Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

Everyone knows about epidurals, but what other methods of pain relief are there during labor? What are the methods and their definitions?

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

No one?

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

are you referring to pain management (ie, drugs?) or methods as in breathing and other exercises like that?

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

Posted by BrunetteMom
are you referring to pain management (ie, drugs?) or methods as in breathing and other exercises like that?

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

i took the epidural and it was amazing. didnt even feel the needle. the iv hurt more. an with in 5 minutes i was a new woman. i was laughing and chatting up a storm with the nurse inbetween contractions.

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

No one knows of other methods of pain management???
For instance, like demerol, or stable (sp??)? I've vaguely heard about these, but was wondering if anyone's experienced using something other than epidural.

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

I had Stadal prior to having my epidural. (I wasn't dilated enough to have the epi) and it was wonderful! I was so high and was able to sleep for a few hours. It was great.

They rarely use demerol anymore.

I also want to add that Stadal affected me from HEAD to TOE. An epi only affected my private area and part of my legs but really just my lower back and private area. My mind was fully in tact, unlike the Stadal.

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

my mom said she had demerol with my brother (12 years ago) and she was pretty out of it. she would fall asleep between contractions.

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

they gave me demarol, after my c-sect. when the spinal started to where off....

All I can say is I wouldve rather been in pain then felt the way I did while on it...

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

Hypnobirthing. I think I still have the book if you want to take a look at it... honestly, some of it is kinda wierd, but some of the breathing and relaxation techniques and exercises helped me relax

ETA - sorry I just read the whole post, you meant drugs for pain, nevermind

Message edited 2/8/2006 6:17:43 PM.

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

In Ireland, they offered gas. I think it is the same as the gas the dentist uses. I don't know if they do that here. I had to have my epi done 2x because the first time it didn't work and I was sucking the gas like crazy.

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

no help here. I went unmedicated. For me it was not that bad.

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

one of my good friends and my sister in law both had demerol. they both said the same thing - they would have rather been in pain. my friend was falling asleep and didnt know what was going on and my sister in law got sick and was vomitting from it. I personally dont like drugs that make you feel "out of control" like that - Ill go with the epidural.

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

Hypnobirthing or Bradley is great.

The demorol can really make you feel high and prolong pain..like it goes in slow motion. Plus I would want to be 100% in order to make medical decisions for myself. JMO

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

Hoping and praying for no drugs needed! Planning on breathing techniques and motivation from DH.

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

I had Demerol with my first baby and nothing else. I was too far along to get an epideral.
I just remember feeling dopey from it.

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

In my hospital they give Stadol, other places give Demerol but that is only for early labor. Once you get into active labor your only options are pretty much epidural or natural.

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

I had Stadol, and it was horrible. I was so high that I couldn't focus on anything or control the things I was saying. I was absolultely panicked. It was the worst experience of my life, seriously. Then, when my baby wouldn't latch on, all the nurses in maternity kept saying, "oh, she's a "stadol" baby, that's why"....and I felt just horrible. I'm sure most people don't react to it the way I did, but let me tell you, I experimented with some drugs in high school and this stuff had me flying higher than I ever knew possible. I was crying to my husband to please help me....

Re: Spinoff of Epidural - if not Epi, then what?

wow, after reading these posts, i will avoid stadol at all costs! an epi, however, sounds like a very nice option!!