https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:42:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural/page/2#post-29774 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:24:03 +0000 cyneswith 29774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had cluster headaches for over a year which are, by all accounts, more painful than natural childbirth. The cluster headaches were intense enough that I just wanted (needed?) to die when they were going on. But there was nothing to do to reduce the pain. They got progressively longer and more frequent. Doctors couldn't help. There was next to no chance of recovery. There was no purpose behind them - all they meant was that I was suicidal but paralyzed with pain 6-12 hours a week, with the number of hours increasing steadily.</p> <p>Childbirth has a point. There are things to do to reduce the pain. There IS a solution to the pain. The pain will last no more than a few days. I'll be mostly immobile, but not totally helpless. I want to see if I can do it, so my first child will be all natural, barring any huge complications. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-29030 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:29:03 +0000 sulli301 29030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted a natural childbirth &amp; I had one! That being said, I went into it telling myself if I ended up needing one, that was okay too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-28379 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:15:16 +0000 MzMarzipan 28379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I gave birth to my nearly 10lb baby boy with no epidural. My labor lasted 24 hours (and one minute) and included about 4 hours of pushing. We had planned for a hospital birth but ended up in the hospital after 22 hours at home (2.5 hours of pushing at home). While I am very glad I had no epi, and have the same goal for future births, there were times during labor where I thought, "Now I see why people get an epidural!" I never wanted one for myself, but the contractions are were very intense for me and I understood why people feel they can't handle it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-26559 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:07:42 +0000 Ree723 26559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I fully intend on having an epidural and am actually a bit worried I won't be able to get one when I want it. I'm not sure exactly how it works here in Australia but I get the impression that they try to discourage epis and I do NOT want that to happen. I want to know that when I ask for an epi, I will be given one. It's making me very, very nervous. I have my first appt with the antenatal clinic next week at 12 weeks and that is the first question I plan on asking. Unfortunately for me, we live in a one hospital town so if epis aren't readily accessible, I don't really have any other options. </p> <p>I fully intend on doing anything and everything I can to access pain relief; my idea of a nightmare birthing experience is doing it naturally! Kudos to those who can do it but I know it's not for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-26525 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:30:10 +0000 MsMamaBear 26525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epidural and I hated it. I still felt the pressure of the contractions. :( I never planned to go without meds though. I ended up with a csection because her heartbeat kept going up and down.</p> <p>So worth it to have a healthy baby here. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-26507 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:09:00 +0000 sunshine44 26507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I delivered my beautiful baby girl with no meds at all. My labour pains started 2 days before I delivered, my water broke at midnight and I delivered 17 hours later. I won't lie, the pain is unmeasurable, but stay focused and stay calm, and it goes by so fast. I was open to the idea of the epi but in my heart I wanted to do it natural. In the end my delivery was great and I felt so proud of myself for being able to do it naturally; you realize the true strength of a woman in a moment like that. And to be honest, the minute I saw my little girl and held her in my arms the pain seemed lightyears behind me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-26471 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:41:58 +0000 ohapostrophe 26471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@redsmarties: From my understanding of it, they leave a little plastic tube in place in your spine...so similar yes, to an IV except in your spine not in a vein. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-18343 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:19:00 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 18343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This might seem like a ridiculous question, especially because I could probably google it, but...<br /> Is an epidural one injection to the spinal area, or do they actually insert an IV? I've heard it both ways, and I think the injection I could handle, but an IV might make me flip out a little. Thoughts? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-18327 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 06:09:03 +0000 loveisstrange 18327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that Business of Being Born is one-sided, but it raises a lot of good questions and does have valuable, real info in it.</p> <p>I haven't given birth yet, but I'm planning a natural birth. After reading the positive effects for both mother and baby and all the very real effects of chemical interventions, I decided an epi wasn't for me. I really want to do this naturally, partially because of the benefits to baby but also because I want to prove that I CAN do it.</p> <p>My mother had an epi with all 3 of us and she thinks I'm off my rocker. lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-18322 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:19:28 +0000 mekarual 18322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My birth plan was for no epidural, but I always left the option open to get one if I really felt like I needed it. I ended up not getting one, but I think that's because my labor went very quickly and my daughter was on the small side (6 lbs, 7 oz). </p> <p>If she had been bigger or labor had been prolonged, I'm pretty sure I would have gotten an epidural. