Monday, March 17, 2008
Drugs or No Drugs....THAT IS THE QUESTION!!!!
If you look to the right you will see a poll I am taking. I can't decide on how I want to have this baby. I had an epidural with Lindsay...and although there was no pain...the recovery was brutal. So I had Alyssa and Cameron with nothing...although the delivery was BRUTAL!!!!!! The recovery was awesome and quick. I've had to be induced with all three, thus far, and so am assuming that'll be the case again. I've heard it's a harder labor when your body isn't ready and you are induced....but I'm sure it is Hell on earth no matter how the labor comes. All for a Heavenly purpose of course! It is amazing how you have to experience the most excruciating pain for the greatest joy and miracle I can think of!!!!!! What a contrast and emotional ride! So.... if all who read this will leave their vote and maybe a comment why I should do one way or the other that would be much appreciated. If the winner is 'no drugs' there better be some dang good encouraging comments!!!!!! Thanks!
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8 comments:
I would say, if everything is going according to plan and there are no complications, try to tough it out but when/if it gets too much, get the drugs.
I had a few natural and yeah, the recovery was easier, but I kind of liked the excuse to lie around with my new baby.
I don't want to scare you with the horrid details, but my last few inductions were pretty brutal even with the epidural so I am probably not a good one to give advice...
I just think that you should be able to relax and enjoy the experience as much as possible, and for me that means drugs. =)
I've done it both ways and I wish I could be stronger, but I am weak, weak, weak.
One thing that made it super hard for me to try to tough it out was...it was tough on Art, too, to see me miserable like that. He was always so relieved when/if I got an epidural. So it was a relief for both of us.
I had both mine by c-section and I couldn't do mine without drugs and my recovery time really sucked so I'm not one to say which way is better. But if I had to choose, I say go for the drugs because if it can help you relax during the birth, that's a good thing right? And there's a reason the drugs were created. Kudos for having two drug-free births, though!
I got together with my doula friend last night and we watched "The Business of Being Born" (which you can watch on Netflix's website if you're interested) so I have birth and labor really swirling around in my head right now. The decision of getting medication is obviously one you've dealt with before, but for some reason, you're searching again. Try to honor that voice that is raising those questions. You can also consider talking to a doula. Any would give you a free consultation and would give you some introspective questions that will help you understand the heart of your concerns, your feelings about birth, the baby, yourself, etc. The answer about medication will follow naturally. One way or the other is not better for everyone, but you can get to the point where you feel very reassured in your decisions.
I agree with Cosette, such a big part of my decision to get an epidural was because Jon hates to see my in pain. When he got his vasectomy it hurt so much that I was all for whatever it took to make him feel better... But I've never done it natural so I guess you're a dying breed Rachel. You're tough as nails!!
I'm impressed that you're considering going natural after having done it twice. You are amazing! I only have one experience with childbirth and I went with the drugs and it was great. Although it was still exhausting, I totally felt like I could do it again - no problem. You'll know what is best for you in the end. Good luck!
Random reader here...I've had epidurals with both babies, and recovery varied. I would guess that your slow recovery the first time had more to do with being induced and your first than the epidural.
With epidurals they can adjust how much painkiller you get - with baby #2 I could still feel contractions to push and felt him crown, but the pain was more like 6cm contra. instead of 10 and delivery. I was ready for another baby right after delivering! (Maybe it was hormones, eh?)
Good luck, and congrats on your beautiful family!
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