Question about Labor and Delivery...

I had a prenatal massage done last week by a Doula and she talked to me about not having an epidural. She was not convincing me either way but she just expressed both sides of the situation. She enlightened me and I am honestly, slighty and I mean slightly considering trying not to have an epidural.

Can you share your epidural experience? Advice? Beliefs?

I don't have anyone to talk to here because everyone I know has gotten one and feels strongly about getting one. I thought I did too but it turns out, I only did because it's all I've known and heard.

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

I went in with an open mind not decided one way or another on it. I labored at home until I couldnt take it anymore, went to the hospital and when I arrived I was already 10cm. I did however end up getting one bc the pain was like nothing I had ever felt in my life and thankfully they were still able to give it to me at 10cm. HOWEVER......bc I couldnt feel anything, I wasnt pushing effectively. An hour and a half into pushing the Dr uttered "c-section" which I wasnt having any part of bc I felt I could do it. So I had them turn the epi off so I regained feeling and then was able to deliver DS vaginally. In hindsight, I wish I hadnt gotten it even though it was EXCRUTIATING bc it took me 2 and a half hours to deliver my son which I think would have been significantly shorter without the epi. Next time around since I made it to 10cm without pain meds and then ultimately delivered DS without them, I wont get it. But everyones experience is different. SIL had an epi and delivered her DS in 15 minutes. I say just go in with an open mind.

As for the epi itself it wasnt nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. The hardest part of it was not moving during a contraction.

Message edited 5/18/2009 11:13:28 AM.

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

I went into the hospital thinking that I would try my best to avoid the epidural. I think I just thought it would be more natural without it (no catheter, no side effects, etc. ) I ended up being induced on my due date and I was given pitocin. The contractions were so strong and I decided to get an epidural.... it was the greatest thing I could have done! It made me so much more comfortable. I had no bad reactions to it and neither did DD.

The best advice I got was from the nurse practioner at my OB practice. She said to keep an open mind. Everyones labor and del. experience is different and if you keep an open mind you won't be disappointed.

Good luck!

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

I got one.

I was induced at 39 weeks due to preeclampsia. I had cervdil and then pitocin. I BEGGED for something and got demoral, which made me sleep, then I got an epi while I was passed out (DH knew I wanted it) and they literally woke me up to push.

I found pitocin to be a mothereffer of a drug.

I think that you should go into the experience with an open mind. There are so many factors that can come up and sometimes an epi can help, and sometimes it is not necessary. I don't think that I would have made it through my induction without it, although many can.

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

I too went in with an open mind. I was induced and my labor came very fast. I was 10cm and felt like I was losing control of the situation so asked for an epi and they gave it to me. It definitely took the pain away but it also slowed everything down - I was pushing for 2 1/2 hrs and I wish I could have avoided that.

SO this time I am shooting for no epi but if I really need one I will have one.

I think the fear aspect got me the last time as it wasn't really the pain. Even the OB said that if it was my second he would have advised against the epi as he said I handled the run up to the 10cm so well I could have probably delivered without an epi.

So I would just go in with an open mind and see how you do.

Lots of luck

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

I was of the mind that I wanted to wait and see. I wasn't definitley getting or not getting an epidural, I'd see how I did. Ideally, I wanted as little drugs as possible.

I was induced at 41 weeks. ..no Cervadil, just Pitocin. OUCH! And then I was given Demerol (I NEVER consented to it, that is a whole other story that I am still very angry about), and like Kate, it knocked me out, literally...I would wake up to moan & groan about a contraction, then I'd pass back out. Same with pushing-- I'd wake up when I needed to push, then pass back out. I was never offered an epidural, I have no idea why. I honestly had no clue what labor was "supposed" to feel like, so I thought my pains were normal and I just had to work through them. So I would have refused the epi at that time anyway-- I was not in control of my body at that point due to the Demerol.

There will be NO Demerol at my next birth, I'll tell you that much

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

I am all for the epi...I have had 3 labors and I will share my experiences:


My first labor I got the epi. It slipped out and I felt everything. The doctor lied and told me since I was 8 cm I couldn't get it reinserted(I was young and dumb...so I believed him). So I felt everything.


With my second labor I didn't have any meds. My labor went so fast. From first cramp till I was holding her in my arms was only 3 hours(30-45 minutes was how long I was at the hospital before she was born). While its neat to say I had a drug free birth it wasn't for me. I am terrible with pain and I hated everything about it. At one point I was bribing nurses to help and since I planned on getting the epi and I was being denied it felt like pure torture

With my 3rd labor I raced off to the hospital when I got my first cramp There was no way I was missing my chance for the epi. I got one and it was great. I woke up and one half of my body was in some pain. So I lied and said the pain was worse than it was and at 9 cm they took it out and reinserted it so I would be completely pain free again. It was an amazing birth...I remember talking and laughing as I was pushing her out (it took less then 5 minutes). I got to watch her come into this world without any pain. She was put on my chest and was breastfeeding within the first 5 minutes(I know some worry that it will effect BF with drugs, but my best BF was my epi baby) of her life. It was my dream birth

While going drug free has its benefits its not for me. I say just go in open minded. Educate yourself before and make the decision that is right for you.

