if your epidural didn't work...

[Anonymous]

13:39 here.
Successful labour and delivery in the dark ages before medical advances saved countless mother and baby lives depended a lot on a women's support system, and whether she knew or was attended by someone who knew natural ways to cope with pain. Midwifes were revered by some, and burned as witches by others, for their special knowledge.

Those old techniques revived as Lamaze or Bradley etc, are your last defense against pain during childbirth. Educate yourselves, even if you are sure you are going to have a c-section or an epidural. Nothing changes the mind so much as being prepared.

[Anonymous]

I hope this is an idiotic question because otherwise I am really scared...as someone who has been told it will be a C-Section delivery no matter what -- what on EARTH do they do if the epidural doesn't work????

[Anonymous]

to 16:13--they can do general anesthesia or another form of pain relief--esp if a planned c section, it should be easy to have a consult to discuss your options.

[Anonymous]

16:13 here - thanks!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had one that did not initially work. It needed to be slightly repositioned. After repositioning, it worked beautifully.

I wanted an epidural for my second child as well, but he showed up way too fast and I had the "opportunity" to experience unmedicated childbirth. All I can say is...WHY would anyone want to go through that sort of pain? I did not feel like more of a woman or more of a mother or like I'd improved my second child's chance at having a supremely perfect life just because I went through a lot more pain during his birth than his older sibling's. Even though my first delivery required a "fix" on the epidural, I thought it was well worth it.

I for one, appreciate you sharing your story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wanted an epidural for my second child as well, but he showed up way too fast and I had the "opportunity" to experience unmedicated childbirth. All I can say is...WHY would anyone want to go through that sort of pain? I did not feel like more of a woman or more of a mother or like I'd improved my second child's chance at having a supremely perfect life just because I went through a lot more pain during his birth than his older sibling's. Even though my first delivery required a "fix" on the epidural, I thought it was well worth it.

Well, that was gratuitous. How about I won't judge/mock your choices, and you don't judge/mock mine? Thanks.

So I am not allowed to share my experiences? I have had it both ways, medicated and unmedicated, and this is my opinion. Bummer if you don't like it.

You didn't just share your experiences, you bashed mine.

Also, you didn't really have it "both" ways. I'm not the PP you're responding to but another one who posted and I can tell you that there is more to natural childbirth than just being some lady whose epidural didn't work.

FWIW, I have no judgment reserved for anyone's childbirth choices. Just don't appreciate the totally uncalled for mockery of my choice.

Also, you are the one who sounds defensive.

Like what? Is this competitive "natural" childbirthing, with varying levels of "naturalness"? Do you score points for wearing your own nightie, the number of pages of your birth plan, the number of births your doula has attended? Are you supposed to claim you enjoyed the pain in order to be a member of "natural" club?

Please, explain to me how the births of my children were unnatural, seeing as how I had an epidural for one and would have appreciated an epidural for the second.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wanted an epidural for my second child as well, but he showed up way too fast and I had the "opportunity" to experience unmedicated childbirth. All I can say is...WHY would anyone want to go through that sort of pain? I did not feel like more of a woman or more of a mother or like I'd improved my second child's chance at having a supremely perfect life just because I went through a lot more pain during his birth than his older sibling's. Even though my first delivery required a "fix" on the epidural, I thought it was well worth it.

Well, that was gratuitous. How about I won't judge/mock your choices, and you don't judge/mock mine? Thanks.

So I am not allowed to share my experiences? I have had it both ways, medicated and unmedicated, and this is my opinion. Bummer if you don't like it.

You didn't just share your experiences, you bashed mine.

Also, you didn't really have it "both" ways. I'm not the PP you're responding to but another one who posted and I can tell you that there is more to natural childbirth than just being some lady whose epidural didn't work.

FWIW, I have no judgment reserved for anyone's childbirth choices. Just don't appreciate the totally uncalled for mockery of my choice.

Also, you are the one who sounds defensive.

Like what? Is this competitive "natural" childbirthing, with varying levels of "naturalness"? Do you score points for wearing your own nightie, the number of pages of your birth plan, the number of births your doula has attended? Are you supposed to claim you enjoyed the pain in order to be a member of "natural" club?

Please, explain to me how the births of my children were unnatural, seeing as how I had an epidural for one and would have appreciated an epidural for the second.

