I'd love to hear from mothers who have had both an epidural and an unmedicated labor. I had an unmedicated labor with my son and, to be honest, kind of dread doing it again. Wondering if anyone out there actually liked the epidural better when comparing the two. I'm 37.5 weeks pregnant, just lost a huge glob of my mucus plug, and had a precipitous (under 3 hour) labor at 37 weeks with my first, so may be dreaming that an epidural would actually be an option or that I will get to read the responses to this post! 
You might also enjoy...
-
I only have one kid but I had a 36 hour labor. 26 of that was unmedicated and the remainder was medicated. The only reason I ended up getting the epidural was because he was posterior and wouldn't turn. The midwife wanted to give me pitocin to help him turn & by that time I was spent so I got an epidural.
That being said...there are definitely positives and negatives to both. With being unmedicated I could walk around, labor wherever I pleased, be in the birthing tub, eat & drink as much as I wanted and I didn't have a hep lock or IV. But, obviously, I was in pain for a long time. Once I got the epidural, I was finally able to rest and didn't feel much pain until I was pushing (I had a super low dose and it wore off by the time I pushed). I got my energy back & was finally able to relax a bit. The downside was being stuck in bed & not being able to eat or drink anything (by that time I didn't want to eat anyways).Needless to say, I'm very jealous of your short labor!!!
good luck to you!
-
I had a long and medicated labour with my first (pitocin, partially useless epidural, episiotomy, ventouse delivery - 30ish hours of labour) and a shorter twelve hour labour with my second with just gas for pain relief (3rd degree tear from an almost ten pound baby) and although "natural" labour was really unpleasant, the trade off of a much easier recovery was worth it.
I can totally see the plus side of having an epidural (particularly for a long labour when the pain is combined with fatigue and exhaustion) but to me, all things equal, being able to get up and move during and following delivery was of more value.
Good luck for your upcoming birth!
-
I had a long unmedicated labor and a light walking epi for delivery. Would love to do the same! Hope to labor without for a variety of reasons and would love to epi again at the last minute. That short time gave me a good memory/ experience. Gratefully I walked out no problem.
-
This isn't exactly what you are asking for, but I have had two unmedicated deliveries, the first kind of long and slow but a very gradual lead up to delivery, which I think helped me deal with the pain better. The second was very fast- under 4 hours from when I thought I might be in labor, and in many many ways that's nice, it was so fast I felt kind of out of control when it got intense. So based on my own experience I would guess part of the unpleasantness was due to how fast it went?
I actually did ask about an epidural during the second but there was no time at all- I was already feeling the urge to push and had her twenty minutes after I mentioned it.
-
@Foodnerd81: I had the same experience. Although I didn't ask about the epidural, I just said, I can't do this!! And DH and the nurses were like, she's right there! And she was out minutes later.
@raintreebee: after having what was categorized as a precipitous birth the second time, I can understand your hesitation and fear. I felt completely out of control and panicked because I was never able to get a handle on the pain. Whereas with my first, it was fast (7 hours from water breaking to baby), but it was a slower build up and I really didn't think it was all that bad!
What sways me toward unmedicated births and attempting to have them/mentally preparing (besides the fact that mine are quick) are that I felt immediately better as soon as the babies came out. I guess I went with the thing I knew versus the unknown of the epidural. But good luck! I was never dead set on unmedicated and I absolutely see the appeal, especially in long labors where your body is exhausted!
-
Hey, I have thoughts about this!
My first was an induction, 36 hours, traumatic epidural placement followed by a failed epidural, it was hell, just hell. It hurt, I felt like I was dying, I hated it, and I was so sad that I hadn't had the beautiful natural birth that I wanted. I didn't feel my baby actually being born, and then she didn't cry, so I felt really robbed of the experience that so many people have.
Well, I got it the second time. Fairly quick natural birth (went from a 4 to pushing in 90 minutes). Delivered in the tub, baby screamed as they gave her to me - it was picture perfect. And it was just godawful, horrible. I felt like I'd been marched up a hill at gunpoint. And the pain, my god. I actually found the recovery to be harder because I was just so shell shocked from the pain and the trauma and the speed of it all. It didn't help that my labor was overnight, so I did it on no dinner, and no sleep. It was nothing like the empowering experience that many natural birthers describe.
I'm never, never doing it again. But if I were, I'm not sure. I'm really not sure what I'd do. It's been long enough that I've forgotten the intensity of the pain to some degree, and I sometimes think that I'd just go unmedicated again, because I did truly hate that epidural. But I cannot imagine experiencing that pain and that intensity again. You've done natural, you can certainly do it again. But wow, you really do not have to.
