Epidurals
Thursday, May 10, 2007
I wrote a response to the questions in the comment boxes about epidurals. Unfortunately it is already two-and-a-half pages long, single-spaced. I have three points to make (even though I’m not a Baptist preacher), but I’ve only made one so far in all that muttering. I haven’t forgotten about it, but I need to get it under control first.
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ahhhh Amy! It is so good to have you back with us and sharing your witty humor! You are such a joy!!!
Comment by Kathy, Jeff's Wife (May 10, 2007 @ 3:26 pm )
I was wondering if you would respond to the many comments, as I am no greatly intrigued by the discussions taking place. I’m anxious to hear your perspective, as I’ve had 3 natural births– 2 of them that lasted literally days and where I routinely get “stuck” at 8-9cm for hours– and sometimes I wonder why I’m doing what I’m doing. I mean, I have my reasons, but I’m always interested in hearing from another. So I look forward to your “paper” on epidurals!
Comment by brietta (May 10, 2007 @ 4:06 pm )
Well, I am proving what holding a baby and/or toddler on one’s lap while typing will result in: consistent typos.
In my first sentence above, it should read *now* instead of *no*.
Comment by brietta (May 10, 2007 @ 4:08 pm )
Your back!
I wanted to comment,
But I never had an epidural.
Figure I can’t comment on something I don’t know!
Comment by keri (May 10, 2007 @ 4:10 pm )
I had two epidurals in my first birth and they are not for me. Not only did they ruin my desire to go natural, they gave me a backache for months afterwards. Why two in one birth you may wonder? It is because I had the worst anesthesiologist (did I spell that right?) in the hospital -not my opinion, I was actually told this at my postpartum visit. So the anesthesiologist did not get the epidural right the first time and had to do it a second one. I had what they called a window, and even had it with the second epi, which means I felt every contraction anyways, but just in one spot - the window - if I am remembering it correctly. It has been 10 years! Also, when the needle hurt going in, she said that it shouldn’t! Yikes! So that was it for my husband and I. We were determined not to have another epidural and so far, we haven’t for the last five. I am sorry, it just cannot be a healthy thing to have a needle in your spine, if you can help it. I prayed so that I could have a natural birth and I know that natural to some means absolutely no intervention. And if that is truly the case, I have only had two out of six completely natural because I had my water broken with #2 and #4 and my membranes striped with #5. I know, I am bringing this discussion to the top, aren’t I? It was easier and the line (of comments) was shorter. tee hee.
I also wanted to talk about the fear thing. I did fear birth after having my first, but that fear was nothing like the fear I experienced in my sixth pregnancy after losing a baby at 18 weeks. Talk about fear and lack of trust in the sovereign will of God. It was not good. I was afraid to do much for fear of losing the baby etc. Pretty much up to 30 weeks.
The sad thing is, I felt I had to hide that fear, so really only my family witnessed it to any degree.:-( And please, I do not say this in any way to cause those of you expecting anxiety. I am just relating my experience.
So glad you are feeling better, Amy. I just cannot imagine what you have had to go through to have your precious little family.
Something that gave me food for thought recently in the midst of our current situation is:
from the book Gold Dust:
“If I have no cross to bear today, I shall not advance heavenwards. A cross (that is, anything that disturbs our peace) is the spur which stimulates, and without which we should most likely remain stationary, blinded with empty vanities, and sinking deeper into sin. A cross helps us onwards, in spite of our apathy and resistance. To lie quietly on a bed of down may seem a very sweet existence, but pleasant ease and rest are not the lot of a Christian; if he would mount higher and higher, it must be by a rough road. Alas, for those who have no daily cross! Alas, for those who repine and fret against it!”
May we accept each cross the Lord sends, whatever it may be, with sweet submission because it is for His ultimate glory and our good. This is my hope and prayer for myself.
