anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

is this possible?
i heard that with pitocin contractions are much more painful and an epidural is usually necessary.

I only ask bc with DD#1 - i didnt have painful contractions to take the epidural.

I am so scared to be induced/ of the epidural/ possible ending with csection

hope baby comes on her own - SOON!

(BTW: i am 3cm & 90% effaced)

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

I wasn't induced, but they gave me pitocin about 9 or 10 hours into my labor when it stalled. Honestly, I felt less pain with the pitocin than without it because DS had finally turned so I wasn't experiencing back labor anymore. I had no epi or other drugs and a super intense 16 hr labor. So yes, it can be done. Good luck!

Message edited 5/16/2012 1:56:21 PM.

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

I was induced and didn't get an epi. I posted my birth story if you want to read it. I was trying to stay relaxed and my pain was a 2 until they pumped the pitocin up to 10 and it instantly turned to back labor. Pitocin strength contractions with back labor was really tough but I was able to do it. GL

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

with #1 I did get an epi but waited til 7cm (no pitocin) natural labor...to this day I think I could have gone the whole way without but I started to throw up and dh was starting to lose it LOL wimp and opted for the epi at that point

with #2 I was induced w/pitocin and wanted to wait as long as I can again but OMG the contractions where sooo much more painful....I did make it to 6cm before asking for the epi but my experiance was pitocin def increase the strength (pain)

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

I have no idea how people can.
I admire anyone who has.
I never felt a contraction ever, because Im not counting those early ones on way to hospital. I had pitocin and no pain but I recall intense pressure where I felt like I couldn't even take a deep breath.

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

I had pitocin, no epidural, no birthing training like Lamaze or any class.

I had an epidural with my first Ds and hated it. That fear of having the epidural again is what got me through those contractions.

Also, the day before I went into labor I was only one cm dilated and 80% effaced.

My doctor told me he had never had a patient on pitocin who refused an epidural before.

Eta: the reason I was told I was being given pitocin was because my water broke but ten hours later I had no contractions so they gave me the pit to move me along.

Message edited 5/16/2012 3:08:47 PM.

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

With DC #1 I was augmented with pitocin but did not get an epidural. My labor stalled after being put on magnesium (smooth muscle relaxant) for high blood pressure. With DC #2 I had an all natural water birth. Both labors were intense and extremely painful. The contractions on pitocin were longer and closer together, but for me the pain and intensity were the same. It is definitely possible to go without pain relief (many of our own mothers have done so too). However, I would strongly recommend a doula or a partner who knows pain management maneuvers.

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

I was induced because my water broke (2 weeks early!) but did not have contractions on my own. My OB said that I would be ready to push at about midnight but DS was born 8:23 pm.

I never had an epi because things progressed so fast. It wasn't too bad for me.

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

With DS#1 I got pitocin and did not get a chance to get the epi. I wanted it, but it was to late. They started the pit at 1:00pm I had my DS at 8:31pm Good Luck

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

I was induced at 41w2d. I never got the epidural, it was very intense and very painful but it definitely can be done.

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

I was induced twice with pitocin and he'd the epi both times so I can't tell you about the pain, although both times the epi didn't work properly and I felt a good amount of pain anyway... But I do think the epi slowed the labor significantly having about 10 and 9 hour labors while I think they could have been much quicker without. If I were to do it again, I MIGHT consider trying without. Good luck!

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

Yes, I was induced with Pitocin with my first child...didn't have an epidural. Yes, the pain was pretty tough, but thankfully I had a relatively short labor (less than 7 hours start to finish).

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

I went 7 hours without it and would have gone longer but my BP shot up and the doc forced me into it (threatened c-section which I wound up with anyway from the magnesium). My point is, it is doable. Good Luck!

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

yup! birth story is up in the birth story board but basically pitocin did nothing for me. ob even had to manually override the machine limit and still i wasn't dilating more than 4cm. i was induced with cytotech, pitocin and then cytotech again. the 3rd time actually started some action but just try to focus and stay relaxed, the pain was bearable so no epi for me.

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

I had pitocin with my 1st and it turned my labor horribly painful and I am good at dealing with pain. I was very early and it was miserable and too early for the epi. I had to get the drugs for pain (which I hated maed me nutty) until I was ready for the epi. Never again.

Luckily with baby #2 and #3 things went faster and no pitocin needed and got my epi - late but still got it! Epi didn't slow down anything with my babies. #2 and #3 - came fast! I wanted an epi! My feel is why have to feel the pain if not needed.

Message edited 5/17/2012 8:25:01 AM.

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

My water broke at 2:15am. I went to the hospital and was put on pitocin around 7:30. I was having small random contractions. I didn't progress past 4cm so around 9 pm we opted for a csection. I didnt get an epidural.

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

I wanted a natural childbirth and made it to 7 cm while on pitocin but eventually caved and asked for the epi. The contractions are different than natural contractions IMO, natural contractions have a "peak" of the most painful part, while pitocin contraction stayed at the same level the whole contrsction.

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

I wasn't induced but they gave me pitocin to help the contractions come faster with my DD, and I didn't have an epidural. I was fully dilated by the time they started the pitocin though..

I really don't recall the contractions being any more painful than they already were, but by that point everything hurt so what was the difference? I pushed for 3 hours and delivered a 9lb2oz baby... it was what it was.

Message edited 5/18/2012 11:30:55 AM.

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

I was induced with pitocin with all 3 and wound up having and got the epidural with all 3 and delivere vaginally. With the first 2 I remember the contractions being sooo bad that I had to have the epidural. With my 3rd they weren't that bad, but i had the epidural to help lessen my pain and lower my blood pressre.

ETA: the epi didn't slow anything down, all 3 were born within 1-2 hours of my water breaking and with 10 minutes of pushing.

Message edited 5/18/2012 11:53:01 AM.

Re: anyone induced with pitocin and not take the epidural?

I had no intention of having a drug-free birth but I was induced with pitocin and was shocked to find I made it to 7 cm before I needed the epidural. I was comfortable until the pain started suddenly and lasted a long time. I progressed quickly and I really didn't have a break from the contractions at that stage. I started to push shortly after receiving the epi but ended up with an emergency c-section because DD was stuck and in distress.

Message edited 5/18/2012 12:39:24 PM.