| Posted By |
Message |
| Pages: [1] 2 |
|
|
Why do some women....
...choose not to have the epi? Sometimes when reading birth stories where women went all natural on purpose, it makes me feel like "Should I feel guilty for wanting to get an epi?"
|
Posted 6/21/12 3:56 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
|
Why do some women....
I didn't want it becuase I know the slight risks associated with it and just the thought of someone messing with my spine freaks me out. Also I thought I was tough enough to deal with the pain. I wanted to be able to feel when to push and to know if something was wrong.
I wound up caving after they started the pitocin and got the epi. I asked them to go super light with it and they did, it took the edge off but I could still feel enough to push and my legs weren't numb. This time I'll just get the epi, I discovered the pain is too much for me. I will still have a total anxiety attack again when they insert it I'm sure.
|
| Posted 6/21/12 4:04 PM |
| |
|
IAMMRSBROWN
3 under 2!!!
Member since 10/10 2476 total posts
Name:
Carey
|
Re: Why do some women....
Whatever their reason is, hats off to them.
GIVE ME THOSE DRUGS! 
|
| Posted 6/21/12 4:04 PM |
| |
|
MrsRapz
mahna mahna!
Member since 2/12 1952 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Why do some women....
i just don't like the idea of being drugged. i like knowing that i'm in full control.
that said, i have a feeling i'll end up with an epi in the end. That's fine with too, if that happens.
There's no right or wrong! Don't let anybody make you feel like you're a bad person for wanting/getting an epi.
|
| Posted 6/21/12 4:09 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Why do some women....
Posted by Sparrow
I didn't want it becuase I know the slight risks associated with it and just the thought of someone messing with my spine freaks me out. Also I thought I was tough enough to deal with the pain. I wanted to be able to feel when to push and to know if something was wrong.
I wound up caving after they started the pitocin and got the epi. I asked them to go super light with it and they did, it took the edge off but I could still feel enough to push and my legs weren't numb. This time I'll just get the epi, I discovered the pain is too much for me. I will still have a total anxiety attack again when they insert it I'm sure.
Thanks, I really appreciate the insight!! Sometimes I can't tell if some women want to be a hero or if some want to be able to feel the pushing or are nervous about the risks, etc like you.
|
| Posted 6/21/12 4:09 PM |
| |
|
springsandra
Baby girl has a baby brother!
Member since 11/09 7155 total posts
Name:
Sandra
|
Why do some women....
I didn't want to get it because I don't do well with pain medications in general and was scared of what it would do to me (I can't take anything with codeine because I throw up, etc.) plus I wanted to give myself the best chances for a vbirth as possible and had learned that the epidural can slow down labor and delivery. So I wanted to get things overwith as FAST AS POSSIBLE lol.
It hurt a lot, but just like I was promised, within a few months the memory of the pain from her birth faded a lot (they call it "mommy amnesia") but everything else is still as vivid as it happened 17 m ago. I was lucky and was only in labor for 6 1/2 hours total (3 at the hospital) so it wasn't that big a deal.
If you know you want it, it's totally fine to get it! I think most women do! No reason to be a martyr! My OB's wife (who goes to the gym with me) told me I don't get a plaque on the wall for going meds free (she thinks I was nuts).
|
| Posted 6/21/12 4:09 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Why do some women....
Posted by IAMMRSBROWN
Whatever their reason is, hats off to them.
GIVE ME THOSE DRUGS!
Same here!!!! Give me the juices!!
|
| Posted 6/21/12 4:10 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Why do some women....
Posted by springsandra
I didn't want to get it because I don't do well with pain medications in general and was scared of what it would do to me (I can't take anything with codeine because I throw up, etc.) plus I wanted to give myself the best chances for a vbirth as possible and had learned that the epidural can slow down labor and delivery. So I wanted to get things overwith as FAST AS POSSIBLE lol.
It hurt a lot, but just like I was promised, within a few months the memory of the pain from her birth faded a lot (they call it "mommy amnesia") but everything else is still as vivid as it happened 17 m ago. I was lucky and was only in labor for 6 1/2 hours total (3 at the hospital) so it wasn't that big a deal.
If you know you want it, it's totally fine to get it! I think most women do! No reason to be a martyr! My OB's wife (who goes to the gym with me) told me I don't get a plaque on the wall for going meds free (she thinks I was nuts).
Hahahah that's funny about the OB's wife!!! And totally get your reasoning for why you decided to go natural. 
|
| Posted 6/21/12 4:14 PM |
| |
|
Pomegranate5
LIF Adult
Member since 2/11 4798 total posts
Name:
Pomegranate5
|
Re: Why do some women....
One reason was that there are risks associated with the epi - not so much for the baby as much as myself, since the worst side effects affect the mom.
But basically, I felt that labor is a natural process that I wanted to fully experience it with as few interventions as possible. My body was designed to do it, and I was going to let it if at all possible.
|
| Posted 6/21/12 4:30 PM |
| |
|
jessw
LIF Adolescent
Member since 2/11 512 total posts
Name:
Jess
|
Why do some women....
More power to those women who don't use drugs. I want whatever I can get thats what its there for. I tried getting a wisdom tooth out with only gas, the next couple that had to come out I got knocked the F out. If its there I want it.
|
| Posted 6/21/12 4:36 PM |
| |
|
MaZz
* Lovin my baby girl!!! *
Member since 2/09 6243 total posts
Name:
Gina
|
Re: Why do some women....
My mom went natural and my entire pregnancy she basically kept telling me to man up and that I could handle it. Apparently her pain threshold must be very high bc when my turn came, there was no way in hell I could have dealt with the pain. And in the end, I didn't feel bad about getting the epi. It was a personal choice and I seriously have never been so impatient to get a needle shoved into me in my life.
PS: yes, I was numb. Couldn't feel anything waist down. That is the point, but I knew exactly when to push!!!! Every time I got a contraction, I felt pressure down below. I was telling the nurse when I had to push and she she would say "yup, here comes another".
|
| Posted 6/21/12 5:02 PM |
| |
|
Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Why do some women....
Posted by MaZz
PS: yes, I was numb. Couldn't feel anything waist down. That is the point, but I knew exactly when to push!!!! Every time I got a contraction, I felt pressure down below. I was telling the nurse when I had to push and she she would say "yup, here comes another".
I'm wondering how common it is to not be able to feel when or how to push? I know I've heard of eip's causing this problem and dr's having to turn them down to help with pushing. I wasn't feeling pain with my contractions but I sure felt the urge to push with them. I didn't have pain but I almost totally could feel my legs.
|
| Posted 6/21/12 5:23 PM |
| |
|
DiamondGirl
You are my I love you
Member since 7/09 18802 total posts
Name:
DiamondMama
|
Re: Why do some women....
I only wanted to add, I hate pain meds, meds in general and react very badly to them. With the EPI I had NO reaction. I was walking around a few minutes after birth. I know some people have adverse effects, but from someone who is usually VERY sensitive to meds I had none.
|
| Posted 6/21/12 5:58 PM |
| |
|
MrsCampos10-01-10
Jovani Edward is HERE!!!
Member since 10/10 2500 total posts
Name:
Jenna
|
Re: Why do some women....
As an OB/GYN PA, I know and have seen enough to know to GET THE EPI!! I'm no hero and when my turn came, the anesthesiologist couldn't come fast enough!
|
| Posted 6/21/12 7:35 PM |
| |
|
TheDivineMrsM
2 girls 4 me!
Member since 8/08 7878 total posts
Name:
Mama mama mama....
|
Re: Why do some women....
Do some research on the potential side effects. Epidurals aren't harmless painkillers. They can slow labor down and/or cause heart rate decelerations in the baby. For some women, everything is fine and they LOVE their anesthesiologist... but others, not so much. You don't know how your body (or your baby's) will respond to it until the meds are in your back.
eta: In the end, it's entirely your call. Do NOT let anyone make you feel bad about your choices.
Message edited 6/21/2012 9:17:01 PM.
|
| Posted 6/21/12 9:13 PM |
| |
|
beachgirl
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 7967 total posts
Name:
sara
|
Re: Why do some women....
I have given birth twice. The first time I was induced with cervadil...my body went into labor very fast and I was 10 cm and scared out of my mind and demanded the epi..they gave it to me and my super fast labor slowed right down....by the time I gave birth the effects were nearly worn off so I could feel the pressure to push etc and my legs were not numb. Second time around I decided to go all natural and it was SO much better....fast labor...super fast delivery and super fast recovery.
