Is to relax and calm you. But is anesthesia really the best way to accomplish that goal? Does it serve you and your baby best?
For many women the epidural does work well, I have lots of friends who love them. One in particular who thinks my wish to decline the stick in the spine is straight-up crazy has waltzed into the hospital at the end of each of her pregnancies for an early morning induction. At the first contraction she asks for an epidural and promptly pushes her baby out without breaking a sweat or smearing her makeup, happily nursing her newborn by noon. Okay, that's sounding pretty posh.
Maybe things would have gone that way for me too.... or maybe they would have gone completely the other way and after receiving pain meds my labor would have slowed to a rate that pressured the hospital staff to speed it by pumping up the pitocin drip which stressed my baby and suddenly emergency surgery was nessecary for life saving. Not so posh.
You can play the 'what if' game all day long, but you never know how an outcome could have been different had you made different choices. Would I have suffered those 3rd degree tears if I had not had an epidural and been able to control my pushing better? Would my breech baby been born just fine, did I really need that c-section I regret? Would I have had to have that emergency c-section if my labor hadn't started with pitocin at 36 weeks? Would my baby have had those breathing difficulties at birth and asthma now if he had a vaginal birth? Would my doctor have needed to use those forceps that left a scar on my baby's face if I hadn't been on my back and numb? Would my baby or I really have died if I hadn't been in a hospital?
You'll never know.
If you can't see it in hindsight you surely can't see it in foresight so hedge your bets and make the most informed, practical, conservative choices for the health of you and your child as a unit.
With an epidural:
*You have to be in a hospital, exposing yourself and perfect new baby to the risk of infection.
*Your movement and freedom is restricted
*There's a greater chance of needing further intervention ~ the use of forceps, vacuums, episiotomies, and traction applied to the infant all increase with epidural use.
*The risk of cesarean section is greater which brings a whole new set of serious risks.
*Injuries like perenial tears, hemmeroids, prolapsed organs and pelvic floor damage increase with epidural use.
*Your baby is affected by the anesthesia too, newborns can have a harder time rotating down during birth and be slower to initially breast feed.
Without an epidural:
*You'll have to prepare other ways to stay calm and relax. I highly recommend the support of a doula, learning Hypnobirthing techniques, and planning to give birth in water.
*You could frustrate or confuse your attending OB and L&D nurses if you are birthing in a hospital.
*You could experience a hours of pain and regret your decision, been there! However, this is within your control. Mothers who view birth positively report the physical feelings of birth to be intense, but manageable. Glad to say I've made it there.
The risks on one of those lists I can definitely live with, the other I'd really rather not.
If you feel differently, consider lower doses of anesthesia. Walking epidurals can lessen sensations of pain but still allow you some mobility. In Julie Tupler's book 'Maternal Fitness' she she suggests the idea of having an epidural through the first stage of labor where the cervix opens and allowing it to wear off before baby pushing time. Ask your doctor about drugs like Stadol that can give temporary relief and rest. Don't forget to ask about the side effects. You really have a lot of options Posh Mama!
However you end up having your baby educate yourself and make informed choices! See the process as the healthy one it is and along with your parter purpose to engage actively in your child's birth. It's a great introduction to parenthood! I promise.
Great post Katie! I know during both of my births that when I was feeling positive about the experience, pain felt under control. However, when I doubted the process and my ability the pain became entirely impossible. I mainly had that issue of out of control pain with Gavin- perhaps it was because he was my first but truly I think it was because I had less faith and was in a hospital setting that, for me, was equated with negativity. Thanks for your insight, as always!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Mary! I had a very similar experience, in a hospital with MJ I felt like a 'patient' and I wanted what I was feeling to be 'fixed' and to stop. I fought it, dreaded each contraction and tightened against it. And it only got worse. With my next baby I was in a birthing center where what was happening was normal and my perspective on birth had been completely changed after reading Hypnobirthing and Childbirth Without Fear. I had not been very educated or prepared for my first baby, and going through labor the second time around with a better understanding of what was happening made all the difference. I learned how to work with my body, to embrace it and to have a perspective bigger than myself. It was intense and sure there was discomfort but I honestly can't describe it as painful. I was smiling WAY too much through the entire thing. And my baby was born so quickly, no drama. SO worth it!
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