Epidural or IV?

Question

I’m currently 38 weeks and 3 days, I’m 3cm dilated and my doctor doesn’t think I’ll make it past this weekend. I’m in between getting an epidural or IV or nothing at all? I would say I have a pretty high pain tolerance but I’m getting more and more nervous.

Answer

The decision is 100% yours but I encourage you not to let fear take over. In fact fear tends to make labour more difficult since you tense us alot. I hired a doula as support and watch a few positive labour videos before my big day arrived since I knew that would help me relax. I had a natural birth and am very proud I experienced it that way. I hope to have a similar experience with my second.

Answer

I have a high pain tolerance and needed nothing while I was induced. It was uncomfortable at most but walking helped a lot. I had back labor and honestly it just felt like strong period cramps to me. Once the pushing started all the pain went away. I had a 16 hour labor and 6 hours of that was pushing. They did numbing shots on me for my episiotomy. 
Everyone handles pain differently and you won’t know how you’ll handle it until you’re in the situation. Leave your mind open for all options and see how you feel when the time comes.

Answer

Dont have your mind set on anything. Things change in seconds. Anything can happen. You can always see how far you can get natural before opting for something. Talk to your doctor about when they will no longer offer an epidural or iv pain meds. Iv pain meds can make baby drowsy so they often wont give it once you have hit a certain point. Some doctors wont allow an epidural after a certain point because its hard to keep someone still while in pain and can be a lawsuit. Some will give an epidural while pushing of it is hindering your ability to effectively push.

Answer

I did both Iv pain meds & the epidural

Answer

My friend still feels numbness in her back from her epidural and her son is 3

Answer

Wait until you’re there and decide. The IV did literally nothing for me. The epidural worked wonders. I went in adamant against either haha

Answer

I had an epidural with my first. The whole process of getting it was terrible for me, so I said I wouldn’t get one with my second. I just had my second baby and let me tell you how much easier the recovery process was. It was like night and day. I’m so so so glad I said I wasn’t getting an epidural. Of course it hurt like hell, but I won’t get an epidural if I have a third either just because of how easy the recovery was. I asked for IV pain meds whenever I was 8cm dilated, my doctor said she would give me a half of a dose because of how close I was and she didn’t want the baby to be drowsy. I denied the half dose because I didn’t want to risk baby being drowsy and the labor process taking longer because of it. She said the half dose would have only taken the edge off the pain anyway.

Answer

You have to get the IV. It's for fluids, not for pain meds. They can offer anti anxiety meds through the iv but regardless you still have to get the actual iv for fluids. The anxiety meds don't help much with pain. I got the epidural and don't regret it.

Epidural or IV?

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