Question about labor...

[opaloctober]

Let me first start by saying I don't like pain. At ALL. BUT, I do want to try and give birth without and epidural, if possible...i'd like to labor and be able to push in different positions, etc. Is there anything that relieves pain that I can be given, say interveinously that will help with the pain but still allow me to be mobile and be in

Comments

[longlostblue]

From what I understand, they rarely actually let you walk around with a "walking" epidural. It's just a term they use for it.

[idemandjustice]

The Fentanyl is just very short term pain relief. I was given some a couple of years ago for a spinal headache. It was a lot of fun, but it only lasted about 30 minutes. Also, AFAIK, an epidural is safer for your baby than any intravenous drugs.

I've heard some good testimonials about hypnobirths, so it might be worth looking into. Water births are also supposed to be less painful.

Do you have a doula? I think statistically, fewer people who have one end up requesting an epidural, because that support helps them to get through it more easily.

[opaloctober]

I don't have a doula yet, but am looking into getting one thanks to The Motherhood Center here in Houston...

[syganzychick]

If you want to do it without an epidural, but with less pain, have you thought about TENS? Its Transcutaneous Electronic Nerve Stimulation. They use little electrical pads on your back and you send electrical impulses through them to the muscles to help relieve pain. I've haven't done it, but I've heard it can be a good option.

[mokey4]

I've just started the hypnopbabies home study course, and I think it's going to be very helpful for me. You definitely want to prepare for a natural birth, not just kinda figure it out. Esp if you're in the hospital.

I had a homebirth for my first, and was not so well prepared. It was all fine and I don't regret it one bit, but I think it would have been a lot better with some more preparation (like hypnobabies). If I was in the hospital I would have had a c-section, almost guaranteed (because of the particulars of my birth, which i won't get into here).

[coendou]

Thanks for asking this, because it's something I've been wondering too. Laboring and delivering in any position other than on my back is basically my main priority - I'm not specifically anti-drugs, but I wouldn't want anything that interferes with that. This has been a very informative post!