ETA: Super jealous of all the people who had natural births and report feeling great right after and healing really well. That was really, really not my experience. I was just absolutely shocked at the amount of pain you can physically experience and still be standing afterwards.
-
I'm glad to read these responses and hear I'm not alone in thinking this kind of way. I had a precipitous labor (just over two hours) and it was traumatic, just utter shock when she was born. The thought has crossed my mind that I might try to get an epidural the minute I get into the hospital next time, so I don't have to feel like I got hit by a bus when I see my baby for the first time. The reason I wanted a natural labor was to avoid the cascade of interventions, and boy am I certain that is not going to be an issue.
But like you, I'm pretty sure there just won't be enough time to even consider an epidural. I'll be interested to read your birth story this round, good luck.
[ETA] @sarac: Totally agree with your ETA. I did not feel great after my natural labor or heal particularly quickly, though I guess I don't have anything to compare it to.
-
@PawPrints: My midwife told me afterwards that she'd had a precipitous birth with one of hers, and that she felt traumatized for months after. It is a truly scary and overwhelming experience. I really relate to the feeling of being hit by a bus when you first meet your child - that's so far from ideal.
-
@sarac: Oh yeah, I had a friend who had a precipitous labor a year before I did, and she burst into tears when she heard about my labor. I was definitely still breaking out sobbing at random times a month after my labor. Funny how everyone's reaction is how easy it must have been to go so fast.
-
With my first, I had an epidural. Arrived at the hospital already 7cm and got the epidural right away. Relaxed for a few hours, then pushed for a painless 40 min and he was out. Other than the fact that I had a 3rd degree tear, the experience of labor and delivery was great. I felt like I was really mentally present for the delivery and felt in control. Recovering from a third degree tear was the hard part.
With my second, I planned on an epidural again. But labor went WAY faster than expected, and I arrived at the hospital 10cm. My friend who is an OB said likely the only reason I didn't have the baby in the car was bc my water had stayed intact. So, no time for an epidural. I was not mentally prepared at all for an unmedicated birth. The pain was unreal. Albeit short lived - in a couple contractions the baby was out. I was so shell shocked from the rapid, painful, and unexpected events, though, that I couldn't enjoy my first bit of time with my newborn. I could barely look at him for a while. It wasn't until I was all stitched up (some first degree tearing) that I could relax and enjoy him.
If I ever have a third (which I'm not currently planning on), I'm gonna rush to the hospital at the first contraction and get an epidural ASAP so I don't miss that opportunity again.
-
Woth LO1, I had an epi. When the contractions finally started (a few hours after my water broke) they were every 2 minutes and so incredibly painful and intense and I was at 7cm. The epi slowed things down a bit and I was able to rest before giving birth.
With LO2, again, my water broke with no contractions and when they finally did start, they were fast and furious. I requested an epi, but I went from 5-10 cm in 15 minutes and by the time the anesthesiologist arrived, it was too late. I would never want to relive that pain again. But luckily it was quick. From 1st contraction to baby was only 45 minutes!
If we were to have a 3rd, which we aren't, I would want an epi, but after my 2nd birth, I doubt I would have time to get one.
-
I've had both. No complications with my epi birth; recovery was the exact same. My ideal birth would be the quickness of the unmedicated birth with an epi for pushing so I dont have to feel that insane pain and out of control feeling.
-
Thank you for this thread @raintreebee: . Thank you to everyone who detailled their experience. I was so, so shell shocked after birth - it was like I was in a really arty horror film with bizzarre camera angles for a while. I couldn't produce breastmilk and didn't bond with my daughter for months. It was only when I fell pregnant with #2 that anyone (my midwife) even said the word precipitous and, on Googling it, I discovered how usual it is to feel this way after a precipitous delivery. The pain was horrific, with no breaks, and I was completely out of control.
I would be interested to know if anyone has had two precipitous deliveries with no epi and, if so, whether the second was less traumatic because you knew what was happening?
-
I had epi with my first and the anesthesiologist was kinda heavy handed. I couldn't really feel enough to push and my legs were basically like jello. Not sure if that factored into pushing not being very effective. They finally had to use a vacuum assist because they were afraid all the pushing would cause fetal distress.
With dd2 it was so fast and furious there was NO time for an epi! It was kinda wonderful and exhilarating! I must've been high because I felt no pain. I did need the Motrin during recovery whereas with #1 I didn't.
-
@lamariniere: hash yes! If we were to have a third I'm not going any further than 20 minutes away from my hospital that whole last month!
-
@regberadaisy: My OB said I should think about a home birth if I ever wanted a 3rd, since I probably wouldn't make it to the hospital!
