Friday, July 06, 2012

Your Turn

Miranda Kerr gave an interview where she said she chose to deliver her baby naturally because she didn't want her baby drugged up so refused to get an epidural. She implies that women who do get epidurals are doing a disservice to their baby. Agree or disagree?

115 comments:

WBotW said...

I think Miranda Kerr needs to get an education.

Ms Cool said...

I think she and Gisele should hang out on their thrones and look down on the rest of us mothers.

Doc Girl said...

She is ignorant of how an epidural works.

nolachickee said...

I think that women who act as beards are doing a disservice to their babies.

whocaresnow12 said...

She should have actually read up on FACTS while she was pregnant. The epidural is injected into the spinal column NOT into the blood stream. Can't effect the fetus.

a non a miss said...

My mom did the natural birth thing once too, and only once. She has 4 of us. To each his own and she certainly has a right to her own opinion but you should never judge other mothers about how they chose to give birth.

Cathy said...

Without having read the interview, I am not going to assume that she actually implied that women who do get epidurals are doing a disservice to their baby. I think that it's a personal choice (like breastfeeding) and women should not be criticized for whichever they choose.

Or maybe she confused epidurals with bath salts?

whocaresnow12 said...

Bwahahahahaha! Thank you! I desperately needed a laugh today.

angie said...

I think as a young new mother she was just being uber cautious and didn't intend to imply anything for mothers in general.

Anonymous said...

If epidurals had been around when I had my kids, I most certainly would have requested it.

Why is "natural" the term used to refer to childbirth without drugs? It's all pretty natural, even if you're zonked out of your mind.

WednesdayFriday said...
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tamarind said...

personal choice.

alisontheoriginal said...

Haha

Sarah said...

I've had children both ways. Natural childbirth is way overrated. Im sure Miranda wants to sell some sweet story about how she's the perfect woman with the perfect body and baby and husband and she didn't break a sweat while she delivered her baby with no drugs, but I'm not buying it. I don't take my medical advice from models with no education. They're selling the new brand, perfect motherhood.

MadLyb said...

Strongly disagree, if that's what she said. I really don't want to read the article.

I had natural childbirth, but that is only because my doctor didn't speak English and I had no idea this is what he had planned for me. Otherwise I would've chosen to be drugged to the gills.

L said...

Mommy wars are alive and well. Everyone has to choose what's best for their own family. It's a shame when people think what's best for them is best for everyone.

RenoBlondee said...

If she had a big ol' bag of Pitocin given to her for 2 days straight I guarantee she'd be begging for an epidural. That is all.

Karrots said...

I think its a personal choice. If you feel her speaking up about her decision to go drug free is condescending towards your choices that says more about you than it does her.

tm0004 said...

So does that apply to c sections??? I really believe her statement is coming from a first time mom and her experience was different. I had 4 children and each experience was different would I have epidurals again absolutely!!! Is it for everyone ? That's a personal choice to each his own

crichmond1000 said...

I had babies both ways. The one I had naturally was pissed off when she was born and she is still pissed off most of the time. Not a scientific statement, just an observation. I love my little drama queen.

Brooke Wheeler said...

AGREE, @RenoBlondee!! Also agree that this poor bimbo has no clue how an epidural works. Apparently being extremely wealthy DOESN'T buy you a doctor or birthing class instructor who properly explains childbirth!

CanadianMiss said...

I refused epidural for both my babies, but that's because the pain of childbirth was preferable than the thought of a needle in my spine. *shudder*
I did, however, get a shot of morphine in my arse with both.
Child #1 needed a shot of narcan(sp?), and still was as healthy as can be.
I can't imagine a doctor would let you have anything that would actually harm baby.

DontRainOnMyPrada said...

