Epidural vs. nature births

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Is epidural encouraged on your L&D unit? I feel like it is where I work. It's almost frowned upson if any expecting moms wants a nature birth. Some nurses will try to convince the mom to get it... "You dont get any extra credit point going natural" As a new RN, I have to admit though, when a mother decides to get an epidural, it does make our job easier... I think.

I'm just wondering how epidural is viewed at other hospital... After watching the documentary, "The business of being born", it has changed my views on a lot of things, but I feel like I may stand alone in that view where I work.

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The residents tend to encourage epidurals; the nurses seem to encourage the patient in whatever she wants. Not sure why that is. The residents are all female, young; some have had kids but most not.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

I sure do wish they had been available for my two. My first was a nupercaine spinal. I couldn't MOVE waist down for 2 and 1/2 days. My second was laughingly a paracervical block. Yeah sure. I BEGGED the doc for something serious and he said this is as serious as I get. So BOY do I wish there had been an epidural back then.

Bottom line it should be Mother's choice unless there is something terribly wrong that precludes it.

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I am sure glad they were around for me when I delivered my children. I hope women are educating themselves before birth about what is available and what may be best for them and their little one(s). When I delivered 26 years ago, it was not encouraged, but that could have just been the hospital I was in.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

This was 43 years ago, and 41.

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Specializes in OB.

while i think that epidurals are a great option, i certainly don't encourage them, and i don't think it makes my job easier with all the VS & assessments! it is a patient choice.

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I am not an RN, but attempted natural home birth with my daughter. I did end up with a csection and it took 2 attempts to do the spinal block. I plan for a vbac next time, and do not want an epidural. The Business of Being Born is excellent, sums up many of my beliefs for going natural. I want to feel the whole experience, I hate the idea of not feeling my own body at such an important time. I feel the body knows what to do, and to embrace and conquer the "pains of childbirth" made me feel empowered and strong. I was completely dilated and effaced, she was breech and stuck. No problems with my csection, she was/is healthy, we went gome 2 days later. I had back pain from spinal block for months!

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It was stated: 'I want to feel the whole experience, I hate the idea of not feeling my own body at such an important time. I feel the body knows what to do, and to embrace and conquer the "pains of childbirth" made me feel empowered and strong.'

I totally respect that position and that we all should have the choice. Either way, though, when it's time to get your baby out, they have stopped the epidural medication so you can push. I had an epidural with my first, but couldn't get it with my second. I felt excrutiating pain at the end of both labors! I don't feel like I missed out on anything when I had the epidural. There's plenty of things about motherhood and my life that make me feel "empowered" and I felt no need to try natural birth.

With that said, I wouldn't let my personal feelings influence the decision of a patient and I would be careful to not judge their decisions. I don't work in L&D so I don't know if other nurses try to sway decisions. I hope not.

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I have a number of kids. I was never pushed into anything, just respected for the decisions I made.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

We do not stop the epidural pump when the mother starts pushing. We keep it going so she has pain relief through the entire process and if a repair is necessary.

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Either way, though, when it's time to get your baby out, they have stopped the epidural medication so you can push. .

That may be the case where you delivered but I definitely do not do that to my patients, nor have we done it any of the multiple regions/places I have worked. If mom has a very heavy block we may reduce the rate somewhat but not as a rule.

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Specializes in OB.

My "professional" opinion about epidurals vs. natural births is that I will support whatever decision you have made concerning pain management in labor.

My "personal" opinion (which does not enter into my work hours) is that it is a shame so many young women have been so disempowered and have no belief in their own strength and ability to go through childbirth. I can't imagine giving birth as a spectator to my own labor and delivery.

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