Due to a spinal fusion I had in 2000 to correct severe scoliosis, I was told I'm not a candidate for an epidural. I got through labor with DS and am now 12 weeks with LO2.
I totally hated labor! I wish wish wish I could have had an epidural! I did not feel empowered or strong at all, I just felt like I was dying. Anyone else out there not able to have meds but wanted them?
pomegranate / 3643 posts
Mine didn't work if that counts. I'm sure wanting it makes it worse.
apricot / 444 posts
I kind of wanted one but it was too late! Does your delivery location have gas and air for pain relief? Might be worth looking for one that does--I think it's becoming more common? Also I dunno if you already did this but I found a few key pain management skills from prenatal yoga and childbirth class to be life saving! I genuinely believe I would have just keeled over and died without them... Even though I realize this is kind of nuts. 
pomegranate / 3768 posts
@knittylady: I had spinal fusion for scoliosis too and I was able to get the epideral! My doctor warned me that it might not work but it totally worked! I was so relieved. Can you talk to the anesthesiologist and see what your options are?
pomegranate / 3329 posts
I'm able to get them but they don't work well, well the second worked but not fully. They had to stick me 3 or 4 times with my 3rd and then it only worked on 1 side.
nectarine / 2994 posts
I'm not allowed one due to a bleeding disorder (huge risk of bleeding into the spine) I knew before I was pregnant that an epidural was out of the question. I ended up being induced but I never felt like I wanted one because I already knew I wasn't allowed one. Thankfully I didn't need a csection with lo because if I did I would've had to be put under general anesthetic and be asleep for lo's birth.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
My cousin couldn't have an epidural for medical reasons. She had to be induced as well. She said her labor was terrible.
kiwi / 729 posts
my 2nd came quickly so no time for an epidural! During the entire time, I was grunting like a hog...it was so attractive. I could only think about getting through each contraction and dreading the oncoming ones. But afterward, the recovery was SO much easier and I felt back to my old self in no time! (as compared with my first delivery with an epidural).
pomegranate / 3393 posts
I had borderline low platelet counts during pregnancy, so I was told there was a chance I wouldn't qualify for an epidural. When I was in labor, they said the count was ok and I could have one if I wanted, but by then I was pretty committed to the idea of not getting one, so I declined.
Does your hospital offer other pain management, like IV meds, gas, etc?
pineapple / 12526 posts
I was induced and mine failed 3 times. I did not have a good time.
If your hospital offers gas and air, do it! It's pretty fantastic. It's the only thing that got me through it.
pomegranate / 3212 posts
@dolphin: An anesthesiologist said my hardware was in the exact wrong place. 
@loveisstrange: @MoonMoon: @MJane: I'll totally ask about gas and air! Last time when I was screaming for all the drugs no one offered anything, but in retrospect I might have needed to ask specifically? not sure...
pineapple / 12526 posts
@knittylady: I was offered both narcotics and the gas and air. The narcotics is not something I would do again, they made me nauseous and out of it until they wore off. The gas and air.... well.... it's like getting really high. It doesn't take the pain away, but it makes you not care.
It might be worth taking some Bradley or hypnobirthing or something of the like classes to learn some natural pain management techniques too.
pomegranate / 3212 posts
@loveisstrange: I think that's good advice too. We skipped out on the childbirth class we signed up for because 5 minutes in it seemed so boring and unhelpful. And we're idiots. Maybe if i looked into a specific method instead of just the one the hospital does every month I'd be more into it. The one we went to was just: bring some socks if your feet get cold, make sure to bring tennis ball for your partner to rub on your back!
nectarine / 2631 posts
My first one didn't work- and my second only work for a couple hours then stopped. The option f having it and then it not working was terrible!
watermelon / 14467 posts
I did not want an epi and didn't have one, but there are things you can do to help reduce the pain. Things like walking through contractions, counterpressure, and water really helped me with the pain. Alternating positions helped as well, but the one thing that really helped was remembering that each contraction had an end and I would get a break.
