Epidurl or no epidural

[DIANNEKB]

Hi All,

Was wondering what everyone's thoughts on epidurals are....

I am 23 weeks pregnant and I have a very low pain threshold and I know I will need pain relief but so many insensitive people I know (who havent had kids) say oh I have heard people come out disabled from them oh and someone I know, knows someone who died from it....

It is all become a little ovewhelming for me and I cant decide what to do .... I would like to hear everyone's "honest" opinions on what and if anything happened to them....

Thanks
Di..

Baby Boy due 14th feb 2006 :D

[Peaceangels]

Try and read as much information as you can, so that you can make an informed choice, but also go into your birth with an open mind as you might just find the pain more bearable than you thought.
I had no pain relief with #1 (22hour labour) and had an epidural for 4 hours (of an 11hour labour) with #2. The epidural was great for some rest during the labour, but my midwife let it wear off for the "pushing". The main reason I had an epidural was that I didn't want to be going home exhausted with two very young babies (just a personal choice).
You will find some people are against and some for it - each to their own.
Don't listen to "horror" stories on other people's birth because no two people are the same, therefore no two births will be the same!
Wishing you a wonderful birthing experience whatever choices you make! :D

[aardvark]

I've had two babies, and I consider the pain to be quite bearable, especially if you approach it with the right mental attitude. I had gas and pethidine for #1, and will state that the pethidine was a BAD mistake (I reacted badly to it), and a small amount of gas only for #2.

I'm very anti-epidural. My mother had an epidural for post operative pain relief following major bowel surgery, and 10 years later, she still has trouble walking properly on one leg, and has been completely unable to wear anything other than a flat shoe as a result.

As a result, there would have to be a damn good reason before I would let someone go poking at my spine with something pointy. I don't consider the amount of pain I have experienced in childbirth to warrant the risk, and I already have it on my paperwork at the hospital that I under no circumstances will I have either an epidural or pethidine this time around.

[JanetF]

Rather than listen to one or two personal stories (in which we can't really know the details) why not read studies done on populations of thousands of women? You're getting a proper idea of the real potential one way or the other. When we choose to use any kind of drug or intervention it has an effect on labour because labour is a delicate dance of hormones and physiology. Labour is a normal bodily event and pain threshholds don't really enter into it. Provided you stay away from being induced and you make sure you have a known careprovider and a doula (a doula should be compulsory in hospitals) and you labour under your own steam, actively listening to your body's needs, with access to water and all the other brilliant non-pharmacological pain relief methods, you'll have a beautiful, safe and empowering birth. Investigating this stuff now is a really good idea because to protect yourself in a hospital a doula and a kickarse birth plan will really help. Now is the time to be planning! :D

Try these for some epidural info and the links below them for info on what pain in labour is really about and a huge list of ways to manage it without potentially dangerous chemicals. You would really benefit from Henci Goer's book "Thinking woman's guide to a better birth" which has thousands of studies and clear explanations of the pros and cons of all interventions. PM me if there's anything else you need!

epidural information

http://gentlebirth.org/Midwife/epirisks.html

A little excerpt


Quote:


Generally, it is true to say the epidurals are a safe and effective method of relieving pain in labour - but safe does not mean risk free - the risks are there - it is wrong to say there are "none" (re the hospital employed childbirth educator) See Thorp, J.A. & Breedlove, G (1996) Epidural Analgesia in Labour: An evaluation of Risks and Benefits 23(2) 63-83. for a good review of the literature.
• hypotension 12 - 23%
• maternal fever - (then unnecessary antibiotic therapy - then the yeast infection - then.....) one study cited an increase of 0.07 Celsius rise per hour exposure to epidural anesthesia. another reported 5% of fetuses reached cores temp in excess of 4Celsius, another found a statistically significant increase in maternal temps > 38C associated with EA.
• inadvertent spinal ( and headache to follow - which a blood patch does not always cure - the incidence depends on skill of operator.... July - new residents - expect a huge increase in spinals in the teaching hospitals..... )
• pruritus, nausea and vomiting. (no numbers here - but more likely with spinals)
• backache - significant more women c/o backache following EA (RR 1.8)
• fluid overload- ?pulmonary edema???
• infection from epidural site
• resp arrest
• anaphylaxis
• nerve damage

