I'm on the "or not" side of pain medication during labor. So much information gets put out about why it's better to birth without pain medication, but I feel like there's a big gap where very few people mention specific issues for the baby. Sure you hear, "It can make you baby lethargic, which could cause difficulty in breastfeeding," but you aren't getting much more than that. Speaking from experience, there's a lot more to it.

I'm the only baby my mom used pain medication with (my sisters both came within 2 hours, so there wasn't time) and I'm the only birth she had issues with. Her doctor was off work and pretty much refused to come in to deliver me. For some reason no one else was capable, or they were just a bunch of asshats. They used demerol to attempt to slow her labor down, giving the doctor enough time to decide he was ready to come back to work. Even with the pain medication, and being told to not push, her labor was only 8 hours - which rocks for a first time birth, on your back, in a hospital full of asshats. Due to that really lousy combination, I aspirated fluid. But rather than try to cough it up, which is you know a reflex, I just kinda went with it. Because of the demerol I was too lethargic to try and save my own damn life.
I ended up with an infection in my lungs, and didn't get to go home, be held, or breastfeed for 10 days.
As a result of that initial onslaught of hospital horror, my lungs are ridiculously susceptible to infection, and are currently full of scar tissue. I've never been able to run. It's been nearly 22 years.

I've known since I was a child that any child I managed to conceive would be born naturally. It's not even an option to consider pain medication.

I figured I would add a little anecdote to my experience:

I was induced and ended up on the maximum amount of pitocin, not progressing, my water was broken at 3cm. My baby was 9lbs and it took me two hours to push him out, but I did it with no drugs and only had small first-degree internal tears.

A lot of my friends told me I wouldn't be able to get through the pitocin contractions without an epidural, but I did. It hurt like a sonofa*****, but I know it can be done.

I've only had one baby, so I don't have a lot of birthing experience to draw on, and we're all so different. Just don't let other people's stories scare you, because you don't know what your body is capable of until you get there.

The natural contraction i was happy with ok with but the pitocin one oh no, i loved my epidural. I am hoping to actually go into labor this time in hopes of deliving naturally.....last time i get to go through it. On the hand with pitocin and epidural it still took 12 hours before it was time to push so i don't know. My labor experience taught me not to judge people and know most moms know what it is right for them, plus with my water broken the nurse inside of me kept saying 24hours to a c-section and i definitely did not want that.

I was fine with natural contractions until the pitocin, which gave me no breaks between contractions ---> begging for an epidural. Sure, I might have been in enough pain to ask for it anyway, but with the pitocin I had no chance. There was really no good reason for me to be given pitocin, either, and I think they overdosed me on it.

This time I am having a talk with my OB about not wanting pitocin. My first labor was 11 hours total, which is very short for a first-timer, especially when you consider that epidurals are supposed to slow down labor. I only had to wait that long because I was Strep B positive, so I wasn't allowed to start pushing until I'd gotten another dose of antibiotics at a certain time after the first dose, and then I had to wait for the doctor. Had I not had to wait for antibiotics and the doctor, I probably would have started pushing a lot earlier because for a long time my son was basically waiting right there, at the ready. Anyway, subsequent labors are generally shorter, so I likely won't have that much time from start to finish (I hope). Giving me pitocin would be really silly.

I have been reading this one and now I have some time to post. I have had 4 deliveries all with epidural. Love the epidural, I went in for my first my water broke but contractions were not strong enough... I didn't feel them, and they were not registering so add in the drip... painful back contractions, that were not even reading on the moniter (very fusrating, I was in pain and no one could see the results). My husband was all on board for natural no drugs... until the pain got worse, he could not bare to see me in pain he caved first and convinced me to try something, nurse suggested morphine as I was still against epidural and was barely 2 cm and no change in hours. Tried morphine started puking.... at that point I gave in to the pressure and it was the best thing for me. I got my epidural, back pain eased. And I relaxed.... i went from 2cm to 8cm in 1/2 an hour. I told the nurse I was ready, she laughed and said we just gave you the epidural like 20 min ago.... so she checked and yes I was up to 8.... frantic nurse at that point.... I said I felt like pushing, suprised she called the dr and she said okay try one, its going to be a bit, I pushed once and she told me not to do it again! more panic and baby was out in 2 more pushes. Other birth stories are similar (except my monkey boy who turned sideways during labor, that was painful body trying to force sideways baby into birth canel, trust me he is still my monkey, turned out okay skilled DR. turned him and broke my water so he could not swim anymore.), once epidual kicks in I relax and it goes fast, but my body has never seemed to fully go through labor on its own, it was always taken the drip to finish the process, my water will break, I get going a little but it seem to stall and give out.... so heres to one more baby I would like to not be impatient this time and not jump at getting induced.... although that being said I get so darned excited to meet my new baby that I don't know it I can wait any extra time.