Just going on what you said she said, I think she could've worded it better. The fact is that there is too much of a tendency for unnecessary interventions interfering w the natural process of birth. Sometimes these interventions set off a cascade of responses which lead to more interventions...which is why the rate of c-sections is too high in many hospitals. An epidural is one of the interventions that can lead to that. It has to be timed perfectly. This is why I opted for a freestanding birth center. I didn't want them giving me pitocin to induce, I didn't want an epidural, I didn't want an episiotomy, and most of all, I didn't want a c-section. The birth center was 2blocks from the hospital, should it be necessary for unexpected complications. I had no pain medication, but I think my labor was relatively easy on the spectrum. I realize not everyone has it that easy. I was gonna have a water birth as a way to soothe my pain, but you never know until you're in labor how you are going to respond to things. Turned out I HATED being in the water, and immediately wanted to get out and get on the bed and lay on my side. I gave birth like that. I guess I would've hated being on my back delivering like it seems you are forced to do in the hospital. I'm glad I chose the birth center.

Lisa said...

Ah, "natural" childbirth vs epidurals. I love this argument. Almost as much as working vs stay at home mom discussion.

I don't get why these condescending women/moms can't just support others without judging.

Ashlea said...

DAMMMMMMNNNNNN!

Merlin D. Bear said...

I'm certainly not qualified to weigh in on this because I'm a man, but I gotta say, the idea of getting something the comparative size of a watermelon out of something the comparative size of a garden hose without the use of modern pharmacology is beyond insane.

Ashlea said...

Thank u whocares! Why does everyone assume the later? Oh, probably because they are delf righteousness uneducated idiots.

Twriggy said...

My first was induction with epidural and I hated every minute until I had my daughter and then I was over joyed. I went natural with my second and it was the best birth ever. But that is how I felt and the only disservice I did during my first birth was to myself. I support every woman's birth CHOICE, as long as it's their choice.

Mothers on both sides should stop judging and be more supportive, as if we don't deal with enough issues from everyone else. I've seen some pretty bad judgements coming from both sides. The worst is when a mother loses her baby in labor and the other side takes is as an opportunity to lecture and blame the other mother for their birth choices. Sick.

spacecowboy78 said...
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spacecowboy78 said...

An epidural is a nerve block, not a pain medication, and is injected directly into the spinal column. As such it does not cross any blood barriers and has no effect on the child. Congrats to her for going through some unnecessary pain to birth her child, but there is nothing medically wrong with using an epidural and her child will develop just the same as if he/she had been born with mama receiving an epidural.

Jessi said...

I won't judge what you do with your uterus.... so please for the love of baby jesus do not judge me for what I do with mine! These type of arguments drive me insane! Mind your own business and do what you want to do without passing judgement on to others! (and rant over)

califblondy said...

Oh hell, it was the one time I could get good drugs and feel good. I'm a c section Mama, so I needed it.

I'm happy for Miranda, but don't judge.

billybob said...

I haven’t had babies yet but I want everything in the medication trolley.......and get the little swine out as quick as you like!

El Roy 13 said...

disagree.

I've had one w/epid, one all nat and one c-section.

And for all I wanted natural, but sometimes, ya just gotta to what ya gotta do.

She doesn't live in the same world as the rest of us, let's be real.

Anonymous said...

My first child was in a hospital. I tried to go natural, but ended up with an epidural. Daughter was born healthy and happy. Very smart. Very calm personality.

My other two children were born two years apart and were both home water births with no drugs at all. Loved it and highly recommend it.

Both boys were born healthy and happy. Both very smart. Very calm personalities (at least for boys!).

I don't think it makes a difference.

Kim said...

The birth experience should be as positive for the mom as it can be. Everyone has a different pain tolerance and we know it's going to hurt; no woman goes into the delivery room expecting pain-free bliss but it should not be a wrenching agony making her worry for her survival. To be honest, my best birthing (there are 4 spawn of my womb) was a cesarean. I don't feel that my lack of consciousness "ruined" anything, and I cannot tell you how much of a difference it made to be able to sit down and to pee without hurting and for the pain from the surgery to be appropriately medicated and not have to have the peer pressure to suck it up and just jump back into life. The goal is a healthy baby and a healthy/happy mom and whatever it takes to do that should be what happens. If Miranda Kerr said that, she can take a seat on the jumping couch next to Tom Cruise, take some vitamins and STFU. :)

Kassandra said...

ROFL nolachickee!

Mutableblue said...