persimmon / 1026 posts
I also couldn't have an epidural because of a spinal fusion, but I knew this beforehand as I met with an anesthesiologist when I was about 5 months pregnant to discuss options. They gave me an IV drug but it did nothing for me once I hit transition. I was basically screaming the entire time - the nurses I had were amazing in getting me through. For my next pregnancy I plan on taking a natural birth child class for more coping techniques!
pomegranate / 3393 posts
@knittylady: just to give my experience, I requested the narcotic option because I was having back to back contractions and back labor-I just needed some time to relax and catch my breath! Within a few minutes, I stopped feeling pain and was able to take a couple hour nap! It was so blissful, afterward I had the strength back to finish-and there were no effects on my baby when he was born, he was alert, nursed, etc.
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
My first experience included 3 failed epidurals, and my second went too far and became a spinal catheter. I am convinced my spine does not allow epidurals! But if I had to go through it again, I think I would definitely hire a doula who does a lot of hands-on support with counterpressure, etc.
coconut / 8279 posts
@knittylady: no personal experience but I do know what you mean about feeling totally out of control, I felt like that, like a seizure or something, total loss of function.
My best friend has had three babies, had the same procedure as you and the epidurals, according to her, were the worst part of labor and didn't take once they were in.
honeydew / 7586 posts
My epidural only partially took because of my scoliosis. So, I was numb on half of my body and felt everything on the other half. My pitocin drip was the highest the nurses had ever seen and my contractions were stacked on top of each other. It was brutal! If we were ever to have a second child I would hire a doula and skip the epidural.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
Hire a doula for labor support! I was induced and made it trough transition with mine before opting for my epidural. I lost all ability to think during labor and she was great in taking control and going "do this. Do that." And sending DH to get the nurse when my water broke or when I needed a heating pad etc.
Good luck! I think being prepared is ultra key
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
@MrsStar: Do you mind if I ask what bleeding disorder you have? I have ITP and so wasn't able to get an epidural either!
@Arden: Thanks for the shout-out, girlfriend!
@knittylady: I have ITP (low platelets), so I knew from the beginning that there was a possibility I wouldn't be able to get one, but I also knew there were drugs and other things that could boost your platelets enough to be able to have an epidural. I ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS planned on getting one. I have SUUUUUUUUCH a low tolerance for pain and am such a wuss! I found out at 36 weeks that my platelets were at 34K (need to be over 100K for an epidural), so I was put on a steroid to increase them. As soon as we got to the hospital and I had my blood drawn, I asked about my platelets and if they were high enough for an epidural! And every time the nurse came to check me, I asked! I wanted one so bad!! When they came back and told me my platelets were too low, I think I was in denial, haha, because I don't think I totally understood what it meant!
Now at almost a year out, I honestly can't remember how painful labor was. I KNOW it was painful - I remember crying and moaning. I remember telling my husband immediately after that I never wanted to do it again without an epidural and that the next time we got pregnant, I wanted to go on steroids immediately to get my platelets high enough. But now a year out - I honestly can't remember how much it hurt! I'm even considering that next time around, I won't even bother trying to get an epidural because I know that I CAN do it without. I also feel really empowered by the fact that I did it and made it through. Plus it's nice to not have to worry about any of the complications that CAN occur from epidurals (although they're rare).
But I hear you, girlfriend! Labor is PAINFUL and wanting an epidural and not being able to get one SUCKS! Hopefully labor a second time around is EASIER for you! 
nectarine / 2994 posts
@Adira: The offical diagnosis they gave me was Platelet Function Disorder - my blood doesn't have enough clotting factor and the platelets don't work how they should. My mum also has it. My first symptom of it was when I had my tonsils out when I was 9 and bled out and ended up in intensive care - almost died. Just hoping my daughter doesn't inherit it.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
@MrsStar: Yikes!! That sounds scarier than what I have! I have very few platelets, but the ones I do have seem to work just fine! I hope your daughter doesn't inherit it either!!!
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