesiologist and your mind. I felt a little bit of a "pop" in my back and that was it! AMAZING and will do it the same way every single time! I went light on mine though so I was able to walk around extremely fast after delivery. GOOD LUCK
ReplyDeleteMost everyone I know that went natural with their first child said that while it was amazing to feel everything, they would probably never do it that way again. It was not worth the pain and discomfort, not to mention the stress on both mommy and baby. It makes time seem a lot longer too. You will do so great!
ReplyDeleteMy first two I wanted an epidural mostly because I do not do well with pain. I am so amazed at the women who can do it all natural and wish I could! So with my last one, I decided I wasn't against epidurals, but I was going to hold off on one to see how long I could go (the first 2 I felt the pain of the contractions and asked for the epidural right away). So with my last one, I held off and suffered through the pain... it really wasn't that bad of pain, once I got used to the pain, but after a few hours I decided I needed the break so I asked for the epidural.
ReplyDeleteThe first 2 epidurals didn't hurt at all, but the last one. ohhh... :( I have never been in so much pain! And had I known that I would of been in labor only 45 mins more after I got the epidural I would of chosen to do it all natural. The next baby I have I think I will plan on going as long as I can, in hopes that I won't have to get the epidural, but I won't be disappointed if I do get it.
Like some others have already said, don't have to high of expectations... most of the time it never goes the way you want it to anyway. If you do decide to go all natural, don't be hard on your self if you need to get the epidural. I know many people who feel they have failed if they get the epidural.
I had horrible back labor and absolutely no pain or discomfort in my abdomen. They say back labor is the worse there is so I was more than happy to get an epidural. I did not feel anything when I got it, really. I waited as long as I could before I got one but then realized there really was no point in waiting. Why suffer if you don't need to, right? Make a plan but just remember that you may not be able to stick to it once in labor and there is nothing wrong with that.
ReplyDeleteI had an epidural and it was amazing. I felt enough when it was time to have Shelby to know what to do. I think especially with your first baby, which means your labor is usually longer, and the chance of being induced you really want to be able to relax for the hours of contractions. I was in labor for 11 hours and 22 minutes. It's one thing to think about pushing the baby out with no epidural, it's another to think about being in pain for all of those hours. I didn't sleep most of the night because I was induced and didn't get my epidural until morning. Because of the pain meds I could nap during the day which was so nice since all craziness broke loose once she was born.
ReplyDeleteI had an epidural and loved it! I made it until I was at an 8 without any meds then I got my epidural. This worked great for me. Since I waited so long my labor and delivery went WAY fast. But getting the epidural made me able to seriously enjoy the last part of my labor and the actual birth. I was able to concentrate on pushing (and I could feel enough even with my epidural that pushing was easy). The epidural made me relaxed and calm so that I could just enjoy the amazing experience and I don't regret getting it at all. But, everyone is different. Good luck deciding!!
ReplyDeleteI had an epidural for both of my kids. With my son I was in labor for 25 hours and ended up having a c-section, so I was grateful I had the epidural before hand so they could get him out quickly. I've known mothers who have had to have emergency c-sections with no epidural. I did NOT want that to happen to me. I also had one with my daughter and it was amazing. It didn't hurt when I got it like you would think it would. Once you feel labor pains, you'll know whether you need one or not.
ReplyDeletesorry i am lame and i am just going to add a couple more of my thoughts. the pain from the epidural would be b/c of the anesthesiologist. luckily b/c of where you live they are giving them almost 24/7 they are pretty experienced so i wouldn't worry about that. IF it happens to be someone still new or learning don't be afraid to ask for a more experienced anesthesiologist. there is pain in your back (sometimes a bruise) after they remove everything which isn't always fun.
ReplyDeleteas far as it drugging my baby, yeah no she was very alert when she came out. it cause absolutely no harm to her what so ever. however, i didn't like that the numbness lasted several hours later, but i addressed that earlier. with an epidural you get all the same bonding time as you do with out one. there really is no difference. if you don't want them to take your baby right away you may want to consider having your baby in a labor home? i really don't know what its called it isn't a hospital and it isn't your own home, its safe but they allow the mom the be with baby a lot more from the very beginning from what i understand.
I like that you are asking these questions Rach, I read all the responses since I'm having to make the same decisions :)
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