Blessings,
Theresa
Comment by Theresa (May 10, 2007 @ 5:00 pm )
I’m really glad you’re going to respond to this, as I couldn’t believe how pushy some of those comments have been! And also because for the weeks immediately following my daughter’s natural birth, I remember telling myself that “next time I’ll get an epidural.” Now that several months have passed, I’m a little less decided. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Comment by Lisa (May 10, 2007 @ 5:05 pm )
I had my first baby two months ago - due to issues with amniotic fluid levels, my doc wanted me induced. I was going to try to go natural, but I got to a point where the pain was very intense, so I went with an epidural - I had no side effects… for me, I had a really great birthing experience and the epidural helped me get through.
Next time, I’ll try again, to see how far I can go. If I can go all the way, then I will. But God taught me much in humility through my last experience.
Comment by Shannon (May 10, 2007 @ 6:19 pm )
If the Lord should bless us with children, I would love to give birth without an epidural. But we will have to wait and see! I look forward to reading your thoughts.
Comment by Elizabeth (May 10, 2007 @ 8:26 pm )
As a Christian birth doula, I’ll be interested to hear what you have to say in so many words! =)
Comment by marian (May 10, 2007 @ 11:29 pm )
To Epidural Or Not To Epidural, that is the question?
I thought the goal was: birth the baby.
Not judge the mom who chooses to do it pain-free.
Oh, well. I’ve been wrong before. This would be nothing new.
:0)
Comment by Elizabeth (May 11, 2007 @ 11:34 am )
Comment by Elizabeth (May 11, 2007 @ 11:37 am )
oops. sorry, I didn’t post it right….
here’s what I meant to say:
To Epidural or Not To Epidural, this is the question?
I thought the whole point was: birth the baby.
Not judge the mom who chooses to do it pain-free.
Maybe I’m wrong, here.
Interested to hear Amy’s remarks, as well.
Comment by Elizabeth (May 11, 2007 @ 11:39 am )
I don’t really care WHAT you do, Amy, as long as that baby gets out (one way or another) in approximatly 6 months and joins the rest of the “huggable” family.
I am SO happy for you guys and have been praying for ya! I think about you everytime I see some of the stuff Greg sent back (space, the final frontier…)…
Hey, on the agrarian/debt-free front, we’re doing a major downsize, sold our house and are moving about a half hour away, and building an experimental home (using shipping containers — see fabprefab.com for a glimpse/idea), which is actually going to give us a way bigger house at a fraction of the cost, and going into a family business with my in-laws already successful greenhouse biz.
I can’t even TELL you how excited I am about it all, even in the midst of packing boxes and all the other things going on (too many!)…
We’ll actually be OUT OF DEBT completely! And, even better, we will have a business that doesn’t involve a dad gone for 10 hours a day, and that allows even the toddler to be a productive necessary part (filling dirt pots, etc).
On the liver cleansing, etc, that sounds GREAT and I bet would be really beneficial (though, obviously, you can’t do that right now, lol). I’m in the middle of a big full-body cleanse, going step by step (doing parasites right now…um…just don’t think about it, you’re alreayd nauseas…though, in future years, may I just say that I highly recommend humaworm.com -they even have stuff for children)… My girlfriend had gestational diabetes with her 7th pregnancy and went on a whole foods diet, very strict, and we all couldn’t BELIEVE how GREAT she looked! It was AMAZING…her skin, her eyes, everything, she just looked wonderful (and that was NOT how she looked for any of her other pregnancies). So even though that wasn’t a “full” cleanse, it really seemed to be a huge help. Maybe you could do something like that?
For the future (when you’re not pregnant or nursing-lol), on the subject detoxing economically, Curezone.com has some good articles, including recipes you can make at home for kidney and liver cleanses, etc, that are way more effective than a lot of the boxed “cleanses” you can buy.
As for motivation, well, I had a health condition come up a few months ago that has been called, “incureable” (meaning, if antibiotics and/or antifungals can’t fix it, it can’t be fixed). Woah! Talk about motivation to get my body on track! I even bought a juicer…
I appear to be getting a handle on my problem…I’m not willing to say “cured” yet, though. I have to say that I’ve been thanking God a lot for the condition itself, as I know that my body can’t handle junk/sugar well at all (poor prenatal nutrition when I was little, etc, I just seem to be super sensitive-*shrugs*), but wasn’t listening. I noticed this December that I wasn’t looking alive or sparkly…that my skin and eyes had a dead tone to it…but even that didn’t motivate me to change…so I’ve been thankful that this problem came up that basically FORCED me to change my eating habits…I feel SO GOOD! As much as I want the problem to go away and never come back, I thank God for allowing it to happen.