-
@Cherrybee: Maybe just the second birth in general is less traumatic. I had a precipitous birth the second time around (which was unexpected because the first birth was super long), but I don't feel at all traumatized by the fastness. I think it's a funny story mainly--the pushing part was so SO painful, but it was over so fast (3 pushes). But I had a lot of luck on my side, since I was an hour away at work when I went into labor. If I'd been caught in traffic, I would have delivered alone in my car---so then I'm SURE I would have been traumatized.
Having said that, I also didn't experience a "high" and my recovery with the unmedicated birth was not any faster or better than the recovery with the Epidural. But I guess those things depend on the person's experience.
So if I were pregnant again, I would head to the hospital the second I felt ANYTHING, and ask for an epidural.
-
I had an epidural with DS1, it wore off by pushing time and I felt every second of two hours pushing him out. I felt fine, but I swelled up really bad due to an IV edema. I had an episiotomy as well and was on motrin/tylenol on rotation for 10 days.
With DS2, I really wanted to try medfree because I wanted to avoid the IV edema and since I felt all of pushing with DS1, I thought I had a chance. Labor and delivery was so fast and intense I don't think I had time to even change my mind. I went from a 6 to 10 in 15 minutes and he was out 10 minutes later. It was SUCH an amazing experience, my PP recovery was amazing, I didn't take any pain meds besides one dose the day of delivery. While intense, it was SO fast that I hope to do the same if we ever decide to have one more baby.
-
I had both and I don't know what I'd do if I had a third child. Like some other posters, I didn't feel I got that awesome mountaintop experience with the unmedicated birth that I feel many birth people promise! It was quicker for sure, and I felt proud that I had done it. But not a lot of tangible differences other than that!
-
@Cherrybee: My friend has this and has had 4 unmedicated home births (#3 and #4 before the midwife could arrive). She said it only got worse and really struggled after #4.
-
yes, I preferred the epi. lol!
-
I had an epidural with my first because I was induced and could not handle the Pitocin. If I had to be induced again 100% I would get an epidural. No question about it.
My second I went into labor naturally and didn't make it to the hospital in time to get the epidural. I was begging for it though! The amount of time that I wanted it was so short that I could probably do it again. Although the pain was absolutely awful at the end, I was able to get into the position that my body wanted and was able to get him out in one contraction, 2 pushes, and no tearing. The position he was in I couldn't properly empty my bladder so minutes after he was born I was out of bed using the bathroom rather than getting a catheter. So to me, the pain was worth it. -
@PawPrints: my other GF who had a precipitous birth was talking to me about this: how everyone said, oh wow, how easy! and we said we agreed in hindsight, but during/right after, it definitely didn't feel that way.
@Anagram: yes, the pain of the pushing the second time was ridiculous! with DD1, pushing was cathartic and with DD2, it was the craziest pain i've ever felt in my life. i was screaming the f-word as i pushed!
@Cherrybee: i've had two quick labors, with the second classified as precipitous, and it was pretty insane. i listened to a hypnobirthing track as i was laboring and i just couldn't get a handle, but it gave me something to "hold on" to. i focused on that old lady's voice to try to bring myself out of it. it was crazy, but i don't know what i would have done without that kind of anchor. for my next birth, i'm definitely going to be doing more mental exercises to prepare myself beforehand! if you want, i can send you the tracks!
@T.H.O.U.: i asked my friend who has 3 about the pushing part and she said it was worse every time.
-
I was induced with my first and actually had an epi pretty early, before I was really uncomfortable.
With my second, she came early, and from the time I knew I was definitely in labor to me holding her in my arms was about 3.5 hours. I *stupidly* had been excited and curious to see what labor felt like. Well, I got it! We checked into the hospital at 9pm and I wasn't able to get my epi until 10:40p. I thought I was going to DIE. I kind of WANTED to die!!! It hurt to scream, but I didnt know how else to get through the contractions. Granted, I never intended to have a med-free birth, I just wanted to know what contractions felt like and then get stuck with an epi as soon as I was ready. Therefore I never took a Lamaze class or had any prep on getting through the worst pain of my entire life.
At 9p I was 3.5cm dilated and I was in so much pain they didn't check me until after the epidural and I was all the way to 10. The dr said that's why I was in so much pain, because I was dilating so fast. Once the epi kicked in, everything was easy. I was numb enough to feel no pain but I could still feel the pressure of when I was having a contraction so I knew when to push. She was already crowning at that point, so I only had to push twice, but it was soooooo much nicer to just feel pressure than to feel that blinding pain!
I vote epi all the way! After enduring dilating to a 10 with no epi, I would NEVER touch that again. We are not having any more kids but if for some reason we did I'd demand an epi right off the bat!!!
