https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:06:19 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-349845 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 08:58:13 +0000 pastemoo 349845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: I labored for 19 hours without the epi, then 10 with and ended up needing a c-section.</p> <p> @jackieomy: OMG 55 hours!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-334359 Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:11:07 +0000 jackieomy 334359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced, labored for 53 hours, tried fentanyl and went from 3 cm to 6cm, got the epidural at 55 hours. Progressed to a 9.5 between the time they checked me before the epi and after it was administered. They wanted me to rest and labor down, and 45 minutes later I was ready to push. Pushed for an hour and a half and my son was born! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-334292 Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:03:51 +0000 jennylynn 334292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My water broke, so I was unable to labor at home. They wanted me in the hospital ASAP after that. My labor technically started at 9 am, but contractions didn't become noticeable to around noon. I got the epidural at 5ish. I planned on getting the epi, but it was important to me to try and labor without it for as long as possible so that I felt like I got to experience what labor is like. I think breathing through the contractions helped me more than anything. That and visualizing holding our baby, and taking her home for the first time. As a matter of fact, I didn't feel ready for the epidural until I got up to go to the bathroom, and had a contraction while I was in there, and forgot to breath through it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-334171 Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:48:59 +0000 Andrea 334171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I labored at home for 19 hours and then another hour at the hospital. I was planning on getting an epi so I went to the hospital when the pain was getting really bad and I was having difficulty carrying on a conversation. I definitely feel like I still had a full labor experience. I pushed for 3.5 hours and my epi was wearing off towards the end so I could really feel what was going on down there and that helped get her out, finally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-334073 Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:40:05 +0000 LemonLong 334073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm planning on getting an epidural- the hospital system I'm using uses a peanut shaped birthing ball to aid in delivery for woman who have epi's. You just tuck the ball between your legs as you lay on your side and it's supposed to open up the pelvis so the baby slides down easier. In their studies they say it shortens the first stage of labor (0-10cm) by about 90 minutes and then the pushing stage by 23 minutes. It also decreased their c-section rate by 13 percentage points. If you're worried about the longer labor with the epidural-maybe see if you can find one of the peanut balls somewhere?</p> <p><a href="http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2011/09/04/20110904banner-health-peanut-ball-reinvent.html#ixzz1uVP27iDV" rel="nofollow">http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2011/09/04/20110904banner-health-peanut-ball-reinvent.html#ixzz1uVP27iDV</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298556 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:34:45 +0000 mediagirl 298556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My real contractions started at 4pm on Sunday. I labored at home until 5am on Monday. I got an epidural around 8 or 9am on Monday. Had the baby at almost Noon on Monday. So....natural for 13 hours at home, 3 hours at the hospital. I REALLY wanted that epi by the time I got it!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298545 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:29:47 +0000 lovehoneybee 298545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I labored at home for 21 hours, using a yoga ball and pacing the house when they started getting bad. </p> <p>I requested an epidural pretty much as soon as I was fully admitted and getting IV fluids. I was 5cm. I had it for 6hrs and dilated to 9cm, then it stopped working. I labored for another 2hrs without it before they gave me another one (which stopped working after about 2hrs, 1.5hrs into pushing). </p> <p>I went in knowing I'd probably want one, but had loosely planned on trying to go as long as possible without it. E was sunny-side up, though, and back labor was more than I could take, especially being so tired and throwing up from the pain. </p> <p>Because I labored at home until I was 5cm and then having the epi stop working I feel like I had a hybrid labor experience. I'm very grateful for it when I had it...I was able to rest. And I feel strongly that getting the second one kept me from getting a c-sec...my body was barely holding on after 2hrs of transition back labor. I needed to rest so I could have energy to push, which it gave me. Those 2hrs are blurry, but I was confined to the bed (which I was fine with). I got through them by sitting up, hunching over slightly, closing my eyes and blocking everything out but a focus on breathing and just getting through each one.</p> <p>The only regret I have was that my body apparently decided to reject them, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298539 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:28:15 +0000 heffalump 298539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started getting contractions at 10 pm. Contractions weren't bad at all at first, but they started getting close together very quick so I went to the hospital around 1 am because they were three minutes apart. I wasn't dilating so they sent me home around 3, and as soon as I got home they got bad bad bad. I didn't want to go back right away because I didn't want to get sent home again, so I tried to suck it up at home and get in the tub, but that didn't help at all for me. I was just wet and in pain. I knew all along I wanted an epi, and after having the labor pains I knew even more that I NEEDED it. I could not take that pain for much longer. </p> <p>So I went back to the hospital and by 5 am got admitted, I probably got my epi by 6. So for your questions. Do I feel like I got the experience of labor? Yes. I had to go from 10 pm to 6 am in some major pain. Did I want the experience of labor? No. I would have been much more happy skipping that part, but they don't let you do that. </p> <p>Did I use pain management techniques? I did try the warm tub and I did have to use some breathing. I have done a lot of biofeedback type things for my migraines so that came in handy. </p> <p>LO came at 2:09 pm so I did have a good amount of time to rest after I had the epidural which was nice, since I had been up all night in labor. </p> <p>I had no issues with pushing, and actually considered it very painful. You hear people say that even with the epi that there is a pressure so you know when to push.... but for me it was a very very painful pressure. I knew exactly when to push and I was the one telling the nurse that I was ready. I felt a lot more than I expected during the birth, even though I don't feel like the meds were wearing off at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298523 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:22:15 +0000 Honeybee 298523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: Intense, but I had short labors both times; from first contractions to birth was only 12 hours (6-ish of hard labor) both times, so I felt pretty lucky.