And even thought I’m only half-way through my slow thorough FULL cleansing process, I can’t believe how GOOD I feel, how great my skin looks, etc… I was formerly a supposed “health nut” yet would drink a 16 oz mocha every day, you know…? lol…While I’m sure the sprouted wheat bread was good for me, lol, I was negating it all everytime I dumped that stuff down my throat, or bought fastfood for us all when in town (3 times a week, at least), etc, especially as my own body just can’t handle sugar well. I feel SO great now that even my beloved mocha’s aren’t tempting me…I want to keep feeling this good!
ANYways, now that I’ve blabbed foreeeeever on what shoooouuuould have been a private email in the first place-HARHAR… Just wanted to say hi and encourage you and send you a big warm hug from Alaska!
Comment by molly (May 11, 2007 @ 1:58 pm )
I am very interested in what you have to say about epidurals. I had 2 epidurals with my daughter’s birth (it was my first pregnancy) and would opt for them again if I needed them. The reason i say this is b/c I was induced (water broke and I didn’t naturally go into labour) and went from having virtually no contractions straight into the transitional ones and was very unprepared for them when they hit just like that. And, then, she had to be delivered with forceps. I can not see how a woman who is induced can manage the pain without “drugs” b/c the contractions come so fast and furious. I know some women who have had “textbook deliveries” where everything goes as expected in a delivery and they found it much easier to go without drugs. I am not out to prove anything when I give birth; by saying that I mean that I am not one of those women who take extra pride in doing it “naturally”… The drugs are there and I will gladly take them if needed.
Comment by Rose (May 11, 2007 @ 2:08 pm )
ok, you are truely loved. You are one of the few bloggers I know who can generate 14 comments already on a post that awaits to be done!
Comment by Suzi (May 11, 2007 @ 7:29 pm )
Theresa -
Loved that quote!!
Comment by Amanda (May 11, 2007 @ 7:58 pm )
I have ten children. All vaginal births. I had two epidurals, some with no medication whatsoever, and a couple with low-dose muscle relaxants.
Both epidurals went fine. I had them for my sixth and tenth babies. Why not seventh, eighth, and ninth? I don’t know, I just didn’t “need” them…each labor is different. I go in thinking it will all go like clockwork.
My first labor was 36 hours long, my shortest labor was one and a half hours long. One of my “best” was the 9 lb. 15 oz. baby I delivered. The doctors all seem scared of large babies but he was my easiest.
I say, wait and see. Pray and read Dr. Sears “The Birth Book”. Make an informed choice, and then wait and see how the labor goes.
If I have #11 I will definitely keep epidurals on my option list!
HTH, Theresa
Comment by Theresa (May 11, 2007 @ 8:10 pm )
Speaking as a woman who’s had five without any medical anything (including one that was induced), I wonder if a lot of it just has to do with pain tolerance?
I am a wimp about some things (like keeping file folders organized, lol) and have hardly any will power when it comes to folding laundry, but I have a very high tolerance for physical pain as well as a lot of will power to endure it.
So maybe it’s just one of those things where some of us are strong in some areas, some strong in others…in which case, it would be really lame for me to say that since *I* can have natural births, so can *you.* (Because even though *you* are a whiz at keeping your laundry done, folded, and put away, I reeeeaaaally don’t want you telling me that *I* should be as good at it as you are).
Your very postmodern friend (ha),
Molly
Comment by molly (May 12, 2007 @ 1:47 am )
Talk about pressure now. I feel like I’ll have to say something useful!
Molly, I will email later.
One thing that is cool here on this thread and the previous one, is that the common theme is–no two births are the same. I’m glad so many are sharing their stories. I am a birth story junkie.
