A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:Hello.. This isent a relationship question but i need a little reasurance!! Im 10 weeks pregnant with my first child and all of a sudden ive become very scared/worried about childbirth! So hear are some things i want some opinions on...How do people feel about epidurals and should i consider one? what other pain easing methods do people find good? is childbirth really as awfully horrible as people (including my doctor) have told me, or should i just go for the full natural birth?i have spoken to my doctor about all this but i would also like to hear from fellow women too.Thanks x x x Reply to this Question
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (10 September 2009): I just had my 3rd baby 19 days ago, and each experience was a little different. My first baby ended up being a c-section due to breech presentation. It was planned, so I had no labour at all - not even a single contraction with him. The c-section was very relaxed and painless, but the recovery took several weeks.With my second baby, I had him five and half hours after the onset of active labour. There was no time for an epidural and they weren't available after 11 pm in my hospital anyway, but I had thought I wouldn't want one because I am afraid of needles. During the labour, I would have taken it if it had been available. It is true that it was painful, but your body will do amazing things in terms of coping with it. I felt almost like I was in a trance without any drugs or medication. Immediately (and I mean immediately) after he was born, I felt amazing. The pain just disappeared. I was released from the hospital 15 hours after being admitted.With my last baby, he was born less than two hours after the onset of active labour. The labour was very intense because it happened so fast, and once again there was no time for an epidural, even though by this time they had made epidurals available 24 hours a day in our hospital. Once again, I felt the pain disappear immediately after he was born. I was released from the hospital 9 hours after being admitted.I never got an epidural, but I would have taken one if it had been an option, because the labour pain was quite overwhelming at the rate I was progressing. That being said, I managed without it both times, so it's not impossible. I do remember being quite panicked at the time, but now that I look back, I think - I could probably do that again.I have heard that the women who manage best are women who anticipate that it will be painful, but who also keep in mind that the pain is progressing you to a goal and that it has an end point.I'm sure that you will do amazing. You will impress yourself with how strong you are!
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (7 September 2009): I had drugs and i was totally fine 20 mintues after birth. I don't think drug-free has anything to do with being able to leave right after. It's not about the drugs.. it's about what sort of shape the mother is in. Her hydration, blood pressure, heart rate, and general tiredness after having gone through labour. Most hospitals will want to monitor you for at least 24 hours, the ones here 48 hours, before they let you go.
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A
female
reader, bubblesxxxx +, writes (7 September 2009):
i had natral births with all my children i had no pain relief it is true that the pain is bad but its the best experince ive ever had the moment that little baby is put in your arms you forget everything youve been through i had a baby 4 months ago so everything still fresh in my mind i choose not to have drugs but everyone is diffrent if you go drug free you can be up and about straight after it really is the best thing ive ever done id do it again tomorrow if i could
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reader, anonymous, writes (2 September 2009): Lord, let me ease you off of Satin's pain with my story!
(btw satin, where are those pics your promised?)
I made an appointment to be induced. My husband was in Aphganistan so the only way I could get him on emergency leave was by making the appointment. He wasn't coming in as soon as i thought, so I pushed the induction back a while. It felt like my baby was actually waiting for him to come home because shortly after he arrived, she was ready and willing. I had no false labour that I know of. (tose are the contractions you feel that aren't actually labour). I'm not sure if I just didn't have any or i just didn't feel them. I have a high tolerance for pain (i often don't feel it when people seem to think I should) so that's why the uncertainty.
I went to the hospital with my hub and shortly there after starting feeling contractions. They are quite bearable at first and with the destraction of seeing my husband after months of not seeing him, I hardly noticed. A few hours in, they became more tormenting. I couldn't sleep through them but i managed to fall asleep in bwtween them because I was so tired from the few days before of not sleeping. The next morning they were awful, but I for some reason, didn't want the epidural or the pain killers until I could absolutely stand no more. So I sat there, talking with our family, sqeazing the everliving crap out of my husband's hand trying to hide the fact that it hurt like hell. Lol..
14 horus in I got the epidural. I didn't feel it go in because they numb you. It feels kinda funny but ut's a HUGE relief. I don't see any point whatsoever in going naturally when you can get that kind of relief. Your baby won't love you anymore if you do! The nurse came in and wanted to break my water but i told her I didn't want to. She persisted and I kept telling her no, I really don't want to! (I was told that having it broken can sometimes cause infection when there's really no point). But she did it anyway! I was terribly annoyed and she didn't even succeed at breaking it, but did manage to leave a large scratch in my girl's head! Grr.. Anyway, The pushing was the easiest part for me.
It took me literally, five minutes. Four pushes and she was out! I've done a lot of situps in my life to keep a flat strong tummy so maybe that had something to do with it, or maybe she just really wanted to come out! I didn't even break a sweat.. they put a mirror up so i could see her coming out, which sounds gross but it was really not bad once it was there. It was cool getting to see her coming out.
And there she was.. preectly healthy, perfectly formed.. just an angel.. the hwole thing is totally worth it.
Birth is really nothing to worry about. There's pain, but you can get meds, and any woman of strength can handle it.
You should focus more energy on worrying about your child and that you're eating correctly and maintaining a good weight.
And like I said, I don't see any point in going naturally. Sure, thtat's all women could do in the earlier days, but would you walk around instead of diriving and fully cover your body and face like women used to ? We have developing technology so I suggest you use it.
And if you do decide to go natural, don't make it clear to everyone else. A lot of people end up changing their minds and get a few told-you-sos. So keep it to yourself and if you change your mind, then that's perfectly fine.
goodluck!
~Sy.
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A
female
reader, DrPsych +, writes (1 September 2009):
 I had an epidural as I delivered my son by c-section due to breach position. You don't feel a thing but the pain-relief makes you feel very drugged up afterwards if you do have an operative delivery. For women delivering naturally an epidural can hinder pushing, but lots of women do deliver without intervention using this method of pain-relief.
For some women childbirth is easy and straight-forward while for others it can be difficult and painful. No one can tell you in advance how it will be for you. However you should chat to your midwife at your first antenatal booking appointment as she will have experienced countless women with anxiety. There are lots of pain relief options from TENS machines to morphine! Just remember if it was really THAT awful, the human race would be extinct by now. All that pain and effort comes with a pleasant conclusion...a gorgeous baby. If you really have problems with your nerves, please ask your GP to refer you to a counsellor dealing with antenatal anxieties. This person can talk you through everything and give you coping strategies. Good luck and CONGRATULATIONS (babies are fab).
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A
female
reader, devastated2008  +, writes (1 September 2009):
 I remember with every birth an almost claustrophobic feeling when the reality that there was a baby in there and IT HAD TO COME OUT SOMETIME, really set in. Its a real panicky feeling.
With my first, I really didn't want an epidural (fear of needles, esp. in my back) but since I had no experience with childbirth I didn't want to rule anything out. What I did was tell the doctor and nurse that I wanted to try it natural but I wanted all options kept open to me.
I eventually requested an epidural. The discomfort of the needle was worth the relief. I am rather reserved and tend towards stoicism... and I was wearing myself out. So for me the epidural allowed me to relax and enjoy the process AND take a NAP! For some the epidural slows the birthing process but for me it sped it up because I was fighting the pain too much.
With the following two babies that I gave birth to... I went in requesting the epidural.
Congratulations... and relax... there's no right or wrong, just play it by ear. Good luck.
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