At what point during labor did you get an epidural?

[Anonymous]

OP - is your initial J and you are expecting a boy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in no way, shape, or form anti-epidural-- my dad is an anesthesiologist and spent 9 months telling me how great it would feel to have one. My plan was the same as yours- get an epidural when I needed it. Come labor time, I ended up going pretty fast for a FTM (total labor was about 4.5 hours), and by the time I got to the hospital and was begging for the epi, the anesthesiologist was busy with a C-section. I was ready to push before he was done, so I did it all without an epi. . . without any plans for "going natural." It was not nearly as bad as I would have thought (but I was lucky b/c it didn't last too long!).

It did leave me wishing I had done a little reading / prep for "natural birth"-- so, I tell you my story to recommend that, if you have time, you look over some "natural" pain management techniques & coping methods.

I'm planning on going "natural" this time IF labor is fast again, but if it gets unbearable or is slow, I definitely won't hesitate to ask for an epidural. (My dad remains disappointed that I did not get to feel the wonder of the epidural and has high hopes that I will have a longer labor/get one. . . umm, not sure I share that hope!)

Good luck, OP!

OP here - thanks for sharing your story. It is good to hear going natural was not as bad as you thought. I have family members and friends who have had good natural childbirth experiences. Knowing I will be induced (tomorrow!) and have the strong pitocin contractions, I am feeling extra wimpy and looking forward to the epi, though I know that is not guaranteed to work. That is pretty funny about your father hoping for a longer labor requiring an epidural - you would think that he had experienced the joy of one! Thanks again for sharing!

OP, I don't mean to be critical, but as you are being induced and planning to have an epidural immediately you will with almost 100 percent certainty have a C-section. I would love for you to come back here in a few days and tell me that I am wrong, but I have seen this play out again and again in the DC area. You will definitely have a C-section with that mind set. You will probably also be convinced that it was necessary in your case (after all, the baby was in distress for example, but the baby will only have become distressed because of what has happened at the hospital).

Nope - induced w/epi here, had a vaginal delivery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With my first pregnancy I asked for and got the epidural as soon as the pain got fairly intense. I think that was around 5 cm but I'm not sure. I "labored" for another 5 hours or so and then pushed for an hour. But the 5 hours of "laboring" were great. I spent the afternoon watching Millionaire Matchmaking and napping, and had a totally pain free birth.

I fully intended to have an epidural with my second child too, but labor progressed very quickly. I'd only been contracting for an hour or so when I went to the hospital, but I was already 4-5 cm. I told them I wanted an epidural right away, but intake took some time, then they had to wait to get some IV fluids in me. In the meantime the contractions got worse and worse, and before I knew it I was telling the doctor I needed to push. She checked me again and though I'd only been at the hospital for about an hour I was already fully dilated. A few pushes later and the baby was out.

I never thought I'd go the unmedicated route, as I have a low pain tolerance and see no reason to endure pain unnecessarily, but it really was okay. And the contractions are far worse than the pushing, which I didn't realize. I tell you this just in case you find yourself in a situation where you can't get an epidural.

On another note, my recovery from my epidural birth was very slow. It took a good six weeks before I felt back to normal; I was in some serious pain during that period. Whereas with my non medicated birth, I feel fine now just a week later. So all told the total amount of pain was way more with the epidural than without. Just saying.

Good luck! Whatever happens, you'll survive and get a baby at the end.

Recovery from subsequent vaginal deliveries are usually easier than the first one, epi or not.

[Anonymous]

Epidural was the most amazing thing. Cervadil was super nasty for me. Bore pain for 5 hrs. Then epidural just before pitocin. Thank god took 9 hrs after that for baby.

[Anonymous]

When the pinched nerve in my hip caused me to completely lose feeling in one leg - if I'm going to be bed-bound just like with an epidural, I should at least get the pain relief that comes with the epidural! I was at 5 cm at the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

OP, I don't mean to be critical, but as you are being induced and planning to have an epidural immediately you will with almost 100 percent certainty have a C-section. I would love for you to come back here in a few days and tell me that I am wrong, but I have seen this play out again and again in the DC area. You will definitely have a C-section with that mind set. You will probably also be convinced that it was necessary in your case (after all, the baby was in distress for example, but the baby will only have become distressed because of what has happened at the hospital).