Comment by Amy Scott (May 12, 2007 @ 1:36 pm )
Amy,
I’ve been reading your blog since you got the “Best New” award (or shortly before, I don’t remember), and have appreciated your insight and wisdom so many times. I really look forward to hearing your thoughts on epidurals (however verbose!). I’ve been really struggling with my thoughts on them. Both my labours were three days long, and after the last one I felt for a really long time that I simply couldn’t do it again. Both my babies were born at home, with a midwife. I did have pitocin at the very end of my first labour, only to give my uterus enough strength to push the baby out. I had been in labour for 51 hours when I started pushing, and I pushed for three more, so you can see why I was so exhausted that I needed the help. Other than that I had no drugs for either baby. When I told my mother that I was really struggling with not wanting to go through labour again she said “Why don’t you just have an epidural?” I want more children, but my labours have been so difficult. In some ways it seems like the obvious solution. Anyway, I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it. Hopefully it will bring some clarity to me, because I really have been struggling with it. Sorry to babble on.
~Elizabeth
Comment by E.W.E (May 12, 2007 @ 10:11 pm )
I’m wondering if anyone else has had an intrathecal? I’ve given birth six times. I’ve been induced EVERY time (pitocin, all but once). I got an intrathecal with the last four. Basically, the anesthetist comes in, gives you a few shots in the back, and you’re pretty close to being pain-free from then on, but you can feel all the contractions (pressure), etc. I love them! I’m hoping, however, to someday give birth with no induction, and try it “au naturale”!
Comment by Sheila (May 12, 2007 @ 10:59 pm )
I hope we mommas can get some perspective on this issue of natural versus drug aided births. I found the women in my birthing class seemed to think of it as some sort of weird strenght test-like a bench press limit between men. It was bizarre to think we should shame each other for using a medication for birth, but yet we don’t bat en eyelash over using Tylenol for a headache, or insulin for diabetes. Why the disconnect for birth?
I’m glad I had an epidural, and frankly after 27 hours of labor I should have had it sooner. I still had another 9 hours of labor before the baby was born. The sheer exhaustion and complete lack of sleep for those 36 hours BEFORE the birth really messed me up. I was so out of whack I couldn’t sleep for another 2 days. By that point I almost useless. I WISH I has asked for the medication earlier so I could have had some sleep earlier on and then I could have been better after the birth. Also, in my case, the doctor turn OFF the epidural during the final portion of the birth so I had full sensation during pushing. So, to think a woman doesn’t feel the full force of the pain when an epidural is administered…might not be true.
Can’t wait to hear from you about this Amy. As for me, if I need it to be a better mommy, I am going to use another one this summer for this birth. When women ask me if I had a natural birth, I say, “Yeah it was natural, she got out didn’t she? I’d say that’s pretty natural! LOL” It’s a good way to head off the bench press comparisons.
Comment by Imajackson (May 13, 2007 @ 11:15 am )
I have had 4 babies, the 1st one being breech and the other 3 being VBACs. And yes, I recieved epidurals for the last 3. With #2, I gave up to easily and asked for one early. But it was still 38 hours of labor with her. With #3, I “held on” longer then I should have and almost ended up with another c-sections because of “lack of progress”.The last resort was a try at the epidural. Thankfully, my body relaxed enough and he was born 1 hour later. It was a total of 35 hours with him. With #4, I labored more at home and was more aware of how my body works in labor. I know that my body just can’t relax enough for the contractions to work. And so I prayed that God would give me the wisdom to know when I was at my limit. And He did. That labor was 2 minutes under 17 hours! A much better experience.
And I’m not sad that I recieved the epidurals. Nor do I believe that I didn’t have “natural” births. Someone once told me that “real Christian women don’t need pain relief”. What foolishness!! Every woman has her own limits. For some, it’s the entire labor, medication free. And for others, they are at 4cm and that’s where their line is. Too often, this issue is used to “one up” each other. I read all the comments, and I don’t think that this is the feeling here. But it certainly is in other places where this issue is discussed. Birth happens as it needs to happen. How you get there is not really important, or at least not something to dwell upon. You do the best you can and don’t compare what you can handle to what others’ can handle. It’s the end result that is most important.