Hey there, angry-lady-obviously-looking-for-a-fight, I'm sorry you want me to explain anything at all to you about your births, but that's not for me to do. They are yours to celebrate and define I hope you do. I'm not knocking anybody else's birth choice at all. I just didn't appreciate your knocking MINE. Your first message had a derisive tone towards those who chose to go natural (and when I say the word natural, I mean the medical definition of natural childbirth - IE. no drugs). So don't act like you didn't fire the first (totally unnecessary) shot.

BTW, I didn't use a doula, didn't wear my own nightie, and while I didn't enjoy the pain (thought it WAS manageable) I did enjoy my birth, very much! I also have loads of friends who had epidurals and that worked for them, so that's cool too. When I said there is more to "natural" childbirth, I meant that preparing for it (intellectually, physically, emotionally) is different from going into it planning to have an epidural and then having it fail to work. That's not better or worse, it's just a little bit different than going into it confident that your body can do what it needs to do without drugs and having prepared yourself with coping strategies. No harm no foul if drugs were your coping strategy - everybody's different. I really don't care! The only reason I challenged your post is that you were rude and mocked those of us who had a natural childbirth. Maybe next time back off with the inflammatory stuff, okay? Now let's both let OP have her thread back, shall we? It was uncalled for.

(sorry OP).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wanted an epidural for my second child as well, but he showed up way too fast and I had the "opportunity" to experience unmedicated childbirth. All I can say is...WHY would anyone want to go through that sort of pain? I did not feel like more of a woman or more of a mother or like I'd improved my second child's chance at having a supremely perfect life just because I went through a lot more pain during his birth than his older sibling's. Even though my first delivery required a "fix" on the epidural, I thought it was well worth it.

Well, that was gratuitous. How about I won't judge/mock your choices, and you don't judge/mock mine? Thanks.

So I am not allowed to share my experiences? I have had it both ways, medicated and unmedicated, and this is my opinion. Bummer if you don't like it.

You didn't just share your experiences, you bashed mine.

Also, you didn't really have it "both" ways. I'm not the PP you're responding to but another one who posted and I can tell you that there is more to natural childbirth than just being some lady whose epidural didn't work.

FWIW, I have no judgment reserved for anyone's childbirth choices. Just don't appreciate the totally uncalled for mockery of my choice.

Also, you are the one who sounds defensive.

Like what? Is this competitive "natural" childbirthing, with varying levels of "naturalness"? Do you score points for wearing your own nightie, the number of pages of your birth plan, the number of births your doula has attended? Are you supposed to claim you enjoyed the pain in order to be a member of "natural" club?

Please, explain to me how the births of my children were unnatural, seeing as how I had an epidural for one and would have appreciated an epidural for the second.

Hey there, angry-lady-obviously-looking-for-a-fight, I'm sorry you want me to explain anything at all to you about your births, but that's not for me to do. They are yours to celebrate and define I hope you do. I'm not knocking anybody else's birth choice at all. I just didn't appreciate your knocking MINE. Your first message had a derisive tone towards those who chose to go natural (and when I say the word natural, I mean the medical definition of natural childbirth - IE. no drugs). So don't act like you didn't fire the first (totally unnecessary) shot.

BTW, I didn't use a doula, didn't wear my own nightie, and while I didn't enjoy the pain (thought it WAS manageable) I did enjoy my birth, very much! I also have loads of friends who had epidurals and that worked for them, so that's cool too. When I said there is more to "natural" childbirth, I meant that preparing for it (intellectually, physically, emotionally) is different from going into it planning to have an epidural and then having it fail to work. That's not better or worse, it's just a little bit different than going into it confident that your body can do what it needs to do without drugs and having prepared yourself with coping strategies. No harm no foul if drugs were your coping strategy - everybody's different. I really don't care! The only reason I challenged your post is that you were rude and mocked those of us who had a natural childbirth. Maybe next time back off with the inflammatory stuff, okay? Now let's both let OP have her thread back, shall we? It was uncalled for.

(sorry OP).

