toriaaaaTRASH

I'm perfectly fine with everything about the labour. I'm not scared atall, I'm really excited. However, I'm afraid in a moment of weakness they're going to push an epidural and I'm going to give in. I really don't want one. I know how much they push them at my hospital because my friends training there. They wouldn't go against my wishes would they? Or try to convince me when I'm not thinking straight? Could I tell Rich to not let them let me have one?

missjess

I think if you stick to your birth plan and refuse the epi-dural, they can't force you to have it! I know I wouldn't let them do something I don't want them do to, unless it's better for my baby's health. Just be clear with them !

BurtonBaby

I would def make it very clear in your birth plan that you do NOT want an epi. Or that you must request it, that they will not offer it to you. And I would totally ask Rich to be your advocate about it when your not thinking clearly about it. He can stand up to them for you. Also, talk to your doctor so she clearly knows how you feel about it. I think the more prepared you are about refusing it, and knowing exactly what you want, the easier it will be to turn down in the event that they did offer it to you.

Samantha675

From what I have seen, yes they will. It makes things easier on them. Once one intervention is done, it snowballs into others. With my best friend, it was an IV, then some pitocin to move things a long, well with the pit, the contractions are way way more painful, so and epi is needed, then more pit, then more epi, then the baby distresses because of the strength of the contractions caused by the pit and before you know it, she ended up with a c-section. Funnily, in watching Business of Being Born, this is exactly the pattern they gave as an example of why there are soo many c-sections now.

So I would say, have a talk with Rich, tell him your wishes, and make him understand that he is going to have to really support you in this, and he is going to have to probably be the one to tell them no. You will be in a different place, and I have heard from sooo many women that at that moment it is really hard to say no, and after they wished they had not had the epi. I have told my DH, my mom, and my best friend when I start begging for the drugs, remind me of the bliss, and that the drugs will mess up all the amazing hormones and chemicals my body will produce to get me through my labor.

beanie

no they won't but if they do suggest it I recommend asking why, what the benefits would be and what alteratives there are. I say this because in some circumstances and epi might be needed. In my first labour my bp was high, I was exhausted and wasn't dilating.I had said to my OH I did not want an epi under any circumstances but after discussion I realised I needed to sleep. If I hadn't slept I would not have delivered naturally as I was exhausted. I was upset I needed one but uderstood why. At least by discussing it with the midwives you know why they are offering it and you have the choice.

staceyp

yeh, i know what you mean i am excited to not too scared but i have told my husband..under no circumstance, if they do push for an epidural i do not want one. (obviously if baby is stressed or i need to have emergency C-section than i understand.) i have been told to go in with an open mind. they wouldnt use this stuff if it was going to harm the baby in any way...but that being said, i am going for the "natural birth" and only using the gas

good luck

pepperflake

staceyp- What do you mean by "gas"? I'm not familiar with that.

I don't want the epi or anything either. I know I can do it because I have done it before with my first daughter. I'm making sure my MW, doctors and family know I want as little interference as possible unless there is an emergency. They can't go against your wishes but definitely make sure you have an advocate to speak for you. Everything will go as it should. Your body knows exactly what to do!

toriaaaaTRASH

I'm avoiding it for selfish reasons. I'm too afraid I'll move.