[Quantum_Leap]

Originally Posted by HappyHippy

This really wasn't "new research" it was an opinion piece siting other studies.

Several of the studies cited in the article were from 2011. That's why I said "latest research."

[HappyHippy]

I don't normally tell many people of my experience with ds1. Short version. I was dealing with contractions just fine, but the nurse was pushy and kept asking me if I wanted the epidural. Since I hadn't ate or drank anything in several hours I was getting a stomachache, the nurse told me to take the epidural so I didn't have it anymore. In a moment of desperation I said yes. Immediatly after it was placed I regreted it, since I don't do well with medications and I never wanted it. I felt very disconnected, most likely because some hormones were being cut off. The OB used vacuum, but he didn't have to. I was crowning when he came in and he pushed ds1's head back in to attach the vacuum, and then he pulled him out too fast which caused a tear. DH got to cut the cord but was rushed to do so and then they immediatly handed ds1 off to a Pediatric and NICU team (I had ds1 at 41 weeks). ds1 stayed in the room but was placed on oxygen since he was not breathing or responding. My OB has told me that that can happen with epi babies, whether he's correct or not, it has jaded my experience with it. I feel that in my birth the epidural caused a cascade of problems. The epidural made the OB want to use vacuum, vacuum caused a tear, a tear caused a blood clot in my perineum, the blood clot caused me to need surgery, the surgery caused me to be out the rest of the night, being out meant ds1 stayed in the nursery, being in the nursery ment I didn't get to BF at all that first night, not BFing the first night had a negative effect on my bond and future BFing with him, I left home having PPD (not really epi related). For future babies I will avoid epidural and any other pain medications if I can. I had ds2 at home without anything and it was such a amazing experience I really can't see myself doing the epidural or hospital again unless I medically need to. Everyone's experience is different. Most epi clients I have have great births, some have the epi again for future births, some don't.

[GSLynn]

I'm an epidural birthin' mama (and surromom!). I will say that epidurals definitely helped my labors progress faster. I tense up when in pain, so....their theory that it stalls labor isn't true with me. Once I can relax, labor progresses more naturally.

[Tofu Bacon]

Originally Posted by GSLynn

I'm an epidural birthin' mama (and surromom!). I will say that epidurals definitely helped my labors progress faster. I tense up when in pain, so....their theory that it stalls labor isn't true with me. Once I can relax, labor progresses more naturally.

Same here. With both of my VBACs I labored naturally for 18 and 21 hours respectively, before "caving" and getting an epidural. It didn't do much for the pain (back labor. lucky me), but it did even out the contractions and help me relax. Aside from ds2 and the group b strep incident, both babes were in great condition.

[HappyHippy]

I've been with mommas who were super tense and could not relax at all, not even between contractions, and once they got that epidural they'd go from a 4 to a 7 just like that.

[fluffycheeks]

Originally Posted by HappyHippy

I've been with mommas who were super tense and could not relax at all, not even between contractions, and once they got that epidural they'd go from a 4 to a 7 just like that.

Totally me for my first and last labors. After I got my epidural this time, I went from a 4 to a 10 in about 20-30 minutes, after not much progress before then. I wasn't totally numb (in a good way) so I could tell them that I was ready to push and the baby was coming out. They almost didn't believe me because it happened so fast. I wholeheartedly believe epidurals are the best invention of modern science. Like Jillian, I have a whole lot of birth anxiety, and have no interest in even trying to deliver without one.