Well, I and several others I know must be in the magic less than "almost 100 percent" because this wasn't true for us. But of course I "don't mean to be critical," PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

OP, I don't mean to be critical, but as you are being induced and planning to have an epidural immediately you will with almost 100 percent certainty have a C-section. I would love for you to come back here in a few days and tell me that I am wrong, but I have seen this play out again and again in the DC area. You will definitely have a C-section with that mind set. You will probably also be convinced that it was necessary in your case (after all, the baby was in distress for example, but the baby will only have become distressed because of what has happened at the hospital).

Well, I and several others I know must be in the magic less than "almost 100 percent" because this wasn't true for us. But of course I "don't mean to be critical," PP.

I wasn't talking about you or the PPs but about the OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in no way, shape, or form anti-epidural-- my dad is an anesthesiologist and spent 9 months telling me how great it would feel to have one. My plan was the same as yours- get an epidural when I needed it. Come labor time, I ended up going pretty fast for a FTM (total labor was about 4.5 hours), and by the time I got to the hospital and was begging for the epi, the anesthesiologist was busy with a C-section. I was ready to push before he was done, so I did it all without an epi. . . without any plans for "going natural." It was not nearly as bad as I would have thought (but I was lucky b/c it didn't last too long!).

It did leave me wishing I had done a little reading / prep for "natural birth"-- so, I tell you my story to recommend that, if you have time, you look over some "natural" pain management techniques & coping methods.

I'm planning on going "natural" this time IF labor is fast again, but if it gets unbearable or is slow, I definitely won't hesitate to ask for an epidural. (My dad remains disappointed that I did not get to feel the wonder of the epidural and has high hopes that I will have a longer labor/get one. . . umm, not sure I share that hope!)

Good luck, OP!

OP here - thanks for sharing your story. It is good to hear going natural was not as bad as you thought. I have family members and friends who have had good natural childbirth experiences. Knowing I will be induced (tomorrow!) and have the strong pitocin contractions, I am feeling extra wimpy and looking forward to the epi, though I know that is not guaranteed to work. That is pretty funny about your father hoping for a longer labor requiring an epidural - you would think that he had experienced the joy of one! Thanks again for sharing!

OP, I don't mean to be critical, but as you are being induced and planning to have an epidural immediately you will with almost 100 percent certainty have a C-section. I would love for you to come back here in a few days and tell me that I am wrong, but I have seen this play out again and again in the DC area. You will definitely have a C-section with that mind set. You will probably also be convinced that it was necessary in your case (after all, the baby was in distress for example, but the baby will only have become distressed because of what has happened at the hospital).

I am actually just weighing my options right now and wanting to hear everyone's experiences before I decide when to have the epidural. Two of my sisters were induced and had epidurals early into their labor and did not have c-sections. I understand epidurals can slow/stop labor especially during inductions. That is why I wanted to hear everyone's experiences. I will try to check back in and let everyone know how it went in a few days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in no way, shape, or form anti-epidural-- my dad is an anesthesiologist and spent 9 months telling me how great it would feel to have one. My plan was the same as yours- get an epidural when I needed it. Come labor time, I ended up going pretty fast for a FTM (total labor was about 4.5 hours), and by the time I got to the hospital and was begging for the epi, the anesthesiologist was busy with a C-section. I was ready to push before he was done, so I did it all without an epi. . . without any plans for "going natural." It was not nearly as bad as I would have thought (but I was lucky b/c it didn't last too long!).

It did leave me wishing I had done a little reading / prep for "natural birth"-- so, I tell you my story to recommend that, if you have time, you look over some "natural" pain management techniques & coping methods.

I'm planning on going "natural" this time IF labor is fast again, but if it gets unbearable or is slow, I definitely won't hesitate to ask for an epidural. (My dad remains disappointed that I did not get to feel the wonder of the epidural and has high hopes that I will have a longer labor/get one. . . umm, not sure I share that hope!)

Good luck, OP!

