Hi, my name is Michele, I'm 18 years old & in about 2-3 weeks I'm going to be a mom for the first time. Unfortunately I have not been to a doctor since I moved at the end of October / beginning of November, since my old insurance won't send me my paper work. Well anyways, I can't decide if I want an epidural because of the horror stories I've hear of the effects they have on the spine after & as far as I'm told that's the only medication they use, so I'm debating an all natural birth UNLESS there is some other type of injection or something I can ask for, either way I don't like the sound of a needle & tube near my spine, esp. since my mother's epidural might be a main cause of her spinal deterioration; & she's only 33. I know how much pain she is in & I wouldn't want anything like that happening to me especially so young. Any thoughts or suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated !

Epidural vs. All Natural...either way is okay.

Every birth is different but here is my story, my TRUE story because giving birth shouldn't be sugarcoated...haha
My experience with the epidural had its good and bad moments BUT I would still do it again! I also just had my first baby 4 months ago. I was induced and after maybe 2 hours I chose to have an epidural. If you are worried about needles you really won't feel it. You'll probably be more focused on breathing thru contractions. As soon as the epidural was in place my contractions faded pretty quickly and I was able to rest comfortably...almost too comfortably haha. Then the epidural faded after a few hours and I was slammed with contractions that were 30 seconds apart and lasted for 1 minute. In a way I was glad I could experience that. I felt empowered. I give major props to women who go thru labor with no pain medications. I finally begged them to give me another and I was sooo happy. I had 5 1/2 hours of labor of which maybe 1 hour I actually felt pain. By the time I was ready to push I could just feel my toes. 20 minutes of pushing and she was out. Now this is very important...they will probably keep the IV in overnight and ask you a lot if you have any headaches. And this is why, sometimes they can break into the space where your spinal fluid is. When this happens your spinal fluid slowly leaks out. This fluid helps cushion your brain and if it leaks your brain will start to rest on your forehead and your head will ache only when you stand upright. *This isn't really a dangerous situation its just annoying and painful* If you experience this tell them right away. I went 3 days with a spinal headache and lets just say that really sucked. I know this probably sounds a little scary but I want you to know about it so that if you do experience it you can get it taken care of right away. As soon as they fixed it I was feeling better within 15 minutes.
Overall I feel I had a good experience and I would choose to have an epidural again. I hope that this story helps. Best of luck to you, I know that you will be great!!

This is a personal choice but I can only share my thoughts. I had tried to go as long as possible without any drugs or epidural. Finally it got hard for me to breath so I had an epidural and I have to say it was wonderful. I had no side effects and felt pressure and not pain. However, epidurals are different for everyone.

In researching and working with medical documents, I dont think an epidural will cause spinal deterioration, except in rare instances if the epidral hit something it wasn't suppose to. The drug they give you is no more harmful than if you were going to have your dentist to have a tooth pulled.

So no worries, you can play it by ear

I've done birth both ways. The last one being the au natural method. I was in the bathroom, with warm water running down my back telling the nurses that I wasnt coming out until I got the epidural. My midwife talked me out of it, though.
I agree that it is a must with a first birth. I used it to get a chance to sleep as well, and my first was induced, so I was up for 20 hours before I finally got it.
I am proud of myself that I did it natural the second time, but if I were to ever do it again, its going to be the epidural all the way.
BTW, I had no complications with that.

Thanks for all the incite everyone !

I had my son when I was 15. I decided to get an epidural after 70 hours of labor- I couldn't take the pain anymore. Personally, I'm scared of any kind of needle, let alone a needle near my spine, yikes!
My point is, don't worry about it until you have to. You might not need an epidural at all, but don't say no just yet. When you're there in the delivery room you'll know what's right for you.
Good luck and happy new year

quote:

Originally posted by Jenjen 18:
I had my son when I was 15. I decided to get an epidural after 70 hours of labor- I couldn't take the pain anymore. Personally, I'm scared of any kind of needle, let alone a needle near my spine, yikes!
My point is, don't worry about it until you have to. You might not need an epidural at all, but don't say no just yet. When you're there in the delivery room you'll know what's right for you.
Good luck and happy new year

Thank you & Happy New Year to you as well !

quote:

Originally posted by Sammy_Ds_Mom08:
Thanks for all the incite everyone !

Your from NAUGATUCK? I used to live there a couple of years ago, on Goodyear up off of Rubber Ave. (no snickering anyone). Small world.....

I had my first child 100% natural.
I had an epidural with my second!
Learned my lesson!

I have had one child and did it 100% natural. I remember everything... the pain, the beauty, the doctor name, nurses, everything. No repercussions afterward and I was up walking around probably 30 minutes after giving birth. I had back labor also and it was painful, but the beauty is remembering the pain of delivering this beautiful child. Some of you may feel this is silly but wow! I would do it again- the delivery that is- but being pregnant sucked. I went into early labor at five months and was on a medication taken every three hours to stop labor for three months and on bed rest for those three months also. I did not get to take Lamaze classes. Maybe the fact that I still had contractions for those months got me used to the contractions but nothing prepares you for the contractions after your water breaks. I am not trying to scare you, but it is painful and should be as this is something to remember forever.

Ohhhh my time is coming soon. Julian is due on March 3. I am beginning to get nervous. I had an epidural with Isaac but had major horrible complications. I am not expecting that with this one. The doctors have assured me they will be prepared and take care of everything.

I am starting to get anxious and scared though!!!


Jennie.

I had Macie & Amber natural and an epi with Julia.......had I known with the 1st 2 what I know now I would have had the epi with all 3!!!! Wow the difference! I REMEMBER everything just did not feel the pain.

quote:

Originally posted by Mashell:
I had Macie & Amber natural and an epi with Julia.......had I known with the 1st 2 what I know now I would have had the epi with all 3!!!! Wow the difference! I REMEMBER everything just did not feel the pain.

That's what a lot of people are telling me, so I think I'll just decide when I get to that final point. I'm due in just 2 days I can't believe it ! By the way your 3 girls are very pretty esp. in those dresses !

quote:

Originally posted by jj4ij:
Ohhhh my time is coming soon. Julian is due on March 3. I am beginning to get nervous. I had an epidural with Isaac but had major horrible complications. I am not expecting that with this one. The doctors have assured me they will be prepared and take care of everything.

I am starting to get anxious and scared though!!!


Jennie.

Oh just about 2 short months ! How the months fly. & I'm sure we all know what you're going through with being anxious yet nervous, I know I sure do! Well Good luck to you in your final months & of course with the years to follow.

Michele

quote:

Originally posted by BASICALLYAMY:
I remember everything about my children's births and I not only had an epidural but also had pain meds before I got it. I don't think having pain can make you remember it anymore than if you didn't have pain because this is the birth of your child. My oldest is 14 and I remember every last detail like it was yesterday. I've said it before and I'll say it again, you don't get extra credit or a gold star for having pain. They used to pull teeth and all kinds of other things that we would never dream of doing now without pain-killers so why should this pain be any different?

Well I'm glad you remember your son's birth, I know my mom was so drugged up with pain killers & what not she barely remembers anything about me being born, she slept through a lot of it & what she didn't sleep through she says is kinda fuzzy. It's a little insulting I think. I may be being over sensitive though.