If I am lucky enough to have a third child and lucky enough to not need a C section for any reason then I would definitely opt for a natural child birth again. It was a great experience for me.
|
| Posted 6/21/12 9:21 PM |
| |
|
nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Why do some women....
There's a lot of controversy about the risks/benefits & when you really look into it... it becomes more unclear. To respond to a few of the comments above:
The epidural can actual SPEED up your labor if timed correctly. It decreases pain, which decrease your stress hormones, which allow you to dilate.
The most common side effect is a terrible headache. This is much less than 1% of the time... but it's pretty awful if you are a new mom & have one.
The best thing about an epidural is that in an emergency, it can be dosed and the baby can be delivered IMMEDIATELY.
I think that people who are exposed to epidurals constantly (OB's wives, PAs, etc.) usually choose getting an epidural... that says a lot.
|
| Posted 6/22/12 11:55 AM |
| |
|
FlowerWife
Positive Vibrations...
Member since 1/08 8423 total posts
Name:
|
Why do some women....
for Ems birth if i was able to deliver vaginally i was considering no meds (although i hadn't officially committed to it). my reasons were simple - i prefer things as nature intended them and i had to go through infertility treatment and IVF to get pregnant. my whole pregnancy was medically controlled. i wanted SOMETHING about it to be the way nature intended. but i didnt have that option since i ended up delivering via emergency csection at 33w due to pre-e and HELLP syndrome.
for my next pregnancy (assuming i can get and stay pregnant again) im more committed already. i already know i want a vbac and as little intervention as possible. women have been delivering healthy babies vaginally for centuries without meds. IMO meds slow down the body' natural responses to labor and stall the process. i believe we need to feel the pain and listen to our bodies and work with them to push out a baby and the epi dulls all of that and works against you in many circumstances.
i know many woman would prefer less pain, but at this point (as someone who has never felt the pain of labor), it is not for me. you have no reason to feel guilty, you have to do what is best for YOU. within safety reason, no one can tell you whats best for you besides you!
Message edited 6/22/2012 12:34:24 PM.
|
| Posted 6/22/12 12:31 PM |
| |
|
runnergirl77
LIF Infant
Member since 2/11 355 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Why do some women....
I had nothing against getting an epi before I went into labor but thought I would take the pain-as I have a high tolerance for pain. However, I could not take it and got an epi and for me it actually sped up my labor. I had a very quick labor and knew when to push. I don't think I had any side effects either. The one thing I was told by the lactation specialist I saw was that my baby was probably a little heavier at birth because of the epi- you have to get A LOT of fluids and she says that the baby has a lot of water weight because of that.
|
| Posted 6/22/12 12:34 PM |
| |
|
TheDivineMrsM
2 girls 4 me!
Member since 8/08 7878 total posts
Name:
Mama mama mama....
|
Re: Why do some women....
Posted by nycgirl
There's a lot of controversy about the risks/benefits & when you really look into it... it becomes more unclear. To respond to a few of the comments above:
The epidural can actual SPEED up your labor if timed correctly. It decreases pain, which decrease your stress hormones, which allow you to dilate.
The most common side effect is a terrible headache. This is much less than 1% of the time... but it's pretty awful if you are a new mom & have one.
The best thing about an epidural is that in an emergency, it can be dosed and the baby can be delivered IMMEDIATELY.
I think that people who are exposed to epidurals constantly (OB's wives, PAs, etc.) usually choose getting an epidural... that says a lot.
Not sure if you see the posts on the parenting board, but a headache isn't always the only side effect. Some women experience numbness/pain in their legs or back MONTHS later.
I had an epi with my DD, but when her heart rate tanked they still needed to put me under general. They needed to get her out right away and couldn't wait for the extra meds to kick in. Having an epi won't save you from anesthesia in a true emergency.
OBs, L&D nurses, PAs, etc work in a medical field, so IMO they're more used to seeing a medicalized birth. It doesn't necessarily mean since they typically choose epis, they are the better way to go for all people.
Again, there's no way to know how your body or your baby's will react, and every birth is different. I think that's the source of the controversy: everyone has a different experience. I think the best bet for all of us is to know what can happen, good or bad, and make a decision from there.
|
| Posted 6/22/12 1:10 PM |
| |
|
summerBaby10
let's be nice
Member since 9/07 10208 total posts
Name:
Wifey
|
Re: Why do some women....