OP here - thanks for sharing your story. It is good to hear going natural was not as bad as you thought. I have family members and friends who have had good natural childbirth experiences. Knowing I will be induced (tomorrow!) and have the strong pitocin contractions, I am feeling extra wimpy and looking forward to the epi, though I know that is not guaranteed to work. That is pretty funny about your father hoping for a longer labor requiring an epidural - you would think that he had experienced the joy of one! Thanks again for sharing!

J/K has your dad had an epidural? If not (and yes, it IS possible for him to have had one), how does he know what it feels like?

[Anonymous]

I planned on getting one if I needed pitocin and after 27 hours and otherwise managing as long as possible. My mom said in her day, epidurals weren't really available before you hit 5 cm, so I guess I took that as my target - they seemed to get better outcomes at the time so I figured it was better than getting one asap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

OP, I don't mean to be critical, but as you are being induced and planning to have an epidural immediately you will with almost 100 percent certainty have a C-section. I would love for you to come back here in a few days and tell me that I am wrong, but I have seen this play out again and again in the DC area. You will definitely have a C-section with that mind set. You will probably also be convinced that it was necessary in your case (after all, the baby was in distress for example, but the baby will only have become distressed because of what has happened at the hospital).

Well, I and several others I know must be in the magic less than "almost 100 percent" because this wasn't true for us. But of course I "don't mean to be critical," PP.

You know, it is actually possible to offer well-meaning advice without getting snarky. Your anecdotal data is not any more or less valid than the PP you're disagreeing with.

For the record, I've seen it go BOTH of y'all's way. I think the PP up thread who suggested at least reading up a bit on pain management techniques in case of epidural failure or fast labor was spot on.

[Anonymous]

I was induced at 41.5 weeks. About an hour after starting pitocin, my water was broken. I'd planned to go without meds but about two hours later I asked for an epidural. I hadn't been checked in those two hours and after the epi was started, I found out I was 9 cm dilated. I do wish that I had either gotten it earlier or not at all. I ended up with a c- section after 2 hours of pushing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in no way, shape, or form anti-epidural-- my dad is an anesthesiologist and spent 9 months telling me how great it would feel to have one. My plan was the same as yours- get an epidural when I needed it. Come labor time, I ended up going pretty fast for a FTM (total labor was about 4.5 hours), and by the time I got to the hospital and was begging for the epi, the anesthesiologist was busy with a C-section. I was ready to push before he was done, so I did it all without an epi. . . without any plans for "going natural." It was not nearly as bad as I would have thought (but I was lucky b/c it didn't last too long!).

It did leave me wishing I had done a little reading / prep for "natural birth"-- so, I tell you my story to recommend that, if you have time, you look over some "natural" pain management techniques & coping methods.

I'm planning on going "natural" this time IF labor is fast again, but if it gets unbearable or is slow, I definitely won't hesitate to ask for an epidural. (My dad remains disappointed that I did not get to feel the wonder of the epidural and has high hopes that I will have a longer labor/get one. . . umm, not sure I share that hope!)

Good luck, OP!

OP here - thanks for sharing your story. It is good to hear going natural was not as bad as you thought. I have family members and friends who have had good natural childbirth experiences. Knowing I will be induced (tomorrow!) and have the strong pitocin contractions, I am feeling extra wimpy and looking forward to the epi, though I know that is not guaranteed to work. That is pretty funny about your father hoping for a longer labor requiring an epidural - you would think that he had experienced the joy of one! Thanks again for sharing!

OP, I don't mean to be critical, but as you are being induced and planning to have an epidural immediately you will with almost 100 percent certainty have a C-section. I would love for you to come back here in a few days and tell me that I am wrong, but I have seen this play out again and again in the DC area. You will definitely have a C-section with that mind set. You will probably also be convinced that it was necessary in your case (after all, the baby was in distress for example, but the baby will only have become distressed because of what has happened at the hospital).

I am actually just weighing my options right now and wanting to hear everyone's experiences before I decide when to have the epidural. Two of my sisters were induced and had epidurals early into their labor and did not have c-sections. I understand epidurals can slow/stop labor especially during inductions. That is why I wanted to hear everyone's experiences. I will try to check back in and let everyone know how it went in a few days.

