s/o to pregnant momma post

RachieK10 · February 2012

I don't mean to sound like a jerk here, but why don't some of you (or didn't some of you) want an epidural? Is it religious, health/safety, or what? Obviously I've done zero research on the subject, I just know that if there's something to make it not hurt I want it!

Just curious what the basis behind it is, bc I'm sure you have good reasons or else you're just masochists Stick out tongue

dayzchic9 · February 2012

LOL - i say sign me up!

sometimes they say you feel all out of it, and you can't really feel/move your lower body for a while afterwards - and some don't like the lack of control. i'm okay with it if it makes the experience more... bearable. lol i thought about have a brownie on my way in since baby will be on the way out... LOL kidding, kinda, crossed my mind, but, in the grand scheme prob not a good idea... but man i am missing my vices!

i'm also interested in hearing what you ladies think!

friendlyturner · February 2012

I have two reasons why I won't use one, Rach, one being religiously and the other being based on my research. Without getting too into details, I believe that women are meant to experience the pain of childbirth; the pain isn't there for it to just be medicated over; that there's a reason for everything, including the pain. There are loads of scriptures I could get into that speak to that, but I won't dive into it. My second reason is because, statistically, epidurals have a tendency to turn non-emergency labors into emergency labors because, along with the way in which a woman is placed on her back during labor when in a hospital setting, it can severely reduce the heart rate and drop blood pressure of both the mother and the child. It is, in a nutshell, what turns a regular labor into a c-section, from what I have read...and I've done a lot of reading on it. The U.S. has the highest c-section rate and one of the lowest infant mortality rates - and a large majority of those c-sections are a result of epidurals gone wrong. There are lots of books that speak to both ends of this discussion - I personally would recommend watching "The Business of Being Born" - if you ever want to know of books I'd be happy to provide you recommendations as well.

waltzingmatilda13 · February 2012

friendlyturner:
My second reason is because, statistically, epidurals have a tendency to turn non-emergency labors into emergency labors because, along with the way in which a woman is placed on her back during labor when in a hospital setting, it can severely reduce the heart rate and drop blood pressure of both the mother and the child. It is, in a nutshell, what turns a regular labor into a c-section, from what I have read...and I've done a lot of reading on it. The U.S. has the highest c-section rate and one of the lowest infant mortality rates - and a large majority of those c-sections are a result of epidurals gone wrong. There are lots of books that speak to both ends of this discussion - I personally would recommend watching "The Business of Being Born" - if you ever want to know of books I'd be happy to provide you recommendations as well.

We learned about this in my labor basics class and were told that, my hospital at least, counteracts the drop in blood pressure with another medication. They know it causes the drop and they take step to prevent it so it's not an issue. My hospital c-section rate is actually very low compared to the national average.

kikijbunny · February 2012

LOL, I'm a masochist! But truly, for some reason the idea of it freaked me out. I know it sounds illogical, as I've heard time and time again how the discomfort of getting an epi is nothing compared to the pain of giving birth, but I don't know if I could sit through getting the epi put in. Seriously I had major anxiety over it.

And I think I just wanted to know what labor really felt like. Yeah it hurt like I'd never felt before, but I'm glad I felt it and if I did it again, I'd probably still go epi free, or try to. My labor was super quick, and surprisingly once it got time to pushing it hurt much less. Next time, actually I'd want to try to avoid the pitocin so as to not have the super intense contractions I did once they broke my water.

I also didn't want to have drugs that might interfere with baby's alertness at birth, breastfeeding etc. Of course in the end I was pumped with bunches of drugs (all except pain meds) to stop labor etc due to the early delivery, and didn't get to spend more than a few seconds with Milo on my chest before he was whisked off to the NICU, so meh, I was high risk, so I was lucky to have gotten away with as natural a birth as I did!

friendlyturner · February 2012

waltzingmatilda13:
We learned about this in my labor basics class and were told that, my hospital at least, counteracts the drop in blood pressure with another medication. They know it causes the drop and they take step to prevent it so it's not an issue. My hospital c-section rate is actually very low compared to the national average.

I'm happy to hear that, girly! When it comes down to it, so long as each woman is making her decision based on both self knowledge and scientific research, then it's the best decision for her.

waltzingmatilda13 · February 2012

friendlyturner:
waltzingmatilda13:
We learned about this in my labor basics class and were told that, my hospital at least, counteracts the drop in blood pressure with another medication. They know it causes the drop and they take step to prevent it so it's not an issue. My hospital c-section rate is actually very low compared to the national average.
I'm happy to hear that, girly! When it comes down to it, so long as each woman is making her decision based on both self knowledge and scientific research, then it's the best decision for her.

