Epidural...

Im one my 3rd and trying no epidural this time. I've had a lot of lower back issues since my first (could be a coincidence I don't know) but with both of my other kids, after birth, my lower back would be so swollen right above my tailbone and I would have incredibly painful spasms that felt like birth all over again. Not to mention, the drugs in the epidural made me feel so out of it for a while after.
I plan on kinda trying multiple different things in the hospital when I go into labor to hopefully get through it. Tens machine, birth comb, hopefully a jacuzzi tub, breathing techniques, and nitrous. I really hope i can get through it without an epidural 😅

Haven’t had that many epidurals but my husband works in the field (he does epidurals) and an epidural done properly shouldn’t ever cause lasting pain even if u do a dozen. U can ask for them to use ultrasound to ensure it enters more smoothly, lowering the chance of the needle scraping bone which could cause pain after. When done well the needle just glides through soft tissue and doesn’t leave any lasting inflammation.

Hi 😊 I'm on my 4th. So far, I did two without epidural. With my first baby, I had pitocin and epidural. With my second and 3rd I did not. By the last baby, I didn't even ask for it because I knew the end result would be a push. This time I will also do natural, because I feel like everything happens so fast anyway. I can pretty much assume when I start feeling contractions that are stronger and not going away at all, that it's time to go to the hospital and I always give birth when I say it's time to go. Because I did it naturally, I definitely understand my body better. The water broke in the hospital the first time I did it naturally, but the second time I did it naturally, my water broke when I started to push. It's okay that it's slightly different each time. I advocate for moms to try it naturally as well.

Don't underestimate the pain, but understand when you are at your worst is when you will push out that baby. Those contractions are gonna make your water break. I learned that when I tried to ask for epidural with my second when I was at my worst, but when they came in to give it to me, I told them nevermind because I felt a big drop on my pelvic and so the baby was crowning. So that's why I said before that by my second time trying for natural birth, I didn't even ask for it. Had they gave it to me when I asked that first time, it would have slowed everything down. I would have felt relief sure, but I wouldn't have popped that baby out as quickly. Problem with epidural sometimes is that the doctors will determine when to check on you to even see that the baby is crowning. So it could take a bit longer to discover that you should even push. Some don't even want you to push until someone specific is present. I also didn't need stitches both times when I did it naturally. With epidural I did.

It didn't even burn down there after natural birthing both times when using a lady squirt bottle. Quick, easy recovery. Also, understand that when your water breaks, the time to push is super close if it breaks while you are battling the contractions. If it breaks way before the contractions even start, you gotta check with your doctor, or that's not good for you and the baby. Everybody's body is different. Some people's water breaks and then they start the labor contractions... but if you feel nothing at all after your water breaks that's kinda strange. Check with your doctor on things like that. And have them do a fetal stress test when you are overdue. I was over due all babies. They will fight you to get induced. But as long as that fetal stress test is coming back good and the baby's heart is good, ignore them. Keep up with your obgyn appointments. They will pressure you that's normal.

@Jordan my ob also told me last birth that the epidural slowed down my labor. It was only 5 hours start to finish but she said if I didnt get it, I probably would've had the baby not long after getting there. It's another reason why im trying not to get it this time. It's definitely going to be intense but I know that crazy pain just means getting to meet my baby sooner.

A lot of places are not accustomed to natural birthing women so some of them get a little annoyed with you wanting to do things the way you want it. Like for me I will let them put the peace in my arm but not connect it so that I can move around. I cannot labor and lay down it's the worst. Remember laying down makes contractions worse lol. You kinda have to tell them that you will try to work with them but that they cannot take over entirely. I also did not get my dilation checked. But you should go visit the labor and delivery floor and talk to the head nurse and the people on the floor to let them know your plan. That way you are comfortable and they are aware of your plan. Because if you don't, some hospitals are strict. But either way they cannot deny you if you are literally giving birth. I moved somewhere where the labor and delivery people are so sweet. But I came from places where they were strict and didn't want to give me my proper room until I did it how they wanted. Put your foot down politely.

Also deny the pitocin if you're doing natural birth. It will be intense contractions more quicker at that. At least with natural it gets to that point but it comes on slowly

But its still hard

I just had my baby #6.

can you get induced without pitocin?

did you get epidural?

I had no epidural and no pain meds, but I had insane shooting pain in my lower back for a week after giving birth. I think it just happens sometimes, no guarantee to avoid it without an epidural

@Janicee well I never had a csection. But I got pregnant 4 months pp this time

@Sorei I really don't know. I mean I'm sure there are other induction methods. But I guess it all depends on what they have in stock at that hospital

@Annika when you get through it the first time you'll be even braver next time about epidural.

I’ve only got a epidural with 2 of my 6 kids, I couldn’t do it after the second and actually going natural with my other 4 helped stop my back pain.

yes I did