“How was labor without an epidural? I mean, it was bearable, right?”
*eyes widen, look of fright* “Well it’s bearable in that I’m still ALIVE, but no – it feels like your body is being ripped in two.”
After hearing that response from a coworker, why do I still want to try this labor thing med-free???
Good question.
It drives me nuts when people tell me I can’t do something. I’m hard-headed and determined. Since the start I’ve wanted to at least TRY to do this med-free. However, I’m open-minded about it… knowing I may very well get to the hospital, cringe in pain at those contractions, and demand an epi. EVERYone has been telling me I won’t make it and that I’ll end up with the epidural. Ugh.
It was important to me that I had an OBGYN that backed me up… that didn’t try to convince me I’d need an epidural. What’d she say about it? “I’ve seen and heard it all. If you don’t want meds and you scream through labor it won’t phase me a bit.” 
What’s an epidural?
A mixture of anesthetic and narcotic is injected by catheter into the epidural space of your spinal cord. As you can see by this picture, your whole lower half goes numb. You can have the catheter attached to a pump for a continuous supply of drugs (continuous infusion) or have the anesthesiologist come back later for another shot (intermittent top-ups).
There is also a “walking” (or “light”) epidural. They may inject narcotic only, a very low dose of anesthetic, or a combination of the two in an attempt to achieve complete mobility with good labor pain relief. The intent of this epidural is to leave some sensation and ability to move the legs. However, many women with such epidurals never walk, even when encouraged to. It was hoped that these innovations would achieve equally good labor pain relief while reducing adverse effects, but many women still experience undesired effects.
As part of an epidural, you’ll have:
*an IV
*continuous electronic fetal monitoring
*frequent monitoring of blood pressure
And you’re more likely to need:
*Pitocin (a drug to make contractions stronger)
*drugs to fight a drop in blood pressure
*urinary catheter (if you’re numb from the waist down, who knows if you have to pee?!)
*a vacuum extraction (or forceps)
*possibly a c-section
*a fever, meaning your baby will need blood drawn to test for infection
(info from childbirthconnection.org)
Why I personally don’t want one:
*It interferes with my ability to move (including activities that may help labor progress)
*Interferes with the pushing part of labor (b/c how can you feel yourself pushing if it’s all numb?), which may cause it to last LONGER (no thanks)
*Can cause adverse behavioral effects on the newborn
*First-time moms seem to have more difficulties with epidural side effects than old pros
And most of all… I just want it natural. I want to push, I want to feel it, I don’t want to be out of it/too tired after baby is out, and I don’t want to extend the length of labor.
I’d LOVE to hear both sides on this!! While I want to attempt a fully natural birth, I realize I may desperately want that epidural when the time comes. I just have NO idea what to really expect!
Please leave comments. Did you have an epidural or not? Were you happy with your decision? If you had an epidural, did it affect your alertness? Pros and cons? Anyone have a walking epidural and did it work like it was supposed to???
Let’s hear it!
The first thing I would say is that this is a deeply personal decision. The second is that in my opinion (take it or leave it), try to keep an open mind and go with the flow For my first birth, I was scared to death (I dislike needles, hospitals, doctors (the idea of them, not personally), so I knew I wanted the epidural just because I was going to need it to make it through the experience. My doula agreed and totally supported me. It was a hard labor, and I couldn’t have gotten through it without the drugs.
For the second, I had a midwife who suggested that we play it by ear. We did, I ended up getting an epidural, and it was a great birth experience.
Best of luck — your instincts will tell you what to do! –H
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erdickey Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Thanks, Hollee! I appreciate you coming to share your story. I’m a very “go-with-the-flow” kind of person so I know it will all work out and be great!
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My experience:
I labored (at home) for 30 hours without pain medication. My baby was posterior, so it was intense back labor. After 30 hours, I ended up at the hospital with an epidural because my labor had stalled, I was exhausted and I couldn’t sleep through my intermittent contractions.
So basically, I had both experiences — with and without the epidural. With my next child, I want to go the unmedicated route again. While the epidural did grant me some much needed sleep, I enjoyed the labor experience when I could actually feel my pain. Pushing without the epidural was SO MUCH easier because I could actually tell what I was doing. The epidural tied me to a bed in a fixed position which I HATED. Also, the catheter was not my favorite experience. The epidural made me feel less connected to my own labor. For some women, that may be a benefit but I still feel like in the end, I got gypped from a major event in my life. The pain from that first 30 hours is already a distant memory! It really is worth it in the end.
If you’re serious about about an epidural free labor, you should seriously consider taking a class (we took Bradley Method) or reading a book on Natural Childbirth (like Husband-Coached Childbirth) so you are going into labor prepared to deal with the contractions.
