Current Mommies~Labor question

Who didn't have an epidural. I am more afraid of the needle than the contractions.

On a scale of 1-10, how bad is labor?

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

I had an epidural and had to say it was the best thing. After my water broke in the hospital my contractions were right on top of each other and the pain was unbearable. I felt nauseaus, soo much rectal pressure from the head moving down and the cramps were very painful I was almost biting the siderails of the bed sorry if tmi)-I was BEGGING for an epidural and didn't care about the needle at all if it were to take the pain away. The worst part was moving to the side of the bed and leaning over to have it done because I was contracting so frequently it hurt to move-I think my pain was so focused on my uterus I barely noticed the needle in my back-and let me tell you-I wanted to MARRY the anasthesiologist (sp?) after that-I was a totally different person!

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

I am sooo anti needle it isn't funny. But when the pain became so unbearable I was begging to be killed, I didn't care about needles anymore. Just give me drugs!!! It was very scary because I was contracting heavily while they were doing it and they kept telling me to hold still. I was never so frightened in my whole life. The relief was almost instantaneous, so I would definitely say it was worth it.

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

I am also very anti needle , not because of the neddle itself but because of the pain associated with the needle. I'm the biggest chicken when it comes to myself!! (I'm a nurse and I have no problem giving injections, starting IVs etc..) When ever I have blood drawn I have to lay down!!!!!!!!! Ok, back to the epidural. Yes I did have one!!!! OK, I begged for one!!! I was soooooooo uncomfortable that I did not feel the epidural needle at all. IMO the epidural is great, I was able to still feel pressure however I was not in severe pain as I was without it.

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

I am also very ANTI -needle and I did not want one. But having a c/s I did have to get one and it was pretty bad at the time (the memory of the pain is fading thank god! LOL)

BUT even the nurse said its unfortunate I had to take that needle like that while not in labor, because if I was, I would be BEGGING for it! LOL and I probably would be.

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

I had natural labor. I did have 1 shot of nubain at 3AM so I could sleep and get rested up for the day ahead of me (I was about 3CM then) but I didnt have an epidural. I dont think the pain is unbearable but it hurts. On a scale of 1-10 I say transition is probably close to an 11 or so. Pain you've never experienced. Its off the charts. I did, however, get a spinal after 9.5cm for my C/S and it was a blessing. I was so happy when the pain stopped BUT if I didnt have the C/S and I pushed her out the pain would have stopped anyway. Its really a personal decision if you want one or not. I personally dont think its necessary. JMO

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

You should research a lot before just running to the epidural. The Thinking Women's Guide to Childbirth is a GREAT book for you to read.

There are thousands of women who give birth naturally. If you are interested you can do searches for natural childbirth chatrooms and get tons of ideas to help with pain management. Knowledge is power and that can help you remain calm and strong.

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

Sorry to be posting on this board since I am not TTC.

I saw this post and just had to read it, I always wondered about the pain.

I also as everyone else has said HATE needles. I always move when they stick me with it.

I heard if you move when they stick you with the epidural that you may be paralized. Is this true?

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

No need to apologize...you're welcome anytime Jola. I heard the same thing so that's I guess what freaked me out about the whole process. I can't say for sure - I know you can experience nerve damage, etc. I guess anytime someone pokes around in your spine is not good I've been having major back pain in the area where they did mine since the procedure (remember, they screwed it up and had to do it 2x). I don't know if the two are related or not. I have to make an appointment to check it out. Somedays I can barely walk....

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

I was in labor for 3 days, I didn't really want an epidural because I didn't want to take a chance of any complications, but by the 3rd day of no sleep and unbearable contractions I was begging for the epidural, I kept telling my Mom how much I loved the epidural fairy!
The whole thing is with labor, no matter how painful and scary, you know that it will eventually end and it will be sooo sooo sooo worth it!

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

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Posted by ambersmom

No need to apologize...you're welcome anytime Jola. I heard the same thing so that's I guess what freaked me out about the whole process. I can't say for sure - I know you can experience nerve damage, etc. I guess anytime someone pokes around in your spine is not good I've been having major back pain in the area where they did mine since the procedure (remember, they screwed it up and had to do it 2x). I don't know if the two are related or not. I have to make an appointment to check it out. Somedays I can barely walk....