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

I was induced, although I knew I wanted an epidural, I kept an open mind. Well, my open mind closed when the pain started to kick in
At the moment, I thought I was going to die from the pain (sorry I am very dramatic).. but now I think about it, it wasn't THAT bad.
Will I deliver my next baby without an epidural, I am not sure, I will go in with an open mind again.

Do what you feel comfortable with, you'll know when the moment comes.

ETA I was induced with Cervadil then Pitocin.

Message edited 5/18/2009 12:16:08 PM.

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

I went in hoping not to get an epi both times.

The first time I didn't get it until I was in for the c-section. After about 19 hours when I was being threatened with a c-section since I was stuck at 3CM I consented to getting Demerol. NEVER EVER AGAIN. I basically felt drunk or drugged, but it did nothing at all for the pain. All it did was make me unable to deal with the contractions that I had previously done great breathing through because I wasn't of sound mind.

The second time I got it around 5-6cm after around 18 hours of labor. I had wanted to be med-free, but I gave in because my contractions were stalling & my midwife suspected physical exhaustion & Demerol wasn't happening again. Plus, DH & my mom were talking me into it. I cried the whole time they were inserting the epi because I felt like I had failed & I was mad at my body for stalling when I had been handling the pain so well- it honestly wasn't that bad at all. In all fairness, after I got it, I did start dilating again & he was out about 6 hours later. The epi did start to wear off on one side around 7cm & I felt all of the contractions on one side during transition & they turned it off totally for pushing so I felt everything for that & again, it really wasn't that bad!

I say go in with an open mind & see how everything goes. It's impossible to plan everything when it comes to birthing- I've learned that the hard way!

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

I had an epidural and basically knew I was going to get one from the beginning.
Around 5 cm they gave it to me and it was such a relief...I labored for so long and I was tired, that epi was a godsend after so many hours!

It did not hurt at all going in and I was nervous about the catheter...but I didn't even feel it.

I was able to still feel the pressure and knew when I was having a contraction but it didn't hurt so badly...I was able to push effectively and only pushed for one hour!

The bad part- it wore off when I was being stitched up so I felt all of it and it hurt.

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

Go in with an open mind and educate yourself about epidurals and natural birth methods. You never know, you could start out determined to not have an epidrual and wind up wanting or needing one. And it would be helpful to know a bit about them so you can make educated decisions.

I wanted a natural delivery, but my labor went on far too long. I would never have been able to push DS out without the epidrual IMO--once I got it, I could actually doze off now and then and get a little rest.

I think it's fine to try and avoid getting one, but know a little about them going in to the hospital in case you change your mind.

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

I was induced with Cervadil then Pitocin. And the Pitocin made my contractions a real mothereffer I hate pain and cannot handle it either and got the EPI and was so happy I did. It was a godscent for me. Its your choice GL, HTH.

I was very scared of the labor and delivery and the epi did help ease the nervous feeling I had. GL again on your choice Stacy

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

I recommend reading "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer and Rhonda Wheeler. I thought it was a really good unbiased reference of pros/cons on all options a woman has during L&D. I had an epi with both deliveries and would get it again.

With DS#1, I labored at home for about 8 hours, but I ended up being in labor for 22 hours total. I got an epi when I was 5cm. When I was 10 cm I couldn't really feel anything to get control of the pushing, so I pushed for 2 hours.

With DS#2, I was induced. I got the cervadil overnight at the hopital and had it removed at 9:30am. They let me shower/eat and then started pitocin at 11am. I got the epi around 1pm. At 4:30pm I got the urge to push so they lowered the epi. I had to wait 20 min for the doctor to come in and then pushed for 15 mins. It was an awesome delivery.

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

I wanted to try and do it without an epidural but when push came to shove... I got one when I was about 5-6 cm. I am sure I could have done it without one, but I wanted to enjoy my first birth experience so I went for one instead. My husband was behind me either way so it was my choice and I am glad I went that way. When I was 9cm the epidural was gone and I felt everything when I pushed at 10cm. It was rough... but what they say is true- you forget the pain b/c I'm already having #2 and don't really remember it much! I didn't have a problem with the epi itself- it numbed both sides fine. My friend had only one side work on her. But my anethesiologist did have to stick me twice b/c the first time there was blood in the line. Other than that, it was all good!! Good luck! Why don't ya play it by ear like I did and see how you can handle the pain!

Re: Question about Labor and Delivery...

I had the epi pretty early.. i went into the whole situation knowing I wanted an epi, and I was laboring in my back, and the pain was incredible. I was also induced because my water had broke and my labor did not progress on its own.

The epi was a godsend.. but it did start to only work on one side of my body... and the doctors and anesthesiologist were so accurate with the strength and amount of medication in the epidural that when I was 10 cm, I could feel the pain and pressure of the contractions so I could push. I pushed for 45 minutes, but I had to have the baby vaccumed out because her heart rate was dropping at an alarming rate.. ended up the cord was around her neck. The overall experience was not 100% pain free, and I didnt want it to be, but I couldnt handle the pain I was having with the back labor.

I will tell you the two downfalls to the epidural for me: Since I labored mostly laying on my right side, the epidural medication wore off on my left side, since the drip, the anesthesiologist explained, is like an "oil can" and it was all settling on one side... The second downfall was it really affected my blood pressure.. it was down to 80/50 and lower at some points, and they kept giving me other shots to bring it back up... all in all.. I would and WILL definitely get an epi with my next...