https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:28:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2330667 Thu, 22 Oct 2015 16:45:45 +0000 tysonja 2330667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO1- Epidural at 9cm, whole labour 9hrs, pushed 25 mins. </p> <p>LO2- Epidural at 8cm, whole labour around 4 hrs, pushed 15 mins. </p> <p>LO3- Med Free, whole labour 2.5 hrs, pushed 10 mins. </p> <p>In my experience, each subsequent recovery was much easier than the last. The main difference for me with respect to epi or not was that with the epi it took me about 2 hours after the birth to pee, and it was a bit harder to get my bowel movements going easily both times. I also had some back soreness after my second epi. I was MUCH more alert during and after birth with the epidural and was able to enjoy the birth and meeting my baby. With the third I was still in pain and shock from labour and delivery it took me longer to notice and pay attention to my baby. Overall, I would opt for the epi again if I could (the pain without was too much for me, freaked me out so much!), but I am thankful for having a really easy recovery this time. Not sure if it is from going med free or just from having a 3rd:). LO3 is only 5 days old, so maybe the labour is just too close for comfort at the moment! Haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2329328 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 18:04:59 +0000 namaste 2329328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a long labor 29 hours. Got an epi around 8-9 hours in and it promptly fell out. Didn't receive another until 30 mins before pushing. Was up and about in an hour after labor, skin to skin immediately, only received two stitches, and was driving on day 3. I'm not sure if it is because of the failing epidural that my symptoms were minimal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2329106 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 14:59:38 +0000 littlejoy 2329106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a med-free home birth ... out of all of the symptoms in the article, the only one I experienced was pelvic floor problems. </p> <p>I also had a hell of a time with breastfeeding, but it has nothing to do with the labor/birth. </p> <p>Overall, super-fast, normal labor/birth without any interventions or complications. I'm really grateful. </p> <p>But let's face it, after birth (no matter what kind) once the high from it all wears off, we all still have to heal. It's a bitch! </p> <p>I will say, I thought having my baby at home would somehow make it hurt less? Like, I could meditate the pain away? Hahahaha. IT HURT SO BAD! I told DH that I totally understand why women want an epi. If they could only give them at home ... ;)</p> <p>I do think there is validity in the "waterfall of interventions" idea, which is why my goal was to go med-free. But, I also believe in establishing a team of people for your birth who will support you in any situation. I appreciated that my partner understood that if I (or my midwives) felt it was needed, I would transfer to the hospital and consent to an epi, or c-section. I think these articles just make people feel bad. Whether they made the choice, a pre-existing condition required it, or it was a decision made while they were in the "trenches", it sucks to question the situation. It's great to educate, but to leave women asking, "Did my choice to get an epi cause this problem?" could encourage PPD/PPA, and can lead to unnecessary birth trauma. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2329085 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 14:49:11 +0000 mrsjyw 2329085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With ds1 I had an epidural (that failed just before pushing) but otherwise saved me from the most painful contractions. Regardless two hours of pushing and an episiotomy later. The recovery wasn't bad at the time but I did take meds for two weeks and my milk was late coming in.</p> <p>With ds2 my water broke at 530am and ds was born at 1:17. My worst contractions weren't until 12:30 though and I only pushed for ten minutes. There was no time for an epi (though I intended to go medfree) and I've had the best pp recovery. Didn't take pain meds and milk came in on day 3! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2329075 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 14:41:35 +0000 Pumuckl 2329075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had two (quick) med free births and easy recoveries. BF has worked really well with both they were both awake and alert after delivery and latched. My second was nursing within 15min of being born. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2328979 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:50:02 +0000 raintreebee 2328979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a very fast (under 3 hours) labor and med free birth. No complications. But I also think a lot of this is just correlation not causation. If your labor is complicated, you are more likely to get the epi. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2328959 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:37:38 +0000 PawPrints 2328959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a planned med-free birth and didn't have any of the complications/side effects mentioned in the two articles, with the exception of the super happy awake alert engaged bonding time immediately after birth. I had a precipitous labor (only 2 hours) and my repair took an insanely long time and I was in total shock for a while after LO was born. She did start sucking down colostrum pretty well but I was barely aware of her. I was so focused on my trauma and pain. Then again, I mean, I don't have anything to compare to, so it's possible I was way more alert than I would have been with an epidural. Who knows. I guess I was chatting and energized when talking with DH after they finally finished the repair and left us alone with DD. I remember being super delighted at getting my favorite local pizza delivered to the birthing suite. