ques. for L&D nurses.(Long)

First of all, I want to say that I admire all nurses and hope that I can someday join the league of nurses out there. I have a question about childbirth, not medical advice, just curiosity. I am due to have a baby in July and I've been reading the Ob/Gyn posts trying to get a handle of what to expect when I give birth and some of them are funny and some are scary. My question is, how painful is the whole experience, really? I've talked to some friends/co-workers and they told me that if you get an epidural/pain med. it's really not bad, one girl said she was laughing and joking while she gave birth. I'm scared to death, this is my first child. Can you L&D nurses give me some of your personal insight on this? Is it really as horrible as it seems? I appreciate any advice.

Thanks

It was painful, but also the most amazing wonderful experience and I have never felt closer to my husband. It was not horrible for me at all.

First of all, I want to say that I admire all nurses and hope that I can someday join the league of nurses out there. I have a question about childbirth, not medical advice, just curiosity. I am due to have a baby in July and I've been reading the Ob/Gyn posts trying to get a handle of what to expect when I give birth and some of them are funny and some are scary. My question is, how painful is the whole experience, really? I've talked to some friends/co-workers and they told me that if you get an epidural/pain med. it's really not bad, one girl said she was laughing and joking while she gave birth. I'm scared to death, this is my first child. Can you L&D nurses give me some of your personal insight on this? Is it really as horrible as it seems? I appreciate any advice.

Thanks

I know you asked to hear from L&D nurses, but I am sure you are aware that not every L&D nurse has had a baby, so how can they answer your question?

You did not ask to hear from MOTHERS, who have actually delivered babies, so I will not give my opinion, except to say that I had an epidural for the fourth, and having done that, I wish it would have been an option for the first 3.

Regarding my original post, I'm sorry I didn't mention mothers. They're the ones that really know!! I'm hoping to hear from everyone and anyone that would like to give their opinion and experiences. All are welcome!

Congratulations on your baby!

The truth is, every labor is different, and every woman interpretes/feels pain differently. Probably not the answer you wanted, but it's the best I can give you. Some have experienced painless labors with no drugs involved, and others feel they need their epidural once they hit the hospital parking lot.

Although there are times where pain meds have been helpful, there are very real side effects to each of them, to both Mom and Baby. Remember, if you were advised to not take any medication during your pregnancy without contacting your doctor or midwife first, it's not perfectly safe to take a Class 4 narcotic just because labor has begun. :)

The best advice I can give you is to read some good books on labor. Henci Goer's "The Thinking Woman's Guide To Labor (or something like that)" comes to mind. Also, "Mind Over Labor" by Carl Jones.

In addition, take a good childbirth education class that will teach you lots of helpful techniques to prepare and deal with labor. You might have to seek out an independent instructor for this rather than take a class in your local hospital. Find out exactly what is taught in the classes before you sign up.

Hope this helps!

Can you L&D nurses give me some of your personal insight on this? Is it really as horrible as it seems? I appreciate any advice.

Thanks

I had all four of mine without any anesthesia or analgesia. It was the most wonderful experience of my life- intense, painful at times, VERY hard work, and deeply satisfying. I chose my providers carefully (midwives), made sure that I would not be expected to lie still in bed instead of being an active participant in my body's efforts to give birth, prepared by educating my mind and body on what to expect (Bradley method, familiarity with evidence based practice), and *decided* that I was going to give birth naturally. I was not afraid (and that was half the battle).

Do you believe you can give birth?

Altalorraine

I will give you some input as both a mom and an L&D nurse.

You need to decide what type of birth you want.

If you want an unmedicated birth then research ways to achieve this. Take classes, practice the techniques, learn about the labor process and what the pain means so you are not afraid of what your body is doing and understand that it does hurt and if you are afraid of the pain it will be harder.

If you want to have pain medication or an epidural or think you might choose this then do lots of research on these options and fully understand the risks to both you and baby before you go into labor. Nothing bothers me more then trying to explain the risks when a woman is in tons of pain and is screaming at me to just give her something. She is not listening to me and is not in the right state of mind to understand fully all the risks.

I wish you lots of luck and a healthy happy delivery!

Mine was very painful, (I had pitocin to augment labor) but I forgot all of the pain the second the baby was out! During labor I swore I would never have another child so I wouldn't have to go through it again. I changed my mind as soon as I saw my baby. :chuckle I had Stadol for pain, however it did NOT decrease my pain AT ALL. It just made me relaxed between contractions, drowsy, and I saw skulls with long green hair floating on the walls. I wouldn't get it again. Try not to stress too much. Yeah, it sucks, but it is only one day of pain. And that one day does go by so fast! My labor was 23 hours. Some are in labor a bit longer, some a lot less. Try not to stress too much. Don't listen to your friends horror stories. It will make you stress more, and make the pain worse. Every labor is different! You will get through it!