Henci Goer on epidurals
http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/plabor/0,,8jzw,00.html?iv_arrivalSA=1&iv_cobrandRef=0&iv_arrival_freq=1&pba=adid=16053332

Epidurals: can they impact breastfeeding?
http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/plabor/0,,h1nz,00.html

Epidurals: real risk for mother and baby - Sarah Buckley
http://www.acegraphics.com.au/articles/sarah02.html

The Epidural Express:
Real Reasons Not to Jump On Board
by Nancy Griffin, M.A., AAHCC
http://birthrites.edsite.com.au/Epidural.html

Medical Risks of Epidural Anesthesia During Childbirth
http://www.healing-arts.org/mehl-madrona/mmepidural.htm




Here are few links to great info on dealing with pain in labour. Don't forget that studies into pain relief show clearly that women with lots of emotional support, particularly from other women and known caregivers deal with labour pain very happily. Labour is hard work but it need not be awful. It can be beautiful and fun and inspiring!
J

Natural pain relief in labour

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/refcap/546717.html



Pain relief and home birth (useful in any situation though)

http://www.homebirth.org.uk/pain.htm



Comfort measures for labour – the most complete list I’ve ever seen, a must read!

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/comfort.html



Water birth stories

http://www.homebirth.org.uk/water.htm#birthstories



“The importance of relaxing by Grantley ****-Read MD

http://www.naturalchildbirth.org/ma...id=263&Itemid=3

http://radmid.demon.co.uk
From MIDWIFERY MATTERS, Summer 2000, Issue No. 85
Pain in Labour - Is it Insufferable?
By Margaret Jowitt

"Ecstatic Birth - nature's hormonal blueprint for labour" Dr Sarah Buckley
http://www.womenofspirit.asn.au/docs/ecstaticbirth.doc

"Help - it hurts! ... get me the complementary therapies!" Andrea Robertson
http://www.acegraphics.com.au/articles/andrea21.html

"The Pain of Labour: A Feminist Issue" Andrea Robertson
http://www.acegraphics.com.au/articles/painlabour.html

"No gain without pain" Nicky Leap
http://www.acegraphics.com.au/articles/leap02.html


http://gentlebirth.org/Midwife/birthjoy.html

http://www.childbirthsolutions.com/...ssure/index.php

[Angel_baby_1982]

Whilst I was pregnant I was terrified of the idea of an episiotomy and an epidural, and I ended up having to have a c/s for placenta previa! bigger wound than episiotomy and had to have epidural if I wanted hubby to be there!

I was terrified but the epidural went in without a problem, barely felt it and had no side effects, for next bub if the pain is unbearable I will have no problem asking for an epidural! It isn't as scarey as people make out.

[jodiefullagar]

I too have a very low (i.e. non-existant) pain threshold. I had a pre-planned c/section due to health reasons and was more concerned about the recovery than the epidural.

In my personal case, I had no problems with the epidural at all.....I agree with JanetF - go in fully aware of your options.

[Caitlin's Mum]

Hi, I have had 2 epidurals, one for an emergency c/s and one for elective c/s. I had no problems during or after. They warn you of the risks in hospital, as with the risks of a c/s. Good luck with everything! :)

[rynosmum]

My baby was posterior, not yet engaged and my hind waters had broken (two weeks overdue). It still wasn't moving very quickly so my forewaters were broken and I went on an IV at 2. By 5 I was fully dilated, the baby was still not moving any further down and was still posterior. At full dilation, knowing that I was going to have intervention, I chose an epidural. My personal experience was no pain, no worry. I was able to focus on the birth of my baby and only ended up with the epidural for an hour.

I was at full dilation and wouldn't have been able to get the epidural had I not be requiring intervention in the birth. I would try it without but keep it as an option. For me, I have no regrets - it allowed me to enjoy my experience.