Comment by Jennifer D (May 14, 2007 @ 12:33 am )
I look forward to reading what you have to say about epidurals. I am a natural birthing mama myself and recently wrote about why we made our choice for a non-medicated birth, along with my daughter’s birth story. It is always very interesting to hear other’s birth experiences and opinions. :o)
Comment by Mrs. Brigham (May 14, 2007 @ 11:08 am )
A hearty thank you to the women that read my mind about it not being a “contest”. One of my most heartbreaking times was after the birth of my 3rd child and I agreed to an epidural for several reasons and I was told by no less than 5 people (and I’m not embellishing here) that I was “not going to bond with my child” because I had an epidural, that I was a “wuss”, that I “must not handle pain very well”, that I did a “great disservice” to my body and I should have “prayed about it” and I wouldn’t have had the problems that I did to have need for the epidural. They had no clue about the problems surrounding the birth, OR the problems after the birth that kept the epidural in for 4 hours afterward. I’m glad for people that can do it without one, but I am glad I had the option and I’m a little tired of the ungracious spirit I’ve come in contact with in regards to my own personal decisions.
Comment by Rebecca (May 14, 2007 @ 2:05 pm )
I think if I were to be induced, I’d probably end up with an epidural. I too can’t imagine a Pitocin labor without some help with pain management. Natural contractions are hard enough.
But that is one reason I fight tooth and nail to avoid induction in the first place–and I have been pressured to induce with every single pregnancy (and proved all the scare tactics wrong, thank the Lord!)
Comment by Margaret (May 14, 2007 @ 9:19 pm )
Listen to Margaret above! Extra Super emphasis on the avoiding induction! Here is my childbirth educator lecture: Pitocin is not the same as oxytocin. It doesn’t cross the blood brain barrier and tell the brain to produce endorphins (your body’s natural painkillers-200x stronger than morphine). Induced labor or sped up labor (augmentation) produce harder-longer-stronger contractions than the God designed process. It is often the initial beginning of a “cascade of interventions” that include IV’s, continuous monitoring, epidural, catheter, assisted delivery or c-section. Induction rates have doubled in the past 10 years and no improvement has been made on our infant mortality rates. (Note: inductions given to a woman who has a “ripe” cervix are typically the ones that fly along) A great little non-profit organization working to promote WHO standards for maternity care in the USA is at motherfriendly.org and they have FANTASTIC fact sheets for women on the Problems and Hazards of Inductions in Labor and Having a Baby? 10 questions to ask.
I fully understand that not all bad births are from ignorance. Yet please hear me when I say our culture has LITTLE understanding of normal birth and you really have to deprogram yourself and study God’s design to increase your chances at a normal birth. Too many pregnancy books focus on everything that can go wrong instead of how fantastic and intricate the work of our Creator is. Hint: most of these are not written by M.D’s- exception for The Birth Book by Sears and Sears.
The chapter on The Compassionate Use of Epidurals in the book Birthing from Within by Pam England C.N.M. is well written reading in case you can’t handle waiting for Amy’s post. I know I am having a hard time…..:)
Comment by megan (May 15, 2007 @ 6:18 pm )
With my first and only birth (so far…I’m preggy now), it actually went quite fast and easy. I went all natural, except for a little pitocin boost during the pushing because my contractions were slowing down to nothing. They were quite amazed that a first time birther went all natural! Then again, my baby was 5 weeks early and thus smaller. Still hurt, though!
I can’t judge anyone for having an epidural, though. Frankly, the thought of putting a needle in my spine scares the daylights out of me. Right after birthing my son I said even after all that I still wouldn’t get an epidural. I’m actually looking forward to birthing again.
Comment by Kate (May 15, 2007 @ 7:33 pm )
Wow! Now I’m curious about the previous comments thread!
I had pitocin at hour 34 of labor with child #1. It was try that or an emergency c-section. Even with pitocin I was still in labor for 9 more hours. I didn’t have an epidural, but only because I didn’t ask for it until too late–I was only feeling every other contraction before they gave me the pitocin, which was how I was able to get through the labor without pain meds up until that time. By the time the pitocin kicked in, it was too late for the epi.