I completely agree with that statement! Each woman needs to make her own birth plan to ensure that she is comfortable and as stress-free as possible. I would never judge anyone one way or the other because we are all different and have different ideals of what is right for us.

I was just providing the info for Rachel and others who may not know that yes, blood pressure can drop as a result of an epi, but there are ways to make it better and avoid a c-section if you choose to go that route.

friendlyturner · February 2012

waltzingmatilda13:

I was just providing the info for Rachel and others who may not know that yes, blood pressure can drop as a result of an epi, but there are ways to make it better and avoid a c-section if you choose to go that route.

You don't have to explain yourself - I'm all for all bits and pieces of information.

ribbicks · February 2012

I didn't want an epi but ended up having one at about the 36 hour mark. LOL! I didn't want one for various reasons. Anything that goes into your body goes into the baby's and I didn't want my baby to be drugged. I was also one of those who was super cautious during my pregnancy with what I ingested, used, etc. I wasn't sure if breastfeeding would go as planned since I had breast surgery a while ago and didn't want anything else interfering. Also, having an epi increases your chances of having a c-section bc it can snowball. Doesn't for everyone obviously, but it does increase your chances. For me also, I felt like it was a personal right of passage...but I've moved on from that and now just working on a vaginal birth!!! Nothing against anyone who gets one though!! I totally understand!!!

The reason I did finally get it was bc I wasn't dilating (stuck at 7) and the doctor felt that it might help me relax enough to finish dilating. The baby was also showing signs of distress so it was a last ditch effort to see if I could be having her vaginally. Well, I dilated to 8 but it still wasn't fast enough and off I went for an emergency c section.

I would have had that c section w/ or w/out the epi but let me tell you, I barely even felt it when they were doing it. But then again, I was having back labor so I was pretty focused on that!

After going through it, I'm not against having another epi (actually way less against it than I was the first time), but I am going to try my hardest...again... to do it naturally. Who knows how it will go since already having a c section increases my need of having to have a second!

waltzingmatilda13 · February 2012

ribbicks:
I didn't want an epi but ended up having one at about the 36 hour mark. LOL! I didn't want one for various reasons. Anything that goes into your body goes into the baby's and I didn't want my baby to be drugged. I was also one of those who was super cautious during my pregnancy with what I ingested, used, etc. I wasn't sure if breastfeeding would go as planned since I had breast surgery a while ago and didn't want anything else interfering. Also, having an epi increases your chances of having a c-section bc it can snowball. Doesn't for everyone obviously, but it does increase your chances. For me also, I felt like it was a personal right of passage...but I've moved on from that and now just working on a vaginal birth!!! Nothing against anyone who gets one though!! I totally understand!!!
The reason I did finally get it was bc I wasn't dilating (stuck at 7) and the doctor felt that it might help me relax enough to finish dilating. The baby was also showing signs of distress so it was a last ditch effort to see if I could be having her vaginally. Well, I dilated to 8 but it still wasn't fast enough and off I went for an emergency c section.
I would have had that c section w/ or w/out the epi but let me tell you, I barely even felt it when they were doing it. But then again, I was having back labor so I was pretty focused on that!
After going through it, I'm not against having another epi (actually way less against it than I was the first time), but I am going to try my hardest...again... to do it naturally. Who knows how it will go since already having a c section increases my need of having to have a second!

Oh sweetie, I had no idea you made it 36 hours without drugs! You are a stronger woman than I am!

That reminds me of my other reason for wanting an epi. If I do end up needing a c-section for whatever reason I'll have to get one anyway, so this way I feel like I'll already be prepared. In an emergency I'll obviously be on general anesthesia, which I want to avoid at all costs, but if he's too big and it comes to that it will take less time to get me in and him out since it takes 20-30 minutes for the epi to take full effect.

I'm just terrified of going in on general anesthesia and them forcing a bottle on him because I'm knocked out and can't BF right away. I don't want him to have formula unless it's absolutely needed.

