33 weeks now and I am beginning to feel very heavy. It's a little harder to walk as fast as I used to, everyone said I would begin to waddle - I thought it was a joke. I try to still do mild exercises - but I'm sure it doesn't do any good as slow as I go - I guess it's more for my mind. I was wondering what type of medication is the best for labor. They told us about several during child birth class - but I would like to hear again from you mothers. What did you have at the hospital and when did you have it - like what phase of labor is good to take something.
posted by Wendy @ 2:54 PM
5 Comments:
Well, I don't have any firsthand experience as a laboring mom (I'm one of those "crazies" who opts for natural childbirth! LOL) but as a labor doula I have observed & helped MANY Moms and have seen different options of pain interventions. My advice is that, if you're not wanting to do the natural route, the epidural is the gold standard in pain relief. I have NEVER seen a Mom choose IV pain meds ONLY. If they chose IV meds, they would STILL choose an epidural. My advice is go straight for the epi (but please be prepared for the risks involved - it CAN slow labor, it CAN drop blood pressure, it CAN prevent baby from moving into proper position for birth which CAN increase chance of C-section, etc.) In my experience, MOST well-supported/encouraged Moms can make it through labor un-medicated until about 6 centimeters. At that point, the body nears transition which becomes very difficult for Moms not wanting to work through the contractions.
The later the epi is in place, the better chance baby has moved close to the right position for birth (makes pushing easier.)
Consider asking the epi to be lowered or stopped so you can feel the urge to push. It feels good (honestly) to have that urge and to be able to work with it. The pain of labor is NOT in pushing (if baby is in right position)...the pain comes from the cervix becoming 10 centimeters dilated :)
Are there doulas in your area? If so, HIRE ONE :)
Hey Wendy, My only advice is if they ask if you want the statol w/ phenergan dont get it right before your epidural. When I had my daughter that is what they did with me and I dont remember that much about the labor. It was kind of depressing asking my husband about my labor and delivery!!!
I just want to say congrats & thanks for sharing your experience with us! I am due Sept. 23 with my first child & I have many of the same questions as you, so this site has been helpful for me as well. Also, thanks to everyone who leaves you info. because it is helpful for me too!
I am do September 20th and I am experiencing some of the same things you are..I get on here everyday to see if you post anything new your a big help.
I had 2 epidurals. The first one messed up, don't want to scare you, but it can happen. No one told me that. But it all depends on your pain tolerance and preferences. I personally prefer not to be in pain. With my 2nd, I know that I can ask for pain relievers earlier than when they were given with my first. On my first epidural, I was dilated to 5, and the 2nd, I was dilated to 9 and told them I was not having that kid without one!! LOL, I was even laughing while pushing the kid out. Yeah, things were hazy, but I would have rather been laughing than crying. Good Luck!
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