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No I didn't hear that you had it 2xs. Ouch! They couldn't get it in right? Did you move?
I hope everything will be ok.

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

The technician who did the first one couldn't get it in and when it finally did go in, it numbed my legs only. I could still feel everything where it counted. The second technician had it in within seconds and I was completely numb. Husband actually thought I fell in love with him because in my dellusion I looked up at him and said 'Thank you, I love you so much!'. Didn't hurt that he was a hottie I don't remember moving, I just remember the first technician seemed like she had no idea what she was doing (like she got her degree from the Sally Strother's infomercial Trade School).

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

I have always wanted children. I wanted children since I was 18.

I am soooooooo scared of the labor. I can't stand any kind of pain. I am a Leo meaning I'm a Cowardly lion.

When I was 18 I originally wanted 5 children. My father being from 6 himself and his two sisters had 5 children each.

Now I am down to 4. Everytime I think of the labor pains, I am thinking I only want 1.

I hope everything will be fine Sharon.

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

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Posted by JENNCHRIS

The whole thing is with labor, no matter how painful and scary, you know that it will eventually end and it will be sooo sooo sooo worth it!

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I agree. That is what got me through both of my labors without an epidural. When the bad gets bad enough for you to think about an epidural, remmeber the pain will be gone soon. You also get a break between each contraction. The most important thing you can do to prepare for a drug-free labor (or epidural free- whatever you choose) is to educate yourself by reading. A class like the Bradley method or hypnobirthing can also help. I took the Bradley class before my second child and had a wonderful, quick and natural labor. I did not even have to have an IV. I used a midwife to help me have the kind of birth I wanted. Explore all your options. I wish you luck! You can do it!

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

Thank you everybody!!!

I want to hear more....

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

I had a c/s because he was breech when my water broke, so I had to have a spinal. All I remember was a slight burn/sting and that was it. Definitely needed in my situation and no pain at all.

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

I had one - I swear I was SO scared to get it, but I felt absolutely nothing! Not even the first shot that he gave me to numb the area for the bigger needle....it was great! Don't stress about it - it is not bad at all and made me feel so much better!

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

I didn't have an epidural because there was no time! I did scream for it, but it was too late and time to push. I have to say that I have a VERY HIGH tolerance for pain, so for me, the labor wasn't bad. What was horrible was my back labor!!! Those pains were 1000 times worse then the regular contractions!!!

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

OK, here was my deal. I am a nurse practitioner and I did a lot of research on epidurals and trying to go through labor without them. I really thought I could do it. I was thinking very positively - and I am also so afraid of a needle in the back. I made it through the first 7 hours at home with contractions 4 minutes apart, and they were much more painful than I thought they would be. I finally went to the hospital because I could not stand the pain anymore - otherwise I was determined to stay home much longer. Still, when I got to the hospital I did not yet want the epidural - so I asked them to give me something through the IV to just 'take the edge off' - they gave me something (it was Stadol, but I don't think my reaction was typical) that was the WORST thing that happened. I was so HIGH I wanted to die, I felt like I was so drugged up I couldn't even talk, I was freaking out. So, when the pain got really bad again, I did not want the pain medicine, and then finally I was begging for the epidural. by the time they put it in, I wouldn't have cared if they came in with a spear and launched it into my spine, seriously. I was one of those people who was totally against the epidural, and now I am a changed woman. If I had done it earlier, I would have had a calmer, better experience - and I would not have had that bad experience with the pain medicine, which I also think made my baby very lethargic for the first few days. I still felt when I was having a contraction, and i was able to focus on what was happening instead of on the pain. The back needle was not that bad at all. The next time I will still try to go without it in the beginning, but I will not hesitate to get it.

Re: Current Mommies~Labor question

You are scaring me with the expression~'I wouldn't have card if they used a spear...'

Ahhhh...the joys of childbirth!