The thing I found with the labor pain wasn't the pain itself, but that I tense up because of it, which prevented dilation. If you tense up to focus through pain, I'd recommend pain killers of some kind because that tension in the long run is probably not a good thing. But if you don't, and you're confident you don't need one, I'd say getting one would actually cause MORE problems for you.
Just don't do what my aunt did to my uncle and break 'Staff's thumb. ;) She opted to not have pain killers and delivered my youngest cousin just fine. Except for the breaking my uncle's thumb on the last push part. Said youngest cousin just had her own baby and the story got trotted out about fifty thousand times. My cousin's husband was... not nearly as delighted about that story as everyone else was.
I mean, have you seen his thumbs? They're enormous! The man has bones like tree-trunks. My puny little fingers would stand no chance. Wrenching it out of its socket, maybe, but not breaking it. (Although in an amusing coincidence, the first serious conversation he had with my mother touched on my right to break his hands while I'm in labour if I so desire)
Tensing up and panicking is definitely *not* a good thing to do during labour, according to all my research. I do sometimes tense up with pain, but I can usually make myself relax after the first 'eek' moment, and I am going to use a TENS machine, warm shower, massage and aromatherapy to help me relax, in no particular order. (The aromatherapy in particular is vital, as it smells of dentist's office in that labour room and guess what frightens me even more than big stabby needles?)
And if I need help, there's always the gas to take the edge off. Gas is fine. But no needles for me!
I belong in this weird world where I don't understand why this is such an issue. You've been offered a medical procedure and you have the right to refuse that treatment. That's it. You don't want an epidural, I don't see why this is doom and OMG! You must! etc. The way Australian mothers and mothers-to-be are guilted about their birth choices is an odd thing.
You may change your mind at the time. You may not. I've known a number of women who've given birth without epidurals and, while they experienced pain, it was just pain, you know? Not intolerable, not torture, just pain that would end in a defined space of time, so they dealt with it.
I may also not understand the issue due to a very high pain threshold and a hatred of letting anyone commit acts of medicine on me.
Having gone through childbirth twice, once completely med free and the other time with an epidural, I will only say please keep an open mind. The end results of both labors were healthy, wonderful sons.
I will also say that were I to have gone through childbirth a third time, I would have opted for another epidural. It changed the entire dynamic of my labor -- much more relaxing, and I was even able to doze while my body prepared for the final effort.
Any way you decide, I'll be sending all good thoughts your way.
I'm by no means against epidurals as a concept. It's just that I'm much more afraid of the needle than I am of pain, so the epidural isn't necessarily going to be at all relaxing for me. Panic does not seem like it will be helpful.
I am planning on using other methods of pain relief... the TENS machine, for example, which I have had for treatment of injuries and always turns me into a relaxed, endorphin-happy dishrag, as well as warm showers and massage. There is gas available at the hospital, too, which I will use if I need it.
My husband frequently massages my feet at bedtime, so now I tend to relax and get sleepy almost the second he grabs my foot. I'm hoping that will help, too!
Comments 15
Just don't do what my aunt did to my uncle and break 'Staff's thumb. ;) She opted to not have pain killers and delivered my youngest cousin just fine. Except for the breaking my uncle's thumb on the last push part. Said youngest cousin just had her own baby and the story got trotted out about fifty thousand times. My cousin's husband was... not nearly as delighted about that story as everyone else was.
Reply
I mean, have you seen his thumbs? They're enormous! The man has bones like tree-trunks. My puny little fingers would stand no chance. Wrenching it out of its socket, maybe, but not breaking it. (Although in an amusing coincidence, the first serious conversation he had with my mother touched on my right to break his hands while I'm in labour if I so desire)
Tensing up and panicking is definitely *not* a good thing to do during labour, according to all my research. I do sometimes tense up with pain, but I can usually make myself relax after the first 'eek' moment, and I am going to use a TENS machine, warm shower, massage and aromatherapy to help me relax, in no particular order. (The aromatherapy in particular is vital, as it smells of dentist's office in that labour room and guess what frightens me even more than big stabby needles?)
And if I need help, there's always the gas to take the edge off. Gas is fine. But no needles for me!
Reply
Reply
Reply
You may change your mind at the time. You may not. I've known a number of women who've given birth without epidurals and, while they experienced pain, it was just pain, you know? Not intolerable, not torture, just pain that would end in a defined space of time, so they dealt with it.
I may also not understand the issue due to a very high pain threshold and a hatred of letting anyone commit acts of medicine on me.
A
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
I don't know why I'm the only one in my class who thinks this is a bad thing. I mean.... picture it. Eeeeeegh.
I suppose I could lie there and imagine I'm in the Weapon X program, but there's only so much that creative visualization can do.
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
I will also say that were I to have gone through childbirth a third time, I would have opted for another epidural. It changed the entire dynamic of my labor -- much more relaxing, and I was even able to doze while my body prepared for the final effort.
Any way you decide, I'll be sending all good thoughts your way.
Reply
I am planning on using other methods of pain relief... the TENS machine, for example, which I have had for treatment of injuries and always turns me into a relaxed, endorphin-happy dishrag, as well as warm showers and massage. There is gas available at the hospital, too, which I will use if I need it.
My husband frequently massages my feet at bedtime, so now I tend to relax and get sleepy almost the second he grabs my foot. I'm hoping that will help, too!
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment