The thing that I found, was that I didn't have the right information going into the birth. I seriously didn't even know that lying on my back would be the worst possible position in terms of both pain and speedy labour. I mean after all, they're always on their backs in movies and on TV!
So when I was told to lie on my back for an internal and then got a contraction (the first one that hurt, I wonder if that's a coincidence), then they said "it will be at least 8 hours more of this pain and the anaethisist is about to leave - have an epidural now or you won't have a choice", and then badgered me when I was uncertain - well I believed them and had it. And later regretted it.
I think what would be really useful for women is to have birthing positions and active labour explained to them, and the pros and cons of pain relief better explained. Sure I was told there were risks with an epidural, but no-one told me how much more likely intervention was going to be, no-one told me that I would have pain for weeks afterwards because I would need an episotomy due to forceps use, no-one told me that having an epidural makes you feel like an invalid after the birth, rather than fantastic and invincible like you do after a drug free birth. I was also told of the "1/100" risk of severe headache. After the epidural was in, the anaethesist told me that I would have been that 1/100 with a less experienced doctor, as I had a very small space and he nearly missed it. Very reassuring!
For what it's worth, before this thread started (and finding out my Papp A score is low thus maybe necessitating a c/s), I admit that I was one of those gals who always imagined herself screaming for "drugs, more drugs" during labour.
Now however, after reading some of the comments from others, I am off to research natural labour and birth techniques.
Probably not the outcome FM was hoping for, but again, it's all about choice. And the thought of an episiotomy due to forcep use that wouldn't even be necessary without an epidural honestly scares me more than any pain associated with labour does.
Plus, after doing some Googling of my own, I'm not sure that the studies in this book have been presented in a completely forthcoming and relevant light.
I swear, if any of those people close to me could read this post where I state I'm debating giving up my adamance of being drugged to the hilt if I feel I'm in 'too much pain', I honestly think they'd suffer severe shock. I'm still hell-bent on having a bit of lip gloss on and cute jammies but that's about it.
And this is another example why I finally stopped lurking and started posting. I love this site and all of the invaluable information and sharing of experiences that it contains.
maybe it was the particular hospital that you went to. i had an epi for first birth which the mw recommended that i have! second time round when we were discussing pain options the i was saying no i want to see if i can get away without it but the more we were talking the mw said, it sounds to me like you kind of do want one so we can organise an early one if you want? i asked for one at 5cm got it in and hooked up within half an hour and then started pushing so didnt really need it after all as i dilated so quickly towards the end. so i havent found my hospital to be anit epi or have a delayed response to giving them.
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