Almost never for c-section. It has to be a really complex situation for you to be put under general anesthesia.

I understand that it is you choice to go it without medication to assist with pain control durring labor but you may want to do some research and speak with your ob/gyn about the advantages for you and the baby when you get the epidural anesthesia.

Our doc showed us study after study done in the birthing world showing the benefits to having good pain control, it doesnt harm the baby and it actually cuts the labor/delivery by more than 2 hours and also allows for emrgency procedures to be done in an expiditious manner because they are not trying to administer meds while preping you for c-section.


What is it that is making you think that you may have to have a c-section vs. Vaginal delivery?

Also, please do not feel like I am trying to change your mind about epi vs. Non epi, I am just curious to know what led you to the decision to go it alone.

I went natural kimmeh

I actually had a short labor for a first time mom as well 4hrs 22 mins, I loved it I think the worst part was when the contractions were overlapping and I had that for about 30 mins. I'm due in 20 days with my second and im going to try and go natural again dr said I probally only have about 2hrs this time around worse case ill get entonox (gas) or a shot of demerol. I spoke to my dr about the what ifs of c-section cause like you I dont want an epidural and he said its possible but with certain conditions that I dont eat/drink 8 hrs prior and if if its and emergency c-section. Ask your dr cause they all have different opinions on childbirth, I found that by actually getting an epidural it slows down the process of childbirth if given to early or prolongs pushing stage in which case they end up giving you more meds.

Wish you luck!
Jess

i'm not sure yo can just ask to be put out. I had a s-sec and had the epi plus some other numbing drugs -don't know the name. But another friend had one and was freaking out so bad they put her under. I think it's harder that way as you go to sleep and then you wake up and there's a baby, you might end up feeling disconnected to your child. I find people with c-secs feel more disconnected to the baby anyway but more so if you are knocked out.

I am going to try to call my wife's ob today so I can get the sites that the study data is kept at. I know when you look at individual cases like we get here, i.E. Person to person, you will get very biased info because what happens to one person is total reality and so validity cannot be debated.

I do know that in the case of a study of thousands of women in labor, that epidural meds cut more than 2 hours off labor and also allowed for certian procedures to be done without having to wait for anesthesia.

For instance my wife had a 50ml push of prestacaine 5 mins prior to delivery so the doc could do the episeotomy and she did not feel anything because they were able to put the meds into her epi and we just kept on coaching while the docs worked in the background.

It is something to give serious thought to and if you decide no meds, this is your baby and your pregnancy and that is totally your choice. No one will judge you wither way because both methods are well accepted.

(children are lucky men don't have babies, I would want general and then a week to recover.... Lol 8)

Brian, I was reading on epidural and alot the cases that ppl got it they ended up needing a episiotomy which is unecessary and has more chance of infection over stitches. Im not trying to knock you cause I believe woman should have the right to pain relief cause not everyone has the same level of pain tolerance.


So yes an epidural takes the pain away but alot of the ppl who had one done needed medical intervention compared to the ones who went natural or with smaller versions of pain meds. Every dr has different beliefs some believe natural birth is awesome while some believe a medicated birth is best for mother and baby so it really depends on the person. Basically all im saying is your ob-gyn could say one thing and mine another all based on their opinion and your safety.


Hard choice I know but you will make it no matter what happens
take care
jess

Here is one study to help out and I am looking for others as well. This one is extremely informative as to what happens if/when. Easy to follow chart is also in the link that is labled summary chart.

Http://transitiontoparenthood.Com/ttp/fore ducators/ceinfo/side effects 2.Htm

Thank you everyone for replying. As for my decision not to use drugs, it is just my own personal decisionnot to use them, i've never liked putting anything into my body unless I absolutely have needed too, and since a lot of women have done labour naturally and it's only one day of your entire life, it isn't really needed (just how I see things, not that I am knocking drugs for anyone else, I respect people who choose to use some sort of pain control method) unless of course you go for a c-section. There isn't a real reason for my concern about getting a c-section, just the fact that I really don't want one, and I really don't like the idea of a needle being placed into my spine.

Anyways thanks again.

thanks for the statistics tamadrummer...But to me the cons outweigh the pros. I'd rather just not risk any harm to myself or my baby (i worry a lot)...To me i'd rather take the couple hours extra of pain then have her heart rate drop. Plus even though it is unsure why exactly it still shows that mothers who choose an epideral are more likely to need a c-section. I feel that going natural (for me and my baby) is the best way to go. But thanks again!!

You are welcome, I just wanted to provide a fact based study so you could make a well educated choice. And yes, when given at the wrong time, the cons far outweigh the pros.

Nicole did not get hers until she was 6mm dialted and -2, and 95% effaced.

She had a good experience with the meds although the baby was face up instead of face down. She would have him crown and he would slide right back up, that is why we needed the episiotomy, the umbilical was double wrapped around his neck and his arm was across his neck holding his shoulder so he was determined he wasn't coming out.... ;) but with Dr. Mcnulty on the job, we got him out.

I was so against beng in the room and once I was in there, I could never ever imagine not being right there with her, I got to cut the cord and put the clip on and I kind of forced my way in and cleaned him up and put his first diaper on and everything and then brought him to momma and it was soooooo cool!

This is my 1st child and I also want to go "naturally." me and my fiance have just started the "perineal massage." statistics say that a 'tear' is actually better, in some cases, than a cut. Like mentioned, because of the infection. I might schedule an epidural in case of an emergency and not being able to have it administered. (i.E an emergency c-section.) I kinda threw it out there to my doc and he said that more than half of his patients go drugless. As also was mentioned, the level of pain toleration in each different woman.

I am so glad that there are people out there that look at having a drug free birth as something that can be done. Everyone I know is so negative about it and they say how bad it hurts...But I use that as my ammo. To strive to get through labor without drugs to show that it might be painful, but it is possible! I am very optimistic that my peri neal massage will help me with a drug free vaginal birth of my baby!!

Sarah

good luck!