Epidural and Other Pain Relief Drugs During Labor Vs. "Natural" Childbirth

Hi L.

I can tell you about my birth experience which I will preface by saying were not " all natural". I had an epidural with each of my deliveries (2) and my labors each only lasted about 8 hours TOTAL. I delivered both of my babies with less than 5 minutes of pushing for each of them. When I arrived at the hospital each time I was already dilated to 3cm and in 2nd stage of labor ( menstural type cramps with the contractions). I was offered my epidural as soon as I wanted it and asked for it right away. I got my epidural(s), was given pitocin and had my waters broken and within 2 or 3 hours each of my babies arrived.

Maybe I am lucky because I heard about epidurals "slowing labor" as well,or being not as effective as mom's might want, but my nurse told me that is why they use pitocin and I had excellent pain relief. I don't regret it at all. I was very comfortable during my labor, had no difficulty pushing and had happy, healthy babies. Do remember that there are other physical symptoms that may or may not accompany labor that the epidural doesn't effect such as nausea. I had some nausea with my second baby, and the "shivers" from the pitocin. But I would take the shivers over the pain any day.

You do have to be monitored and obviously can't get up with an epidural and depending on the delivering doctor's preference may have a urinary catheter until it's time to deliver.

What you chose of course is a very personal decision and you should feel comfortable with whatever decision you make. I hope I have given you some information to help you.

Oh, about "speeding up labor." I walked a lot when I started having frequent braxton hicks type contractions. I walked almost all day long this past Mother's Day, by 10pm that night the real labor kicked in and at 2:33am my little lady was here. I've also heard sex helps with cervical dilation which helps trigger labor.

Happy baby day when he or she arrives!

S.

Hi L.,

My experience with my now 3yo was before my labor started my plan was NOT to have an epi. When I went into labor, I changed my mind quick and wanted an epi (the pain was more than I imagined). The only problem was she was coming too quickly (the entire experience lasted only 3 hours from water breaking to birth), so the doc said no epi. I was given Nubain but that didn't have any effect on me at all. The doc was going to give me a shot in my vagina to numb me down there, but he couldn't find a "spine" to administer it to so I felt all that pain, too. To conclude, I hated the labor and delivery pain, but after her birth I was feeling great, normal (no pain) and I could function and walk and all that so I ended up being grateful to have had her naturally (even though it hurt like heck!).
As for suggestions to speed up going into labor, my husband and I had a hugh argument that night and viola, baby girl at midnight! Six weeks early!! I don't suggest that route:)
Good luck with whatever you do.
B.
note: I noticed when I got my iv drip of saline, the pain subsided alot , so try to stay hydrated as much as you can when labor hits.

I have two girls 1 1/2 and 3 1/2. I had my first child at age 39. I chose an epidural with both deliveries, the first one at 1 1/2 cm which made the labor take longer, but I felt no pain and enjoyed my delivery. The second birth I dialated slow in the beginning, but once I hit 3 cm, it went very fast. I almost had my baby at home. I was 2 cm when I went to the doctors and they sent me home. I never should have gone home. The pain was unbearable. I would not suggest for anyone to have natural childbirth. It is barbaric. By the time I made it back to the hospital I was 8 cm. I begged for an epidural and they gave it to me. They normally won't at 8 cm, but we were waiting for my husband to fly in from out of town. I still remember that pain. I sometimes wonder how women, in the past, did it without the option of having epidurals and why they would have more than one child. Women are great! My suggestion is get the epidural. I think natural childbirth is barbaric.

Hello L...

I have 3 children, 6 4 and 3 months. A boy and 2 girls. I had an epidural with my son, and pitocin to keep the contractions going just in case. I was admitted at 11 am he was born shortly before 6 pm. My second child was an enducement becuase of her size..We started pitocin at 8 am with no result by 2 pm. I was stuck in a bed by my nurse. My OB checked me and I begged to be able to move, He said go for it. Walk til you can't walk anymore. SHe was born just before 5 pm, with NO EPIDURAL or other drug options. Yes it was painful, but no not unbearable. My third child was born june 13th. I felt my first contaction at 710 am, and had her at 1110 am. No drugs. I must say the drugs were nice, but just having my children made all the pain worth it. With my son I labored to between 8 and 9 cm before getting the epidural, so I literally had it just for pushing. All my kids were pushed out in 3 sets of pushes. Pitocin makes the contractions MUCH stronger, and more focused, thats what it is for. Actually after my new one I had a 24 hour pitocin drip to speed the uterin contractions for shrinkage. Painful, like really bad mensteul cramps, but again I had just had natural birth, so no, not unbearable. Whatever you and your OB decide will be fine, Just remember, It's all about you and what you want. If you can tolerate the pain, and want to, by all means, go w/o drugs, if not, have drugs, whatever kind, and be comfortable. I don't agree that natural childbirth is barbaric, however..Just painful!! ; )

GOOD LUCK!!

Hi L.,
I know with my first I felt nothing because by the time I knew I was in labor I was already 3 cm but I didn't have any pain or nothing my belly was just getting tight, my doctor gave me the epidural right then and there so I have to say with my first it was a pleasure! On the other had with my 2nd i was 2 days late and had no pain, was not dialating at all! Then in the middle of the night my water bag broke and by the time I got to the hospital I was in full labor and feeling everything and they had to wait to find the doctor to give me the epi, If you have the choice I would defently say get it for me I have never felt pain like that and I never want to again I am all about the epidural! I hope this helps! Also about the pain meds I had a friend that her doctor wanted to give it to her and gave her a script for her to get it filled so thaat when she started to get pain to take it, but when she went the the drug store they would not fill it because they didn't feel comfortable giving that to her and it was the same as what you asked about! I would just look into the drug and read about it before you make any choice! Good Luck and I wish for you a fast delivery!

I had my daughter 7 years ago (wow, it didn't seem that long ago!) and did not have an epidural. I was given a shot of demural towards the end to help ease the pain of the contractions. It was wonderful. It really just took the edge off of the contractions but you could still feel what was going on and had control of your body. While the contractions were painful, it is something you won't remember the minute you hold you child. I didn't experience any side effects from the drug at all. I am currently pregnant with my second and am planning on going the same route.

Good Luck!

ok, im pregnant with my first, and after reading this, it concerned me... i planned to get the drugs, but i never heard anything about it prolonging labor.... does it really?

i have 2 daughters. 14 and 7. my 14 was with an epidural and it took about 5 days of labor then 6 hrs for delivery. my youngest was without an epidural and was natural and i had about 3 hrs of labor and really had no actual pushing. she just found her way out...lol. no pushing at all. so i guess it was easier without an epidural.

L.,
First let me say good luck either way! When I had my daughter three years ago, I was in labor for a couple of days (not active labor, just uncomfortable contractions - it started Sat night and I checked into hospital Mon a.m.). I did get an epidural because of Mon a.m. I wasn't a very happy camper. They did tell me it might slow down labor a bit, but in my case, if it did, it wasn't apparent and was well worth it. I think you do have to play it by ear and see what works best for you at the time. My priority was to get through it without too much pain (there's enough of that afterwards!) and deliver a healthy girl. My guess is that you're probably close to that point already! Good luck!

I hope I'm not too late with my response! I've only had one child, so I am no expert, but I just had him 12 wks ago, and I was trying to go natural, but I ended up going for the epidural, and it was definitely the best decision for me. I was able to enjoy the experience a little more and didn't suffer any side effects. I would definitely reccomend an epidural over demoral, b/c i've heard that demoral can actually make you kind of "high" and so out of it that it could really taint the experience for you. Hope this helps!