Should I have a medication free Labour? Worried about effects of labour medications on bonding and breastfeeding

Question

I recently started researching pain medication for labour (always assumed I would take as much help as I could), however I have scared myself as I keep reading about the negative effects on breastfeeding and bonding? I am now thinking about trying to give birth without medication however this is horrifyingly scary! I am looking for opinions on ;

1) Going medication free - is this really painful or would those who have done it recommend? I really dont want to be out of it when my baby is handed to me, as it will be an amazing moment I want to treasure

2) effects of labour medication on breastfeeding -are there some medications that do not have as much of an effect?I read that as the baby is effected my the drugs it is very sleepy and finds it difficult to suck at first

Thanks!

Answer

My first son was delivered all natural, I plan to do the same for this pregnancy as well. To me, going pain med free was painful, and exhausting, but I preferred being in control of my body during delivery. I was able to push easier and with more control.(3 good pushes and voila!!)  Dealing with the pain during labor, I used visualization (try hypnobirthing techniques). Labor is painful without meds, but literally all pain disappears the moment your baby has arrived.

Answer

I could feel a lot when I was pushing because they lowered my epidural. It didn't take that long maybe an hour or so for it to wear off and I was walking. However, I'm exactly 10 weeks postpartum and have the WORST pain where the epidural was in my back. My back is so stiff and in constant pain that it's hard to hold my baby without hurting. And by the end of the night I'm almost in tears because of the pain. I tried not getting an epidural but after 25 hours of contractions and only to a 6, I gave in. (Then another 16 before I had the baby) I really wish I would have toughened it out because this pain is damn near the pain of those contractions. This is just my experience but wanted to share. If you can go all the way without medication, I would.

Answer

I'm having a home birth as a ftm and at first I was scared of the pain, but more afraid of the side effects of intervention and pain medication on my baby and myself. I've been reading the book hypnobirth and I'm actually excited about labor! It's all about releasing the fear to let your body do what its made to do.  When are you due? I'd love to chat more if you're interested.  Good luck with whatever you choose!

Answer

Go with the flow I wanted medicated free birth got epi and don't regret a thing

Answer

I had the epidural and my baby was born very awake, alert and hungry! lol. He latched on immediately and he had the correct latch from the beginning (I had the lactation consultant check) 
I successfully breastfed him with no problems for a little over a year. :)

Probably the only downside of the epi for me, was a small sore spot in the place where the tube was inserted. It was only sore when I slouched for about a week or two and I haven't had any problems since then so..... in my opinion, the epi was worth it lol. But I'm terrible with pain.

Answer

I was thinking I'd want to go without Meds to lower hospital bills but honestly I just winged the whole birth. The nurses had asked my plan and I told her that I had a birth plan made but the odds of it happening exactly the way I chose were slim so I told her I'll go as long as I could without pain but I knew I wouldn't be able to do it if the pain got bad. I ended up having some IV drug(didn't work) then laughing gas then an Epi. The epi was really the only thing that gave me the most relief and less anxiety when it came time to push. I wasn't loopy except for the duration of the laughing gas since that's when my contractions were getting bad.

Answer

I had a med free water birth with my first and it was a beautiful, calm, amazing experience. I prepped with Hypnobirthing.  We took a 6 week class and really bonded with our group. We're all still in touch almost 3 years later which has also been a blessing. The water really helped with back labor but it really didn't hurt until the end getting her shoulders through. But it ends. As soon as that precious baby was in my arms all the discomfort flooded away and the hormone glow took over. It's kind of an amazing ride. I can't imagine doing it any other way.

Answer

I planned on an all natural, medication free birthing experience but the pain got to be too much for me to handle. I had to have two epidurals done in the span of not even 24 hours because the first catheter came out completely. I ended up having to have an emergency csection but because my frame is too small and the birth canal was too narrow for the baby. Just keep an open mind to how things may play out. It may be completely painless for you or it may be too much. Regardless, my daughter was still insanely alert after delivery, even after me having to have two epidurals as well as a spinal tap. It didn't affect her at all.

Answer

Had one without and one with. Breastfeeding was very difficult with both because they had severe jaundice and I had postpartum. Don't fret, if you want meds then get them, if not, don't. Breastfeeding will come easy if you're relaxed.

Answer

I had no medication when I delivered my baby this time, and when I have another I don't see myself wanting any medication. Sure it hurts but only for a minute at a time. And once baby is out it's instantly fine again. It was great being able to walk around in labor - lying in the bed was awful! So I didn't do it, but obviously it can be hard to walk around with an epidural.

Should I have a medication free Labour? Worried about effects of labour medications on bonding and breastfeeding

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