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epidural vs natural

62

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 11:00

In my first 2 deliveries i only took the laughing gas, it was an agony, but recovery was fantastic. I'm scared to death now when i recall what i went through, but, i am scared of the idea of this big injection in my back.
Can u please share your experience ladies?
Thanks

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116

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 14:49

Was in 2 minds whether to take epidural or not, had conflicting opinions from friends who took epidural. Finally opted the natural way which was 32hrs labour. If i ever think of having a 2nd one would still go for natural.

Hello.Again.Kitty

1861

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 18 April 2011 - 13:00

Epidural is fantastic but if you are brave you can go au naturale.....just have the epidural on standby! Lol! There's nothing brave about it though... you do what you need to do on the day, that's it. No more, no less.

3220

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 18 April 2011 - 12:40

Epidural is fantastic but if you are brave you can go au naturale.....just have the epidural on standby! Lol!

Anonymous (not verified)

0

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 16:38

went au natural, actually had a home birth just to get as far away from unnatural as possible. i would deffinetly do it again, the water helped with pain tremendously, especially the hot shower beating down on m lower back. i alo took hypnobirthing, and i have to say that helped as well instead of focusing on the contractions i was telling myself to breathe and loved how aware i was of my body. my sister had an epidural 7 years ago and found that she gets recurring back pain, and said her labor was longer than normal cause she just wasn't as aware of her body, and that made pushing difficult. so for her second birth she went natural and said that was a a snap. also you have to do the reasearch on how it affects the baby too, aaand going natural you get yo feel the oxytocin and endorphins take your body over right after birth, what a high of love and happiness by the way i had a great mid-wife like another post mentioned having a doula, these woman totally help with making you feel empowered, strong and beautiful. after i was done pushing i felt like such a trooper, and i told my self, dont worry mamma, with this pain, will come the most amazing pleasure ever, you little girl!!! : )

829

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 16:30

Oh geez, it's hard to recommend anything since everybody's labour and birth is so different. I've had one epidural (in deepest darkest Taiwan so NO other option even gas available) then one really quick labour (bar of soap jobbie with nothing at all) and then a final one with gas and air and a shot of pethidine which made me gurn like an old man. My recovery for all three was swift but I had no stitches or anything. I would say that if you have time (and you might not in a second or third delivery - see above :D) I would just see how you go. Gas gave me some sense of 'control' over the pain if you see what I mean. I had no control when I had the epidural but not having an english speaking caregiver didn't help either. Hand signals were used for stop and start pushing and I suppose knowing what I know now I would have been able to read my body better if I could have felt the pain. Just get to the hospital early and then see how you go and consider other options if they are available too. Good Luck

Anonymous (not verified)

0

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 16:27

went au natural, actually had a home birth just to get as far away from unnatural as possible. i would deffinetly do it again, the water helped with pain tremendously, especially the hot shower beating down on m lower back. i alo took hypnobirthing, and i have to say that helped as well instead of focusing on the contractions i was telling myself to breathe and loved how aware i was of my body. my sister had an epidural 7 years ago and found that she gets recurring back pain, and said her labor was longer than normal cause she just wasn't as aware of her body, and that made pushing difficult. so for her second birth she went natural and said that was a a snap. also you have to do the reasearch on how it affects the baby too, aaand going natural you get yo feel the oxytocin and endorphins take your body over right after birth, what a high of love and happiness

16

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 14:40

My doctor says " you wouldn't go to the dentist to have a tooth removed without anaesthetic, so why do you want to give birth with no pain relief?!" I don't entirely agree, as having a tooth removed is not natural like childbirth, but then she does have a point.... <em>edited by MM on 17/04/2011</em>

5452

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 17:46

I had an epidural with my first and no pain relief with the second, although I would have opted for it but there was no time. If I were to have a third, I would not have an epidural. The pain was horrible the second-time around but it was so nice to be up and about right afterwards. I must add, though, that I had a very quick labor so I was not in pain for more than 15 minutes.

394

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 17:06

........ and if you do opt for an epidural, make sure the person administering the injection knows what they are doing!! I had my DD 3 weeks ago and my back is still killing me, the anethsitist (probably spelt that wrong) had the needle in and out of my back 4 times before she got the right spot. For me the epidural was more traumatic than the actual birth. As said before, if you do opt for drugs make sure you know what you're getting in to.... Having said that - I hope all goes well for you!!

743

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 15:12

Everyone is going to have their own views. You have to do what's best for you. Thing is that you can have a birth plan and most times it gets thrown out the window. Wanting natural could end up being in a c section or with drugs, preparing yourself for an epidural could end up being a natural if your baby comes quick and there isn't enough of a window for an epidural. I had epidurals for both labours. But both were dramatically different anyways so the drugs didn't impact recovery the same way.

4747

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 15:04

In my first 2 deliveries i only took the laughing gas, it was an agony, but recovery was fantastic. I'm scared to death now when i recall what i went through, but, i am scared of the idea of this big injection in my back. Can u please share your experience ladies? Thanks had a general and planned c-section with no1 and then in the end had to have an epidural with no2, it was no bother at all.

2937

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 14:34

Absolutely - kit yourself out with as much information as you can lay your hands on so you can make an informed decision and don't end up in a panic with too much being thrown at you right at the last minute. Nobody wants to have to choose one option or another in the heat of the moment if they then feel like they don't have all the facts to hand. The one thing I would say, though, is don't get yourself too hung up on whichever way you want it beforehand so you end up disappointed if it doesn't go your way. I was all for as natural a birth as can be and my birth experience was anything but. While I only wanted my baby to be OK at the time, I think now I set myself up for failure by convincing myself it would be totally natural. Had I been a little more open to whatever might crop up on the day, I wouldn't have given up right when I needed to be strongest. It still upsets me now.

