Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

Posted by dm24angel

This relates to my appnt. Today.

At one point the Dr. Said " once you get the Epi you will be fine."

I said, "I dont plan on having an Epi, and she looked at me like I had 4 heards and said, its no big deal, I reccomend you do. " ....I mentioned how I have very low Blood pressure and the risks are high it will drop and so will the babies and I dont want to take that risk....and Was met with " well then a C-section is always an option"....???????????????? WHY??? Why cant I just NOT GET the Epi??

I explained my fears, my wants etc. and was told that I should get over my fears of the numbness of an Epi, that means its doing its job, and that theres no reason to be in pain.

I felt like I was getting no where ....and It was so disheartening...

Then I asked about my birth wishes to NOT be hooked to a monitor as soon I get into L & D as if its a long labor, my vision is not to spend it on my back in pain ..I wanted to be able to labor the way I wanted to ( move around, shower, etc)...I was told that doesnt "Really happen"...once your there, unless your in distress, they want you hooked up...

So I said basically I need to then stay at home till Im blue and was told " if you want it that way , then yes".

I was almost in tears at just being "dismissed".

Why do Dr's, nurses etc make it so its easy FOR THEM??

This is MY birth?

NOW..if I go in there and act a certain way and want my birth to be mine, I KNOW Im gonna get an attitude from the nurses and such.

I wish I could give birth at home

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

Donna -- PLEASE -- make a birthing plan. It doesn't have to be long or detailed. Mine was short and to the point, not a "Don't do this" but "I would like ..." approach.

Every woman should have one whether they go natural or full-blown drugs - there are so many people that will be coming in and out that you NEED to have your wishes spelled out for them - no one will be annoyed at you, they will be grateful to know how you want to approach things - even if they don't agree with you.

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

Posted by neenie

Posted by karacg

Posted by dm24angel

Well I was basically told its not even going to be looked out...

I had two concerns...the monitoring, and I was told, nothing can be done..its hospitals policy...

And the Drugs and I was told, putting it in writing didnt make a difference, the nurses wouldnt be looking at it ( at the hospital) ....

So Im just gonna deal with it.

They cannot give you an epi without your approval. You have to sign off on it.

Exactly!!! They told you that they could??????

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

Just wanted to add that I had an Epi with DD ...
I was induced at 36 weeks with Preeclampsia and GD.. I was a Case study C-section. I was not even a tiny bit dialted and my cervix was a thick as can be when I was brought to the hospital. My BP was 144/111.
At 2 Cent.. not even they gave me my Epi and 8 hours later I was ready to push and in three tries DD was out and she was still 6lb 14oz. The Epi helped me sleep and relax and not worry about the pain I was in. My Dr was in shock becasue he was all ready for the section and because I was able to relax i delivered Vaginally.

The choice is up to you... every labor is different.. you will have to see when you get yourself into the situation of giving birth. It does not make you less of a woman or a bad mother because you used Drugs or opt for a c section to help bring your child into this world. Childbirth is the greatest thing to happen and at the same time it is also the most tramatic thing to happen to your body. Our bodies go under a lot of stress to bring all our beautiful children into the world.

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

I am sorry that your doctors are pressuring you to do all these things!

This is your birth and your choices. And you know what, you might get to a point and say GIVE ME THAT EPIDURAL while your head is spinning, but you might be completely in control and be happy with the way everything is going.

In the end, no one can force you to have that needle in your back, no one can force you to do anything that you don't want to do!

Again, I don't know anything about giving birth in the states, but can you write up a document stating that you will take legal action if the team does not follow your wishes? Everyone in the US is so litigious that might get their attention, they do not want to be sued. (I might be totally off base...)

I wrote a birth plan, which was kind of irrelevant when I was actually in labor...but they did not ask to look at it. In the UK we have lots of birth choices, including home births, and the midwives are incredibly respectful of this.

Message edited 5/25/2007 4:24:14 AM.

