Induction tomorrow! Anyone been induced without getting the epidural?

Question

Just received the call from L&D to report to them at 6:30am tomorrow, and I’m super nervous. I delivered my first child at 41 weeks with no interventions, but a very long, horribly painful labor. This time, I’m 41 +1 and baby has been measuring 2-3 weeks ahead all along, (estimated to be 8.5-9.5 lbs) hence the induction. I’ve seen so many stories from moms about being induced, and it seems most end up with an epidural. I really wanted to do another unmedicated birth, so I’m wondering if anyone can give me their story about an induction without an epidural? Am I crazy to think I don’t want one? How was recovery after the epidural? Just looking to ease my mind either way. Thanks, ladies!

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Congrats on your upcoming labor day! I was in labor for three days before I had pitocin, and only dilated from a 1 to a 3 during that time. By then I was so tired. When they gave me the pitocin, the contractions were way worse so I got an epidural around 4/5 cm. It was glorious as it took away all the pain and helped my body finally relax enough to dilate. I was fully dilated in about 3-4 hours. I pushed baby out in 5 pushes with no pain, so I was really able to focus on the pushing. I had a second degree tear which required stitches, didn’t feel those going in either. My back was sore for a day or two but no residual pain at all from the needle. I was so worried that all the medical intervention - the induction, the epidural, etc - was going to take me away from my goal, which was to have a successful vbac. But the nurse told me that in a lot of cases, the epidural helps take the edge off enough that your body can release tension and finally dilate. I really think that (plus a bit of pitocin) is what helped me get over that dilation hump. No shame in my epidural game. It was a peaceful and relatively pain free delivery. 
But you do you, mama. If you want to go all natural and you have a high pain tolerance and that empowers you, then you should by all means push for that kind of delivery if that’s what is important to you. Just don’t be scared to ask for help if you’re miserable with the induction medications. What’s important is that you feel at peace and in control of the process so that you can enjoy your baby’s entry to this world!

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With my 5th I had an unexpected home birth no medications it was quicker then induction for sure! But the pain was excruciating but well worth it! Now I'm pregnant with my 7th going in to be induce july 29th at 8am!

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I was induced with my son and was too late for an epidural by the time I waa having terrible contractions. They came in at 7:13 to do the epidural I had my son at 7:18 after they got the needle in lol no time for meds went straight to pushing

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I didn’t have an epidural with my induction last year. Had pethadine to take the edge off but overall it was fine.

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I was induced with my first and third baby. 
Had an epidural with my first but i dilated completely as soon as it kicked in so it made pushing really hard for me. 
With this last baby, (3rd) I was induced bc of GD and chose not to do pain medication. Labor on pitocin is hard, painful and the contractions come on fast. I signed the papers to authorize an epidural just in case that i changed my mind because i wanted to be flexible but I really wanted to do without. I made sure to utilize all of my resources like a yoga ball, standing, walking, kneeling through labor and as much as I begged for a break at one point, i never thought about asking for pain medication. But maybe that was because my brain was too foggy from the pain lol. Either way, we made it through and baby was 8lbs 1oz. I delivered standing up and definitely recommend it! 
Pain didn’t become unbearable until after they broke my water so try to rest as much as you can before then!

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I was induced with my last baby 3 yrs ago. I had her at 42 weeks. I’m 41 weeks tomorrow and I’m hoping and praying this baby comes on her own. I did not have a epidural for the last baby. I went pain med free until the last 3 -4 hrs of my labor I could not bare the pain no more it was excruciating. They offered me a intrathecal which is a pain med that goes into your back around the spine and it lasts for 3 hrs and as soon as it wears off you have the urge to push and that’s exactly what happened it’s was amazing. Just remember you are not super woman and if it gets bad do what you have to do. My first I went into labor at 41 weeks on my own and did it pain med free so I’m hoping I’m able to do it again. This is my third and final baby.

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I just got induced and this time they offered me pill . If they offer you that I'd reccomend taking those. They bring on your own natural labour o loves that compared to any other way ! I almost did it without an epidural but the pain got wayyy to bad .. I got the epidural then 30 mins later pushed the baby out in 4 mins lmao

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I definitely had an epidural with both of my births (no regrets, but also no pressure toward you). You asked what recovery was like with an epidural if I’m reading that correctly. With my first daughter, I literally got up and walked, went to the bathroom, and had my catheter out within 30 minutes of giving birth/getting stitched up. I had only a minor tear that required two stitches, so I would say I was almost completely back to normal after I’d gotten some sleep. Pushing was fine, and in fact was shorter than the typical first birth. Once the epidural was placed with her, I napped, visited with family, and was extremely relaxed until it was time to push. My second daughter required an emergency c-section that would have been necessary regardless of how I had gone into labor and if I had the epidural or not. I was glad I did because they were able to give me the meds through my epidural so that I could stay awake. I would have had to fully go under otherwise. I am in no way saying you can’t do it without an epidural, especially with it being a second baby, but I’ve not been familiar with too many women getting induced and not getting an epidural. Whatever you decide, I wish you an easy, fast, and safe delivery!

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And congrats!!!!

Induction tomorrow! Anyone been induced without getting the epidural?

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