I'll add to my story that once I had the epidural, I went from 3-4cm (where I'd kinda stalled, despite the fact that they'd overloaded me with pitocin) to 10cm in no time flat. They say that epidurals sometimes stall labor, but my guess is that I chilled out enough to dilate. Everyone's different, though.

I had an epidural with my daughter and it hurt like hell but I would do it again. The pain went away and I was able to relax. I just got the shakes from it really bad but it was ok bc I wasn't hurting anymore. I tore pretty bad so I was very glad I didn't have to actually feel any of that when it happened bc I had to get quite a bit of stitches afterwards so was glad I could lie there then and feel absolutely nothing. I just wish it didn't hurt so dang bad! I'm pregnant again and really dreading that part of it but I will be getting another epidural bc going through the labor itself is very hard. I didn't get my epidural until I was already dilated to 7 cm bc they took forever to give it to me and by the time I finally got it, I was getting ready to lose it! I just couldn't take it anymore going through so much pain! Good luck to you!

Oooh. I had an epidural with my first and it was great. It helped speed up birth and I felt like a rock star.

The second child and the epidural was terrible. It didn't work the first attempt to put it in and I had natural labour most of the day. Once I complained about the catheter being uncomfortable did someone believe me. Then the anesthesiologist came back in and rammed the needle in too deep and punctured my spinal cord. The minute they took the epidural out I had the most debilitating headache. Again, no one really took me seriously.

3 days later I was in so much pain in my head I couldn't stand. I was having hearing problems. It was so much pain I could barely nurse my son. The headache was worse than any migraine I ever had and was only relieved after I laid down for a few minutes. I called a help line and they told me to get to a hospital. I went to the ER and told me I had a dural puncture from the epidural and the headache was because my cerebral spinal fluid was leaking into my body and my brain wasn't floating anymore. It was resting on my skull. O.M.G.

I had to have a "blood patch" where they put a tube of my blood into my spine to try and heal the puncture hole. It was great. It worked. For like 12 hours. Then the hole opened back up while I was bending to pick up my son to nurse him. I could physically feel something in my spine and the headache hit me like a ton of bricks. 2 days later and not only was I having intense pain and auditory problems, but I was having visual disturbances tooo. Back to a different ER (the local hospital didn't want to touch me with a 10 foot pole. They said to go back to the hospital where they made the error). 8 hours later and I'm getting a rare second blood patch. They were afraid of permanent brain damage.

The worst of the headache was over, but not gone. The theory was that the hole was quite large and leaking a lot of fluid, and the 2 blood patches were helping to close the hole, but it was still slow leaking. They put me on supine bed rest for 1 week. I wasn't allowed to use a pillow. Lay flat on my back except to pee. I could still nurse, but my head had to be flat. You get the picture. I was useless and a drain on my family. I couldn't care for my daughter, couldn't even change my newborn's diaper. Before that week was over I was officially suffering from postpartum depression.

In the end, my headache finally cleared after 6 weeks. The postpartum medication lasted 6 months, and the Zoloft withdrawal was a treat. And my spine hurt like a b*tch for over a year, right at the spot where they poked me and poked ma and poked me each time. On a particularly active day, I can STILL feel the scar tissue where it bound my two bones together. Acupuncture has worked like a charm on that tho.

Now I'm pregnant with my third. Will I have an epidural again?

Oh HELL no. I don't care if my body goes into shock from labour. I'm going natural. Emergency C? Put me the hell under. I do NOT want someone to poke me in the spine again for the rest of my life.

Now, it sounds funny for me to say NOW, but you go right ahead and get one if you want. But when they give you the verbal warning that 2% of all epidurals cause a headache, please know that it's not just ANY headache. It's debilitating and might have lasting effects, mentally and physically. And from what I've read in various baby forums, the headaches are more than 2%, just most women have a smaller puncture and it resolves itself within a week without making complaints to their doctors. Also, some women get pooh-poohed, told that pushing causes a headache.