Not looking for a fight, not angry, and really, didn't intend to fire a first shot. But then I was attacked for stating my opinion. And then told that MY unmedicated birth was something less than natural. Sorry, how should I have interpreted that? My original answer to the OP stands. Had an epidural, didn't work, got fixed, all better; second kid, no epidural, and my opinion (despite having taken childbirth preparation classes, and being "confident in my body", blah blah blah) was exactly what I stated: WHY go through the pain unnecessarily? I certainly didn't enjoy it, and I do not personally understand the arms race of motherhood that necessitates mothers suffering unnecessarily to demonstrate their super mothering abilities. That's my opinion. Take it as an attack if you wish. I will continue to say that based on my own experiences of having had both a (nearly) pain free labor with an epidural and a very painful labor without an epidural, I would vote for the epidural. I didn't view the unmedicated birth as any special accomplishment or opportunity to add a mommy badge, so when asked on a thread about "if your epidural didn't work" what my experience was, I shared it.

[Anonymous]

NP here. A natural birth is not a badge, but rather an experience. It didn't have anything to my ability to mother. It was about my own preferences for my own reasons. I've also had a medicated and unmedicated delivery. No one is trying to tell you what your delivery choice should be. What I find offensive about your posts is your ridiculous assertion that someone who chooses to birth naturally does so to prove something or one-up someone else. I didn't find it all that painful, it wasn't even bad until the last 15 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. A natural birth is not a badge, but rather an experience. It didn't have anything to my ability to mother. It was about my own preferences for my own reasons. I've also had a medicated and unmedicated delivery. No one is trying to tell you what your delivery choice should be. What I find offensive about your posts is your ridiculous assertion that someone who chooses to birth naturally does so to prove something or one-up someone else. I didn't find it all that painful, it wasn't even bad until the last 15 minutes.

And your posting is helpful to the OP, how? You, of the natural birth persuasion, came on a thread about epidurals and got offended by someone saying they wouldn't want to do it without it. Someone here is looking for a fight and it certainly isn't the other poster.

OP, I had the same worry as you about the epidural. Right after mine was put in, it worked perfectly. Then, later when the doctor examined me, he did something that hurt (not sure what). They called the anesthesiologist right back in to adjust it. It was fine right after. And delivery was a breeze. If there's a problem with your epidural they will try to fix it right away. Chances are you won't have any issues though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. A natural birth is not a badge, but rather an experience. It didn't have anything to my ability to mother. It was about my own preferences for my own reasons. I've also had a medicated and unmedicated delivery. No one is trying to tell you what your delivery choice should be. What I find offensive about your posts is your ridiculous assertion that someone who chooses to birth naturally does so to prove something or one-up someone else. I didn't find it all that painful, it wasn't even bad until the last 15 minutes.

And your posting is helpful to the OP, how? You, of the natural birth persuasion, came on a thread about epidurals and got offended by someone saying they wouldn't want to do it without it. Someone here is looking for a fight and it certainly isn't the other poster.

OP, I had the same worry as you about the epidural. Right after mine was put in, it worked perfectly. Then, later when the doctor examined me, he did something that hurt (not sure what). They called the anesthesiologist right back in to adjust it. It was fine right after. And delivery was a breeze. If there's a problem with your epidural they will try to fix it right away. Chances are you won't have any issues though.

I thought I was pretty clear about what I found offensive. I don't really care if someone else chooses to have an epidural. Your assumption is asinine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. A natural birth is not a badge, but rather an experience. It didn't have anything to my ability to mother. It was about my own preferences for my own reasons. I've also had a medicated and unmedicated delivery. No one is trying to tell you what your delivery choice should be. What I find offensive about your posts is your ridiculous assertion that someone who chooses to birth naturally does so to prove something or one-up someone else. I didn't find it all that painful, it wasn't even bad until the last 15 minutes.

And your posting is helpful to the OP, how? You, of the natural birth persuasion, came on a thread about epidurals and got offended by someone saying they wouldn't want to do it without it. Someone here is looking for a fight and it certainly isn't the other poster.

OP, I had the same worry as you about the epidural. Right after mine was put in, it worked perfectly. Then, later when the doctor examined me, he did something that hurt (not sure what). They called the anesthesiologist right back in to adjust it. It was fine right after. And delivery was a breeze. If there's a problem with your epidural they will try to fix it right away. Chances are you won't have any issues though.

I thought I was pretty clear about what I found offensive. I don't really care if someone else chooses to have an epidural. Your assumption is asinine.

Who cares what you found offensive on a thread of which you have nothing to contribute to the OP? Or maybe you do. What can you tell the OP about your experience with an epidural not working? That's why you opened the thread right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. A natural birth is not a badge, but rather an experience. It didn't have anything to my ability to mother. It was about my own preferences for my own reasons. I've also had a medicated and unmedicated delivery. No one is trying to tell you what your delivery choice should be. What I find offensive about your posts is your ridiculous assertion that someone who chooses to birth naturally does so to prove something or one-up someone else. I didn't find it all that painful, it wasn't even bad until the last 15 minutes.

And your posting is helpful to the OP, how? You, of the natural birth persuasion, came on a thread about epidurals and got offended by someone saying they wouldn't want to do it without it. Someone here is looking for a fight and it certainly isn't the other poster.

OP, I had the same worry as you about the epidural. Right after mine was put in, it worked perfectly. Then, later when the doctor examined me, he did something that hurt (not sure what). They called the anesthesiologist right back in to adjust it. It was fine right after. And delivery was a breeze. If there's a problem with your epidural they will try to fix it right away. Chances are you won't have any issues though.

I thought I was pretty clear about what I found offensive. I don't really care if someone else chooses to have an epidural. Your assumption is asinine.

Who cares what you found offensive on a thread of which you have nothing to contribute to the OP? Or maybe you do. What can you tell the OP about your experience with an epidural not working? That's why you opened the thread right?

I personally (not the poster you are addressing) opened the thread to share some natural coping strategies that helped me with my birth, which I had planned to do naturally but get an epi if I needed it. I think women can help one another out no matter what type of birth they planned on having by sharing stories about what worked. I have no problem with someone stating what worked for them, but that first post was rude. If it was you who wrote it, you have to know that. If you're that person again, why keep at it? You're just trying to fight with everyone when nobody is bashing your choices one bit! Why not go back and reread your post honestly and try to realize why you were offensive to many. I always think it is so funny when I hear that we "natural birth club" or whatever the other poster called it are given the rap of being judgmental. In my experience, it's often the other way around. I only share my natural childbirth story in order to try to encourage others that it is possible and beautiful. What do I have to gain by judging someone who doesn't see the benefit or doesn't want to do it without it? Go back and read the thread, the first objection was not to someone not wanting to do without it. The objections were to her smarmy, belittling little comments about us weirdos who want a mommy badge because we went naturally. Anyway, don't sit there and say there is no benefit simply because YOU can't understand why somebody else sees a benefit in doing it naturally.

If that was too long for anyone, here's the one line translation. I don't give a CRAP about how you gave birth, but don't shoot holes in something I did for my own reasons and found very beautiful and don't assume you know why I did it, and don't call it pointless, which is essentially what the first poster did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wanted an epidural for my second child as well, but he showed up way too fast and I had the "opportunity" to experience unmedicated childbirth. All I can say is...WHY would anyone want to go through that sort of pain? I did not feel like more of a woman or more of a mother or like I'd improved my second child's chance at having a supremely perfect life just because I went through a lot more pain during his birth than his older sibling's. Even though my first delivery required a "fix" on the epidural, I thought it was well worth it.

Well, that was gratuitous. How about I won't judge/mock your choices, and you don't judge/mock mine? Thanks.

So I am not allowed to share my experiences? I have had it both ways, medicated and unmedicated, and this is my opinion. Bummer if you don't like it.

You didn't just share your experiences, you bashed mine.

Also, you didn't really have it "both" ways. I'm not the PP you're responding to but another one who posted and I can tell you that there is more to natural childbirth than just being some lady whose epidural didn't work.

FWIW, I have no judgment reserved for anyone's childbirth choices. Just don't appreciate the totally uncalled for mockery of my choice.

Also, you are the one who sounds defensive.

Get a grip. The first poster didn't single you out; she doesn't even know who you are. Do you take everything so personally?

[Anonymous]

"Get a grip" is such an annoying phrase. Someone on here who uses it all of the time. Are you the same person using it in multiple posts? I can't imagine that more than one of you use such an outdated and annoying phrase.

It's second only to _____, much? as the single-most annoying thing people say on DCUM.