Good Luck ! It's a truly memorable day !

[talon]

i went into my labour with an open mind about an epidural. i was induced and as a result found it very difficult to get on top of the pain. i wanted to kiss my anaesthetist when he did my epidural. i really don't know if it is painful as i was in way to much pain from the contractions to know or care. i have had no complications except a little soreness on my back for a few days after where they put the tube in. i think there was a bit of a bruise also.

i was worried about complications with an epidural and asked about the percentage of women who have major complications afterwards and the midwife told me that they haven't had anything like that for a long time.

what i did find though is that it effecting my ability to push bubs out. my epidural did not wear off for a long time after they turned it off so was guessing when i was pushing. i ended up really exhausted and needed an episiotomy and forceps delivery. but i don't regret the epidural and i would probably put my hand up for another one if my next labour is anything like my first.

[xkwzit]

Hi Dianne
I would go into the birth expereince with an open mind, some women deal well with the pain of labour, some don't. Some women are extremely empowered by their ability to go drug free. I am not one of them :D , but that is just my choice for me.

I had an epi both times. I had thought firist time that I would try to go without, but I found that I could not surrender to the pain. I would become tense with each contraction and in my head I knew that that was the wrong thing to do, but I could not help it. It was an amazing experience, once the epi went in to feel the contractions and the baby moving down with no pain. I was able to tell the midwife when things were getting interesting down there and surprised them with a full dilation. They turned down the epi when it was time to push, I pushed with no problems and I still had no pain until crowning when I felt burning as the perinium stretched. The doc decided to do an episiotomy (as I has started to tear v slightly at the front), but I felt nothing then (even though only minutes before I could feel really intense burning / stretching). She was born, they dialled up the epi and proceeded to stitch up the episiotomy - and I could feel it!! They had to then teach me how to use the gas to deal with the stitching - weird huh.

With DD2 I thought I might try without again, but soon decided against it. I just didn't want to go through the pain if there was no need or benefit. I am completedly comfortable with the risk involved (choosing to have a child always involves a risk). For my second birth, the midwife left the epi on full while I pushed (I had a little more trouble feeling the contractions that time, but still managed to push her out unaided, she was 8 pounds+). I had another episiotomy, because of the scarring with the previous one and the fact I told the doc I DID NOT want to tear (he probably would have left it if I had not mentioned it).

The one real drag is the catheter that you are connected to for the first 24 hours. I don't really like being tied up to anything. But I found that I could and did move my legs around to help out midwives / docs during the delivery and felt very much an active ( and completely calm ) part of the process. I had no pain when the epi went in (although the antiseptic wash was EXTREMELY cold and not nice when you are contracting), no problems with mobility later and none of the headaches that can aften occur with epis. I did have a dizzy spell after it went in during my second delivery, but that was fixed by lying down flat for a few minutes. You also need to know that epis don't work for everyone, or there can be "windows" around your womb where you will continue to feel the contractions in full, so it may not be a magic bullet for you (another reason to be flexible about you birth plans).

Cheers (and I'm certain that you will be absolutely fine, which ever way you give birth).

[sugar n spice]

I was totally against the epidural but i held off as long as possible with DS#1 after trying pethidine first. (Big mistake i felt like i couldn't breathe). I had a 17hr labour and the timing in which i had the epidural was perfect as i was still numb for pushing. The midwife told me when to push and said i did that perfectly though bubs shoulder was stuck so they used vacume. I am glad i couldn't feel the birth as i tore and needed an episotomy which i am sure i wouldn't want to feel.

With DS i haemorraged so they sped up my contractions by breaking my waters. It was soooo much worse then the first delivery, contraction on top of each one. Anyway as i wasn't coping and to reduce my bp as i had pre - eclamsia they had to give me the epidural which was lucky as i was rushed in for an emergancy ceaser.