2340

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 11 April 2011 - 02:06

What's the end result of a labour with no pain relief? Your baby. What's the end result of a labour with an epidural or any other drugs you can lay your hands on? Your baby. You don't get a medal for doing it au naturel. Do whatever you need on the day and don't [i'>ever[/i'> let anyone make you feel bad about it. Agreed...as long as you go into it educated about the possible implications of using those drugs. I am not anti-pain relief, but I am very much pro-education. There are possible negative consequences for both Mum and Baby, so as long as you make informed decisions, you can approach labour ready for whatever it throws at you. My personal experience after two labours with epidural and one without was that I had a FAR faster recovery time after no drugs. Of course, every woman, every baby and every labour is unique so there are many, many factors that decide how your birthing experience and recovery will go. Best wishes to you! <em>edited by Green-ish on 11/04/2011</em>

119

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 21:57

Had epidurals for both my babies. The pain of the epidural (which is really over in less than a minute) was nothing in comparison to the hours of pain contractions can cause. Read up about it and speak to your doctor. My theory was if there is something out there to ease the pain and make the experience more bearable - why not go for it!

1403

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 21:43

What's the end result of a labour with no pain relief? Your baby. What's the end result of a labour with an epidural or any other drugs you can lay your hands on? Your baby. You don't get a medal for doing it au naturel. Do whatever you need on the day and don't [i'>ever[/i'> let anyone make you feel bad about it. Yep! Amen to that! ;)

1618

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 21:31

What's the end result of a labour with no pain relief? Your baby. What's the end result of a labour with an epidural or any other drugs you can lay your hands on? Your baby. You don't get a medal for doing it au naturel. Do whatever you need on the day and don't [i'>ever[/i'> let anyone make you feel bad about it. So true! Well said :)

2937

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 21:27

What's the end result of a labour with no pain relief? Your baby. What's the end result of a labour with an epidural or any other drugs you can lay your hands on? Your baby. You don't get a medal for doing it au naturel. Do whatever you need on the day and don't [i'>ever[/i'> let anyone make you feel bad about it.

668

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 21:13

I had no epidural with both of my pregnancies. My first pregnancy I went into the hospital and I was dilated at 8cm so the doctor would not give me the epidural. With my 2nd I was doing great for the first 3 hours of contractions, I was in control and then in the 4th hour that's it I was out of control. I couldn't take it any more. I was begging for the epidural, but the midwives and nurses were reassuring me I was doing so good and I was almost there. 30 minutes later I had my son. I think if the circumstances were different and I was in labor for longer periods I would definitely have an epidural.

1618

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 21:08

I had an epidural with my first baby 7 years ago. The doctor said "breathe in and out ok we're done". I was amazed as I didn't feel anything. With my second baby 2 years ago it was a completely different experience. I really wanted an epidural since the first experience was so fantastic. I felt every needle go in, it was extremely painful. When the first needle went in I felt a massive electric shock over my whole body then lost all feeling from the neck down. The feeling slowly started coming back with pins and needles. I thought that the doctor had paralysed me! A year later I was having a massage and the therapist put a little bit of pressure where I had had the epidural, I got the smae painful feeling as when having the epidural done, I passed out then the pins and needles feeling and all feeling came back. Now baby no.3 is due and I have decided no epidural as I'm terrified that there could've been permanent damage done and a third needle may cause paralasis.

704

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 20:31

With my first, I did the whole natural thing with a doula and the like - it was the worst pain I've ever felt. With my second, I did the epidural, and i have to say, it was amazing. I could still feel the contractions, the pain wasn't unbearable and I could still feel everything but just not the pain. I had back labour with both and I have to say it was better pain wise the second time. Just my experience though.

308

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 15:02

Hi Leen, i had an epidural for the birth of DD 4 months ago. I always said i would just see how it went, and if it all got too much, i would go for the epidural. Having had no experience of labour before, i didn't know what to expect. I went for 5 hours with just gas, and then decided it was time for something stronger. My labour started at midnight, so i was already on 24 hours with no sleep before the hard work even started. I felt nothing when they did the injection, obviously you cant see anything anyway as its behind you, i didnt feel it go in as they numb the area, and 5 minutes later all the contraction pain was gone. I was able to sleep for 4-5 hours, watch some Emmerdale (!) and get ready for the real work. I did find it tough knowing how to push with a numb lower half when the time finally came, but my fab midwives helped me through. Also i think it slows labour down, so in the end the whole thing took 13 hrs from first twinge to DD on my chest. I have no lasting effects, and was up and around as soon as the effects wore off a few hours later. Hope that helps somewhat.

42

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 13:40

Leen, maybe you should consider having some extra support. I had both of my kids without pain meds, but for the second delivery I hired a doula...it made a great difference. She made me feel positive about my body and its abilities before going in labor, taught me and my husband several pain management tools and was there for me and my husband all the time during labor and delivery. It made the experience soooo much more positive, I felt great afterwards!!!! You did it already twice...you can do it again!!!

Hello.Again.Kitty

1861

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 11:16

I didn't have epidurals at either of my two labours and laughing gas only for my first. I know lots of women who've had epidurals and loved them and one where she had medical complications from it, so just like any medical intervention, it carries risks, however small. Minimal medical intervention is always ideal, but sometimes neither realistic nor practical! My advice would be to prepare yourself by making peace with whatever solution will be most appropriate on the day. Take it as it comes - you've already done it twice, after all - and if you need more, then take more. No one gets a medal at the end, so if the idea that "you know what, if I want an epidural, I'll get one" calms and relaxes you, then maybe you won't need one after all.

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