I was terrified while pregnant with #2 that I’d be in for another marathon labor (the pitocin, while necessary to progress the labor, left me with excruciating contractions less than a minute apart for several hours, it took me hours to dilate from 8 cm to 10, and I PUSHED for FOUR hours after that). When I was pregnant with #2, people kept saying “Oh, don’t worry, the subsequent kids always come faster.” Okay, faster than 43 hours? Hello, 36 or even 23 is STILL a really long time.
Fortunately, they were right. I had #2 in Jan 2007, and we barely made it to the hospital. They asked me if I wanted an epidural and drugs and I said YES (can I say that louder?), quite emphatically. Ironically…as the tech was prepping me (for an IV for the drugs; the guy with the epi arrived after the baby was born), the doctor was slapping on the gloves, asking me to push. They were still taking my vitals and asking me processing questions (I’m glad they did that as it was a great distraction) as she was being born. Baby V was born four and a half hours after water my water broke; contractions started two hours later, and transition happened while we were happily chatting with the friends who babysat our older daughter that day. Then BAM! I wasn’t feeling sociable any more and it was a race to the finish line. She was born less than a half hour after we arrived in the hospital parking lot.
I’m still going to ask for an epidural next time. And that’s saying a lot because I’m terrified of needles and the whole “needle in the spine thing” makes me light headed just to think of it.
How can we judge? As one poster said, we all have our strengths and our areas where we need more support. I admit that I fell into the she-man “I can do it without HELP ROAR!!!” mentality for a while, but after this last labor, I’m officially over it. I’ll try to go natural until it’s almost past what I can tolerate. Then (if I still have the option) I’m going to do what feels right to me.
People who judge or insist that we must all go natural (and I’m all for going natural, if you can) are like the man sitting on top of his house during a flood…along came a boat and a helicopter to rescue him, which he sent away saying “Don’t worry, God will save me!” He eventually drowned, and asked God when he got to heaven “God, why did I die? I waited faithfully for you to rescue me!” God replied “I sent a boat and a helicopter for you, what more do you want?”
End of ramble…take care, Amy! I love your blog!
Comment by Stephanie (May 16, 2007 @ 12:25 am )
I say more power to the woman that has a natural birth. I myself had 2 c-sections, and I am HAPPY with that! I wanted NO pain. My first was obviously not planned. I was induced, received an epidural (which I asked for as soon as I walked into the hospital), but after 8 hours with no progression but contractions hard enough that I should have been at 8cm (THANKFULLY I couldn’t feel them), I had a C-Section.
I didn’t have a choice on the second because hospitals around here no longer allow VBACs, but I would have opted for a c-section anyway.
I have a very low pain tolerance. If one wants and goes through a natural birth, they have my admiration!
Glad you are feeling better, Amy! Just don’t have this one before the beginning of October!!
Comment by Eryn (May 16, 2007 @ 1:10 pm )
I’ve had 3 “natural” births, and the first and third being induced with pitocin. All 3 labors were 6-7 hours. It all depends on the circumstances surrounding the birth, and each situation should be judged independently.
I’m eager to read your post, too, Amy!
Comment by Nicole (May 16, 2007 @ 1:36 pm )
I had 3 “natural” births also. My first I was induced and it was not very fun (that’s putting it mildly!), my middle birth was so awesome, so…just me & my daughter clicked. My third wasn’t too bad…well if it wasn’t for the fact that she was sunnyside up and my back hurt so bad! Unfortunately the cord was wrapped around her neck twice and my placenta would not eject…it was a living nightmare for about the first 3 hours afterwards.
It totally changed my perspective on childbirth. The first one was so bad that the pain of the other 2 was minor. Now I tell moms:
1. DONT BE INDUCED!!
2. If you’re induced, sign up for the epidural.
3. If you just go into labor, try to keep going just one more contraction until you can’t anymore.
Comment by Taunya (May 17, 2007 @ 12:24 am )
I have to say, Thank the Lord for epidurals! I have had two ceasareans(and two babies) and if it hadn’t been for the invention of the epidural, Iwould not have been awake to kiss and snuggle - with hubby’s help - my boys when they were borna nd would not have seen either of them for 24 hours. I tried to have a v-bac with my second, but it didn’t work out and will have a ceaserean if we have a third. All the “bickering” about epidurals, natural vs everything else, it is silly and we need to just be glad that the babies are coming in to the world to be loved and thrilled over.
