to epi or not to epi

How many of you had an epidural and how many did not?
And what are your experiences with or without it?
I find myself thinking I may be able to do it without one ... and other times I think to myself "Are you crazy?!" I think I may be underestimating the pain and then sometimes overestimating it, ya know?
How did it work out for you?

Re: to epi or not to epi

Re: to epi or not to epi

I went epi all the way. I would have had them meet me in the parking lot if I could have. I labored for about 4 hours on pitocin without them and the epi was sweet relief...everyone is different, but I couldn't have done it without one.

Re: to epi or not to epi

I got an epi and boy it seemed like forever from when I asked for it till I got it ...even though it was only an hour! What sweet relief...I wouldn't want to do it without one

Message edited 6/13/2006 12:14:46 PM.

Re: to epi or not to epi

I had 2 with 4 without!
I felt better after and felt that my baby was more alert without! I know it is going to sound crazy but your body really dose take over and do what it needs to do. The pain for me was the worst with my last one....Now looking back Im glad I did it natural. I think it depends on your level of pain tolorence.......GOOD LUCK!

Message edited 6/13/2006 11:51:13 AM.

Re: to epi or not to epi

Ithought I could go without the epi and I lasted quite sometime without it but after 8 hours in labor I couldn't take it anymore so I asked for it and it was worth it being out of the pain. If the pain didn't get as bad as it did then I would of been fine without out it. Iwill tell you though it wore off and I couldn't get anymore cuz it was time to push but that wasn't as bad as I thought cuz i was pushing for 1/2 hour and out popped DD

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I got mine when I was shaking so bad from the pain that I just couldn't take it anymore.

once I got it, it was smooth sailing from there.

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I got the epidural about 2 hours before giving birth. I went for a long time without it...and it was H E L L!!

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I tried to go without it and only had it in for an hour before I gave birth.
I don't think it hurt going in. I had back labor and if I have another child I will try not to get the epidural again.

Message edited 6/13/2006 12:35:35 PM.

Re: to epi or not to epi

I had an epi and it was great...once I had it I felt a bit like...cocktail please...anyone care to talk about politics! My only regret is that I don't wonder if it affects the baby and breast feeding...

Re: to epi or not to epi

2 babies, no epi or pain medication.

First time I overestimated labor pain so much that I was waiting for it to get worse. Which it didn't. My thoughts were if I can hold on through the pain a little longer, it'll be over with...rather than slight discomfort & a longer labor. Second time, well I barely got on the table before I heard "Oops there's the head."

Have to say I'm probably in the minority. In the US, most women get the epi.

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I had no epi but in was not by choice. I went to quick and did not have time for it, when they admitted me I asked for it right away but they told me I had to wait for my Dr to get their and by the time he got there I was already pushing

Re: to epi or not to epi

I went in with the wait and see attitude. I had labored for almost 15 hours and was fine until they broke my water. After that I demanded an epi..... All was good with the world then.

ETA: I had a good experience with the epi. I was walking an hour and a half after I gave birth.

Message edited 6/13/2006 12:14:04 PM.

Re: to epi or not to epi

As SOON as my pain starting getting bad I got the epi and I would do it again in a second!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My husband kept looking at the monitor saying - YOu can't feel that?!?!?!?! - Nope, not a thing!!

edited to say: I had a good experience, I was up and walking about 45 minutes after giving birth (however it did mostly wear off while I was pushing ). I did have the shakes after getting it but that didn't bother me at all.

Message edited 6/13/2006 12:16:33 PM.

Re: to epi or not to epi

I wasn't set on either getting an epidural or not getting one before I went into labor. I had decided that I would wait and see how things went before making a decision on whether or not to get one. I tried to stick it out for as long as I could before requesting the epi and let me tell you once I got it, it was such a relief and I'm so glad I got it!!!

Re: to epi or not to epi

The plan was to try and last as long as I could before getting the epidural, but for some reason when I was 4 - 5 cm and the nurse asked if I wanted it, I was like, "OK!"
I really didn't need it at that point, so I don't know what made me ask for it. Up until that point my contractions really weren't that bad. Right before I got the epi I had 2 pretty hard contractions though, so I was glad I got the epi.

I had a good experience with it; it felt a little weird going in but it didn't hurt. It did make me drowsy and I threw up twice from it. Everything was all a little bit fuzzy too - I don't remember things too clearly.
I didn't have any negative after effects from it.

Re: to epi or not to epi

epi and would do it again. I was on pitocin from the minute I got to the hospital so by 4-5 cm - I needed it.....

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I did it without and while it wasn't easy it was what I had planned and I am so glad that I did it. Overall it was a wonderful experience for me to have natural childbirth.

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I had one and would do it again.

Re: to epi or not to epi

in the beginning of my pg, I was dead against the epi, towards the end, I kept myself open.

When I went into labor, i wanted to labor as long as i could without meds. I got to 3-4 cm, and the nurse made me lie down in bed Which made my contractions feel 50 times worse!

I had it by then, i said why be the hero, I think I def underestimated the pain, and took the epi.

I made the best decision, I labored for the next 8 hours not feeling a thing, chatting with relatives, talkin on the phone. I don't think i missed out on the labor experience cause i did do some it without meds.

For the next one I will def do it the same

Re: to epi or not to epi

The thought to NOT get one never entered my mind. The way I see it, the medical technology is there so I will take every advantage of it.

Message edited 6/13/2006 1:38:23 PM.

Re: to epi or not to epi

Here is my story - I absolutley knew I was not going to get it!!!! The nurses kept saying are you sure are you sure last chance. That was hard because it was like waiving a steak in front of a dog. I went 5 hours and then it came time to push. I was pushing and pushing and pushing. Unfortunately Ryans heart rate was dropping as I pushed (I didn't know this). All of a sudden the Dr said Kelly I have to take you in the other room for a C-Section I didn't understand why. So he said he thought the cord was around his neck. Th L&D nurse had me try 1 more time. Now here I am - major contractions the urge to push and told hold still (so they could put the needle in my back). I was hugging the nurse It ended up the cord was around his legs and arms there was no way I could have pushed him out.

Honestly - I wouldn't have done it any different. I knew I didn't want it and I was proud of myself for not giving in! It wasn't as bad as I thought either. Good Luck - do what is best for you!

Sorry a bit long!

Re: to epi or not to epi

I would say hands down epi!!!!

The day i gave birth Winthrop was having an overload of women also giving birth so i wasn't able to get my epi till pretty much i didn't need it anymore but given how much energy was sucked out of me during labor my DR decided i needed to sleep a little and gave me the epi. The pain was sooooo excruciating that all i kept saying to the DR and nurse is why would anyone want to go thru this much pain- no one gets an award for giving natural birth! (no offense to those who did natural) Anyhoo- it's a personal preference- the next time around there is no doubt in my mind that i will want the epi again and hopefully get it early on. Those contractions are a real beyotch

Message edited 6/13/2006 1:54:46 PM.

Re: to epi or not to epi

for epi!

I LOVED it! I felt nothing!

Re: to epi or not to epi

I did, and I loved every second of it..
The pain felt more uncomfotable then unbearable.. so i went for it..after I had the shot I took a 3 hour nap and then woke up and had the baby so it was definitely worth it to me..