Much of the ability to do it naturally involves getting support and understanding and using your inner resources because our environment is not condusive to natural birthing. In many European countries, women are more likely to give birth naturally and with better outcomes, and their bodies are no different from ours.

In this country, I feel it takes a brave and autonomous woman who will do the research and have the self confidence to take it on. My hats off to all of them.

On the matter of epidurals, if you have to get one - know what you are getting into. An epidural is not a can of coke you just get off the shelf. While you are laughing and joking things are happening in your body that are affecting you and baby's well being. It takes a good clinician/s to titrate, monitor and intervene appropriately when there is danger. In a hospital, the stranger on duty is what you are going to get, and the doctor that you may trust, is not the one giving you the epidural. This is something that's rarely brought up when people debate about epidurals.

I think labor and delivery vary for each woman and also for each labor and delivery in the same woman. I have done it twice and I had nothing for the first and an intrathecal for the second. I experienced pain with both. I do think that preparing yourself mentally is helpful. I told myself that is normal and expected to have pain. There is no need to panic. I believe that losing control only worsens the perception of pain. Feeling out of control scared me more than feeling pain. My experience was one of tunnel vision. I was glad for the support I had from my husband, but I realized that I was the one that had to do this and it was up to me to cope with it. I got really focused and did my best to go with the way my body felt and not fight it or become distressed by it. I reminded myself repeatedly that this was temporary and would be over soon. I had not taken lamaze but I found that breathing techniques really did help. Taking long, deep cleansing breaths through my contractions helped me to feel less pain and more in control. The few contractions that I was not prepared for and did not begin breathing with were the worst and I felt myself beginning to fight them. I probably would not have had an intrathecal for my second delivery, but my contractions began to be back to back with no break in between, and that became difficult to cope with due to no recovery time in between. I did have 12 hours of vomiting after the intrathecal, though. (I'd get it again anyway.:) ) I don't think that it was the worst pain a person could ever have. It was the worst I've ever experienced, but the fact that it was expected and natural and that it was for a positive outcome made it easier to deal with. It really is an awesome exerience. I loved labor and delivery, painful or not it was not a terrible experience for me. I think of people who have terminal cancer or are victims in violent accidents and the pain they have. Surely, their pain must be worse. Even if you could compare it to the level of pain of childbirth, there is not a good outcome and it is not natural and expected. So, I guess I feel like it is not the nightmare peope describe so don't let others scare you. Go in confidant that your body was made to do this incredible thing and you are going to recieve an amazing reward. Feel free to use whatever coping mechanisms you want. Don't feel you are less of a woman if you desire medication. Most of all don't get so caught up in the discomfort that you lose out on the precious experience and memories. You'll be amazed at yourself and what you are capable of when you are done. Keep us posted, and best of luck. BTW, I'm a mom and an OB nurse.:)

I will give you some input as both a mom and an L&D nurse.

You need to decide what type of birth you want.

If you want an unmedicated birth then research ways to achieve this. Take classes, practice the techniques, learn about the labor process and what the pain means so you are not afraid of what your body is doing and understand that it does hurt and if you are afraid of the pain it will be harder.

If you want to have pain medication or an epidural or think you might choose this then do lots of research on these options and fully understand the risks to both you and baby before you go into labor. Nothing bothers me more then trying to explain the risks when a woman is in tons of pain and is screaming at me to just give her something. She is not listening to me and is not in the right state of mind to understand fully all the risks.

I wish you lots of luck and a healthy happy delivery!

excellent and unbiased post. YOU DECIDE and keep an open mind. that is my BEST advice as both a mom and an LD nurse who did it "both ways"---csection and lady partsl birth.

I have had 2 c-sections. First one I was induced because my son was big and my ob didnt want him to get to big for me to have. I took the childbirth classes and read a lot of books. I wanted to go natural until the contractions started in my back. The class I took didn't go over breathing or any positions for back labor, they talked a lot out the pain relief you could get. I asked for an epidural and now I wished I had asked the nurse what to do and toughed it out longer than I did. My son ended up being to big for me to have and I had a c-section. My daughter was also born by c-section and I had a spinal with her. I wish you luck and my advice is to read everything and take more than one class if possible. Trust your body, I wish I had.

Bottom line...educate yourself....get a "What to expect when you're expecting book" and take Prepared Childbirth classes. Labor does hurt, I've had 4 and am an L&D RN. Everyone's experience is different, but the key is knowledge and being prepared. After educating yourself, decide what you're most comfortable with and remember, you always have options!

Good luck!