-
I had an epidural with DD1 and things were just fine. Labor did not slow down (in fact I feel like it relaxes me and helped things along). Pushing was easy and I could feel what I was doing. She was born alert and scored high with her apgars and breastfeeding went just fine. I ended up having a retained placenta so I needed to be taken to the OR to have it removed so in the end thank god the epidural and IV were already placed. The negatives I found were the swelling and it took me a bit longer (but it might have been my OR experience) to get up on my feet. DD2 I planned on another epidural but I was already 7cm by the time I got to the hospital and then 9 by the time I was in the room so I decided to forgo it. The only thing I really liked was after she was born the adrenaline rush was incredible and I felt like a superhero LOL Breastfeeding went good and I was up on my feet within an hour or two. I would say if you're not up for natural don't feel badly about getting the epidural. Do what you feel works for you and your baby
there's really no wrong or right way (I don't that think).
-
I was unmedicated with my first and got the epi with my second. My epi experience was SO MUCH better!! For my first I really prepared with a hypnobirth program and had a successful, fast med free delivery. I didn't have quite the trauma of a truly precipitous labor, but it was quick and intense and I did feel like I was hit by a bus after delivery, no euphoric feelings here!
For my second I assumed I would go med fee again, but with a toddler to take care of, I didn't really prep like I did with my first. When I got to the hospital my contractions were already intense and I just had no desire to deal with them so I got the epi and it was AMAZING!
All of the things I wanted to achieve with my med free birth were actually better with the epi. I thought that by going med free I could be more "present" for the birth, but it was totally the opposite- I felt like my med free birth was happening to me and I remember it in weird snippets, kind of like a drunk night. I was so calm, present, and rested with the epidural. I thought I would hate having numb legs and not being able to move/eat, but I didn't want to eat either time, and I couldn't walk anyway when I was in the throes of back to back unmedicated contractions. The numb legs were kind of annoying, but it wore off pretty quickly and I was up walking within an hour or two I think. Both births were in the middle of the night, but because my husband and I were able to rest/sleep for a few hours before pushing, we found we weren't zombies for those first few days like we were with our first. Also, I had much less tearing and my overall recovery was way quicker with the epi (seriously, weeks vs. many months).
If we go for a third I'll be open to both options depending on how labor progresses, but I wouldn't hesitate to get an epidural again.
-
I'd probably just really decide in the moment. With my natural birth, I went into labor at dinner time and didn't feel like eating. Then I laboured all night, so I did the whole thing starving and exhausted. I think that made it a lot worse to recover from, and I'd be unlikely to do it unmedicated again under those circumstances.
-
Thanks everyone. Sorry for the delayed reply. Things have been crazy here. I found out that the baby is measuring in the 97th percentile so they want to induce me very soon. With a baby that size, I think the scales are definitely tipping strongly in favor of an epidural. I appreciate all of your stories.
@Cherrybee: I also felt traumatized by my precipitous labor. It has caused me a great deal of stress the second time around. -
DH asks me which I preferred and I really don't know. dd1's labor was long and physically exhausting with a difficult recovery, but the epidural was SO glorious. dd2 came SO FAST that I had no time for meds. That was mentally traumatizing because I really wasn't prepared for, or had any desire for a med free birth. But my recovery was 100000x better. If I had a 3rd I think I would still ask for the epi
-
@raintreebee: How did it go?
I had both, but preferred the med free. But who knows what I would have preferred if I tried to do the epidural labor without it--I needed it that time.
-
I had both: my first was med-free (had a doula)and I had the epidural with my second(no doula). I recommend seeing how it all goes. I tried to go med-free the second time, but I couldn't endure it! My first labor was swift and I felt in control. My second labor I felt tired and like I couldn't get on top of the pain. Recoveries weren't too different, but I felt amazing and energized after the med-free birth. I must say that the epidural was amazing and took away the pain so I could be more present... I could still feel contractions and pushing.
Good luck!
-
I had an epidural for my first and went epidural free for my second. They were both inductions. DD1's labor was 6 hours DD2's was 4. I did end up asking for an epidural but at the point we didn't have time. Honestly, having done both I don't have a preference. But I had quick "easy" labors. With the epidural I had an episiotomy and the second time I had tearing. So I guess as far as repair afterward, I enjoyed the epidural a bit more.
-
I guess I involuntarily get to join this group. #3 was induced but came so fast we ran out of time for the Epi. I asked for it when I was 4-5cm but within 20 min I was already 8-9cm and after another few minutes I was pushing. Even being 10 lbs I made it through delivery. I don't really think I "missed" anything with my first two births when I had the Epi.
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
33 comments