Comment by Angela (May 17, 2007 @ 10:20 am )
EPIDURAL ALL THE WAY! That is both mine and my hubby’s perspective…I have plenty of friends who choose home birth, and wouldn’t dream of anything different. That’s great!
Personally, I sum it up in two points:
1. Being waited on hand and foot in the hospital without a pile of laundry haunting me, getting to check off my menu for the next meal (which I don’t have to cook) AND choosing more than one item for breakfast, and requesting pain meds at any moment is close to paradise for me.
2. I don’t have my teeth drilled on “naturally”; pain is a curse, both in my mouth and in other places. I am so thankful for technology that relieves that pain if I so choose.
This is one area (surprisingly) that I don’t have a hard and fast “this way is the only way”. But for me, epidurals are absolutely euphoric.
Comment by Kelly (May 17, 2007 @ 3:47 pm )
Since I haven’t heard of intrathecal anesthesia before, here is some basic information I found for others who might be wondering.
Comment by Amy Scott (May 18, 2007 @ 11:52 am )
Megan,
I found the Birthing From Within excerpts at Amazon helpful–a little new agey, but helpful. When she wrote about asking the questions that YOU need to ask, it was an “a ha” moment.
Comment by Amy Scott (May 18, 2007 @ 12:18 pm )
Please list any resources you find to be helpful as you research. I, as well as many of your readers, will benefit!
Comment by Tina (May 18, 2007 @ 4:53 pm )
I love epidurals during labor. Best thing since sliced bread. I’ve birthed nine children, and had an epidural with every one of them. One time the epidural didn’t work properly, and I felt the pain on one side of my body and not on the other. In that case, the epidural was useless. Labor on one side of your body is just as intense as labor on both sides. Nevertheless, I am thankful for all my epidurals because I got to enjoy the birth of my children, no mind-altering drugs, and me alert and fairly pain-free.
Comment by Sherry (May 18, 2007 @ 11:12 pm )
Let me say this– looking back, I’m glad I have a healthy baby boy and I am healthy, BUT…
Before I had my baby boy, I was going to go “natural.” No epidurals for me! I have a high pain tolerance, I don’t want drugs in me, yadda yadda yadda…
Then, I was induced (and, I think, pressured into doing so. Take that as a warning– JUST SAY NO even if you are a week overdue.) And I went without an epidural for about 12 long hours of pitocin-induced labor, 6 of those AFTER she broke my water…and I survived. I handled it (real contractions should be a breeze after this, right?) BUT, I had made very little progress and was very tired so I needed an epidural. And it was HEAVENLY. Then, 12 more hours later and after 3 hours of unsuccessful pushing (baby was sunny side up and his head was turned funny) I reluctantly had a C-section. I’d been at the hospital 24 hours at this point and he just was NOT coming out without some kind of intervention. Sigh.
So, all that said– I’d love to have a natural, epidural-free VBAC next time, but I think I just have to realize that birth NEVER goes as planned and you have to take it one birth at a time. Just avoid being induced if you can…
Comment by Allison (May 19, 2007 @ 5:36 am )
You know, I’m sure Amy isn’t going to make her post about epidurals a “super woman” versus epidural-getters kind of thing.
I am strongly opposed to the common use of epidurals but it has nothing to do with the moral character or strength of myself or other women.
