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Epidural= medical awesomeness, or not so much?
My friends and I were comparing birth stories this weekend. A friend who had both a natural delivery and a medicated (epidural) one said her labor with an epidural was basically pain free. Is it true that an epidural makes it that much more comfortable, or is she misremembering (her last delivery was 6 years ago)? I had a natural childbirth, and there were 3 hours of it that were pure agony, like I-wanted- to-die pain. But the recovery was a breeze! If you had an epidural, how would you describe childbirth?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jen, Mom365 Host on -
With my son, I labored naturally for over 20 hours of pure agony. I was truly in a different and completely disconnected reality. The moment I gave in and got the epidural, I "woke up" and could experience the world again. I wound up with a c-section so I would have needed it anyway.
With my daughter I had an epidural again, but it was turned off enough that I felt everything for the actual birth. The "ring of fire" was uncomfortable, but not horrible. I used to be incredibly anti-epidural, but now I'm all for them!
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Permalink Reply by lovemyboys3 on -
When I had my twins, 2 years ago, I received an epidural when I was 4 centimeters. I was able to sleep, felt absolutely no pain what so ever. Even when I was fully dilated I felt no pain. The only thing that woke me up was I felt that my body was naturally pushing. So they brought me into the OR (as it was policy because of twins, in case of emergency), and with just 2 short pushes each they were born. Again I felt nothing from my waist down. Then this past January I had my other baby, I asked for the epidural when I couldn't take the pain any longer. I was in tears, but unlike the other time, I received it later on and by the time I was finished having it put in I was fully dilated so I felt EVERYTHING with my son. And by everything I mean, I even felt when the doctor stitched me back up. The only thing I did not feel was the agonizing "slicing" pains in my stomach. Both time recovery was easy. With the twins I was up late that night rearranging my hospital room. With both delivery's I was only in labor for 12 hours and with the last one, because I felt everything, I pushed him out with 1 giant push.
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Permalink Reply by Christi, Star Mom on -
i had an epidural at 5 cm and i would say the labor (post-med anyway) and delivery were basically pain free. they turned it down enough that i could still move my legs and there was definite pressure, but no pain - at least that i remember. :) i did need a couple of minor stitches so recovery was a little uncomfortable, but only for a few days. i don't think the epidural made any difference in terms of recovery, though. i definitely plan to get another this time. i would like to go as far as i can without one like i did the first time, but i am sure i will end up with one again. more than the epidural, though, i hope that i can go naturally this time in terms of not needing to be induced. though i have nothing to compare it to i've heard that pitocin makes your contractions stronger and i'd really like to experience labor naturally (though, like i said, i'm sure i'll still end up with an epidural).
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Permalink Reply by amber Skaggs on -
I had an epidural when I had my daughter, and it was amazing. I made it to 5 centimeters, when I was in so much pain that I thought I was dying. I felt nothing at all during the delivery, except some minor pain when my doctor guided her shoulders out. I also didn't feel any pain when I was being stitched up, or when I was given pitocin to stop my bleeding after she was born. My husband and I both had fears of a delivery that would look like something out of sitcom, with me screaming and yelling. Instead, it was really peaceful, and I was cracking jokes with the nurses in between pushes. I had heard a lot of stories that it takes hours to fully wear off, but I was up on my feet and showering with minimal help within a half hour of the birth. I did have some pain at the injection site that lasted a few months. It was starting to concern me, but it eventually went away. I went into the delivery with no expectations either way, and I figured my pain tolerance would decide the plan for me. I'm really glad I had it, and I wouldn't think twice about doing it again.
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Permalink Reply by Graysons_mommy on -
I was in labor for 28 hours....I asked for my epidural around hour 12 of labor....I wanted to hold out as long as I could. Unfortunately due to emergency c-sections, I didn't get it for another 4 hours. meanwhile, they gave me Demerol (sp?). This was the most horrible thing ever. I still felt all my pain, but felt like there was nothing I could do about it (I couldn't move). The epidural on the other hand, was heaven. I could function fine, but was numb from the bottom of my ribcage down. It was amazing! I ended up needing a c-section (my contractions stopped while pushing and we couldn't get him out) so I would have needed it anyways. If I had it to do all over again, I would have asked for it the same time I got induced :D Hope this helps!
Oh, and I delivered July 6th, 2012....so it is a very recent memory of mine ;)
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Permalink Reply by Graysons_mommy on
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Oh, I don't know if it makes a difference, but I had to be induced (water broke with no contractions). At the rate they were cranking up the Petocin (sp?) I thought I was going to die. There us no way I could have gone all natural.....even though natural was my plan.
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Permalink Reply by tarahickey010293 on
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Definitely all natural. I gave birth to my son (I'm a first time mommy!!) the all natural way. It hurt like lava coming out but it was definitely worth it! :)
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Permalink Reply by mrsshon on -
Well I have had both. I had an epidural with my first and third child and with the second medication free. With the natural birth the pain was well intense but once he was delivered everything was ok and the recovery easy. With my first son the epidural was good and I had a pain free delivery even with having a Csection.
However with my last child I had a very negative experience with the epidural. After i was given the epidural I began to feel numbness in my chest going up to my face, eventhough the monitors said i was breathing fine I had difficulty feeling myself taking a breath, I could feel myself losing the ability to speak and starting to get drowsy, I took everything i had to let them be aware of what was happening to my body, I was finally able to utter that I couldnt breathe and that I was losing the ability to speak, that was the last thing I remember I woke to a doctor showing me my baby. They had to remove the epidural, intabate me and give me a Csection.
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Permalink Reply by Johns Mommy on -
I think the epideral definately makes a difference I was in agonizing 20 hours of labor and then they gave me the epideral and I could sleep. I slept all the way till they woke me up to push then I had him in about 5 min.
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Permalink Reply by samanths hines on -
I regret the epidural I got to 7cm with out I asked for it than said i changed my mind and my mom and husband both said do it I wish I woulda stuck with it the next one I am having a home waterbirth(the water helped so much)
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