I think bitch needs to have the induced labor I did and experience that two hours after they broke my water, before my epidural. That was the most godawful pain I have ever experienced. I have a high tolerance for pain but with every pitocin-fed contraction I wanted to crawl out of my body. They botched the epi big time and they ended up injecting something that numbed me from the neck down. Best three hours of my life and there was no effect on my daughter at birth, she was perfect and alert. I was more worried 8 months earlier about the effects of large amounts of pot smoking I did the month before I knew I was pregnant! lol

I would have preferred to try it all drug free, had it been a *normal* delivery, but I would never make such a blanket statement. So tired of these people who do.

Abaddon said...

I wanted to have a natural birth with my first. But I had some complications (water broke but no contractions). I had to be induced twice and after having heavy contractions for over 24 hours I got an epidural (the nurses were begging me to get one) and I slept for 2 hours and then pushed for 4. Without that sleep I don't know if I would have had the strength to push. He didn't want to come out. Second kid I got one from the get go. But I had been having contractions for over 24 hours and hadn't slept all night. I think it's up to the person. But sometimes a person has a plan and things change. She shouldn't judge.

Maja With a J said...

I think it's a personal choice and I don't judge either way. From what I have heard and read about epidurals, it is not something I would choose for myself, but who knows, maybe I'll feel differently about it when I'm actually in labour, should I ever get pregnant.

Maja With a J said...

Or maybe I'll adopt and this would be a complete non-issue!

Merlin D. Bear said...

FWIW, I believe Joan Rivers said it best.
"Me? I had a Jewish delivery. They knock you out with the first pain and wake you up for the hairdresser."
Regardless, it's the mother's choice until it becomes medically necessary to be the Dr's choice.

Again, disclaimer - male, not going to have a baby.

Anonymous said...

She needs to stop passing judgment on how other women decide to have their babies. If you want to be all-natural, more power to you. But that doesn't make you a "better" mommy. That's like these women who are convinced that every mom who formula feeds is practically a child abuser.

For various health and safety reasons, I was a C-section baby. My mom had every drug in the cabinet, on top of drinking a (doctor-prescribed) glass of red wine every night during her pregnancy. She couldn't breastfeed, so I was formula fed. Same story with my brother. Guess what? We both grew up to be relatively intelligent, contributing members of society who are very close to our mom.

As for me, I'm never having kids, but if I were going to do so, I'd have every drug I could get and a water birth. To each her own.

ChasingHeaven said...

Thank you WhoCares and SpaceCowboy.

EPIDURALS DO NOT AFFECT THE BABY.

Moonmaid said...

Epidurals don't affect the baby. They do statistically increase the chance of a c-section. But the pain of childbirth is extremely intense, and not everyone can handle it. If someone wants a natural childbirth, great, but it's not something that should ever be forced on anyone.

old ;ady said...

I was induced and given a pit drip. Went into hard labor and that was hell for 24 hrs. After delivery I was given all sorts of pain meds. Because of all the internal ripping I spent 6 days in the hospital. Now with my daughter she had an epidural and in 6 hrs. baby here. I would have an epidural and all the meds I could if I could do it over again. My Daughter came out laughing probably because her mother was so stupid to not get an epidural. She should not be making statements judging others.

Sis said...

Yea, it would be nice if people on high horses would not sit in judgement, especially when her statement is false!

I love hearing birthing stories! Mine were also c-sections, one with pitocin (awful) and one scheduled, which my doctor moved up a week and thankfully she did because there was a complete loose knot in the . umbilical cord (pulled tight we would have had problems). And, yes, yay for drugs, I laughed outloud with the poster who said it was the only time she could relax with the drugs they give you, I second that!

I also have a stfu moment, a mom told me once that I did not have a real birth because I had to have a c-section(s), stfu indeed.

Again, I love hearing your stories!

Monica said...

I've had 2 drug free births, the first in a hospital and the second at home. They were both amazing, empowering and extremely painful (yet manageable pain).

Don't judge me, I won't judge you.

Mhdz said...

I don't have a uterus, so therefore no opinion on the matter.

Pogue Mahone said...

I've had both natural and epidural births and personally I preferred the epidural!

Megley said...