Comment by Margaret (May 19, 2007 @ 7:51 am )
I agree with those who’ve said every birth is different. I’ve had three babies and each labor was different. My first came very quickly and my husband and I had planned to go without drugs. It got very hard for me around 5cm and I had some Demerol. That made me loopy and I felt so out of it. By the time I hit transition it got really bad and I wanted the epidural. I couldn’t get it because I was going so fast and the doc got an emergency call. I went from 7-10cm in 45 minutes and when it got time to push I was so eager to get that baby out of there that I pushed with all my might and out he came in under 20 minutes. However, he came out with his hand up near his face and my quick pushing caused me to have a third degree vaginal tear. The doctor had to give me a shot and stitch me up for one hour. I could not walk normally for a month after that birth. My next birth was totally different. With my first the water had to be broken right before I started pushing. With my second the water broke on the way to the hospital. So I thought this would be a fast labor too. Wrong! I was only 2cm when I got there and when I got in the tub to try to labor it stopped my progress. So here I was in bed laboring near midnight. I got an epidural around 4-5cm and I cannot tell you how helpful it was. I was able to sleep and when transition came I felt the pressure but I was so much more able to handle it. My baby was born at 5am and my doula said it was the easiest delivery she ever saw. One push and he was out. My recovery was sooo much better. Hardly any tear. My third child was eight days late so I came in to have my water broken. Nothing happened so they gave me some pitocin. I began to progress and by now I knew what to expect from my body and how to breathe effectively. I got an epidural around the same stage, 5cm, and I was ready to push at 3 in the afternoon. This time though I had to push a little longer and it hurt a little more but because of the epidural I was able to pace myself and not be so hasty in pushing the baby out. I was also able to fully enjoy the surprise of having a girl after having two boys. We can all plan what we want this birth experience to look like but more often than not, it ends up completely different from what we thought. Trust the Lord and praise Him that we have so many options compared to 100 years ago.
Thanks for being so honest with your struggles Amy. Do what is best for you and the baby. I know you realize it’s not a contest and that’s good. I’ll be saying a prayer for you today and God bless!
Comment by Meredith (May 19, 2007 @ 10:58 am )
Hi, Amy!
I’ve had two inductions with epidurals, one a great experience and one definitely less than stellar. I’ve since had two unmedicated, natural (Bradley) births, one a great experience and one definitely less than stellar. I’m completely undecided at this point, but have NOT ruled out the epidural. So, please, let us see your point of view, ASAP! 
No pressure, but I’m 38 weeks pregnant and I really “need” your post on epidurals.
Comment by Tara (May 19, 2007 @ 2:51 pm )
Oh Tara, I don’t know that I could say anything to help you! If you’ve had Bradley classes, then you know what you need to do. Those relaxation skills will help you in whatever you decide.
What I’ve tried to do is isolate the factors that made certain births really bad (no labor support/coaching, pitocin when I wasn’t ready for it, NO FOOD!!!–argh!). For each woman, the answers will be different, but being proactive about those things you have control over will go a long way in having a better birth experience.
I’m thinking my epidural post–if I ever have a block of time to sit down with it– will be entirely anti-climatic.
Comment by Amy Scott (May 19, 2007 @ 9:10 pm )
I want an epi! I know my midwife would laugh at me if I suggested it though. She’d just say, “ok Nat, let’s go to the hospital then!”
But I totally understand why women want them.
My mom had a few, and some of them worked. She does have permanent damage to some nerves though.
I know alot of ladies who loved theirs.
On the other hand I don’t know how wise it is to shoot something into the spine…
I’d like to read your opinion.
Comment by Natalie (May 20, 2007 @ 11:06 am )
Allison, Induction isn’t always bad - my amniotic fluid was low and doc was worried. I go an epidural, but all in all, it lasted ten hours and it was a rather boring story LOL
Every labor is different and every baby is different. Who knows how it’ll be next time around?
Comment by Shannon (May 20, 2007 @ 2:50 pm )
I’m pregnant with my first (23 weeks) and I’m a little scared of the pain. I don’t take pain very well usually, but I’m not the worst either. A friend of mine just had her baby and she said it feels like the movie Alien, where the alien is tearing out of your stomach! So needless to say I’m really considering an epidural. I’m planning to take the pain as long as I can and then asking for it if i can’t handle it. From what I understand, labor is so different with everyone that there’s no real way to determine how you’ll feel about it when the time comes. You just have to wait and see I guess.
Comment by Brittney (June 14, 2007 @ 7:07 pm )