To use or not to use Epidural during birth delivery.Is it safe or not?
By llepaopao
@llepaopao (29)
Australia
July 23, 2009 7:37am CST
With only 10 weeks to go before my duedate, i grew more and more anxious each day as to whether i undergo normal birth delivery with epidural or brave the pain and give birth without any sort of pain reliever.My initial plan is to give birth naturally without the aid of epidural because back in the Philippines i never heard of epidural at all.I already book a schedule to deliver in the birthing center with the aid of midwives during my labor.I was thinking positively that i could do it.But there is a recent buzz on the news about a male nurse from UK suggesting that women should endure the pain of child delivery and not to use any Epidural at all.It created a fuss all over Australia and alot of opinions were raised about having or not having Epidural during childbirth.So i find myself in this predicament of changing my delivery process from normal to having epidural.But i am still really doubtful because i heard it has side effects.Have anyone of you tried epidural?Please share your experience to me please.I need to come up with a quick decision cause i have but lil time towards my duedate and i had to arranged with my GP before hand.tnx heaps ! your thoughts and ideas will be very much appreciated:)
4 people like this
11 responses
@AvonByCarmen (54)
• Catoosa, Oklahoma
24 Jul 09
I had an epidural with both of my deliveries. I wouldn't have had it any other way. I do not do well with pain, so it was not a hard decision for me! Yes, it can slow down the delivery, but if you have no other complications, it isn't a problem. My friend had her 5th baby 6 weeks ago. She decided not to get the epidural this time to see how it was. After it was too late to get it she was asking them for it, because the pain was so bad. She doesn't plan on having anymore, but she will get the epidural again if she does.
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
23 Jul 09
Well, I had 4 c-sections. I have had 4 epidurals and 1 spinal tap. With the spinal tap I had a huge bruise and sometimes I have back pain from that one. It just depends on if the weather is cold or if I am on my monthly cycle, etc.
I cannot imagine going through labor all the way without an epidural though. I had 23 hours of labor with my first pregnancy and then an emergency c-section where I went under general anesthesia.
Don't feel you have to endure pain, go for the pain relievers whenever they are offered. Take if from me, it does not ruin the birthing process. It just blocks pain.
Good luck with your delivery. I hope everything goes well. Just whatever you decide to do, try to relax as much as possible.
Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
Don't feel you have to endure pain, go for the pain relievers whenever they are offered. Take if from me, it does not ruin the birthing process. It just blocks pain.
Good luck with your delivery. I hope everything goes well. Just whatever you decide to do, try to relax as much as possible.
Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
@desteny114 (886)
• United States
23 Jul 09
I have two kids and with both of my kids I had the Epidural. With my first one I had it before I even felt any pain. With my second kid wanted to have him natural but I was not able the pain was to strong for me to handle. I was 1 or 2 centemiter or inches away before I was ready to give birth and that is when they put the Epidural. I guess it is really up to you what you want to do I have pain in my back when it is cold and also when I am on my days. I know it has to do with that but I don't regret it. Good luck making your mind up I hope I was help to you.
@divkris (1156)
• India
24 Jul 09
i think epidural is not a safe bet because you are inviting a lifelong pain (back problems) to get away with a short term pain. So i would suggest you not to have epidural during child birth.
Another thing which most women think is that the pain is unbearable - but i never had a problem - well i did have an excruciating pain during the labor but it lasted only for an hour or so. I'm not sure whether i'm the lucky one or not - but i did not get epidural done.
@vingyan06 (2486)
• Malaysia
24 Jul 09
I have my 2 baby with normal delivery and I did not take any epidural during these 2 birth delivery. I was about the same like you, undecide to go for epidural or not. So I did ask 1 of my best girl friend who was giving birth 3 months ahead of my first delivery. She told me the pain is pain, but still can acceptable, like period pain, or a bit more painful that that. So end up I did not take epidural. As long as you can stand the painful, then you can go without epidural. My 2 birth delivery was so smooth and fast. So I am lucky. I think should not have any side effect for taking epidural, or if it has, I also not so sure. I just share with you my experience here. Hope you have a smooth delivery. Good Luck Mother to be!
@llepaopao (29)
• Australia
24 Jul 09
Thank you Vingyan for sharing your experience.It really meant alot to me to be able to gather as much ideas as i could so i can come up with a sound choice on how to deliver my baby.And thanks for wishing me luck too.Have a nice day!
@kaienakailani (1)
• United States
24 Jul 09
I am a mother of 5 girls. The first three girls I had them all natural with no meds and it was painful but not as bad as I thought it would be. My last delivery of my twins I had an epidural in case of a possible C-section. I ended up not needing the C-section. Had I known for sure that I did not need surgery I would have gone natural again. The epidural was painful when first put in. It took three times to get it right. I had pain in the spot of the epi and also back pain for a month after giving birth. I dont think its worth the extended pain. If you can handle a natural birth I think its much better because at least the pain will only last for as long as you are in labor, there is a greater purpose for it, and you wont have negative after effects.
@kareng (55021)
• United States
23 Jul 09
I had an epidural with both of my deliveries. I had an emergency c-section with the delivery of my twins and that allowed the doctor to get to work asap instead of having to wait for medication to take effect. It's a good thing or we may have lost one of the babies. There are pro's and con's to all medications. You should talk to your ob/gyn about them and find something that is right for you! Good luck on the birth of your baby.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
23 Jul 09
When i was pregnant... i thought og being brave and face a painless labor... but half way to the delivery process the pain was so unbearable that i was glad i signed that paper consenting to an epidural when the doctor believes i neaded it... i have very little tolerance to pain... and i don't know if i was able to bear it if i went through that painless labor...
I am also glad that when my daughter was born... i was very wide awake and was able to appreciate her just being there, crying and looking like an angel... i think if ever i get pregnant again... i wouldn't have second thoughts of getting another epidural...
@daryljane (3406)
• Philippines
23 Jul 09
I guess im lucky to go through labor for an hour before giving birth. I was young then, and very gutsy, so i didnt consider epidural, although me and my doctor talked about it because my friend who shares the same due date with me wanted to use it. The hospital offers package deals that we werent able to consumes because i gave birth at home with the aid of our neighbor who luckily is a mid wife. I didnt even know i was giving birth already. I woke at dawn thinking the baby kicked and i wet my undies. So i went to the bathroom, had shower at 5am then went back to bed, 30 min after, another water came out that i realize its my water bag. I didnt feel any pain, and i have this high threshold for pain, that i only woke up my partner and told him i think im on my way. It was 6 am that i started to feel a little pain that its like youre about to poop. So when were about to leave for the hospital, i excused myself to poop, because thats exactly what i feel..But then theres blood coming out already, So i told out neighbor, the midwife and she IE'd me, she just shouted its the head! I gave birth 30min after.
@aliciaj (8)
• United States
23 Jul 09
will everybodys different on how they take there labor pains whn i was having my baby i wanted my epidural as soon as i walked ih the hospital.but an epidural is an amazing thing to qet you will have a beautiful labor with it. i dont think no one should want to go threw that much pain.
@sowegamama (7)
• United States
23 Jul 09
i had epidurals with both of my children and the only side effect i had was hives on my legs and belly that went away within hours of the epidural being removed. i am glad i had the epidurals because it made it possible for me to be super focused on the difficult task of giving birth and i was not in pain the moment i first set eyes on my kids. if i have another child, i will have another epidural.