I had three C-sections, one because the baby was breech and the other two were emergencies. I was awake for the first, had an epidural, and watched my son come into the world. Then promptly threw up on the blood pressure cuff attached to my arm. For the other two, obviously, I was totally out when they were born.
My feeling then was as it is now--the birth of healthy kids is the point.
None of my kids feels lesser-born because I couldn't do it on my own. And I certainly don't feel less womanly, either. I have three healthy kids--don't care how they got here, just grateful they are.

Two Time Mama said...

Having birthed two babies (hence the name) I don't pass judgement on how any woman chooses to bring their baby into the world. You do what is best for you. Epidurals don't drug your baby, they provide comfort to the mama. You don't get any awards for extra suffering during labor. You get your baby...the same as everyone else.

Unknown said...
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mikey said...

I never like this topic - do whatever you feel the need to do and don't bother the rest of us. We're not wrong, you aren't right - it is what it is. The blanket statements are unnecessary - you don't really know if you would have done things differently if the situation were different.

hunter said...

I would like to see one person admit that their baby is kinda dumb.

Sherry said...

Now Texhan, I've read your comments and to say you turned out relatively intelligent is stretching it a bit!

You know I am completely joking. I love your comments.

Yup no young'uns for me but if I did, it would be drugs all the way. Which based on some of my past posts should NOT come as a surprise.

Unknown said...

Well..... *sigh* She shouldn't really judge should she? Who is she to say one way or another? People could turn round and call her a martyr for not wanting any drugs during (painful) child birth.

When I was pregnant I didn't rule anything out. Who was I to say how it would go? I didn't have a crystal ball and I'm glad I went into it with that mindset cause I ended up getting induced which causes painful contractions which are constant (absolutely no break in between) that I was practically begging for pain relief but still refused an epidural! In the end though it was actually what was best for my baby. The cord was round his neck and they needed to deliver him fast so they gave me a spinal block and he was eventually born with forceps.

Those who can do it naturally, that's just great. But those who sit on such a high pedestal for it (and believe they should) need to get knocked off pronto. She has no right to judge. She did what she did. Others will do what they need to do.

seaward said...

To be honest, yeah, I kinda agree with her. Not that the baby will be drugged up, but I feel as though a woman's body is designed to give birth, so just do it. HOWEVER, this is something I keep to myself, I don't give other women grief for choosing an epidural. It's a personal choice.

Sass71 said...

I had my son natural. Not because I wanted to, but because the hospital took so long with my bloodwork. I was a 7 and I kept telling them I wanted to push. Since he was my first, they said, 'Oh, you'll be in labor for a while.'

From the time I started hurting until I had Seth, it was 3 hours total.

You don't what, if anything can happen. I had my husband in a headlock during every contraction.
;)

Anonymous said...

Sherry, notice that I used the word "relatively." Had to give myself some wriggle room.

Bit dams said...

um untrue. she's had 1 baby. 1. it would be lovely if everyone had an easy delivery, but that is not the case. i thought i woud die with my 3rd, after barely getting to the hospital in time will my second (no pushing, i was trying to wait until the doctor got there). if she has another, perhaps she'll have an experience that will enlighten her.

Unknown said...

not what she said at all.
she had to be induced because her afi found too little fluid. she choose to not get any further intervention beyond the pitocin. she did not condemn intervention or epidurals. she just said she was afraid based on videos shown in her labour class of groggy babies that she was told were born to mothers who received epidurals

luckylass said...

If I was ever pregnant, I would get as educated as possible about my delivery options. This model, though beautiful, and arguably well married, DID NOT. Ignorant people spreading their ignorance.

Pregnant ladies do what you need to fulfill your delivery needs. Breast feed or not, for as long as you want. Pre-chew food or not. No judgement here.

I only ask one thing: don't let your kid kick my seat!

Elle said...

I dunno. I think she was speaking for herself and her own views (albeit technically incorrect ones). I'm not sure she was indirectly criticizing others. Gossip really does twist things.

Del Riser said...

Personal choice, she is not quite up to date on how epidurals work tho'.

What is a disservice to your child is to leave it with a 22 month old while you party.