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2328948 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:29:27 +0000 bushelandapeck 2328948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only read the first article. I had two births with no epidurals and had what I would consider to be pretty easy births. With DS my water broke before my contractions started so I ended up needing a small dose of pitocin to get the contractions moving along. Once that happened, DS was born in about 6 hours. I pushed for almost 2 hours and had some minor tearing, but I was up and walking quickly and was able to breastfeed right away, and until he weaned at 16.5 mos. With DD, I knew I was in labor at 9:30pm, checked in to the hospital at 11:40pm, and she was born less than an hour later. I had no tears and only pushed 3-4 times. She also latched right away and we are still nursing 4-5x/day at 12 months. I would definitely go med free if I did it again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2328917 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:16:27 +0000 jape14 2328917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced at 41+1, had an epidural, and didn't have any of the side effects mentioned in the article. I delivered vaginally, and was even able to get out of bed and pee pretty soon after. The nurse was kind of shocked that I was able to do that (she was going to put the catheter back in if I couldn't manage it) so maybe that is uncommon? I did break my tailbone during delivery, but my OB attributed that to my late and large-headed baby (over the 99th percentile at birth and still now at 13.5 months, just like his mama!). Otherwise I had pretty minor tearing, a fairly short labor (12-13 hours start to finish from Foley induction - I didn't even get pitocin until about 2 hours in), no issues with milk supply/nursing, no instrumental delivery, etc. I did push for about two hours, but I've read that's about the average for a first-time mom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2328916 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:15:41 +0000 Mama Bird 2328916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had two med-free births and still had supply problems (but instant bonding) with my first, and trouble bonding (but awesome supply) with my second. I think the reasons in both cases had nothing to do with the labor itself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2328821 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 12:31:26 +0000 mfa_lady 2328821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a fast, natural labor (starting when my water broke) and didn't have an epidural. I was up to use the bathroom right after skin to skin, walking around in the postpartum room immediately after that, and no issues with latch or feeding. My milk still didn't come in for 4-5 days, though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2328721 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:51:29 +0000 birdofafeather 2328721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i had a med-free birth with no complications and felt great afterward! i plan on the same for DD2 due to arrive in the next couple weeks. i feel like it helped me immensely, but i also think that my l&amp;d was pretty straightforward and i wanted to try to do it without meds, so approached my labor in that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2328686 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:35:02 +0000 Alba4 2328686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a med free birth and had a great recovery. The only interventions were that they broke my water and I had an episiotomy. I pushed for @ an hour. I had supply issues though due to my DS's tongue tie.</p> <p>I plan an having another med free birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2328682 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:33:45 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2328682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had an epidural and didn't have any of the side effects mentioned in the article. I went from 3 to 10cm in about 4 hours, pushed for 40 minutes, and had didn't have an episiotomy or external tear. My baby latched within minutes of being placed on my chest and we haven't had any trouble breastfeeding. I was up walking about an hour after delivery and my recovery has been so easy. I never took any strong pain meds. </p> <p>I was worried about the cascade of interventions when I agreed to being induced and then went for the epidural, but I had an amazing birth experience. I would get the epidural again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects/page/2#post-2328679 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:31:43 +0000 snowjewelz 2328679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced, and got epidural and had no issues! It wore off enough for me to really feel it at the end to push. I tore, they had to cut me, they suctioned her out after pushing for 2 hrs. Nursing was rough at first but mostly due to bad latch. So I'd say no side effects what so ever and I healed pretty well considering! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328670 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:29:34 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2328670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Out of my 3 deliveries, the easiest recovery by far was the one after a med free, 0 intervention birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328656 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:23:00 +0000 KT326 2328656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Interesting articles. I had an epi and I'm so glad I did. LO had the cord around his neck and two knots so every time I would push him down he would go back up when I stopped. I pushed for three hours and the dr came in and gave me my options. I didn't want a c-section so we tried forceps and it worked. The dr was very good and LO only had a tiny mark on the side of his head that went away after a few days. I can't imagine having a forceps delivery without an epi. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328604 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 10:57:39 +0000 Mrs D 2328604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have yet to read all responses, but here is my experience.</p> <p>Admitted at 5cm at 6am - received morphine for pain (prob 6:30am) while epidural plan was being sorted. Epidural received at 6cm at 8am (godsend!). Noon I was 9cm (never checked again) and began process of turning off my epi. At 1pm I was feeling ready. Pushed for 15 minutes - surprised the Dr with how quickly I pushed her out. She came out screaming with two great apgar scores - which I was worried about bc I did need oxygen at one point and I was worried she may be a bit blue!</p> <p>I specifically did not want to be the first to hold her - but I had her about 20 mins or so after birth (the stitching was very painful for me - I could not imagine holding a new born or trying to nurse through it). She latched immediately and nursed for a short period. I could feel my legs when they moved me to recovery (about 45 mins) but they didnt quite want me standing yet on my own. I went to the bathroom (with some help from the nurse) about 2-3 hours after I had her - from then on I was independent...though I think I didnt hold her standing until sometime later just to be sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328492 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 10:01:00 +0000 AmandaB8 2328492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have an epi - my LO never latched. </p> <p>I did experience a quick labor, the natural high, and a super easy recovery. I plan on med free again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328477 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 09:55:15 +0000 Chillybear 2328477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 4cm when my water broke 2 week before EDD, however I wasn't having contractions. I labored most of the day with pitocen but by 5pm my water really gushed and the contractions got super intense very quickly. I couldn't breathe through them, I was hyperventilating and my hands were going numb. I was only about 6-7cm. I had the epi placed around 6:30pm and that hour or so until it was placed was the longest most uncomfortable I have ever been. Once I got the Epi I was able to relax finish transition and by 9:30pm I was ready to push. I pushed for 2 hours but I think my issue was more that she was not at the proper station when I started pushing. I had a small tear and she nursed right away and was very alert. Recovery was what I expected. I would do the Epi again without a 2nd thought. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328426 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 09:35:02 +0000 MenagerieMama 2328426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Didn't read the articles but I had an epidural. Pushed for 3 hrs but that was because she was big, no position issues. She latched on right away. Recovery was as easy as I could expect, up and walking right away, no issues. And didn't feel my repair at all with the wonderful epi! Will have another epidural again for sure, though second baby is usually easier. I would not have had the energy to push LO out vaginally if the epidural had not given me time to rest beforehand, I was exhausted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328396 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 09:27:16 +0000 Anagram 2328396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only read the first article. I have had an epidural birth and a med free birth. Laboring pre-epidural was much more painful the first time. I was in full active, painful labor for many hours so I felt so great after the epi. The pushing part was a breeze...maybe 25 minutes. No pain just pressure. I was up and walking around right after skin to skin.</p> <p>Second time was so fast that only the last hour was painful. So overall, labor was a breeze. But pushing was excruciating. Truly. I literally screamed through every pushing set. With my first i was totally focused and calm during pushing and u felt very "present" with the epi.</p> <p>With the med free birth I felt totally out of control and kind of animalistic....all I could think was baby:out.</p> <p>Both times I had second degree tears. Both times i was up walking around after skin to skin. Very good milk supply but painful latch (tongue ties) with both babies.</p> <p>Honestly I didnt experience a lot of the benefits I'd heard of for med free births. The "high", my med free baby was LESS alert than the first baby, I had the same type of tear.</p> <p>I guess if nothing else, it's cool to say I've done both. If i were having a third, I would love to have a short labor again, but with an epi before pushing. That would be my ideal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328351 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 09:09:47 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2328351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just want to say that I had and epi with both of my girls and I had zero side effects from them. I actually progressed faster with the epidural than without (I couldn't relax enough through the contractions to help my body progress). I only needed 2 pushes with my first child and only 1 with my 2nd... and no tears! </p> <p>I was walking within an hour after giving birth, both girls latched well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328343 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 09:07:15 +0000 blackbird 2328343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: it was like that at my hospital, too. you had a button and you could punch it for more medicine. I used it a lot with E (major sciatic pain, man, i forgot about that!) but didn't use it at all with T! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328334 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 09:05:24 +0000 hellobeeboston 2328334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: yes. For both I was. I hit the button too many times and my epi was looking on one side so they came back to boost it. It was too much. I couldn't even feel my left leg. </p> <p>Second time I didn't hit button once after they placed it initially to make sure I wouldn't get too much but still be comfortable. Much better. I was even able to push up on all fours (yikes! Ha can't imagine what that looked like). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328328 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 09:03:07 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2328328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: w/ baby 1 you were able to administer your pain meds on your own? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328266 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:46:19 +0000 rachiecakes 2328266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: that's very true - I was induced for preeclampsia (well, meant to be induced, water broke on it's own in hospital and went straight into labor). I had an epidural to help relax my muscles so they could turn him and control my BP.<br /> I stayed hospitalized for 5 days after having him because they couldn't get my BP back to normal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328251 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:42:18 +0000 hellobeeboston 2328251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had two epidural and am really glad I did. </p> <p>Baby 1: spontaneous Labor, day after EDD. Labored at home 9 hours, went to hospital, 4cm, got epi, was 10cm 6 hours later, pushed for 5 hours. Baby was 8lbs 3oz. Looking back I gave myself too much epi so I couldn't feel the pushing the first few hours, once it wore off a bit it was easier. But he was big. </p> <p>Baby 2: 10 days late, went in to be induced but was already having contractions every 6-7 min. Gave me 25mg misoprostol, 4 hours later was in active labor at 4/5cm, labored a bit, got epi, 2 hours later I was 10cm, labored down, then pushed for 1 hour, baby was posterior earlier, but turned and just his head was coming out sideways, pushed in 4 or 5 positions even with epi to get him out. He was 9lbs, 6oz! I loved my epi's, both babies latched and nursed right away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328227 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:35:03 +0000 mediagirl 2328227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't read the articles but I had no side effects from the epidural. The catheter came out before I pushed (thank God) and the epidural wore off pretty quickly. LO latched quickly, as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-your-med-free-birth-really-reduce-epidural-side-effects#post-2328206 Wed, 21 Oct 2015 08:25:59 +0000 rosegold 2328206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: also labored about 6-8hrs, epidural around 8cm and baby came about an hour later. absolutely no side effects other than i was crazy thirsty the following day. also up and walking within the hour. </p>