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-11537 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:29:40 +0000 Mrsbells 11537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before i was pregnant I new I wanted a vaginal birth but I had an open mind about epidurals, once I researched them a little more and spoke to people who had done it with and without epidurals I become more determined in my mind that I didnt want an epidural. Many of my european friends have given birth without it and my mom and close family all did it without an epidural. Its definitely not impossible and I plan to avoid an epidural at all costs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-11534 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:28:25 +0000 winniebee 11534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm planning on a hospital birth and getting an epidural. My husband is a doctor and fully supports my desire for drugs : ) </p> <p>My OB practice is a blend of OB and midwife care so I have options. We live in Boston and the hospital that I'm delivering at is one of the best in the nation, so I have less concern about them screwing the epidural up. </p> <p>My outlook on meds/no meds is to each their own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-11530 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:23:00 +0000 mrsnarbonne 11530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like @OHAPOSTROPHE, I recommend Hypnobabies.</p> <p>I'd always been against an epidural because my mom told me she felt badly that I was pulled out with forceps and was really sleepy. She also thought it didn't do much for her anyway. When she gave birth to my brother, who was a huge baby, she did it without any drugs. I figured if she could, I could.</p> <p>I also did my research, saw the film, read a ton of articles and books. I tried Hypnobabies because I thought it wouldn't hurt. After going through childbirth with it, I can't say enough good things about it. I was my doula's first Hypnobabies client and she said I was the calmest mom she had ever worked with. Childbirth was intense, no doubt, but I ended up with an unplanned home birth because I thought I had a long ways to go (it wasn't *that* bad) by the time my doula arrived at my home (I was alone at home), and when she looked, she could already see my son's head! Going through transition is supposed to be the worst part, but I hadn't realized that I had already gone through it!</p> <p>A friend borrowed my Hypnobabies and she said that while she did get an epidural (during hour 28 of a 30 hour labor), it really helped her, too. She felt very calm and relaxed throughout the childbirth process (which took place in the U.S.). Later, another doctor (in Taiwan) said he was amazed she had a natural birth because apparently she had some pelvic injury and he wouldn't have expected her pelvis to open that much during birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-11280 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:29:37 +0000 Liesal 11280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really want to try for a natural birth. I've seen The Business of Being Born and done lots of research even before I got pregnant, and I'm kind of terrified of getting an epidural. So many things can go wrong and there are side effects for me and baby. I know my body can do it without an epidural, so why risk the side effects. My opinion is, no thank you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-11263 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:56:44 +0000 chopsuey 11263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted to go drug free, but didn't prepare for it by taking classes, etc. After 8 hours of labor I caved and asked for an epidural. Slept an hour and had my baby 3 hours later.<br /> Meds are the best. -.- </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-11260 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:54:39 +0000 Green Thumb 11260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also gave birth without medication after learning the bradley method with midwives. So worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-9523 Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:25:16 +0000 cyndistar3 9523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I gave birth completely naturally at a birthing center. No meds. I am not okay with needles at all and I don't like hospitals. It wasn't about being a "hero" or anything for me, I am just not really comfortable with being medicated. I will be without meds with this birth as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-9508 Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:58:36 +0000 themcmom 9508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@babychin - I had a Bradley birth after reading The Business of Being Born. Before that, I wanted meds, but not an epi.</p> <p>Honestly, I loved Wombat's birth. It brought my husband, sister, and I all closer. Honestly, I was just thinking about how much I loved the birth even though it was really hard and long. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-9507 Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:54:25 +0000 pelikila 9507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I ended up with my original intent of an unmedicated birth but it was only by default since I asked for an epidural (thinking labor was going to go on for hours and that constant pain just wasn't tolerable) but in reality my labor went so fast that if I'd know my labor was going to only be 30-45 more minutes I probably would have been able to hold out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-4188 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:04:17 +0000 hreichard 4188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The epidural was good for the pain. The only thing is i had complications where they hit something in my spine, the medicine got to me too fast and paralyzed my lungs &amp; i stopped breathing on the operating table getting a c-section. Then a few days later i ended up with spinals headaches becuase the fluid around my brain was leaking from the pin hole they put in my spine. It was horrible! So i had a bit of a horror story, but in all honesty, i would get an epidural again and pray i dont have the oops like last time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-4167 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:57:36 +0000 Coastinganon 4167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OMG-@msmom! I do agree that the stitching afterwards was so painful! Because my son came so fast the Dr didn't knowni hadn't had an epi and just started going at it!</p> <p>@Yin-while I am certainly proud of my natural birth experience, I totally recognize that a lot of it was luck! He was big, he was fast. Had he been slow at any size who knows how it would have gone. You are not a failure! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-4153 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:56:43 +0000 msmom 4153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did not get an epidural but I def echo bakingabug... what's w all the drama about someone else's birth? That is what's so great about this country - freedom of choice! The worst thing about not getting an epidural for me was the stitching afterwards... My dr constantly gave me local anesthetics but it was painful... More painful than labor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-4152 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:56:38 +0000 yin 4152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My original birth plan was to go natural with a vaginal birth for as long as possible. I was in labor for almost 30 hours and pushed for about 3. I tried my best, but I couldn't handle the contractions after 20 hours of labor. I was 7cm dilated, and I felt accomplished. There are times when I do feel like I failed. So many women can give birth without an epidural. Why can't I? Every labor is different, and while I feel like I have "failed," I also wouldn't have done it any differently. I still intend on having the same birth plan the next time around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-4149 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:44:26 +0000 Mrs McK 4149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm very torn about whether or not I'll end up wanting an epidural. On the one hand, I'm looking at my mother who gave birth to four children naturally, sans epidural. The first two were twins, born vaginally. So I don't want to seem like a wuss compared to her. </p> <p>But as I'm not really sure what my pain tolerance will be. Ideally, I'd like to go as long as I can without any drugs, but I don't want to end up going so long that I can't get them if I really want them. But I'd really like to be able to walk around and labor in different positions than just lying down, and I know that you can't do that with some epidurals. </p> <p>But since I'm just now in my first regular cycle post MC, it's all pretty theoretical at this point. </p> <p>If DH had his way, I think I'd be walking around with an epidural throughout my entire pregnancy ;). He hates to see me in any type of pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-4124 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:28:04 +0000 looch 4124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No epidural for me either, I went into the birth thinking that I would use it if I absolutely needed it, which was comforting. </p> <p>I read this book, I recommend it to everyone.</p> <p>Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care by Jennifer Block. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-4116 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:46:23 +0000 ohapostrophe 4116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! I did hypnobabies...so hard and so worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-4052 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:06:14 +0000 bakingAbug 4052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coastinganon - I loved your birth story, You really have a way with words. There is a difference between pain and productive pain. I still haven't decided on pain management methods but I figured I will take it as far as I can go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-4027 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:13:11 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 4027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coastinganon - you dictated your experience beautifully! that's exactly how i felt. like you, the main reason i wanted to do a natural birth too was to be able to breastfeed right away and hopefully feel that instant connection without the drugs. i was lucky my labor was only 9 hours long... </p> <p>my friend tried for a natural birth but couldn't do it because her body just wasn't cooperating. after 12 hours of natural labor she ended up getting an epidural, then after another 12 hours they found the baby's head was too big so in the end she had to get a c-section. after 24 hours of labor!! so you just never know!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-4025 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:07:27 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 4025@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@miranlee and @bakingabug - i agreee... i thought it was one-sided too when i watched it, but it led me to research A LOT more on my own both from the epidural perspective and the drug-free perspective... and in the end, i felt like i made an informed choice rather than just going along with what i hear. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-here-really-did-it-sans-epidural#post-4023 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:02:39 +0000 Coastinganon 4023@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never saw Business of Being Born. Prior to getting pregnant, and pretty much up to the point of about 7 months into my first pregnancy, I was the first to say I wanted an epidural the minute I walked through the door. But as I started to read about the side effects, and I considered my own desires as far as being able to BFAR (breast feeding after reduction) my mind started to change.</p> <p>My son was 10lbs 5 oz but came quickly. I did not have an epidural, but i can not say that I wouldn't have if my labor had been extraordinarily long. I wrote this in my birth story to sum it up: </p> <p>"The birth of our son was the most intensely amazing moment of my life. To be able to feel my child come into the world is an experience that I would never ever ever give up. Little G and I worked together for nine months to make sure he was nourished and healthy, and I couldn’t imagine having gone through that entire nine month period of closeness to ‘hand off’ the experience at the end. Although my original decision to birth him naturally was based on my desire to breastfeed him as soon as possible after birth and be assured that he not be groggy, in the end I decided I wanted to birth him naturally because I thought I could do it and I wanted to do it. Now, with the experience behind us, I can say that the most important reason why I birthed our child naturally was so that I could physically feel him enter the world. There isn’t any other experience like it and I am incredibly blessed to have been able to experience it myself."</p> <p>You can read the entire birth story here: <a href="http://www.otherpiecesofme.com/2009/08/birth-story-of-our-son-07-08-09.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.otherpiecesofme.com/2009/08/birth-story-of-our-son-07-08-09.html</a></p> <p>FYI - there are placenta pics. </p>