Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

I was watching “A Baby Story” on TLC the other morning and this woman in labor was insistent on not having an epidural. Now her story was different, but it made me think…

Honestly, with DD I didn’t do much research when it came to getting an epidural. I knew that there would be pain, and I knew that there was an option to not feel pain and not feeling pain sounded like the better option to me. Seeing how people feel so strongly against getting an epidural and how so many people are choosing the option to not get one makes me wonder what others know that I don’t know.

So my question is this: If you are choosing not to have an epidural, why did you come to this decision? Did you do research where you found something that helped make this decision? What have you heard that made you not want to have one?

I am not trying to start drama, I am expecting a second DC in May and just trying to do better if I can.

Thank you

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

I always knew I did not want to have an epidural because I wanted to experience natural birth in its fullest capacity (yes, my friends think I am a crazy hippie, lol). But it really was the most amazing experience of my life, and I really think it empowered me as both a woman and a mother. I highly rec Bradley Classes, they really give you the information to make informed decisions about all aspects of your pregnancy labor and birth.

Message edited 2/27/2012 10:59:32 AM.

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

I did a lot of research and decided it just isn't for me.

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

Im not against getting an epidural...I had one with dd but I did want to go as long as I could without and if I could go all the way I wanted to...when I started to vomit dh start to wobble (wimp!)...looking back now I probably could have gone the whole way cause by that point I was in the "transition phase" so I was close but I had enough.

Getting an epidural slows down the progression...then they push pitocin to speed things back up...then it starts the cycle (Im more against pitocin then the epi)

With this one I will do the same...go as long as I can without and try to go all the way but I have no problem saying when enough is enough....

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

The only thing that makes me nervous about an epidural is how it can slow down your progress and make it more likely for you to have a c-section. But I've had friends who had epi's and didn't have those kinds of problems. You just never know. I'm leaving my options open because I can't predict how much pain I'll be in and how much I can handle. I think you just have to do whatever you feel comfortable with.

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

I didn't want an epi but I caved and got one anyway. I will say I really hated how almost every nurse who came into my room (for some reason I had rotating nurses and saw about 5 or 6) knew I didn't want an epidural and preceded to hassle me about it. One nurse was especially bad to the point where I was debating on kicking her out of my room. As soon as she walked in all she did was ask me over and over why I didn't want one, tell me how great they are, ask me again and again if I wanted one yet. Thank GOD she finally was replaced by a less insistent nurse.

I didn't want one for several reasons. I don't like the idea of haivng my spine messed with, I know the uncommon risks and am afraid of them, it can supposedly slow down labor and interfere with pushing (often you can't feel your body's natural urge to push and it makes it more difficult to push effectively). I hung in there with nothing for quite a while but finally decided the pain was too much. I then had them give me a light epidural. It took the edge off but I could still feel enough of what was going on to push.

I was GLAD I got it becuase due to DD's arm being in a weird position I was pushing for over 4 hours and wound up with a 3rd degree tear. I don't know how I would have lasted that long without the epi. For my next labor I will try to hold out as long as I can but I think I'll probably wind up getting the epi again. I HATE HATE HATED it being inserted but I admit it was worth it for me.

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

I'm hoping to be able to have a natural birth. I'm not comfortable with something being inserted into my spine. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain and hopefully I'll be able to work through this pain. However, I never say never, so once I'm actually in labor we'll see what happens.

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

I had one with my first child - I was 10 cm and they gave me one as I asked for because I was scared....it slowed everything down and I know now I could have done it without the epi but I was a scared first time mom. Second time around I had a 100% natural birth and it was so much better as was my recovery so all going well and praying and hoping I dont have to have a CS for any reason I will not have an epi this time around either.

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

I had one with DD. I had to be induced (41w 6 days) The Pitocin brought on the contractions so hard so fast that I didn't have a chance to start dealing with the pain. I felt like I could never get a handle on pain. I am hoping this time around to go natural and hoping not to want an epi.