Posted by IAMMRSBROWN
Whatever their reason is, hats off to them.
GIVE ME THOSE DRUGS!
Definitely hats off to them but I looove the calm feeling after the epi kicks in-lol
With #2, I progressed so quickly, arrived to the hospital at 6cm & was 7cm when I got the epi & I'm sure that I could have made it through the labor without the meds but I was thinking to myself that I DO NOT want to feel the cut from the episiotomy. That is more frightening to me than the actual birth so I chose epi.
|
| Posted 6/22/12 1:11 PM |
| |
|
SHOPAHOLIC
LIF Adult
Member since 1/07 1712 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Why do some women....
Posted by Sparrow
Posted by MaZz
PS: yes, I was numb. Couldn't feel anything waist down. That is the point, but I knew exactly when to push!!!! Every time I got a contraction, I felt pressure down below. I was telling the nurse when I had to push and she she would say "yup, here comes another".
I'm wondering how common it is to not be able to feel when or how to push? I know I've heard of eip's causing this problem and dr's having to turn them down to help with pushing. I wasn't feeling pain with my contractions but I sure felt the urge to push with them. I didn't have pain but I almost totally could feel my legs.
I could not feel a thing when it was time to push... even when they turned it down! They had to tell me when to push or I would have had no clue. 100% numb.
|
| Posted 6/22/12 1:17 PM |
| |
|
Mama2Max
LIF Infant
Member since 3/12 228 total posts
Name:
Jes
|
Re: Why do some women....
I can say from my experience that I didn't want an EPI due to the associated risks. I did get one after 24-hours (I was scared, tired and confused) and within less than one minute of getting it, DS's heart rate went crazy and I needed an emergency c-section. So for me, I found there was a direct correlation between the EPI and needing a c-section, which I wanted to avoid at all costs. I'm not saying this is a universal phenomenon - but from my understanding, what happened to me is not that uncommon.
|
| Posted 6/22/12 1:19 PM |
| |
|
FlowerWife
Positive Vibrations...
Member since 1/08 8423 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Why do some women....
Posted by summerBaby10
I was thinking to myself that I DO NOT want to feel the cut from the episiotomy. That is more frightening to me than the actual birth so I chose epi.
not to change the subject of the original post or start a debate on medicated birth....but the fact that a birthing woman would expect an episiotomy to begin is part of the larger problem of how babies are delivered in our society. i understand they are necessary to prevent harmful tear in many cases, but women shouldn't have to fear getting sliced. a womans body (for the most part) is built to withstand labor, the actual issues are more that child birth has become so much of a "factory" capitalistic money making venture for doctors and hospitals, and the control has shifted away from midwives, mothers and families. if women in hospitals were allowed to labor and deliver in more optimal birthing positions, episiotomy and csection rates would be a lot lower. but this directly conflicts with the use of the epi since you cannot be in the optimal positions for birthing if you can't use your legs.
thank you for humoring me, i will now descend from my 
|
| Posted 6/22/12 1:28 PM |
| |
|
nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Why do some women....
For me, the reasons I went epi-free were (1) the idea of getting a large needle in my back freaked me out.
(2) I'm not a big fan of mixing of drugs. I have more than one friend that had epidurals which slowed down their labor & then later had to be given something to speed up labor because they "were not progressing" & then wound up with c-sections. So I was going to try to suck it up & see how I did.
(3) I had a friend who had her epi & was not able to feel her legs during birth which led to major issues. I won't get into it here because I'm sure it's a rare occurrence.
(4) I saw my sister have a natural childbirth & I liked that she was alert, aware & seemed to recover quickly.
I had 2 natural childbirths. The PP was right, there are no medals given out for it. It's a personal choice.
One of the worst things I've heard from a friend who felt that natural childbirth was important to her was how disappointed she was in herself for giving in & having the epi.
Childbirth isn't a contest over who is a better mom, stronger willed. It's about having a healthy baby & mom. Whatever you choose in the throes of labor, recognize it's not how you get there. It's what you do after that counts.
Message edited 6/22/2012 1:52:50 PM.
|
| Posted 6/22/12 1:50 PM |
| |
|
| Pages: [1] 2 |