Enty, you're just trying to stir up the womenfolk :[

Sherry said...

Texshan.Thank God you got the joke. Here's to that wiggle room!
Have a good weekend..Must log off...must log off...

Lisa (not original) said...

I think Miranda Kerr needs to stfu until after she graduates medical school and then only give advice to those who pay her for it.

Megsablue said...

I believe that every woman should be able to make the choice to get an epidural or not - without guilt from other moms. Like someone else said, toughing it out naturally doesn't make you a "better" mom and everyone has different pain thresholds.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - my epidural is how they figured out that by son wasn't getting enough oxygen during my contractions (at the hospital I was at you get monitored for an hour after an epidural) as he had the cord wrapped around his head like a crown. That's what ultimately kept him safe as they called an emergency c-section right afterwards. It was also what allowed me to be awake during his birth as they were able to switch in the c-section drugs immediately.

El Roy 13 said...

I agree with whomever said don't judge me and I won't judge you.

I don't think we should knock any woman for how her child get's out of her. And this is just Kerr using her choice of birth as a one-up. Who cares, women should support each other, not knock each other down.

Hey.....as long as we survive the event, and the child too, who the f*&^ cares.

J said...

I'd love to see her go 2 weeks over due on her 2nd and get induced in a cramped hospital that has women in pre labour on the corridors. Women who can spend 2 days there with literally no sleep and in pain, when they finally get to 5/6cms and the delivery ward they are too tired to not have the epidural.
I'm due in 2.5 weeks and I'll go with the flow, if I can't handle the pain, through tiredness or too much pain, I'll have an epi.My choice, and as a scientist I've done my research, unlike Miranda it seems.
As an aside my hosp usually delivers 6,000-7,000 babies a year, this year they're "expecting" 10,000. I went to an antenatal appt. this week, I was number 49 in the queue...:(. 'm sure Miranda can afford her own exclusive wing away from plebs like me...

Jeneral said...

Unless they're smoking bath salts in the hospital. I'm judging that woman.

joymama said...

Renoblondee--you got that right!

19 years ago, I kind of felt the same way she does...

Before getting pregnant I got off all refined foods, caffeine, stayed away from smokers as much as possible etc...

I was prepared for a natural birth until things happened and complications set in---it was a c-section or lose the baby. epidural!!

ozzyinch said...

She's a fuckwit. As everyone else here has said, that's not how an epidural works. But I wonder how many impressionable girls will be in unnecessary pain because of believing her?

Unknown said...

All my births were natural and quick, and the last two were at home, so drug free. I can't judge on a woman wanting relief from the pain, it's excruciating, relentless, and angry. And not everybody is built with the same tolerance for pain. I've had more people judge me for birthing at home naturally by CHOICE (Are you CRAZY!?! or What if something goes wrong??) than my friends who went with the medicated hospital birth. To each their own I say.

Cathy said...

@ozzyinch - if any pregnant woman bases her birthing plan on what a model says in an interview, rather than doing her own research and discussing it with a doctor, then i don't really have much sympathy for the extra pain they incur.

El Roy 13 said...

@Jeneral....touche'

Mary Ann said...

I could have had my first child without asking for an aspirin. It was hard work, but the pain wasn't so bad. However, he had a 14 1/2 inch head, as it turned out. Result: emergency C-section.

Lots of anesthesia later, I had a wonderful son.

I wanted to try for a natural delivery for my next child. Yeah, well, I got pregnant almost immediately.

The doctor refused to consider any kind of delivery but a surgical one to avoid the possibility of my death. So my second wonderful son was also delivered by C-section.

Do not tell me I chickened out. Do not tell me I should have done anything differently. My sons had no ill effects. Would I have preferred to have NOT had life-threatening complications and painful surgeries? Of course. But I get so annoyed by anyone who thinks he or she knows what's best for everyone else.

I'll now climb back off my soapbox and shut up.

Krokus De Boer said...

When Miranda Kerr shows me her Medical Degree, I will take her opinion seriously. Otherwise she should shut up and smile. That was just a very uneducated statement.

Sherry said...

