https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 27 May 2026 10:27:45 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-68844 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:04:28 +0000 ALittleP 68844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In this early stage of looking at the various options, my goal is to have a natural delivery without an epidural but if it gets so bad that I need/want one than I will request a walking epidural, which apparently is a lower dose of meds so you still feel the contractions and have control over your legs, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-67218 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:58:47 +0000 yin 67218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I planned to go natural for as long as possible and was very open to having an epidural. I had a long labor and waited until I was 7cm dilated to get an epi. Although I wish I could have done without any medication, it helped me tremendously. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-67210 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:33:30 +0000 Boogs 67210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tequiero21: I had one for my c-section.</p> <p>I had an epidural because I honestly didn't want to be in extreme pain for an unknown number of hours. When my epidural did work, it was a beautiful thing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-67154 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:44:26 +0000 winniebee 67154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I plan on getting one - I know my pain threshold and know that the pain of laboring before the epidural will be more than I can handle! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-67142 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:17:20 +0000 tequiero21 67142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i voted "other" because i'm not sure if you use epidural for c-sections. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-67065 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:32:49 +0000 heffalump 67065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PennyLainne: what about it scares you? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-67056 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:08:20 +0000 MamaCate 67056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wennt in hoping for natural but being open minded since i hadnt done it before. I did want to avoid intervention as much as possible, especially a c- section. But i ended up being induced because i was late and the pitocin made the contractionns strong. I made it to 5 centimeters and then i swear they turned up the pit and the pain went from hard but manageable to excruciating. After reassurance from the nurse that i had progressed well enough to likely avoid a csection i got the epi and it was great! I think it helped a lot to have an open mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66991 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:28:48 +0000 Mrs. Bee 66991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>my labor was fast. not being able to move around was a nonissue. i don't know how i could have given birth without the epidural.... seriously. it was the most pain i've ever been in in my life (both times). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66989 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:24:52 +0000 aunt pol 66989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't made up my mind but I'm not great with pain so I definitely would never say never. I'm more likely to have a section, with twins, and for the same reason a home birth is pretty much out. I basically want whatever gets me and the babas through the whole thing as easily and safely as possible! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66984 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:15:30 +0000 Andrea 66984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got one and had no issues with it. But I had a long labor so I do wonder if the epidural slowed things down a lot. So if I have another child I will try to go natural. But if I couldn't handle it then I would have no hesitation to go for another epi. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66983 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:10:50 +0000 Maysprout 66983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My plan was to see how it goes, I didn't want a pain fest but my mom had fast labors so if that was the case I thought it'd be fine. My labor ended up being long. After my water broke I got to 6 cm pretty quick and then progress decided to sssslllloooowww down even though I was having contractions all the time. So after awhile I got an epidural and I did notice it changed my contractions (they stopped for awhile) and baby's heart rate got a bit too steady (I got on oxygen), those were the two side effects I didn't like. I never felt groggy though or drugged up with the epidural and breastfeeding went very smoothly. So I'll probably have the same plan to see how it goes again and put off getting the epidural at least for awhile and I'll try to have more juice or gatorade or something for energy during labor, it's intense. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66969 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:45:40 +0000 SAHM0811 66969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epidural with my first and went natural with my second. Both were great birth experiences, but delivering my second baby med-free was so very awesome. It's hard to explain in words. I'm definitely planning for natural births for any future children we may have. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66934 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:17:25 +0000 PennyLainne 66934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: They do have a class available here and I do plan on taking it. They give you a tour of the hospital and it sounds like they provide lots of information. I want to know my surroundings so I can be a little more comfortable. I would hate having no idea where I am going or what is happening. Information is key. </p> <p>I like hearing peoples experiences with and with out it. It almost makes it seem less foreign. </p> <p>Also I told my sister-in-law that I would like to try naturally and she told me not to be a hero... yadda yadda yadda. The epi just kind of scares me a little... Actually it makes my skin crawl. But who knows maybe when I am in excruciating pain it might be my salvation lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66918 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:56:06 +0000 sulli301 66918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was able to deliver naturally &amp; am very grateful for that. I do not want an epi for any future babies either. I am not against it if women want it, &amp; if I ended up needing it that'd be okay but I just really enjoyed natural labor (minus the pushing part-hah!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66916 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:52:01 +0000 MsMamaBear 66916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. IF there is #2 I'll get one. I was in labor 15 hrs before my csection for breech Baby Bear.LOL </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66882 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:13:17 +0000 heffalump 66882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you thought about taking a childbirth class? In ours we went over pros and cons of an epidural and natural.