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

How close are you to the hospital? I labored at home until 5 cm and it was painful to be hooked up and on my back (I would have rather been at home longer)

When they asked me if I wanted an epi or pain med - I just said, I'm going to try to hold out longer and nobody pressured me. Maybe this is a goof technique you could use?

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

I know it is hard not to get upset about what your dr. said but nobody (not even the dr.) is going to know how your labor will go until you actually are.
I never told my dr. what my plans were and honestly I don't think it matters because at least in my case my dr. didn't get their right away and the nurses check on you mostly anyway. I also took our Lamaze class at our hospital and they said that it was procedure that when you were admitted you were hooked up to IV, fetal monitor and I belived BP machine that took it I think every 15 minutes. Knowing that and knowing that I didn't want to be sent back home I stayed at home until it I couldnt talk anymore durning contractions. I was 5-6cm when I got there and they asked me once for the epi and I said yes but by the time I got it I was about 7cm and 1.5 hours later I was pushing. I think the epi can be really helpful if you get it after 5cm becuase it does help you relax and your body will move things along.
This time though knowing that I made it 7cm without it I plan on trying to go natural. My mother did it with 3 out of 5 kids and she said it wasn't bad at all.

I would play it by ear when you get their and when they are ready to admit you just tell them before they ask you that you will let them know if you want an epi. Another thing that Lamaze told us and is that even if you are not going to have epi but are considering it they like to know. Sometimes it can take up to an hour for the aneitstiologist to get you and by that time it might be to late to get it.

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

I don't think that epi's should be pressured on anyone especially one who hopes to go natural. I would love to do it without meds but I know I have a lower threshold for pain but I plan on holding off as long as possible. They can't force you to have the epi - you have to consent to the procedure - I think this is an instance where maybe your DH should be firm and when they come to ask just let him tell them you are not ready for one he will let them know when you want it (this way if you change your mind he can go and ask but you won't have to be bothered continually saying no).

As far as the monitors - I worked in med mal insurance and from a devils advocate point of view - the reason they want you monitored is not to trap you in the bed - but often the baby ends up in distress during labor - if you are not hooked up they won't know if your baby's heartbeat is significantly dropping and possibly not getting enough oxygen or other issues. If they don't get the baby out in time you could have a siginificantly brain damaged baby. I have seen several cases where the mother wasn't properly monitored and the baby ended up with permanent complications. This is not to scare you but just to let you know why they want you hooked up to the monitors. Just for something to think about. I think if you are not progressing quickly I bet you could ask to walk to floor for a short time and they might allow you to do that.

There are many doctors out there who won't push the meds - but I think a lot of the ones who are pushing meds are the nurses more so than the doctors since they are the ones directly caring for you for the most part and it is easier to deal with someone who is comfortable than screaming in pain - is it right no - but that is why I feel strongly if you don't want the meds stick up for yourself and have DH be your advocate. BTW I think that a good doctor would have discussed your concerns in a more appropriate way than dismissing your fears which to me were very valid concerns.

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

My only advice to you is to try to labor at home as long as possible. Sadly your wishes do not represent the norm. As others have stated doctors and nurses are all about the control due to liability issues. Unless society changes they aren't either. Also as nurses we are not allowed to ignore someone's pain. As Neenie stated it is the 5th vital sign. We are obligated to offer some kind of pain relief it is your right to refuse it though.

I didn't really want an epi with my DD either but I told everyone yeah I'll probably get it just to keep them quiet. I did wind up getting it due to utter exhaustion since I had worked the night before and hadn't been able to sleep and at the time it was a life saver. I also showed up earlier then I wanted (I was 3-4cm) because I was continously vomiting during labor (sorry TMI) and was worried about dehydration so I was desperate for some IV fluids. If I was well rested I might have been able to hang in there longer. I'm hoping next time around I'll be able to do without it but we'll see.

Message edited 5/25/2007 8:49:18 AM.

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

I don't necessarily think natural labor is looked down on...I think a lot has to do with what the usual outcome is.