I was induced and had the epidural about an hour, maybe two, after the pitocin. I had the baby 8 hours later, vaginally, with no additional intervention necessary. I pushed for 7 minutes and baby came right out. However, I was in pretty good shape before the pitocin was administered- my water had broken that morning (or was at least leaking, my water bag had to be fully broken when I arrived) and was at least a few cm dilated, so maybe that is why it was successful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in no way, shape, or form anti-epidural-- my dad is an anesthesiologist and spent 9 months telling me how great it would feel to have one. My plan was the same as yours- get an epidural when I needed it. Come labor time, I ended up going pretty fast for a FTM (total labor was about 4.5 hours), and by the time I got to the hospital and was begging for the epi, the anesthesiologist was busy with a C-section. I was ready to push before he was done, so I did it all without an epi. . . without any plans for "going natural." It was not nearly as bad as I would have thought (but I was lucky b/c it didn't last too long!).

It did leave me wishing I had done a little reading / prep for "natural birth"-- so, I tell you my story to recommend that, if you have time, you look over some "natural" pain management techniques & coping methods.

I'm planning on going "natural" this time IF labor is fast again, but if it gets unbearable or is slow, I definitely won't hesitate to ask for an epidural. (My dad remains disappointed that I did not get to feel the wonder of the epidural and has high hopes that I will have a longer labor/get one. . . umm, not sure I share that hope!)

Good luck, OP!

OP here - thanks for sharing your story. It is good to hear going natural was not as bad as you thought. I have family members and friends who have had good natural childbirth experiences. Knowing I will be induced (tomorrow!) and have the strong pitocin contractions, I am feeling extra wimpy and looking forward to the epi, though I know that is not guaranteed to work. That is pretty funny about your father hoping for a longer labor requiring an epidural - you would think that he had experienced the joy of one! Thanks again for sharing!

PP here- You are definitely NOT a wimp if you get an epidural! Especially if you have to have pitocin contractions. I'm not sure why there's so much debate / division around delivery method/pain relief/ etc. anyway. No matter how it goes, how exciting-- tomorrow!! Congrats, and best wishes for a healthy baby & mom!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in no way, shape, or form anti-epidural-- my dad is an anesthesiologist and spent 9 months telling me how great it would feel to have one. My plan was the same as yours- get an epidural when I needed it. Come labor time, I ended up going pretty fast for a FTM (total labor was about 4.5 hours), and by the time I got to the hospital and was begging for the epi, the anesthesiologist was busy with a C-section. I was ready to push before he was done, so I did it all without an epi. . . without any plans for "going natural." It was not nearly as bad as I would have thought (but I was lucky b/c it didn't last too long!).

It did leave me wishing I had done a little reading / prep for "natural birth"-- so, I tell you my story to recommend that, if you have time, you look over some "natural" pain management techniques & coping methods.

I'm planning on going "natural" this time IF labor is fast again, but if it gets unbearable or is slow, I definitely won't hesitate to ask for an epidural. (My dad remains disappointed that I did not get to feel the wonder of the epidural and has high hopes that I will have a longer labor/get one. . . umm, not sure I share that hope!)

Good luck, OP!

OP here - thanks for sharing your story. It is good to hear going natural was not as bad as you thought. I have family members and friends who have had good natural childbirth experiences. Knowing I will be induced (tomorrow!) and have the strong pitocin contractions, I am feeling extra wimpy and looking forward to the epi, though I know that is not guaranteed to work. That is pretty funny about your father hoping for a longer labor requiring an epidural - you would think that he had experienced the joy of one! Thanks again for sharing!

J/K has your dad had an epidural? If not (and yes, it IS possible for him to have had one), how does he know what it feels like?

Nope, as far as I know, he's not had an epidural. He knows how much patients (OB and others) can benefit / experience relief, so he's just disappointed that I was in "unneccessary pain," as he called it. It's sweet and funny-- but I try to remind him that it was fairly short lived and that there was a BABY at the end that made it all worth it. Not like I have chronic pain that isn't being treated or something