</p> <p>I got one, and will be doing it again. I think I have a low pain tolerance because I thought I was going to die and I hadn't even dilated yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66877 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:08:05 +0000 BoogieBea 66877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't get an epidural with both pregnancies. With my first, I was kind of toying with the idea but as I got closer to the due date, I got more nervous about it. My mom didn't get any pain medicine either when she had my sister and I. She said it was easy peasy and the pain wasn't very much at all. My mom tends to exaggerate quite a bit so I knew I couldn't rely on her opinion. I just kept it open and just addressed my pain every hour during labor. By the time I finally called in for the epidural with my firstborn, I was already ready to deliver so I didn't end up getting it. For my second, the epidural was actually the unknown to me so I would've been more nervous about getting it than not. Both my labors only lasted 8 hours or so with excruciating pain for just about 3 hours and only needed to push for 30 minutes. So I was lucky in that respect. Also, my husband was an awesome coach. I guess he paid attention during our birthing class and really helped me get through each contraction. I don't think I would've been able to do it sans pain meds without him encouraging me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66868 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:49:43 +0000 lemondrop 66868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I left myself an OPEN MIND when it came to the epidural- since I'd never done this before, I'd see how labor felt. I figured if I didn't have expectations, I would not be disappointed. At 6cm it hurt like hell, so I went for it. </p> <p>What I had originally been against was the IV narcotics- well I got that too and felt much better with that while waiting for the anesthesiologist to arrive. </p> <p>I got the epidural and I LOVED it. The anesthesiologist was my hero! I asked for a very light dose figuring I could always have it turned up or off. I still could move my legs, turn over, and felt totally fine, it just took the pain away. I was still able to try more positions than the stereotypical one- that one just worked and felt the best for me. </p> <p>For the last half hour of pushing my doc had it turned off so I could push better, and within an hour of having my son I was walking to the bathroom with the nurse. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the foley catheter, but it was uncomfortable because his head was very low, I was happy to start pushing so they would take it out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66855 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:22:26 +0000 Penny Lane 66855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I think DH is probably a little more comfortable with me being in a hospital too (he's a little nervous nellie sometimes) but he understands that I'm terrified of hospitals and is so far supporting my home birth goal :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66853 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:18:19 +0000 daniellemybelle 66853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Penny Lane: Glad to see you agree! I won't be having a home birth though. DH &amp; I are more comfortable with a hospital setting. I'm hoping to have a doula, take Bradley classes, write a birth plan... all the things that increase your chances of a low-intervention birth in the hospital. It's a shame it's so hard to achieve! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66851 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:17:05 +0000 cupcakemama 66851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had one and it would do it again. I didn't feel drugged as a pp said. Must be a cultural thing but where I live if people ask if you had a natural birth they mean csection v vaginal. </p> <p>I know many on the boards think an epidural is the worst thing ever and that if you don't go 'natural' you are somehow putting your baby at risk and that an epidural is the fast train to csection. End of the day you have to do what's right for you and respect other people's right to the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66847 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:13:58 +0000 Rubies 66847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't plan on it but I did when I was 7cm and it was wonderful. I berated myself after LO's birth wishing I had been "stronger" and "braver" but in the end, it helped me and it worked for me. I plan to get an epidural sooner if/when we have #2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66844 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:10:09 +0000 Penny Lane 66844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cyneswith: @daniellemybelle: what they said! I'm definitely planning on a home birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66835 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:57:12 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 66835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had one and I'm SO glad I did. By the time I got to the hospital, the contractions were getting to be too much for me to bear. I was getting very nauseated from the pain, so I'm glad I got it when I did. I was able to relax and nap for the next 10 hours, until she finally came. I wouldn't have done it any other way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66811 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:25:38 +0000 daniellemybelle 66811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't want one, less because I am psyched about pain, but moreso because of the "cascade of interventions" that often happens once you start with the epidural. I really want to avoid interventions, especially C-section, so I want to try to go natural. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66791 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:07:05 +0000 chopsuey 66791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My epidural helped me relax, get some zzzs and within an hour I was fully dilated (5cm in an hour) and effaced. It was the most awesome thing ever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66786 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:05:26 +0000 cyneswith 66786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I think of labor and birth, I get happy, relaxed, and kind of dreamy. When I think of an epidural, I get tense, paranoid, and a little bit nauseous. While I am aware that complications MIGHT arise and I MIGHT have to be drugged or operated on, I am PLANNING on a fully natural birth in my own home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66775 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:46:02 +0000 polkadots 66775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epidural and plan to with my next when the time comes. Heck it still hurt with the epidural! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66771 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:43:19 +0000 yoursilverlining 66771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I want to be able to move around during labor to different positions, walk and go in and out of the whirlpool tub, so I’m going to try not to have one. BUT, if the baby’s heart rate is increasing or she starts to get stressed because my body is stressed and in pain, then I will definitely get one. I’m leaving the option open. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-get-an-epidural-or-do-you-plan-to#post-66763 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:39:42 +0000 mrsjazz 66763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll be at a birth center, so no chance of an epidural unless I transfer to the hospital for some reason. </p>