Mary Ann..As I understand it the risks are still too high for vaginal birth after a C section so they did what they had to and you're here and here for your chldren and that my dear, is beautiful. No judgements.

tracynator said...

@sis WTF! Not a real birth? My son was breech, so I had no choice in the c-section. I was heart broken, but.....healthy baby and mamma is the true goal. Where's the bitch slapping machine?

Jessie said...

Miranda Kerr isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. I don't take her seriously.

Anonymous said...

Whatever. Her and Giselle. Bozos

Anonymous said...

Oh but kudos to those who deliver natural....it fing HuRTS!!!!!

redronnie said...

I decided to go the natural route and at hour 32 begged for someone to kill me. I have an only child, after 36 hours of natural childbirth I decided one was more than enough as for the comment made by Miranda Kerr I can't stand young morons who think they have the authority to cast judgement on other mothers

HolidayinCambodia said...

Disagree (although I am a father, not a mother). You want to ignore medical science of the last 500 years and have your baby in the middle ages, go ahead. But I for one am happy that medical science has advanced, and I am happy that my wife took advantage of every bit of it that had been created/discovered when she had our children.

NaughtyNurse said...

Miranda should stick to her day job and leave medicine to the medical professionals and keep her judgements within the little bubble where she lives. I had two babies: one an emergency c-section, one a completely drug free VBAC. The only "natural birth" is the one that results in a healthy baby and mama, regardless of what medical interventions are needed or desired. Period.

Cornbread said...

I have read zero of these comments, but I just wanted to chime in before I've had way too much wine...

We're trying to get pregnant now. This will be our first child. I want drugs.

Period.

DueDiligence said...

Miranda is a facking idiot. Epidurals do NOT remotely come in contact with the baby. They are isolated in the spinal column. The term "epidural" refers to the epidural space which is what contains the spinal fluid in the spinal column. The drug is NOT distributed via the blood stream which would be necessary for the baby to come in contact with it.

I am guessing she probably DID have an epidural and is trumping up this BS to keep her name in the news.

MnGddess said...

I had both my natural childbirths for a very different reason. My sister, who's a nurse, explained how precise the anesthesiologist has to be when inserting the needle and catheter. And they do it "blind". She also explained how a lot of women have problems in their back from their epidural.

I have had one epidural in my life. It was in my neck, and the doctor used an x-ray machine to insert the needle. the proper way.

Bowser said...

Classic "irish setter" situation. The bitch is beautiful but stupid.

Anonymous said...

shut up miranda kerr

Lioness70 said...

I went natural - not by choice - with my first baby. I labored at my mom's (long story), went to the hospital, was 6 cm dilated, and he was born an hour later.

They've since changed their stance on giving epidurals to women who are dilated 6 cm or more. You bet your ass I would have got one! I got them with my other two. And about the needle, you don't see or feel it, and I say that as no fan of needles.

Popcorn Sutton said...

@Cornbread - Good luck! We're in the process of trying for #2, but it has not been as easy for us as it was the first time around. #1 was a surprise, but a very good one.

I don't think Miranda Kerr meant anything by this, to be honest.

KSam said...

Another amen...

Moonmaid said...

@Mary Ann - I had a c-section first time but by the grace of God found a supportive OB/GYN who had midwives in his practice. He backed up my choice of VBAC all the way and I had two. I know I was extremely lucky. Nowadays I think doctors are so worried about lawsuits they tend to not consider it. But the main thing is the kid - that they are healthy and well cared for. Childbirth was no picnic, neither was recovering from the c-section.

Moonmaid said...

I also think it's a lot easier to be judgmental when you are young. The older I get, the less I think I know!

piglet said...

There's still some debate across the pond about whether or not she was actually caesared...
I've had three kids with very fast labours for each of them and no time for the pain relief I really wanted! Pain relief is merciful to mothers and provide a less stressful start to newborn babies.

Henriette said...

@mngoddess
My mother nearly was paralyzed from a bad epidural! That's why they have always scared me.

I think enty just posts these things to get all the mommies in an uproar.

SadieJo said...

I am not taking medical advice from a panty model who's only skills are hair flipping and stripping.

bordercollielove said...