</p> <p>I could feel pushing with both kids. DD's was easier because she was smaller; DS was almost a pound bigger than her, and his head was (and still is!) in the 95th percentile. I actually felt the reputed "ring of fire" with him; I felt DD's birth, but it was a lot less painful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298507 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:12:44 +0000 jedeve 298507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Honeybee: Wow! Sounds like an intense labor.</p> <p>That was another question I should've asked...how was pushing for you ladies who got an epi? Could you feel what was going on? Did you feel frustrated? Could you tell the moment of birth? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298468 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:44:37 +0000 Honeybee 298468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD (my first baby) - I really want to go med-free. I started having some contractions around 7/8 am, but they were very mild, so I was able to ignore them. At about 11:30 am my water broke; I called my husband to come get me, and by the time we made it to the hospital at around 12:30/1 pm, I was having strong contractions and throwing up frequently. Unfortunately, I was only 3 cms, so I couldn't be officially admitted. I labored for another hour and made it to 4 cms, at which point I was having very strong contractions 2 minutes long, 1 minute apart and throwing up with each one. I was surprised at how exhausting contractions were. I couldn't stand on my own, and I was very nauseous, so most of the pain management techniques I had planned on (movement, especially) went out the window. I asked for the epidural at that point, and when it was administered an hour later (4 pm-ish), I was 5 cms. I was complete at about 7 pm, labored down for an hour, and pushed DD out at 8:31 pm (30 minutes of pushing).</p> <p>DS (my second) - I knew I would get an epidural; my plan was to wait as long as possible before asking for it. I started having contractions at about 8/9 am that morning. They were very mild but immediately started out at 2 minutes long, 1 minute apart. We left for the hospital at about 2 pm (the contractions were still pretty manageable, but I knew I was definitely in labor at that point). When I got there I was still only 3 cms, so I spent an hour walking around. By my second check (3 pm) I was 4 cms. The pain was a lot worse and I was vomiting at that point, but I decided it was still managaeable, and held off asking for an epidural. About an hour later (4 pm) I asked for the epidural, and it took another hour (5 pm) for them to administer it. Immediately after the epidural, I was at 6 cms and my water broke. I was almost complete at 6:30 pm, but DS was posterior and he had to turn so I could finish dilating. I was complete at about 7:30 pm, and labored down for another hour (8:30 pm). I pushed DS out in about 30 minutes and he was born at 8:59 pm. He also had a giant head. :)</p> <p>With DD, I felt very guilty about getting an epidural. I felt like I was a wuss, or couldn't handle "real" birth. After a while, though, I realized that the epidural was absolutely necessary for me. I vomited A LOT with both labors, and b y the time my epidurals were administered, I was really exhausted and dehydrated (despite the IV). The epidural allowed me to rest and rehydrate and the rest of my labors were very short (about 4-ish hours between epidural and birth, both times), so I really feel like it was necessary for me to get those rest periods. Let's be honest, though: even with an epidural, labor is work. Laboring with an epidural is surely a lot easier than laboring without, but labor/birth is still tough, regadless of medication. Personally, my epidural was turned off towards the end both times, so I relied heavily on breathing, moaning, concentration, and my husband's support the last hour of my labor and during pushing. The epidural helped a lot, but it wasn't the free ride some people make it out to be. We hope to have another baby, and I'll absolutely have an epidural again. My plan will be the same as it was the second time around: hold out for as long as I can and then enjoy the few hours of rest the epidural brings. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298404 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:13:16 +0000 yin 298404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I labored for 18 hours before I asked for an epidural. I started labor at home around 10am and went to the hospital around midnight. I planned to go naturally for as long as possible and was open to having an epidural if I could no longer endure the pain. I was 7cm dilated when I was given the epidural, and I started pushing 7 hours later so it definitely slowed down my labor. I was able to move around my legs and felt the need to push once I reached 10cm. Even though the epidural did help me get through labor, I really wished I could have done without it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298303 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:21:11 +0000 twinmama 298303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was induced, but my total labor from the first drip of pitocin to delivery was 11 hours. I had the epi for the last 3 hours. The contractions were very mild at first, then very intense after my water broke for about 3 hours before I got the epi...1-2 minutes apart.</p> <p>I figured that I would need an epi since I was induced, but wanted to labor as long as possible without it. I definitely experienced labor. Even though I was only 4 cm when I got the epi, my contraction pattern was more like transition according to the nurses, so I got enough of the experience to satisfy me, without being miserable. I used breathing, rocking on a ball, and massage. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't stop tensing up and clenching the side of the bed during the big contractions....that's when I knew I needed the epi to help me relax and progress. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298250 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:49:32 +0000 mrsjazz 298250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How long did you labor without and then with drugs?<br /> I don't really know how long active labor was--I know that I began having contractions Sunday night and had my LO Monday evening. From the time my water broke (I guess I will consider that active) until I got the epi was 15 hours. After the epi I had a C-section in about an hour and a half.</p> <p>Did you labor at home first?<br /> I went to the birth center once my water broke because I was positive for Group-B strep and had to get antibiotics.</p> <p>Did you plan on getting an epi?<br /> I didn't plan on having an epi. I had to be talked into it! But they were pretty sure I was going to have a c-section so I got it.</p> <p>Do you feel like you got the experience of labor? Did you have to use pain management techniques before you got your epidural? </p> <p>I feel like I got to experience some of labor--but it never got intense for me. Sure, it was painful and I had to use pain management--was on the bouncing ball, meditation, my doula was reminding me to loosen up instead of tighten. My contractions went down to about 3 minutes apart before the epi. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298243 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:47:59 +0000 chopsuey 298243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I woke up to really bad contractions so I showered and headed to the hospital right away. Labored 8 hours without meds, 4 hours with epi. Baby was born exactly 12 hours after i felt my first contraction. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298227 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:38:33 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 298227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>II was induced with pitocin so my contractions came on hard and very close together (45 seconds apart). I used the birthing ball and my DH massaged me to manage pain. I asked for an epidural when I was at a 7 or 8 and had been laboring for 10 hours. DD was posterior so I had all back labor. My first epidural failed, I had to wait an hour for another epidural, and even then it didn't do much. It did help take some of the pain out of my back. I could still feel the contractions and when it was time to push. I was up and walking to the bathroom within an hour of giving birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298198 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:27:01 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 298198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a wuss when it comes to pain. I had bad period-like cramps for 2 hours before my water broke. Once my water broke, I could barely breathe while I had the contractions. By the time I got to the hospital, I asked for the epidural (I was only a 3!). So I really only labored for 3 hours before caving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298173 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:16:56 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 298173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Labored at home for 24 hours and in the hospital for about 5 or so more before I got my epidural at 7. The baby was OP, so epidural was pure bliss! But yes, I did experience labor in all of it's glory as well :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298170 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:15:00 +0000 Chastenet 298170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How long did you labor without and then with drugs? =&gt; I labored for 10 hours without drugs and then 1h45m with the epidural.</p> <p>Did you labor at home first? =&gt; I labored while out shopping with my mom and walking around (I live in Paris, so a good walking city) for 3 hours, then spent 2.5 hours sitting on a terrace having a drink with my mom and DH, then 2.5 hours at home then 2 hours at the hospital.</p> <p>Did you plan on getting an epi? No, my plan was to go all natural. I had to get the epidural when my blood pressure spiked to 210 in labor. I got it at 10 cm dilation, but needed it before pushing.</p> <p>Do you feel like you got the experience of labor? =&gt; Yes, I do feel like I got to experience labor. The only part I missed out on was pushing because I couldn't feel everything anymore due to the epi. But considering how painful the contractions were at the end I'm not sure that's such a bad thing :) That said I will try and forego the epidural next time.</p> <p>Did you have to use pain management techniques before you got your epidural? I used mostly walking, swaying, breathing slowly, visualization and trying to change positions. I had others in my play book, but I totally forgot about them when the time came. Things didn't get unbearable until my water broke at the hospital. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298165 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:13:47 +0000 luckypenny 298165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>17 hrs unmediated. 9 hrs with epi. Stayed at home for 10 hrs.<br /> Wanted natural birth but was so exhausted after being awake 24 hrs. Used birthing ball, tub, shower, different positions, relaxation techniques learned in Bradley method classes etc... Got a "walking epi" so I could still feel contractions and move my legs. Wasn't 100% pain free.<br /> Loved the whole experience (minus getting epi during severe contractions. How do they expect you to sit still?!?!) I'd do it again tomorrow </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-for-those-who-got-epis#post-298157 Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:01:52 +0000 jedeve 298157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How long did you labor naturally?</p> <p>I like the idea of natural childbirth, but because of a medical condition I have, I think I will probably have an epidural. But I read about natural childbirth and I want to employ some of the techniques for pain management as long as possible. But then again, when I read about natural childbirth, it makes it sound like everyone who got an epi just opted out of the pain and read magazines and ate bonbons for their whole labor!! I can't figure out what it would be like.</p> <p>So here's my questions:</p> <p>How long did you labor without and then with drugs? Did you labor at home first? Did you plan on getting an epi? Do you feel like you got the experience of labor? Did you have to use pain management techniques before you got your epidural? </p> <p>Thanks!!! </p>