First off, I know you must be frustrated to feel like your wishes aren't being heard. I think most nurses/doctors are really only trying to look out for you though.

It is SO SO hard to know what is going to happen until it happens though...I found that everyone at the hospital was very respectful of my wishes. I was NEVER made to feel that an epi was necessary, in fact they said as long as i could deal with the pain, fine..and the second i asked for it, they were there to administer.

I'll tell you one thing...the reason why an epidural is highly recommended in most cases is b/c like some others said, sometimes during labor your body just needs a break. Think about it....you are sitting there, or walking around feeling these enormous contractions for hours and hours..pain is EXHAUSTING and wipes you out. Pain medication gives you a break from that and allows you to rest while your body does the contracting work needed to deliver.

Is an epidural for everyone? No! Many women deliver naturally and drug free. But not most.

You could take your chances and labor at home for as long as possible...but please keep in mind...by the time you get to the hospital and say you are past the point for an epi and in a lot of pain, you may have wished you just went to the hospital earlier. This happened to my friend...not to scare you, but i honestly believe the best thing to do is get to the hospital to see how you are handling it all you know? And lying on your back hooked to a monitor was NOT bad at all, to each their own i believe. The last thing I could do with the horrible back labor i had was walk around-i NEEDED to be laying down and monitored. Everyone is different.

Just know in the end you will have your baby and I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised at how the hospital and staff helps you through every step.

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

Posted by Karen



Without a doubt, I blame the litigious society that we live in. Doctors want/need to cover themselves, and monitors and prescribed pain management is the way they do it. A natural birth has many more "what if" scenarios and many doctors may be fearful of being sued if something goes wrong.

A distant cousin of mine had severe complications during delivery. She wanted to sue her doctor. The first thing every lawyer told her - she went against the doctor's advice when she opted to do certain things, certain ways (I don't really want to go into details here, I know many of us are scared enough) - and she has no case.

Everything nowadays is about people covering themselves! It really is a shame - even on these boards you can see massive differences between the ways things are done here and abroad.

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

I didn't get to the hospital until I was 8CM, you can totally labor at home until the last minute, it wasn't that bad

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

b/c they are afraid of malpractice- it is no surprise that insurance is highest for OBs- many aren't even delivering anymore- that is why the minute you are @ the hospital, they hook you up- if they don't, and God forbid something happened that they weren't aware of, you could sue them down the road- even if it was your choice....
it is sad that this is what is has come to- but we are sue-happy in this country- and this is the result.

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

I was all about going natural too until my doctor said something that really changed my mind and made alot of sense to me.

He said that 95% of his patients get the epi, it is 100% safe for the baby and that there is no need to be a "hero" or a "martyr" because the baby will be born whether or not I am suffering or not.

Personally I am scared of the epi a little but I guess there really is no reason to suffer for hours if I dont have to.

This is all my personal opinion.

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

totally agree with neenie. i have experienced situations like this from the doctor's perspective. and in just a few short months i'm sure i will experience at least some conflict with my doctor, from a patient's perspective.

as a doctor, it's really uncomfortable when patients tell you that they want care that steps outside the typical standards of practice. at the same time, it's YOUR body and YOUR experience, and your preferences need to be paid attention to.

sounds to me like two things need to happen. first, i would definitely put together a birthing plan outlining ALL of your wishes. second, i would go over the birthing plan with your OB in detail. this will give her the chance to talk to you about the potential risks associated with your choices. it will be important for the OB to document in the medical record that you two had a discussion about this; it's her way of covering her azz. once she's able to do that maybe she'll be more comfortable with your plan and you both will be happier...

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

Re: WHY is natural labor looked down on?

I wondered that too and unlike you I didn't really research the birth part of it all until after. It was "suggested" I get an epi - I had made it to 8 cm without too much pain and all doctors and nurses almost made me get it. They looked at me with fear in their eyes and scared me so I did. Next time if I'm not in pain I'm not getting it!