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

Funny you posted about this today -- I was just re-reading my Bradley book last night and was reminding myself why I don't want an epidural.
For my first two deliveries, I knew I wanted to fully experience the birth and the epidural I felt would take away from that experience. I also knew that you never know how painful it will be so sometimes the anticipation is worse than the actual pain. Plus, I already thought I had a high tolerance for pain -- my appendix had burst when I was 16 and I thought it was just gas!
I highly recommend the Bradley course because it teaches you alternatives to pain meds and prepares you for dealing with the pain. One comment that I still remember applying for both births was that the pain will only be temporary -- I knew as soon as the baby was delivered the pain was done and it was very true for me. I felt like a million bucks after both deliveries - up and walking around, very relaxed, calm.

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

I too watched A Baby Story while we were still TTC, and decided to do more research on it. My mom had 4 kids with no epi or drugs, my sister also had 4 kids with no epi (she did have demerol though), so it just seemed like the natural path for me. I also lead more of a natural/organic lifestyle. I like to stay away from drugs & chemicals as much as I can.

My biggest concern with the epi was the chance of c-section is higher. Actually, my midwife said if I had opted for the epi when I had DS, she is 100% certain I would have needed a c-section because I would not have been able to push him out. As it was, I had 10 hours of intense back labor and 5 hours of pushing. f I had to do it all over again I would do it exactly the same way. The only thing I wasn't happy about with my labor was I was given pitocin about 7 hours in after my labor stalled.

I totally understand why women get the epi, but it's just not for me.

I wanted to add, without having the epi I was up walking around an hour later! I didn't have to wait for a nurse to wheel me down to the NICU, I was able to walk there by myself, which was nice.

Message edited 2/27/2012 5:32:36 PM.

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

I always went into each pregnancy with the mind set of whatever will be will be. That way, no matter what happened, I wasnt disappointed with the outcome.

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

I actually tried to go as long as possible without an Epi the first time around. They gave me pitocin for who knows what reason, and the contractions came on to fast and strong. I wound up having and Epi.

Not sure what I will do this time around. I will see when the time comes. I'm actually against pitocin more. I just don't see the need for it, if you are laboring fine on your own. It just made the pain come on way to fast.

Message edited 2/27/2012 8:01:15 PM.

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

I wasn't allowed to have an epidural due to past back surgery. i only had demerol with my first child its like heavy duty druged up feeling

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

I had planned on a natural birth with my first, but the entire labor didn't go as I thought it would & the plan changed/I wound up getting one. There were a few things that contributed to my decision, but I think the biggest setback for me was that I needed 2 different IVs & an internal monitor, so I wasn't able to walk around & labor out of bed like I had been taught to do in my Bradley classes.

I'm going to try my best to go natural this time around, but after last time I learned that I have to keep an open mind so that I won't be disappointed if I'm unable to do it again.

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

This is my first pregnancy and I am going into it knowing that anything can happen but I am trying my best to go drug free. DH and I start our Bradley Method classes on Thursday and I really think that will help. There were many factors that make me want a drug free birth, I have done a lot of research. My main concern is back issues caused by it. My mother has terrible back pain (not caused by an epi) and I never want to put myself through that. I see the pain that she is in everyday and if I could possibly have permanent back pain from an epi then it is just not worth it to me. I have come across many possible side effects in my research. I am not saying that any of this is proven but if it's a possibility I would rather not. Epi's prolong labor, they also cause the baby to come out drugged up and possibly less likely to take to breast feeding right away. I have read that you are more likely to get an episiotomy with an epi because you are not able to feel the natural progression of labor. You need to rely on Dr's and monitors and not your body to tell you when to push and sometimes your body is just not ready yet, causing you to tear. Epi's can also raise your body temp and when this happens the dr's need to treat both you and the baby as if you have an infection. You're less likely than women who get epidurals to need interventions such as oxytocin (Pitocin) to make your contractions stronger, bladder catheterization, or a vacuum extraction or forceps delivery.

Sorry I am going on and on and there are many other reasons that I could name. I would say to do some research and find out what will be best for you. Like I said, I am doing my best to prep myself with classes and things like that but I know that things may change. Good luck in your research and I hope you have a happy pregnancy

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?

I was induced with my first with pitocin...i didnt get the EPI until i was almost 8cm dialated. I really regret getting now though bc the back pain afterwards was 10x worse. The EPI didnt fully work for me anyways, I felt everything.

I am going to say now that I will not get the EPI, but who knows if I change my mind in the moment, but I am HOPING to go without.

Re: Are you choosing not to have an epidural?