Moot Thoughts & Musings

I am all for the epidural. I would like to think that with an epidural you could somewhat *enjoy* the birthing process.

The main side effect of the epidural is that it could actually SLOW your labor down therefore causing you to need OTHER drugs, like pitocin which gives you super human drugged out contractions that are most most unpleasent and you could never survive without an epidural. The sad thing is, is that you do feel but not everything you'd like to. I know that sounds kinda twisted but I really didn't like the feeling of having elephant legs. I couldn't lift them, they were held up for me by people and or other contraptions. Also they stick a NEEDLE in your BACK. which is creepy. I am not needle-phobic and I had the epidural done. But after nursing Josiah in bed for a few months my back started to hurt right at the place where my epidural was. Anything that can be avoided should be, because (my soapbox is...) you're not sick! Why should you be filled with needles?! Childbirth should be a natural thing because God designed it that way.

Now. I had a SHORT labor with Josiah, just 9 hours. I pushed for 2 and a half with no drugs, not because I'm super human but because it was very fast and endurance was not an issue I just didn't have to wait that long to push. After 2 and a half hours I was tired, swollen and dehydrated. They gave me the epidural at my husbands request, I was crying that I had come SO FAR. I slept and pushed for another 2 and a half hours. I had a 9lb 12 oz baby that they removed with the vacuum. It was not a fun recovery, but I was 20 minutes away from a section and ATL has a super high section rate. I needed the epi because I was going to have a section at any moment anyway.

LynnP has back probs and she was even more scared about having one bc of the effects it could possibly have on your back. she had one with Gideon bc she had like a 2 day long labor. I was lucky to only need one bc of great risk.

My advice is take a class, and know that what you are going through is natural, God designed it, and try your best by yourself. Use any med free option you feel good about (tubs, shower, massage)and don't pysche youself into the idea that the epi is EVIL, it is necessary and you're not giving up or a wuss if you have one. Just make plans and let your docs know about them.

You can do it J!! The goal is a happy healthy little Elvis!! It's an amazing experience any way you have it! it's awesome being a woman!

Sorry for the long post...

I like the bradley classes b/c I felt we were empowered to take make decisions ourselves, instead of handing over the biggest event in our lives to someone else. of course lots of people are totally fine with that route, and that's cool, but we're into making our own decisions I guess, especially b/c we're not "normal" with health issues, etc.

but it takes time and lots of effort, especially on daddy's part. if you simply dont have the time and/or you're not too bothered by meds, then dont worry too much about it. yet I'd think you probly want to avoid a c-section, and that road often starts with epidurals and such.

if I learned anything, it's that no labor is the same. we wanted natural and did everything in the book (michelle is stubborn), but 4 days later had an epi and all was well. we gave it our best shot and it all turned out great, which is all we can ask.

Natural child birth as God designed it, was NOT painful.
Natural child birth IS painful because of sin.
Drugs CAN be a blessing, but are not perfect.

I agree with Bob W. about arming yourself with knowledge so that you are empowered to help make your decisions, but I see it as a team effort. You, Chris, and the medical professionals who spent 10+ years preparing to be doctors.

Your doctor sounds like she doesn't just do medicine "by the numbers", but respects you and Chris. From what I've heard, I think she will listen to what you want, and support you to make it happen.

For the record, I had natural child birth with Chris, for roughly 9 hours, 6 of which were back labor. It was all over around 1 AM. I was totally exhausted, and cried, and thought life was doom and gloom. I fell asleep sometime in the wee hours of the morning, and woke up about 5 hours later feeling ready to go!

With Anneke I spent a whole day in labor without getting anywhere. After about 9 hours, I was still just 3 cm, and getting exhausted. They gave me a shot of SOMETHING that put me to sleep. (I was giving birth in Holland, so I have no idea what they gave me.) I woke up in time to push and experience a natural delivery, but it sure was nice to sleep thru part of it. Best of all, in Holland, they send in someone to give you a warm bath right after childbirth. She started with my toes and worked right up to my head. It was FABULOUS. I just laid on the table and let her have at it! Afterward she somehow magically managed to change the sheets without disturbing me, and I had a nice dry, soft bed for a good few hours sleep.

Lots of people say a hard labor doesn't matter because you forget it the moment you see your new little baby. I say bah humbug to that. I didn't forget the pain, but it in no way becomes an obstacle to wanting the next baby!

We really enjoyed the information and "power" that taking Bradley classes gave us (like Bob and others) but in the end, I got an epidural anyway, based on the circumstances. It actually sped up my labor considerably. What I learned is, everyone is different. The reations aren't the same from person to person. Knowledge is good, but it can also puff up, we know. Learn, but be open. It's true, drug-free is often better for mommy and baby, but not always. God is Lord over all, and can even use epidurals for his good.