I was very against it and it and had read of bad things but i would recommend it and i would have it again. I was still scared having it and it's hard to stay still with contractions but my midwife was fantastic and spoke softly and calmed me down. The anaethatist take it bit by bit inbetween each contraction.

I had no problems afterwards only a backache.

Hope this helps :p

[Imogensmum]

Hey- I know its a scary idea and i sympathise with how much it does your head in worrying about it!

I agree with everyone here- I think you really need to read up on it! I was totally against it BEFORE i went into labour- I have a high pain threshold and thought i'd be ok! I was wrong- my body went haywire and i only had a 4.5hr labour- 1 shot of pethadine and gagged on gas...! I didn't get an epi- but i remember vividly threatening lives if i didn't get one(but i survived without it!!_ but personally I would definately have one next time if i felt i needed it-the pain got to much!(not that i plan on having sex EVER again!!)

I have had 7 friends who have had epis and they all rave about them- said it helped them to enjoy the experience- but each to there own!

Whichever way you go- don't let anyone tell you that you didn't do it naturally - because you pushed that baby out- how mch more natural can you get! :)
(no offence to C/S mums- it is still a magnificant acheivement no matter how the little ones get into the wotld)

Good luck- no matter what at the end of the day you'll have your baby in your arms!

[Angel_baby_1982]

Good luck- no matter what at the end of the day you'll have your baby in your arms!

Amen to that!

Don't get too hung up on the journey, focus on the destination! However it happens as long as at the end of it yoy have a healthy bub, what else matters!!!

Best of luck

[our little treasures]

I agree read up on the side effects, not everyone is luck enough to get away with no side effects I know of women with constant back achesETC you may need one!! You never know I had 2 natural births and yes the pain was terrible but 9wks later with a baby boy that was born slightly under 10pnd I would do it again, (in a verrrry loooong time away) lol.

Also I know heaps of women that have had both natural and epi and all prefer no drugs as they feel the baby coming out (which is the best feeling ever)

so go in with lots of info and do what makes you happy!!

[jonesso]

I was terrified but the epidural went in without a problem, barely felt it and had no side effects, for next bub if the pain is unbearable I will have no problem asking for an epidural! It isn't as scarey as people make out.

Ditto. As many of the girls say, go in fully informed and with an open mind. They will go through the pros and cons of the different pain relief options with you in your antenatal classes - ask the midwives as many q's as you want! They (and your OB) know best as they deliver hundreds of babies every year.

Good luck and enjoy your pregnancy (and birth!)

[DIANNEKB]

Thanks everyone for all your replies... I am going to read up on them a bit more and I have a pre-admission interview with the hospital today so I may ask them for some information as well...

Thanks again
Dianne...

Babyboy due 14/02/2006 :D

[nkenward]

Hi there Dianne,

It is quite interesting when you try and think about all the pain relief available. You read up on all the women that have a natural birth and you congratulate them, and deep down you think how on earth do you cope with it - is it really that bad or can it be bearable.

I think the main thing is (and what the midwives were telling me through the early stages of labour) is except the pain for what it is. Know that it will hurt, but it is only temporary, it will end. Not like Braxton Hicks - which happen a lot - but there is no light at the end of the tunel.

The midwives told me during the 1st stage that there are pain relief options available - but I was so focused on my breathing and getting through to the next 'rest' break that I didn't even ask for anything. Yes it hurt, but through deep breathing and focusing on the end, and listening to the midwives it was bearable.

I had no intention though asking for an epidural. My reasoning behind this was I wanted to be active during the labour, I wanted to be able to walk, stand etc when I wanted to, or go to the toilet when I wanted too, and I definitely didn't want to be on my back (bubs was a bit posterior, and my back hurt more than the contractions themselves). The thought of having a drip in my back constantly and a catherder(sp?) in place certainly wasn't a very attractive option - and would have limited my movements. However, it my labour went longer than it did (only 9 hours), and I was totally exhausted then I would have re-considered.

Good luck with your decision, but research and a total understanding of the procedure will only make it easier. Don't take what others have said as factual, sometimes 2nd hand info can be distorted.