ribbicks · February 2012

waltzingmatilda13:
ribbicks:
I didn't want an epi but ended up having one at about the 36 hour mark. LOL! I didn't want one for various reasons. Anything that goes into your body goes into the baby's and I didn't want my baby to be drugged. I was also one of those who was super cautious during my pregnancy with what I ingested, used, etc. I wasn't sure if breastfeeding would go as planned since I had breast surgery a while ago and didn't want anything else interfering. Also, having an epi increases your chances of having a c-section bc it can snowball. Doesn't for everyone obviously, but it does increase your chances. For me also, I felt like it was a personal right of passage...but I've moved on from that and now just working on a vaginal birth!!! Nothing against anyone who gets one though!! I totally understand!!!
The reason I did finally get it was bc I wasn't dilating (stuck at 7) and the doctor felt that it might help me relax enough to finish dilating. The baby was also showing signs of distress so it was a last ditch effort to see if I could be having her vaginally. Well, I dilated to 8 but it still wasn't fast enough and off I went for an emergency c section.
I would have had that c section w/ or w/out the epi but let me tell you, I barely even felt it when they were doing it. But then again, I was having back labor so I was pretty focused on that!
After going through it, I'm not against having another epi (actually way less against it than I was the first time), but I am going to try my hardest...again... to do it naturally. Who knows how it will go since already having a c section increases my need of having to have a second!

Oh sweetie, I had no idea you made it 36 hours without drugs! You are a stronger woman than I am!
That reminds me of my other reason for wanting an epi. If I do end up needing a c-section for whatever reason I'll have to get one anyway, so this way I feel like I'll already be prepared. In an emergency I'll obviously be on general anesthesia, which I want to avoid at all costs, but if he's too big and it comes to that it will take less time to get me in and him out since it takes 20-30 minutes for the epi to take full effect.
I'm just terrified of going in on general anesthesia and them forcing a bottle on him because I'm knocked out and can't BF right away. I don't want him to have formula unless it's absolutely needed.

If you make it clear you are going to breastfeed they shouldn't give him formula unless there were complications.

W/ mine, I was lucky to have gotten the epi before they called the c section so they didn't have to put me under. However, they called it so fast and from the time they called it (in my room) till the baby was out, it was 4 mins. I had to wait till they could xray me to make sure that they didn't leave anything in me since they didn't have time to count the instruments and it was so hurried. So it was probably about an hour till I was able to hold her and breastfeed her.

My point is that the baby will be fine to wait to breastfeed if you have to be put under. Plus the baby will be getting weighed and measured and getting some bonding time in with Daddy so it won't seem like that long! So don't fret about it! Just make sure they know that you are breastfeeding, and make sure your hubby knows too, and it shouldn't be an issue!

dasmel30 · February 2012

I have a pretty high pain tolerance so I believe I will be okay. With hypnobabies, it's a state of mind kind of thing. With society today you are led to believe that giving birth is very painful, when in actuality that is what your mind is led to believe so that's what you will feel.

I also do not want an epi for the same reasons as Jeni/Becka stated. It does affect the baby and I'd rather avoid that.

Sn2BLee · February 2012

One of my reasons for not wanting an epi is that I absolutely HATE needles and the thought of a needle going into my back just gives me the creeps. Even thinking about it now just makes me shudder.

I also felt child birth was something I wanted to experience. I knew it was going to hurt and be painful, but women have been giving birth for hundreds of years without epi's. I didn't want to be one those people that said, "I got my epidural and didn't feel a thing." I'm not trying to offend anyone and I really hope I don't. But it just doesn't make sense to me how you give birth to a child and not feel anything. You're bringing a baby into the world - to me, you should feel something when doing that - even if that is painful.

I got a lot of negative comments from friends/co-workers when I mentioned not wanting pain medication. But there was a co-worker that completely cheered me on and told me how much better of a feeling she had when she gave birth med-free with her second versus epidural with her first. Another co-worker told me the story of how her epidural was too high and she doesn't remember anything about her daughter's birth. My own thoughts along with their stories definitely made up my decision going into labor.

Now I will admit that once I was in labor, it was difficult. Merritt was facing the wrong way and gave me back labor the entire time. I was ready to break down and ask for pain medication at the end. I was only dilated to a 7 and I thought I had at least 3 more hours of labor (the nurse told me they estimate 1 centimeter per hour). But then I went from a 7 to a 9.5 in less than 45 minutes and pain medication was no longer an option. And honestly, I'm so glad it wasn't. It was such a "feel good" feeling to know that I had made it on my own.

Sorry for my book. I guess I feel a lot stronger about this than I thought.

Lisa6255 · February 2012

Total props to you no-drugs ladies :-) I am not a fan of medication in general. I don't think I've had anything other than advil or tylenol sinus since my wisdom teeth were taken out in 2004 and I had anesthesia b/c all the teeth were impacted, and in my lifetime, the pink stuff for ear infections as a kid and prednisone when I had poison ivy all over my body- TIP :don't take a hot shower after gardening, b/c if you touched poison ivy and open your pores it might get it all over like mine did : Stick out tongue

Anyway both my SILs had home births, no drugs, so I think that's awesome that more people are doing it!

No disrespect of course to the other ladies! I still love you all! Smile

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