Anyway, there's my essay. Good luck with your new bundle of joy!!

Oooh. I had an epidural with my first and it was great. It helped speed up birth and I felt like a rock star.

The second child and the epidural was terrible. It didn't work the first attempt to put it in and I had natural labour most of the day. Once I complained about the catheter being uncomfortable did someone believe me. Then the anesthesiologist came back in and rammed the needle in too deep and punctured my spinal cord. The minute they took the epidural out I had the most debilitating headache. Again, no one really took me seriously.

3 days later I was in so much pain in my head I couldn't stand. I was having hearing problems. It was so much pain I could barely nurse my son. The headache was worse than any migraine I ever had and was only relieved after I laid down for a few minutes. I called a help line and they told me to get to a hospital. I went to the ER and told me I had a dural puncture from the epidural and the headache was because my cerebral spinal fluid was leaking into my body and my brain wasn't floating anymore. It was resting on my skull. O.M.G.

I had to have a "blood patch" where they put a tube of my blood into my spine to try and heal the puncture hole. It was great. It worked. For like 12 hours. Then the hole opened back up while I was bending to pick up my son to nurse him. I could physically feel something in my spine and the headache hit me like a ton of bricks. 2 days later and not only was I having intense pain and auditory problems, but I was having visual disturbances tooo. Back to a different ER (the local hospital didn't want to touch me with a 10 foot pole. They said to go back to the hospital where they made the error). 8 hours later and I'm getting a rare second blood patch. They were afraid of permanent brain damage.

The worst of the headache was over, but not gone. The theory was that the hole was quite large and leaking a lot of fluid, and the 2 blood patches were helping to close the hole, but it was still slow leaking. They put me on supine bed rest for 1 week. I wasn't allowed to use a pillow. Lay flat on my back except to pee. I could still nurse, but my head had to be flat. You get the picture. I was useless and a drain on my family. I couldn't care for my daughter, couldn't even change my newborn's diaper. Before that week was over I was officially suffering from postpartum depression.

In the end, my headache finally cleared after 6 weeks. The postpartum medication lasted 6 months, and the Zoloft withdrawal was a treat. And my spine hurt like a b*tch for over a year, right at the spot where they poked me and poked ma and poked me each time. On a particularly active day, I can STILL feel the scar tissue where it bound my two bones together. Acupuncture has worked like a charm on that tho.

Now I'm pregnant with my third. Will I have an epidural again?

Oh HELL no. I don't care if my body goes into shock from labour. I'm going natural. Emergency C? Put me the hell under. I do NOT want someone to poke me in the spine again for the rest of my life.

Now, it sounds funny for me to say NOW, but you go right ahead and get one if you want. But when they give you the verbal warning that 2% of all epidurals cause a headache, please know that it's not just ANY headache. It's debilitating and might have lasting effects, mentally and physically. And from what I've read in various baby forums, the headaches are more than 2%, just most women have a smaller puncture and it resolves itself within a week without making complaints to their doctors. Also, some women get pooh-poohed, told that pushing causes a headache.

Anyway, there's my essay. Good luck with your new bundle of joy!!

Holy crap, that is quite the horror story! Glad you made it through all that and no guesses needed as to why you're foregoing the epidural this time!

I am not planning on an epidural or any pain medication for that matter. Nor am I really that open to it. My husband and I have an agreement that if I ask for an epidural, he'll encourage other things like getting in the bath, shower etc etc. I need to be under control and calm to make the decision. As I understand it, most women will get to a point when going through transition where they ask for pain relief.

Transition is tough, but it is a lot of mind over matter. Laboring in the tub was amazing for me. Usually when I get into the tub, I dilate from about 6 to 10 in 30 minutes or so. The water just has a calming affect. Early labor is also great in the shower.

Oooh. I had an epidural with my first and it was great. It helped speed up birth and I felt like a rock star.

The second child and the epidural was terrible. It didn't work the first attempt to put it in and I had natural labour most of the day. Once I complained about the catheter being uncomfortable did someone believe me. Then the anesthesiologist came back in and rammed the needle in too deep and punctured my spinal cord. The minute they took the epidural out I had the most debilitating headache. Again, no one really took me seriously.

