Epi problems last time, want a natural birth this time

• 05-26-2009 7:36 PM

  halcyonic Joined on 11-07-2008 Jaden ~05-22-05~ and Jace ~07-10-09~ Posts 173

  Epi problems last time, want a natural birth this time Reply Contact  This is my second pregnancy and I'm due on July 13th. With my first labor I got an epi. Me and the DH lost count after the tech tried 15+ times to get my epi in. I went from 3cm to 7cm hunched over the stupid pillow. I plan on going natural this time or as close to natural as I can get, I don't give a damn how much it hurts. I've been having a lot of back problems with the pregnancy that eventually put me on medical leave from work because I can't stand, sit or walk for long periods of time. At first I didn't want any drugs at all but I think I'm willing to get drugs in my IV if the pain gets too bad, I just don't want anything spinal. I'm worried about getting a c-section because I plan on breastfeeding. I don't want to get any spinals done so the doc. is gonna have to knock me out which might affect my breastfeeding. I live in a small town with a small hospital. I would love to go to a birth center but there are none close. I'm scared I wouldn't make it before the baby came out and I don't really want to labor at home so my options are limited. Has anyone used a birthing ball with labor and did it help? I'm trying to think of things that will help me get through the labor naturally without needing any help. I told my DH not to let me get an epi no matter what I scream at him and whatever names I call him. DON'T let me do it.  I don't want to scare any first-timers because this is just my situation, not every woman's labor goes the same. Don't let my horror story prevent you from getting the meds you need.

• 05-28-2009 10:45 AM

  In reply to

  NoLongerDesolate Joined on 02-23-2005 North LA Posts 527

  Re: Epi problems last time, want a natural birth this time Reply Contact LOL! I'm not a first timer so you're not scaring me. That sounded like an awful situation though. And it's those types of stories that made me consider natural birth in the first place. I tried to use a birth ball with my first but it freaked the nurses out cuz the monitor kept slipping and they'd lose the baby's HB. I got tired of dealing with the nurses and monitor and gave up. (This was before I knew how too fight for what I want. Given the same situation again, I'd politely remove the monitor completely and tell the nurses to leave me alone for awhile.) I am planning on trying the birth ball again this time (now my 3rd). There's so many positions you could try to help go naturally. My suggestion is get you some books and do some reading between now and July. Some books to consider: The Christian Childbirth Handbook (even if you're not a christian if has GREAT birthing info and lots of different positions with pics you can try), The Birth Book by Wiiliam Sears, and Natural Birth the Bradley Way. I got mine from Amazon.com. The main thing I preach is deep slow breathing (in through the nose, out through the mouth) and body relaxation. Start at the top of your head and work your way down to your toes during a contraction and completely relax everything while doing the deep breathing. Keep in mind that TENSION equals PAIN. The more tension that's in your body, the more pain you will feel. Good thing about this technique is you can start practicing it now!

• 05-28-2009 2:11 PM

  In reply to

  TawniAline Joined on 03-25-2004 Camby, Indiana Posts 699

  Re: Epi problems last time, want a natural birth this time Reply Contact I used the birth ball with my son.. it was awesome :) I also used a removable showerhead to follow contractions with hot to warm water in later stages at which point I kept flip flopping on what position I wanted to be in/where I wanted to be.. etc... just seemed like I spent a whole lot of time finding a way to get comfortable :) and the birthing ball was just not helping with that when things got rough towards the end (not to mention I was exhausted from a full day of working outside and then half a day + of laboring)... I don't know how things would go in the event of a c-section and being knocked out-- but I do know that a lot of times the drugs they use for IV pain relief can make baby groggy/lethargic and you may experience minor difficulties with the first feed- but definately not something that will prevent nursing all together just delay that first feed--I would expect something similar of a c-section where you had to be put under entirely but you could ask your dr? :) anyway :) congrats on the decision to try natural this time around and good luck!!