"Rng of Fire" during crowning - do you feel it with an epidural?

[Anonymous]

Never had an epidural, but OP probably received enough info about those from other PPs.

I was not prepared for the emergency birth of DC1, on pitocin but no epidural, and suffered through the worst pain of my life when he crowned and I tore.

BUT, since I would rather not medicate my babies as they come into this world, I have prepared as much as possible for a natural childbirth this time around. No pitocin! From my research, I understand the pain might still occur - but my mental processing of this pain will be positive, and therefore I anticipate it will be a enjoyable experience!

[Anonymous]

I might be in the minority, but I didn't think that the ring of fire was all that bad. I didn't have an epidural. I definitely felt it -- it was like an incredibly intense burning. When it happened I just thought -- "Oh, this is the ring of fire that they talk about. It really does burn!". When I felt it, I got really excited, because I knew that it meant the baby was crowning and would be born in a few more pushes! I also had the presence of mind to push into the pain, knowing that it would all be over soon. Also, I had Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" going on in my head.

[Anonymous]

Had an epidural both times, it didnt really work with #1 though. Felt the "ring of fire" both times. It made my pushing much quicker bc I was deperate for it to stop hurting! (only pushed for like 15 mins)

[Anonymous]

I felt it with DD#2. I had an epidural but we had "turned it down" so I could get more feeling to push effectively. Didn't feel a thing with #1 which is probably why my then OB did an episotomy.

[Anonymous]

OP, have you considered perineal massage? Both in the weeks leading up to delivery and, if you can get a nurse who will support you, having someone due it while you crown can be helpful with the ring of fire, not just with tearing.


(and 13:40, I like your enthusiasm and I too am pro-natural-birth but the part you wrote about not medicating your babies just not relevant to OP's question. This is why some people find pro-nats annoying.)

[Anonymous]

I've a birth with an epidural and one without. The burning sensation was only with the natural birth. There was a lot of pressure and other types of pain with the epidural, but no burning. It wasn't that intense, though we probably all feel it a little differently. It was definitely not as bad as the contractions.

[Anonymous]

I had two epidurals. With my first, I did feel a mild burning but it wasn't too bad. With my second, I realllly felt the ring of fire. It was painful and it burned, but like other posters have said - you know you are at the end so you don't even care. My epidural with #2 didn't work that well at all, though - I could have gotten up and walked around, it was that bad.

[Anonymous]

I had an epidural and no pain. Just pressure that helped me know when to push. And I definitely did not feel any "ring of fire" moment during crowning. I had a small episotomy (1 or 2 stitches) that helped things along and healed beautifully. Great experience and outcome for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never had an epidural, but OP probably received enough info about those from other PPs.

I was not prepared for the emergency birth of DC1, on pitocin but no epidural, and suffered through the worst pain of my life when he crowned and I tore.

BUT, since I would rather not medicate my babies as they come into this world, I have prepared as much as possible for a natural childbirth this time around. No pitocin! From my research, I understand the pain might still occur - but my mental processing of this pain will be positive, and therefore I anticipate it will be a enjoyable experience!

That's great. I think you should be awarded 'mother of the year'. I'm already standing and applauding you.

[Anonymous]

just wanted to say i have found this thread very interesting! i did not have epidurals for my births so it was enlightening to hear how that moment just before birth felt to others!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
(and 13:40, I like your enthusiasm and I too am pro-natural-birth but the part you wrote about not medicating your babies just not relevant to OP's question. This is why some people find pro-nats annoying.)

13:40 here. Why would my comment be annoying? I understand that epidurals can help relax tense labours that do not progress on their own, can help ease mothers with complicated deliveries, or the ones that needed interventions, etc...
Each mother balances the pros and cons and her choice must be respected. What I wish for is better prior information on their part, and better education and training on the OB/nurse part, because I suspect the rate of all interventions in hospital births would decrease significantly in the US, with no increase in negative outcomes for mothers and their babies. Like in the Netherlands, for example.

Sorry OP for getting off the subject!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you get an epidural, do you feel what has been referred to as the "ring of fire" when the baby is crowning? Or is the "ring of fire" for natural childbirths only[b]?

I can't speak for moms who opted for an epidural, but I can speak from my own no-drug birth experience to tell you that it is very painful - it's intense b/c of all the stretching and tearing as the baby passes through. Some moms have a higher pain threshold, some doc. pour baby shampoo on the area, some doc. do episiotomies...ask your doctor about the pros/cons of the options.

[Anonymous]

Let me first say that I LOVED my epidural, but unlike most of the other PPs, I felt the "ring of fire." I'm not sure why you're asking, but if it's because you are nervous about that aspect, don't. It lasts only a few seconds or very short minutes (my concept of time went out the window). The reason I loved my epidural is that it took away the pain of contractions, but I still felt pressure and the sensation of the baby coming out. Yep, it hurt like all hell, but it was the right combo for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
(and 13:40, I like your enthusiasm and I too am pro-natural-birth but the part you wrote about not medicating your babies just not relevant to OP's question. This is why some people find pro-nats annoying.)

13:40 here. Why would my comment be annoying? I understand that epidurals can help relax tense labours that do not progress on their own, can help ease mothers with complicated deliveries, or the ones that needed interventions, etc...
Each mother balances the pros and cons and her choice must be respected. What I wish for is better prior information on their part, and better education and training on the OB/nurse part, because I suspect the rate of all interventions in hospital births would decrease significantly in the US, with no increase in negative outcomes for mothers and their babies. Like in the Netherlands, for example.

Sorry OP for getting off the subject!

As you can see from 20:20's response, someone did find it annoying and I doubt she was alone. You could have easily shared your experience and then said you planned on having a natural birth next time and were preparing for it in other ways without the "because I don't want to medicate my babies" comment, which suggests other women DO want to medicate their babies. Again, I am pro-nat birth but come on. You have to see that this part was unnecessary, not relevant to the post, and potentially off putting to women who want epidurals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the responses. I felt the ring of fire with #1 and HAD an epidural, but I think it either wasn't done right, was done too early, or was turned too far down. Like 10:40 said, it was the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life! I am hoping with #2 that I DON'T feel the ring of fire and the epidural works better this time!

This was my experience as well. Maybe something was wrong with my epidural, but the pain was terrible. However, I also had a big old baby - 9 lbs!