I almost forgot with everything aggravating me yesterday...
We had another class on Tuesday night, I must say, TMI! I do not need to know every possible thing about birth. Tom and I have agreed that it kind of makes you worry more about the "what ifs." This week we discussed C-Sections and Epidurals. I do not want either.
The epidural just gives me the heebe jeebes, they passed around what goes into your back and then hangs out taped to you, yuck. I didn't want one before and now I really don't want it. I could possibly change my mind when I am laying on the bed in horrendous pain but, for now I don't really want to have an epidural.
The c-section, does anyone out there want to have one? I surely do not! Everyone I know that has has a c-section has a small stomach pouch that never goes away, I don't need any help making my stomach look bigger. On the serious side, that scares the hell out of me. I have only ever had laparoscopic surgery and that was on my ovaries -painful- I can not imagine having my stomach cut open. It is very scary so I hope we don't have any complications that call for a c-section.
Let me ask all of you:
Have you had an epidural? Do you recommend it?
Have you had a c-section? How did it go?
I had epidurals with both my girls' births.
ReplyDeleteYes, they do put a needle in your back and stuff, but you don't really feel it. (Seriously, with everything else going on at that point, it is NOTHING in comparison.) And it does stay in your back, but you can't feel it at all. Its nothing like an IV. (Which you also will probably have.) I was very grateful since I ended up pushing so incredibly long with my first.
I highly recommend it. I've thought of going natural with this one, but I'll probably just get another epidural. Two reasons:
1. It hurts like hell. And there are no medals for doing it natural.
2. Its not the birth that worries me, its the after stuff - I love being there cuddling my baby while the doctor does I don't know what down there while I'm not feeling a darn thing. Giving birth is tiring and draining enough, thanks!
Nope, I had two home-births, as a very deliberate way to avoid the interventions that typically lead to epidurals and C-section. Btw, one way to avoid an epidural is included in what you mentioned already--avoid lying on the bed so that you won't be in tremendous pain. When I was in labor w/my first child, the first time the midwife checked my dilation when she got to my house, she had me lie on my back duirng a contraction, and I thought--"*This* is why women in hospitals have epidurals all the time!" The pain when on your back is a lot worse than normal. Staying out of bed and in motion is an excellent way of dealing with and minimizing the pain (it also helps labor to progress more quickly because the cervix dilates faster and the baby rotates and moves down better, too). Relaxation also helps tremendously.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your birth!
Kathy
Not that it matters, because I haven't gone through the whole childbirth thing yet, but I'm all about women going natural. I plan to myself. There is no proof that the epidural causes any harm, but to my knowledge there's no proof that it doesn't either, and I'd rather err on the side of no damage.
ReplyDeletePlus, my mom did it 4 times with some rather large babies, and what with her still being alive to talk about it, I figure it's a pretty feasible way to go.
While girlymama is right in saying that no medal will be awarded to you should you decided to give birth naturally, I do think that people are far more impressed with those who do. I know that the standard response to my mom's birthing stories is always something along the lines of "what a woman" and really, isn't that almost as good as a medal? ;)
If I ever have kids, I'll be ALL about the drugs. No even trying to go natural for me, thankyouverymuch!!
ReplyDeleteJane
Pitocin and laboring on your back are the reasons people want epidurals.
ReplyDeleteLaying on your back is working AGAINST gravity. The best positions are sitting on toilet (or birthing stool, it simulates the toilet without the water!), on all fours, squatting and in the water.
The lithotomy position (on back) is only good for the doctor, it's very convenient for him/her.
The same thing with Pitocin, they like to schedule you for induction so it's convenient for them. And you can hardly blame them. They run an ob-gyn office and deliver at the hospital and try and spend time with their families.
But Pitocin causes hard and fast contractions, then the epidural causes the contractions to slow down, then you need some more Pitocin, then another epidural, then you aren't progressing enough (1cent/per hour) and they tell you the baby is in danger, and we'd better do a c-section.
All seems scary, but knowing as much as you can, and writing a birth plan can make a huge difference and it will be a wonderful success! http://www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/birth_plan.html
Hey - I'm Laura's friend, Ellen (the one from her shopping blog with the newly pierced ears). She has mentioned you several times and how super-excited she is about the upcoming arrival of your little girl (congrats!). I just wanted to put my two cents in about epiderals and such, not that I'm an expert but I have had two kids and both deliveries were good experiences. My advice is this - put some thought in ahead of time about what you would prefer and then go in there with an open mind. If laying down is painful, ask to walk around. If contractions are killing you, get the epideral. If you are feeling great and want to go natural, go for it! Trust yourself (and your husband and your doctor and the amazing L&D nurses) to make good decisions once you know a little more about what your experience is going to be like. Your story is going to be different from anyone else's. The most important thing is "healthy baby, healthy mommy" - stitches or poop or IV's or c-sections will ALL be a distant memory the moment you hold your little girl in your arms (then you have to worry about sore boobs, sleepless nights and squishy poops but that's another comment!). Ask lots of questions, get lots of information and then enjoy whatever the Lord has in store for you! I had epiderals with both (one after my water broke and I was having hard contractions and then with the second one after I was induced) and I enjoyed being awake, alert and not exhausted from the pain when each of my children was born. My sister and sister-in-law have both gone totally natural and were exhausted during their child's first day... it's different for everyone but once the pain got to be overwhleming, I was all for the epideral. If you ever want to chat, email or hang out, tell Laura to give you my info! I would love to meet you! God Bless, I'll be praying for you - Ellen, the girl with the pointy boots!
ReplyDelete