https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:45:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2605750 Wed, 17 Aug 2016 21:27:12 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2605750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2605715 Wed, 17 Aug 2016 20:21:55 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2605715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2605707 Wed, 17 Aug 2016 20:14:31 +0000 Alba4 2605707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2605695 Wed, 17 Aug 2016 20:02:57 +0000 pastemoo 2605695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@raintreebee: How did it go?</p> <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2412486 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 10:36:22 +0000 Charm54 2412486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2412480 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 10:33:05 +0000 raintreebee 2412480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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.<br /> @Cherrybee: I also felt traumatized by my precipitous labor. It has caused me a great deal of stress the second time around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2410436 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 17:02:34 +0000 sarac 2410436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2410415 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 16:44:22 +0000 kpc324 2410415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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!</p> <p>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! </p> <p>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).</p> <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2410184 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 13:38:49 +0000 autumn865 2410184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2410148 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 13:09:08 +0000 PrincessBaby 2410148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced with my first and actually had an epi pretty early, before I was really uncomfortable.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>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!</p> <p>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!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2410087 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 12:28:12 +0000 birdofafeather 2410087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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.</p> <p>@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! :P</p> <p>@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!</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: i asked my friend who has 3 about the pushing part and she said it was worse every time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2410079 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 12:22:55 +0000 skipra 2410079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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.<br /> 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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2410014 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 11:30:21 +0000 sorrycharlie 2410014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>yes, I preferred the epi. lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409999 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 11:24:30 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2409999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409983 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 11:17:37 +0000 mamimami 2409983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409691 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:27:54 +0000 mrsjyw 2409691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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.</p> <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409681 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:10:08 +0000 Anagram 2409681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>So if I were pregnant again, I would head to the hospital the second I felt ANYTHING, and ask for an epidural. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409613 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 03:31:50 +0000 lamariniere 2409613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409609 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 03:15:44 +0000 regberadaisy 2409609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409608 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 03:13:14 +0000 regberadaisy 2409608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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.</p> <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409606 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 03:06:21 +0000 Cherrybee 2409606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> <p>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? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409602 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 02:37:58 +0000 Anagram 2409602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409596 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 02:05:32 +0000 lamariniere 2409596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> <p>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!</p> <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409580 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 00:33:56 +0000 SproutBee 2409580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>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. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409579 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 00:32:56 +0000 PawPrints 2409579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409577 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 00:31:03 +0000 sarac 2409577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409576 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 00:27:13 +0000 PawPrints 2409576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> <p>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.</p> <p>[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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409574 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 00:18:11 +0000 sarac 2409574@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey, I have thoughts about this!</p> <p>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. </p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409557 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 23:33:36 +0000 birdofafeather 2409557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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. </p> <p>@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!</p> <p>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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-both-unmedicated-and-medicated-labor#post-2409549 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 23:08:28 +0000 Foodnerd81 2409549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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?</p> <p>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. </p>