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Categories » Labor & Delivery » Instead of epidural

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Instead of epidural
Jennominal

Rank: out of the nursery
Posts: 102
Joined: 8/11/08
Full Term
Instead of epidural | 7/28/09 1:20 PM
So I really want to try and NOT get an epidural...just because I'm a weenie! So are there any other pain relievers they can give you ? Maybe something to take the edge off?
ROracki

Rank: bean
Posts: 7
Joined: 3/9/09
Full Term
RE: Instead of epidural | 7/28/09 3:19 PM as a reply to Jennominal.
I took a prenatal class and they suggested using massage therapy as an alternative to an epidural. You can actually hire massage therapists who are specially trained in pregnancy massage, that will come in and stay with you throughout labor. Some will charge by the hour but others will just charge a flat rate for however long you are in labor.
choover

Rank: seedling
Posts: 36
Joined: 11/6/08
Full Term
RE: Instead of epidural | 7/28/09 4:19 PM as a reply to Jennominal.
There is a pain killer that they give you through the IV but for many it just makes you drowsy and feel sick-I had it with my first. This type of pain killer also can make the baby sleepy right after it's born. I had an epidural with my second and I waited too long because I was afraid to get it done. They were able to give me one but it didn't take effect until after the baby was born. The epidural does not effect the baby though and so if you know you want pain killers I would recommend going for it. If you have had dental work done this is no worse! Good luck.

 

 

gusjodi

Rank: out of the nursery
Posts: 107
Joined: 2/8/09
Full Term
RE: Instead of epidural | 7/29/09 5:31 AM as a reply to choover.
A warm bath or shower, counter pressure, using a birthing ball and using the breathing techniques are a few other ideas for you. I found the beathing techniques really helped me. You really have to concentrate on the breathing though, for me it was almost like relaxing into the pain and accepting it instead of fighting it. It's sort of hard to explain...
Cate Cradle
RE: Instead of epidural | 7/29/09 7:02 AM as a reply to Jennominal.
Jennominal:
So I really want to try and NOT get an epidural...just because I'm a weenie! So are there any other pain relievers they can give you ? Maybe something to take the edge off?


Hello,
I am Cate Cradle, a member of The Cradle team. Congratulations to all of you on your pregnancies and/or new babies! I would like to suggest an article that may be helpful with this particular topic:

Alternative Pain Relief Options During Labor & Delivery
Wombat

Rank: bean
Posts: 2
Joined: 7/30/09
Full Term
RE: Instead of epidural | 7/30/09 6:00 PM as a reply to Jennominal.
I just read a pretty good book called "Easy Labor" by William Camann, M.D. an Kathryn J. Alexander, M.A. It rolls out all the options out there in a pretty evenhanded manner - giving non-medical pain management adequate time while recognizing that most women opt for an epidural.

Even if you do decide to have an epidural it's good to know about non-medical/alternative pain relief because a) you may have to wait in pain for an anesthesiologist and/or b) for some other last-minute reason you may end up not getting one or finding it "tapered off" when you get to pushing.

The techniques they talk about include:

Epidural (and the variations within that term)

other Medications that will "dull" the pain, usually IV

Alternative or complementary techniques such as Lamaze, water birth, hypnobirth (I have heard nothing but really good things about that technique), acupuncture, water injections (for back labor), using a Doula, and the Bradley method.

It also discusses where each of these techniques are found, what their benefits are and what their drawbacks are.

It is really worth the money, and if you can find it at a library even better!

Like you, I'm too chicken to do an epidural. To me it means losing my mobility and giving control over to someone else. As long as my pregnancy remains low-risk I am planning to deliver at a birthing center by a CNM, in the water. I'm definitely looking into Hypnobirthing classes as well.

 

 

Anonymous
RE: Instead of epidural | 8/14/09 11:29 AM as a reply to choover.
Actually an epidural can effect the baby.
Mrs. Collins

Rank: bean
Posts: 3
Joined: 7/15/09
Full Term
RE: Instead of epidural | 8/17/09 5:35 AM as a reply to Jennominal.
I wasn't able to get a epidural b/c I went into labor at 34 weeks 5 days and was on baby aspirin at the time, and the anethesologists was afraid I would bleed out in my spine, so he said nope, he's not giving me one. The good thing was my water broke the day before and I was only in labor for a few hours. It hurt, you already know that, but it wasn't that bad. Everyone was amazed at how strong I was. Probably b/c I held it in when I wanted to scream They also gave me the IV medicine that just mad me groggy and I still felt the pain, and they numbed my privates b/c I had to be cutt, which worked b/c I didn't feel it. The only negative thing was everytime I had a contraction, my baby's heartrate dropped b/c I was holding my breath. I'm 6 months pregnant now, and definitely want a a epidural. I will be weening myself off of the aspirin at week 35.
Jennominal

Rank: out of the nursery
Posts: 102
Joined: 8/11/08
Full Term
RE: Instead of epidural | 8/28/09 10:04 AM as a reply to Anonymous.
Really? How? I haven't read anything on the epidural effecting the baby...please inform me.

 

 

Cate Cradle
RE: Instead of epidural | 8/28/09 10:21 AM as a reply to Jennominal.
Jennominal:
Really? How? I haven't read anything on the epidural effecting the baby...please inform me.


We see that you've got some questions or concerns. Perhaps this article may offer some helpful information:

Are there any possible epidural complications?

~The Cradle Team
A Guest
RE: Instead of epidural | 8/28/09 12:05 PM as a reply to Jennominal.
I'm a nurse and worked in L/D for 2 1/2 years. In all that time I have never seen where an epidural hurt the baby. An epidural can slow contractions down and there are risks to the mom but even those are few and far between. There are all kinds of alternatives from relaxation to medication. I really suggest that you do some research and see what is best for you. If the only reason you aren't getting an epidural is because you are scared I have a sugestion. Go to the hospital where you plan to deliver. Go to the L/D or birth center and talk with the nurses. You might even be able to talk to an Anesthesiologist. Or ask what kind of prenatal classes they have at the hospital. They almost always have a free class you can take and so many of your questions/concerns will be answered! Good luck!!!
ily143

Rank: seedling
Posts: 32
Joined: 6/23/09
Full Term
RE: Instead of epidural | 8/31/09 6:58 AM as a reply to Jennominal.
If you are really against the epidural but still want a pain killer, i would talk to your doctor about alternatives. I know there is different things you can do, i dont know which is better. Your doctor should be able to give you the pros and cons of different things.
 
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