What It Actually Feels Like To Give Birth Without An Epidural
Every woman’s pregnancy and delivery isa special, unique and sometimes unpredictable experience. You may have made plans to deliver at home without medication, but ultimately had to deliver in a hospital via c-section. Maybe you were planning on going through labor naturally, without an epidural, but found that ultimately you needed one. The best birthing plans are flexible ones where the goal is for both mom and baby to stay safe and healthy. If giving birth without an epidural is something you are considering, read the following guide to get an idea of what to expect. Keep in mind that when making medical decisions, to always seek the advice of your medical provider.
Intense But Productive Pain
When birthing without an epidural, you feel everything from those initial Braxton Hicks cramps in early labor to the immense pressure of pushing baby’s head out, the largest part of their body. Once the baby is out, a pleasing sense of relief overwhelms your body as endorphins and oxytocin are released. The contractions you feel throughout labor are all very useful in helping to signal which stage of labor you are in. Early labor is when you feel those Braxton Hicks cramps which become stronger. Active labor consists of intense and increasingly painful contractions that are longer in duration. These productive contractions allow your cervix to open making way for baby. Transition is the most intense and painful stage of labor that signals for your body to push the baby out.
The Peak Of Pain
The transitionphase is undeniably the most painful part of birth but is often the shortest stage lasting between 30 minutes to two hours. The pain and sensations during transition can often be so intense that it can be uncomfortable to move, let alone push. It can also be emotionally taxing and a time when women often feel they are not capable of coping. However, these are all normal reactions and a sign that baby will soon arrive. This is a good time to follow your body’s lead and surrender to the pain. When you let your body do the work, some of the rectal pressure you are feeling can be relieved as the baby descends. Having the benefit of feeling what your body is telling you to do can give you insight into the progression happening within your body.
Side Effects Of Epidurals
While it may be tempting to numb labor pains, there can be serious complications of using an epidural that lasts beyond labor. According to research, women who receive epidurals have higher chances of needing intervention. This includes vacuum extraction, delivery by forceps and ultimately a caesarean section after several hours of laboring. The chances of tearing when receiving an epidural are double compared to women who have an unmedicated birth. Other side effects include spinal headaches or migraines that can last anywhere from a few days to a few months after delivery. The use of epidurals on average extends the first stage of labor by 30 minutes and the second stage of labor by 2-3 hours almost cutting the time of pushing in half for women not using anesthesia.
Benefits Of Birthing Without An Epidural
The physical and emotional recovery for women who give birth without an epidural is usually shorter with fewer side effects from the birth, such as tearing and swelling. Women who receive an epidural often need to be told when to push and may overextend themselves pushing too hard. Being unmedicated means you can instinctively feel when and how much to push. The feelings of euphoria you feel immediately after birth are a result of your body releasing oxytocin. Many of these feelings are dulled by the use of anesthesia, which can often leave you feeling dizzy, sluggish and even feverish. Women who give birth without medication or intervention are up walking around sooner after delivery as they do not need to let the numbing effects of an epidural wear off.
When To Avoid An Epidural
There are some situations when women cannot receive epidurals. If you are on certain medications such as blood thinners, or if you have low platelets or problems with blood work, getting an epidural is highly risky and not recommended. Some women have an unusual curvature or extra weight in their spine that makes it difficult to find epidural space. If you happen to be bleeding heavily, it may be too dangerous to get an epidural since lowered blood pressure is often a side effect of the anesthesia. There is also a certain point during labor where it may be too late to administer an epidural. Every hospital policy is different, but it is usually late into active labor before the transition phase begins.
Coping Mechanisms
When choosing to forego drugs, there are alternative options to relieving pain naturally. Prior to delivery, practice breathing, meditation, and visualization exercises. During labor, having an exercise or image to focus on while laboring can be powerful in distracting you from the pain. Use an exercise ball, a birthing pool or simply lean against your partner during labor to help alleviate some of the pressure. Moving around can help you experiment with different positions that help with pain relief. Ask your partner for a massage or a heating pad on parts of your body that feel strained. Lastly, let go of inhibitions during labor and let your body take over in the form of yelling, grunting or crying. The emotional release will help with allover physical tension.