3 days later I was in so much pain in my head I couldn't stand. I was having hearing problems. It was so much pain I could barely nurse my son. The headache was worse than any migraine I ever had and was only relieved after I laid down for a few minutes. I called a help line and they told me to get to a hospital. I went to the ER and told me I had a dural puncture from the epidural and the headache was because my cerebral spinal fluid was leaking into my body and my brain wasn't floating anymore. It was resting on my skull. O.M.G.

I had to have a "blood patch" where they put a tube of my blood into my spine to try and heal the puncture hole. It was great. It worked. For like 12 hours. Then the hole opened back up while I was bending to pick up my son to nurse him. I could physically feel something in my spine and the headache hit me like a ton of bricks. 2 days later and not only was I having intense pain and auditory problems, but I was having visual disturbances tooo. Back to a different ER (the local hospital didn't want to touch me with a 10 foot pole. They said to go back to the hospital where they made the error). 8 hours later and I'm getting a rare second blood patch. They were afraid of permanent brain damage.

The worst of the headache was over, but not gone. The theory was that the hole was quite large and leaking a lot of fluid, and the 2 blood patches were helping to close the hole, but it was still slow leaking. They put me on supine bed rest for 1 week. I wasn't allowed to use a pillow. Lay flat on my back except to pee. I could still nurse, but my head had to be flat. You get the picture. I was useless and a drain on my family. I couldn't care for my daughter, couldn't even change my newborn's diaper. Before that week was over I was officially suffering from postpartum depression.

In the end, my headache finally cleared after 6 weeks. The postpartum medication lasted 6 months, and the Zoloft withdrawal was a treat. And my spine hurt like a b*tch for over a year, right at the spot where they poked me and poked ma and poked me each time. On a particularly active day, I can STILL feel the scar tissue where it bound my two bones together. Acupuncture has worked like a charm on that tho.

Now I'm pregnant with my third. Will I have an epidural again?

Oh HELL no. I don't care if my body goes into shock from labour. I'm going natural. Emergency C? Put me the hell under. I do NOT want someone to poke me in the spine again for the rest of my life.

Now, it sounds funny for me to say NOW, but you go right ahead and get one if you want. But when they give you the verbal warning that 2% of all epidurals cause a headache, please know that it's not just ANY headache. It's debilitating and might have lasting effects, mentally and physically. And from what I've read in various baby forums, the headaches are more than 2%, just most women have a smaller puncture and it resolves itself within a week without making complaints to their doctors. Also, some women get pooh-poohed, told that pushing causes a headache.

Anyway, there's my essay. Good luck with your new bundle of joy!!

HOLY EPIDURAL!!! for sure keeping my request to go all natural, no drugs. and yes, I kid you not I will scream like there is no tomorrow from the pain, I experienced back labor with my first son but I take that temporary pain to the horror I just read.

You are one strong mom!

I am not planning on an epidural or any pain medication for that matter. Nor am I really that open to it. My husband and I have an agreement that if I ask for an epidural, he'll encourage other things like getting in the bath, shower etc etc. I need to be under control and calm to make the decision. As I understand it, most women will get to a point when going through transition where they ask for pain relief.

Transition is tough, but it is a lot of mind over matter. Laboring in the tub was amazing for me. Usually when I get into the tub, I dilate from about 6 to 10 in 30 minutes or so. The water just has a calming affect. Early labor is also great in the shower.

Thanks, that's the way I am looking at it. I understand why people want to be 'open to anything', but I can't see the point in intending not to have one BUT not really planning how to get past that point where you will almost inevitably ask...

I would like to labor and hopefully birth in the tub. Did you give birth in the water?

For my first baby I labored in the tub, but birthed on all fours. My second and third were water births. I am planning a home water birth for my fourth this April.

No epidural as I was in the hospital for preterm labor at 32 weeks, and you should SEE the size of the needle they stuck me with that time. That scared the pants off me and I was able to labor without epidural 5 weeks later.

I agree, the pain of labor isn't a "something is wrong, or scary or broken" kind of pain. It's more like "my muscle is working so hard that it's actually painful" I mean, ever lift heavy weights and hold them in position until your arm shakes and you experience muscular failure? That's the kind of pain it is. And the fabulous thing is generally between most of the contractions, except for the very very end, the pain disappears. Even workout pain doesn't do that.

Good luck with your decision!

Thats a great way to put it (pain reference). I think a lot of women (myself included with baby #1) get into the mindset of the wrong, scary or broken pain and freak out. I freaked out, and therefore wanted anything that would help calm that fear. This time around, I'm going to be working on acknowledging the pain for what it is.