As for the sedative, back then of course, have not a clue about now, they would give it to birthing mothers just before baby wanted to come out, to minimize the effects on baby if any at that point. But they wait till then unfortunately...now that was 14 years ago.

I went for the epidural, but as I bent over for them to give me one, my water broke....omg I laughed so hard the aneasthesioligst missed his shot (because I was laughing) and well to make a long story short, there was enough epidural to freeze my legs, because it went in so quickly but it didn't last as the epidural slipped out when he left and froze my back instead. So when I wanted him back to try again, it was too late. So I had a nice frozen back and the liquide was leaking in my bed. Here I am complaining my back is cold and wet, and they thought it was me sweating through labor. LOL

I have lower backpain now, which doesnt go away no matter what I do, but it doesnt progress either. Since I haven't lost my plug nor had my water break, I'm thinking the back pain has something to do with my weight (I just feel so heavy!! ) Boy blindsky, I can't imagine going into preterm labor at only 20 weeks! I'm not sure if I can survive a high risk pregnancy with compulsary bedrest. Miranda, you were put on high risk too right?

Btw, did you girls have to request for the epidural or it was administered even if you didnt ask for it? I'm still not sure if I want it, LOL, or maybe I'll just have the walking epidural (I think I just need to feel my legs and be assured that I can walk around soon enough).

Anyway, I think I'll bring the ball with me, I just hope they'll allow me to get out of bed. Tessmit, a single cute guy on the elevator carrying the ball for me sounds fun... only I'm sure that he would assume that I'm married because I'm pregnant. Oh well, they all do. I've always been called "Mrs" by strangers or I've been asked where my husband is whenever I go for a massage at a spa.

quote:

Miranda, you were put on high risk too right?

Yes I was...grrrr


YEs I had to ask for the epidural...they check in with the birthing mothers during labor to see if they changed their mind. As for me, last call was at 10pm cause he was leaving so I had to make my mind up quick. LOL

If they are short staff like here, I would advise that you plan on having it, and when the time comes you can at least have the chance to say no to it when the time comes.

Hahaha...Dawn with my first I started wearing a ring on my left ring finger b/c I got sick of the older people snarling at me when I told them I wasn't married..nor was I with him! They stopped asking about the "DAD" when I wore a ring on that hand!

I was asked about the epidural both times. I declined with my first and told them get that guy in here after 10 hours of labor with my second. 26 hours with my first and I wasn't about to try again with the second one!

Honestly....as much as I was frightened about the effects on my children, they experienced no ill effects either way and labor was much easier with th epidural. Matter of fact..I have a picture of me sticking my tongue out at the camera right after delivery with my second. It made his first moments with me much more enjoyable. I was too exhausted to really enjoy the firsts with Sierra.

LOL... I think I'll try that ring thing then, so they'll stop asking where's my husband. Altho i may not have any more time to buy a ring, I'm hoping I'll give birth soon! While walking at the mall a while ago, I can already feel menstrual-like cramps and it seems the baby is dropping lower into my pelvis. I wish he'd come out soon!!

And yes, after reading your posts, I think I may as well go with the epidural if it eases labor and does not have an effect on the baby. No point in subjecting myself to pain if there is a way to reduce it. I can't imagine those women who went natural (Mashel? How did you do it?) -- maybe they did have a high tolerance for pain.

I did 24 hours of it natural with my first...and a forced shot of stadol the last two hours of pushing.

If either kid had come in under 10 hours I would have been fine, but induced labors tend to have erratic contractions until they even them out. I apparently was already in labor (go figure a week off bed rest as I was finally full term..get an induction date and he is already on his way again!) but they still put me on pitosin to move things along since I was scheduled in. 10 hours....ugh...if I could have walked around I wouldn't have needed the epidural. The pain wasn't that bad with him.

WOW, if you ladies can go natural for several hours, maybe I can also?? Oh well, depends on the pain I guess... I hope I won't be induced that's why I'm keeping myself active... been walking daily at the mall buying baby stuff. Now my back hurts and my legs hurt!

Dawn,

Make sure the anesthesiologist hangs around. If he/she leaves before the next one arrives, you may be stuck with natural. Ask him/her to check with you every hour.

Thanks Tessmit! I'll make sure s/he does... I won't let him/her out of the door without a replacement! LOL

I had a natural birth with my daughter, I must have been mad! I have been traumatised ever since.
This time I am asking for an epidural and if they wont give me one I am taking a midwife hostage untill they do lol
I know they say it is easier with your second but I am not taking any chances. I have heard that they can regulate how strong the epidural is cos I want pain relief but want to know when to push.
Good luck Dawn, I have my fingers crossed for you

Thanks Bon! Good luck to you too! Oh my, you ladies are amazing if you did it all natural! How was it? From the replies here, I've already made up my mind that I'll have the epidural, LOL. If you can get away not feeling a thing, why not?

Exactly! There is no shame in not wanting to be in lots of pain
For me the pain took away some of the happiness of the experience. This time I hope to be calmer and enjoy the baby being born.

Absolutely, why not?

Hey Dawn!!

First, I recommend a birth plan. Remember that things don't always go exactly how you'd like but I think it's smart to have your preferences on paper for them to see and follow, especially if there is nobody there to "stick up for you" or know what you'd want if for some reason you can't tell them.

I had Lacey all natural, and didn't even have an IV Although the epidural doesn't affect the baby like Demoral or Stadol (sp?) does it may increase your chances for a c-section. Personally I wasn't anti-epi, I just had it in my birth plan that I didn't want them offering it to me and I would ask for it if I wanted it. I never asked and by the time I wanted to give up I was almost a 10 anyways. 26 hours of labor from my very first contraction...only the last 12 hours were tough and required me to actually walk them out. I also had other things like I wanted the lights low, music, etc...however once I was in labor I didn't want anybody touching me and I refused to lay in bed. The shower was also my BEST friend

Honestly, as long as you are thinking about all your options, you are ahead of most women. It's your body and baby and I think you should be as informed as possible and not just let the Dr. do whatever s/he wants.

Wow, I'll add a warm bath and shower to my list of preferences. I guess I'll just ask for the epidural when I really need it. I've been wanting to go natural but from my friends' stories, plus the stories of other ladies here, there were last minute changes when they were already in labor.

Anyway, just talked with my doctor a while ago... she's asking if I have gone into labor yet. I already can give birth since I'm already at 37 weeks. If I reach the 40th week, I'll have to be induced. And if the meds dont work, then I'll have a C-section.

Any tips out there how I could start labor soon?? My doctor and my mom has suggested that I walk and walk and walk... and I'm already doing so at least an hour everyday. Been wanting this baby to come out because I'm starting to have back pains (good thing I've been having back massages with some blind masseuse here twice a week to help me cope).