I just noticed that I posted on this thread almost 3 year ago LOL.

My first was vaginal and second was a c/s. With my first the only meds I had was pictocin. I was very afraid of having a epi because of the needle in the back so I didn't get one. With my 2nd I had a spinal for my c/s same thing needle in the back and it was not bad at all. If I would have know it was that easy I would have had a epi with my first. What it felt like to me was a small pinch and then the only thing was it was uncomfortable not painful it felt like a odd tingle sensation going down my legs and then I felt nothing after that. So my point is that if you are not getting an epi because of fear (like me) it really wasn't bad at all. Good luck ladies!!!!!

Here is my feeling, I am sure it is not the same for everyone... if you go in wishy washy you will end up medicated. Most nurses want a medicated mom. You have to go in saying this is what we are doing. Stick to your guns.

I went in wishy washy, saying I would like to do it natural but a epi is an option. I ended up with a epi, but then I only had 30 second breaks between contractions from the start. The next one I want to try natural but I will hire a dula. There is no way my wonderfully supportive husband has enough experience to get me though the process.

I have to say the epi was not bad at all. I had them pump as little medication as they could, they gave me control and I never put anymore medication in my body. I could push myself up on my legs and I sure did feel every contraction but it took the edge off.

I have to say I loved the birth of our son. Every second was a thrill that I want to experience again.

(hope that wasn't a horror story, I tried to stay positive)

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My MIL is an RN and as much as we don't get along she's honest about nurses. They honestly want quiet, medicated patients. Not saying all nurses are like that however I've been told that DH and I need to be firm in our wishes and make sure we make a list of them and hand them to all medical staff that comes into the room. They like anyone else want their jobs to be easy, and if that means convincing a wishy washy person to take the drugs then thats what they will do.

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I agree with knowing what you want and being firm about it. I honestly was LOST when I went in to have Madison. I never went to any classes and I didn't even visit the hospital. I also had no plan other than I was scared of the the epi. I know I did ask for one at one point and my nurse told me that since I wasn't screaming and yelling that I didn't need it. That same nurse checked on me the next day and said to me that she knew I could do it with the epi that she didn't like them ughhhh. I wish I knew then what I know now because I would have made very different choices.

I love having natural patients and today switched my assignment just so I could have the natural patient. It was her 4th baby and she had had epidurals with the other three but wanted to go natural with this one. She did awesome, doctor broke her water at 8:15 am and she was 3 cm, at 9:01 she was 4 cm and at 10:02 she had a 9 lb baby that I delivered because she went faster than the doctor could get there and she didn't even tear!!! I LOVE MY JOB!!! I so want to be a midwife. That was the 8th baby I have delivered

I do think it helps that I have had a natural delivery before and I agree that if you go in wishy-washy you will give in, the same thing with moms who say they are going to "try" to nurse....they give in and end up bottle feeding because nursing takes a lot of time and patience. You have to know what you want.

I also agree that a lot of nurses and doctors want their patients to have epidurals. It does make their job much easier but I love natural patients. I actually get to be more involved.

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I had a long post typed up and then lost it, so here is a shorter version.

It is also important to keep in mind that even if you plan a medicated birth you could end up with a natural one. My plan was to get the epi as soon as possible because I am a wimp when it comes to pain. I didn't really know too much about the other drugs. Well since I didn't know I was in labor, my contractions weren't that painful so I was home until I was 7cm. Ironically the minute I got to the hospital and got hooked up to everything, it started to hurt!

They offered me stadol to "take the edge off" and I accepted it. It made me feel like I was in -la-la-land which wasn't bad, but I don't remember the birth as clearly because of it so that is something to keep in mind. When I got the epi at 9cm I didn't even feel the needle I was too busy getting through contractions.

Krissy-one thing that helped manage the pain before getting any meds, was when I was laying on my side Dh would rub my thigh. It wasn't intentional, he just did it during a contraction and it really helped to have a different, more comforting sensation to focus on.

My nurses weren't pusy when it came to meds, they actually encouraged me when I was freaking out that it was too late for the epi.

I will hopefully be more prepared next time for both options since I have quick labors andmay not make it in time for the epi.

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Thank you everyone for your input; I love reading all the stories (and none of them seemed too scary!) I think it really helps to hear how things went with other people, and it is all helping me become more determined to do things naturally. My fear was exactly what you have all said; I would go in wishy washy and end up with the drugs. And of course, all of my friends who have had epi's have gone on to either have an episiotomy and forceps, or a c-section. I am terrified that if I accept one form of intervention it will just lead to others, and after reading about the "cascade of intervention" that Kayla suggested I look up, it turns out that it is not a stupid fear! I want to know exactly what I want so that I can be assertive with the nursing staff and doc. I am working on a birthplan, and will post it once it is completed. I probably won't finish it until I complete our birthing class, though.

