Alternatives to Epidurals?

[Anonymous]

I am 24 weeks with my first baby. I know about epidurals, but I'm wondering if there are any other pain killer options that take the edge off but are less physically debilitating. Anyone go a different route other than epi?

[Anonymous]

I found a hot shower definitely helped with the pain.

[Anonymous]

there are many non-medical pain relief options such as water (tub or shower), massage, breathing, emotional support, staying mobile, TENs, etc. this is a great document that summarizes these:
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/pdfs/comfort-in-labor-simkin.pdf

there are also other forms of pain medication that are not via epidural. as i understand it, most or all of these are narcotics. here is a good resource explaining the pros and cons.
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/narcotics.html

i have had some friends have bad experiences with these -- they felt very drunk, dizzy, loopy, etc. and couldn't remember a lot of their births afterwards. i also think these drugs tend to have stronger negative effects on the baby.

but i'm curious to hear of others' experiences.

[Anonymous]

There are narcotics like nuban, stadol, demeral. They make you stoned.
http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/medicationinpreg/a/aa081203a.htm

[Anonymous]

this is 21:08 again. i did not use epidurals for either of my births. i knew that a lot of the time they were fine, but i was worried about the risks to me and the baby. plus i did not like the idea of being numb. i found my labors painful but manageable. i used water both times (my second was born in water) which helped hugely. i also had a doula whose guidance and words and ideas helped so much to relieve my pain. i also stayed mobile and got into whatever positions felt best, which really helped. breathing, massage, vocalization, all those things helped me. i enjoyed both of my births very much and felt that labor was something i could cope with, if i had the right support. good luck!

[Anonymous]

More than 90% of mothers in childbirth have epidurals, so anesthesiologists are very practiced at giving them, which is non-negligible, given the risks of the injection going awry! You can ask for what used to be called a "walking epidural", a lighter dosed epidural, with which you will NOT be able to walk, but theoretically have enough sensation to move your own legs. Epidurals have the longest list of side-effects for mother and baby of all the pain medications.

There is also the spinal block, it is administered quicker, affects a smaller area and is shorter-lasting, but may hinder pushing.

Narcotics can be easily administered through IV or muscle and dull pain, but there is frequent nausea reported for the mother and significant adverse effects on newborns, which is why they are not usually given near birthing time, but more often in the early stages of labour.

Unmedicated ways to manage pain:
1. changing positions often (ball, squat, walking, etc)
2. deep relaxation
3. water - shower or bath
4. massage
5. etc...

[Anonymous]

For my first two children, I had a narcotic administered early on in my labor and that's all I needed. It took the edge off and I was fine. For my third child, they gave me a narcotic that a previous poster described very accurately. It made me feel out of it but it wasn't the same as for the first two. I requested an epidural and was fine after that. Can't remember the actual names of the narcotics, though.

[Anonymous]

I had a TENS machine for my 2nd which I quite liked but every now and then it became unstuck and gave me a little electric shock. Just what you need in the middle of labor! I had a narcotic later on for that delivery. Epidural for first. Frankly, I was happy to take whatever anyone would give me!

[Anonymous]

Used hypnobabies with all three - no epidurals...it really made labor and delivery totally manageable and even helped with the discomforts of pregnancy. You can google the program. I ordered my cds online (never took a class).
Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Double. Hip. Squeeze.

http://www.birthingnaturally.net/cn/technique/hipsqueeze.html

I seriously argued for a last-minute name change for our son, pointing out that we could call him "Hip" for short.

[Anonymous]

I really really wish nitrous oxide was still available in the US for L/D... its the most commonly used pain relief in the UK and Europe, and has a very low incidence of side effects. I'm tempted to raid my dentist's office.

http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10188
http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/book/excerpt.asp?id=90