Since I loved my epi, I am willing to try to go drug-free next time, but also will be less afraid to get one. Roll with the punches and all of that. One factor to consider if you have an 80/20 PPO is cost... will you have to pay 20% of it later? We ended up paying $3500 in total for Kate with a "good" 80/20 PPO. I think we could have saved a few hundred without the epidural, but we have different insurance now so it would only depress me to figure that out!

When someone told me you had to curl up as tight as you can in a ball to get an epidural into your spine, there was NO WAY I was going to do that. Hate to tell you guys, but I have the by-the-book body, and I never spent anything like an hour pushing! I think all your advice is balanced. That's a compliment coming form me. you know.

We took the Bradley classes and have one medicated and one unmedicated birth. Lynn had an epidural and Nubane with Gideon, and no epidural or drugs with Isaac. Lynn and Isaac were much more alert after the birth without the epidural. With Gideon, it took a day or so for Lynn to recover from the drugs. The Nubane was supposed to ease the pain and help her relax but it only made her groggy and thick-headed.
During transition is when women (and husbands) usually give up because the pain is sooo much. Usually transition is the peak and things get easier after that. Lynn kept reminding me to tell her to take one contraction at a time during transition and do not let her have an epidural. Fortunately with Isaac that was easy, but after 42 hours of labor with Gideon we had the epidural and things prgoresed after that.

You should have the mindset of not getting an epidural. If you need it, then okay. Remember, whatever drugs you get, Elvis will get and he is alot smaller than you. You'll be fine.

Epi's with Medicaid don't cost a cent!! Free! Free! Free!

Having done it both ways, I have to say that I am happier with the process/recovery when I did not have the epidural. It hurt-- yeah. But I felt more empowered, more changed, by doing it naturally. The epidural interfered, in my mind, with what is such a spiritual moment. But, it's a major task to take on to do it unmedicated, and takes a good bit of preperation. The plus side of it- you're not introducing any foreign substances into your newborn's system, you recover much faster, you are fully aware and alert, and you are able to labor however you want to (moving around, different positions.) You are tied to a bed with an epidural, and that's not the best place to labor. Gravity and all.

Anyway- hope that helps. I would suggest reading as much as you can-- and make an informed decision based on the type of experience you and Chris want to have. There're plenty of great resources to help you out.

Stats show that you're much more likely to have a c-section if you get an epidural. New long-term studies also show that not only are there short-term effects on the baby (poorer nursing, less alert, etc) there are also long-term effects, such as a higher likelihood of drug use later in life! There's lots more, too - that's why it's important to do your research (research many doctors don't have/take the time to keep up with). As Andy said, I had an epi after well over 40 hours of labor with Gideon and it helped with his double presentation (his hand was stuck up next to his head in the birth canal) then went completely drug-free with Isaac. I had acute back pain in the epi spot for over 8 months after Gid, but the epidural did help with his labor(Michelle and I are the exception - stats show epis usually slow labor down, keeping drugs dosed for a 135lb mom in the system of your 7lb baby longer), though the nubane used a couple hours earlier was completely useless!
The pain was much worse w/out the epi, but it was way worth it. Even though I had a great low-dose epi with Gid and was able to feel some pain and even support my weight after delivery, I felt apart from the process in a strange way (and you're not gauranteed you'll get a "good" epi like mine). I was stuck in bed and stuck in one doctor-ordered pushing position (the epi keeps you in one of the least productive pushing positions). W/Isaac I was able to move easily into different pushing positions and ended up squatting (which opens the pelvis 30% - lessening the pushing time!). Isaac was extremely alert, moving and looking around. He had a perfect apgar score and ate for over an hour. After he ate I was up and walking around and felt GREAT! I went home about 16 hours later. My post-partum blues have been nothing compared with my depression after Gideon. That's a major consideration if you're prone to emotional issues. The two recoveries don't even compare. Though I think we made the right decision with Gideon, I'm much happier with Isaacs birth. I felt so much more a part of what Shannon aptly called a "spiritual experience". It was all-consuming and excruciating, but the most beautiful thing I've ever been a part of. Lord willing the rest of our births will be similarly drug-free.

Sorry to go on and on, but as painful as the natural birth was I feel passionately every woman should have the opportunity to experience the intimacy of this experience w/their child and husband instead of blindly accepting what the often biased doctors say. Yes, doctors are trained for 10+ years and that's exactly what gives them their medical bias. Use your doctor's years of experience and expertise, but make yourself knowledgeable as well. I'd recommend being informed and trying to go unmedicated, but being prepared to use what's needed. God gave us medicine for a reason and there are circumstances when they're a blessing and necessary. But they're not the consequence-free option many doctors sell them as. I don't think we should cavalierly use drugs simply for our own comfort and ease. In my opinion you should carefully weigh the costs with the benefits before going into labor. Decide ahead of time under what circumstances you're willing to use drugs,understanding and being comfortable with what you choose. Again, sorry, but you found my soap box.