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Krissy

Krissy ~ Some people also choose to have a short, bulleted version of their birthplan taped on their hospital door so you don't have to keep repeating yourself while in labor. Also, don't feel like a failure if you do need assistance via medication/c-section. As long as Ely gets here, no matter how, you've done your job.

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Thanks, Kayla. That is a GREAT idea about the birthplan on the door! I wouldn't have ever thought of it, but I don't want to be repeating myself the whole time. It is hard because I am trying to get my mind "set" on no intervention so that I don't waiver, while still being realistic about complications so that I am not let down if it doesnt go this way. I know I will be bummed.
When I was reading about intervention online, I started reading about other countries. It seems that the U.S. is pretty much the only country that routinely uses an epidural for low risk vaginal births. Also, a lot of areas use nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and it seems to have no terrible side effects and they say it is helpful. Do they do that in the U.S.? I have never heard anyone talk about it?

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Krissy

Our hospital did not do laughing gas. We had some parents in our class from the UK that asked about that.

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The only recommendation is try not to let them use pitocin on you. My daughter did not tolerate it well. I was due September 16th and had her on Sept. 13th (the same day as my scheduled induction). I THANKFULLY went into labor about 3-4 hours before the induction was scheduled to be started. I was about 5 cm when I went in and was probably close to 6 cm when I received the epi. They had trouble registering my contractions. It was either monitor the baby or track my contractions. I had to tell them when I had a contraction and the only way i could tell was the top of my belly would tighten slightly. It was NOT a good idea and I think that I should have had my meds turned down more so I could be of more assistance to the nurses. I pushed for over an hour and Marika's heart rate would dip on and off. The nurses told me what was going on but did not get me alarmed or even tip me off to the seriousness of the situation. Next thing I know the OB comes flying in and tells my DH and I that Marika had to be born RIGHT THEN! He used a vacuum and after 2-3 pushes she arrived. The pitocin was supposed to make my contractions more regular and all it did was make things harder on my baby. I am going to try my hardest to refuse it next time. Otherwise, my labor went beautifully, I wish that I could have held out longer but when they started to talk about pitocin I freaked out because I know it makes labor harder so I caved in. Marika was healthy, crying and a pretty shade of pink when she was delivered so it all worked out.

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I had pitocin, and while Ashlyn didn't have any complications due to it...I DO NOT want to be induced/augmented next time. I only had about 30 seconds between contractions on it and they were so intense. I *hope* I don't have to have it either next time. I remember your birth story about Marika. That would be scary to have the baby's heart rate drop.

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This post is for all of you preggos who are trying to avoid drug intervention. I have been doing a LOT of research, and I have found two different forms of NON-drug intervention that have a lot of great reviews. I checked with my doctor, and found out that they are both available at my hospital, but not offered unless you request them (and you need to let them know that you want them available to you as soon as you check in).

The first is called TENS (Transcutaneous Electronic Nerve Stimulation). It is pretty much a little machine that you can hook up to your back that stimulates the nerves, and provides pain relief for many people who use it. The ONLY side effect is that it may make your skin a little red where you use it, but if you put gel on your skin first it shouldnt be a problem (oh, and you can't use it if you have a pacemaker). Not all people find it helpful, but I read about many people who swore by it.

The second non-drug intervention is sterile water injections. They inject sterile water (since it is water, obviously there are not real side effects other than the prick you feel at injection) just below the skin in your lower back. This is mostly for people experiencing back labor. Again, the research showed that many people got a lot of pain relief from this.

Anyways, I am not sure why these options are not discussed more (especially since it sounds like they are widely available), but they are out there, and you can read about either of them easily if you do a google search. I am going to put in my birth plan that I want both of them to be available for me, should I want them, during the labor.

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Krissy

OH! My MIL has a TENS unit for her hip and that thing is amazing!!! I was kinda thinking about that after I read it somewhere and may get her to sneak it to me if the hospital doesn't do it(kidding, totally bad idea). Oi!!! It's gotta be like the most insane feeling ever, it's like your muscles are massaging themselves!

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Amber, you should be able to pack whatever you want in your hospital bag. I had all kinds of stress balls and back massagers! I liked to be touched/rubbed between contractions and then when one would hit I was like "GET OFF OF ME!"

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Krissy - Maybe you could look into hiring a doula.

Having a Doula : American Pregnancy Association

Kristy - I think you'd be a fantastic midwife!!

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