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erdickey Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Thanks for the book suggestions – I’ll definitely check it out!! And thanks for sharing your story, it’s encouraging
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I bet you had no idea that I read your blog — but I do! I also follow one called Dooce.com and I think you’ll find her Natural Childbirth story really encouraging for you. I would also recommend subscribing to her blog because she is just a hysterical mother of 2!
After you click the link, scroll down a bit to her entry called The Labor Story, Part Three. You can go further back in her archives for the first two parts, but this one is the most detailed, and funny description. Hope this helps!
http://www.dooce.com/node?page=7
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erdickey Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Hi Emily! Haha, I didn’t know you read it, but thank you
I recently discovered Dooce’s blog, but hadn’t really read it. The post you sent me was hilarious – I read Steve the part about the husband wasting 4 hours of his life timing his wife’s bowel movements, hahaha. Love it!
Even though the post compared giving labor to being attacked by a shark (yikes!), it was an awesome story. Thanks for sharing!!
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I would say if you’re going to do it, say you’re going to do it. There is no “trying” to do natural. You have to prepare yourself with some simple tips and techniques like walking and squatting, sitting on a birthing ball, having your partner massage your back etc.
If you have access to a midwife through your OB/GYN then use them, or hire a doula. My doctor scoffed at the idea of a doula and said they were a waste of money. But I was thinking about my partner too, and that he needed support to get me through this. The doctor is not going to be by your side the whole time, cheering you on, helping you get through the tough parts, and holding your hand.
We switched to a birthing center, because my doctor was too ready to schedule the delivery with pitocin and because he said a doula was a waste of time. If you’re going to go natural you need the support.
The pushing part is the best. I was exhausted and pushed for four hours, but I fell asleep in between contractions and pushing. Once you get through the transitional phase of intense pain, it all gets much easier.
Oh and I got into the birthing center’s jacuzzi tub three times. It was so relaxing and helped the pain subside for a while.
Whatever you do everything will be just fine and you’ll end up with a beautiful baby!
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erdickey Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Thanks so much! I AM going to do it
…I said I was going to “try” to do it because I don’t want to be disappointed if I don’t make it. I’ve heard people say that some women can just handle it med-free and some women just can’t.
But I’m going to work on preparing for it! This post and everyone’s comments have made me realize I need to work at this. Thanks much
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I am with you on this one! I am also determined and when someone tells me I can’t do something, I want to prove them wrong. I am hoping to have a med-free birth but am also keeping an open mind about it. I just read the other day about how it’s all mental. Our bodies were made for giving birth. They didn’t always have epidurals. The thing that holds most women back is the brain. When it gets really bad you might think to yourself, “I can’t do this” or a number of other negative thoughts. You lose focus. You have to encourage yourself and think positively and focus on the bigger picture. I ran a 10-mile race last year and in order for me to get through, I talked myself through the tough parts and at the end when I felt like I couldn’t go on. It works and I’m hoping it’ll work during labor as well. Good luck!!
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erdickey Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I agree! It’s all in the mind! Good luck to you too!!!
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I have experienced birth both ways. My firstborn was natural. By the time I got to the hospital, they didn’t have time to give me an epidural. I’m not going to lie. That was the worst pain I have ever felt but I was proud of myself afterwards.
My second baby was induced and I was given an epidural. I did not want to go through that pain again. Even though I did not feel the lower half of my body, the birth was still amazing. It did not effect my pushing at all and she came right out when she was ready.
Whichever way you choose, you still have the same end result. A beautiful baby to hold in your arms.
Good luck and congrats on your pregnancy!
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erdickey Reply:
September 17th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Thanks so much for sharing your story! I’m glad to hear you did it both ways and that each time was just as great.
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I don’t know If I said it already but …Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks,
A definite great read..Jim Bean
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Hi!! Hope you guys are both doing well…I used to check your blog about weekly but I’ve really been slacking the past few months. You’re getting such a cute belly!! Anyway, I just thought I’d chime in on this topic. Cade was natural and I LOVE telling his birth story because of it! I will be honest, I asked for IV drugs, just to take the edge off. I don’t know if you’re familiar with that method but I did NOT want an epidural (pretty much for the same reasons as you) and my midwife suggested the IV drugs. However, as the nurses were getting everything set up, Cade decided to come out right at that second (not really exaggerating!!) I’m really glad I didn’t end up getting anything and I only hope I hold to that for any future kids. As you know, it’s no walk in the park, but literally, as soon as that beautiful baby is out, all pain is out the window and you’re just pure exhausted and in heaven
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