@SadieJo---Haha!
I had one epidural and one c-section, my c-section baby was almost 10 pounds. Don't judge just be a good mom after they get here!

KittensRUs said...

@SadieJo - FTW!

She is an idiot. There is nothing wrong with an epidural unless, of course, you love pain and don't want to miss out on the worst pain you're likely to experience in your lifetime.

Cornbread said...

@Popcorn, thank you! It's been about eight months so far...we're pretty patient, so no worries yet. If we hit the 12 month mark with no luck, I may start to get nervous. But hey, all this "trying" is fun. ;) Good luck with #2!

PS - I am always slightly jealous of celebs getting knocked up by accident. :/

feraltart said...

When I had my hysterectomy I got talked into an epidural and the bloody muscle relaxant they give you before the epi didn't work. That hurt.

Henriette said...

@cornbread
Have you tried fertility yoga? Wheatgrass?

We are trying right now too. I really love my fertility yoga classes. They are so relaxing and just wonderful. I'm also taking wheatgrass supplements and acupuncture. We just started this past June though.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

epidurals should not be so common place. child birth is treated like a medical condition in this country and it's putting babies and mother's at much higher risk than they need to be. We need to take the doctors out of the delivery room except for actual emergencies and let midwives deliver babies with as little intervention as possible. Hospitals are dangerous places.

Hammer_Girl said...

Ok let me tell you, my first baby I thought I was in labor and went to hospital. I got a shower, got dressed, then woke my mom up, we went an picked up my mema, and drive the 1 hour drive to the hospital. The whole time I was saying to them"If this is as bad as it gets I don't need an epidural I can do this easy peasy." after walking around the hospital for 3 hours my contractions still weren't strong enough and they sent me home. Told me not to come back until contractions were 6 min apart(they were 8 at the time). Well that night I had to CRAWL to my moms room cause I was in so much pain. When she asked me how apart my contractions were I told her 7 min. She said we had to wait. I told her to get in the fucking car and drive. The whole way there I gripped the door handle and emergeny brake so hard I broke every damn nail. Once I got to the ward the same nurse was there and told me, well let me check if we are going to keep you this time. My exact words were"if you don't admit me I am going to sit my fat ass outside those double doors, I am not going nowhere. They kept me, had to eventually have a pit drip and got an epidural. Best thing that could have happened until they gave me too much epidural and my BP crashed, I couldn't hear, see, and threw up all over a nurse. Oh and the 2 nurses were arguing if they needed to raise my feet or my head, so they are both raising diff parts of the bed. I felt like I was on a bucking bronco. Finally it got ok and I was so numb my mom and husband had to hold my legs cause I couldn't feel them.

fourmi said...

I believe that everyone should be able to make their own choices regarding themselves and their babies. However, drug free labor are not the norm anymore in western societies and some women encounter hostility when they choose to go without epidural. Women who did so and had a empowering birth experience should speak up and share their stories. It is way more positive than the horror birth stories that every expectant mother hear from pretty much anybody. Women should make decision concerning their birth experience based on facts, not fear.Birth can absolutely be a wonderful life changing experience when you decide to take control of it. With or without an epidural.

Cornbread said...

@Henriette, no to both, but I'm certainly looking into it now, thank you for sharing!

I think I'm living in the wrong state...I love the South (well, the charming South) but we're a little behind the times when it comes to alternative/holistic/natural treatments and ideas (and you'd never see fertility yoga at any of the studios around here). Maybe one day we'll have more options. If not, I'm packing our bags and moving to Asheville. That's far enough north, while still being southern. ;)

Good luck to you, keep me posted! :)

Livia said...

I think women need to make whatever decision is best for them and their baby - no judgment.

My experience? I had my baby at home with no drugs, and it was the single most awesome, beautiful, transformative, and empowering experience of my life, and I re-live it every day when I look at my daughter. It has changed me forever, it will be with me forever.

Was it painful? Hellz yeah, but I had biggest endorphin rush afterwards. I felt AHHHMAZZING - I wanted to run a marathon.

FWIW: If I had had an epidural, I would have required a c-section. She was malpositioned, and it was stalling my labor. It was only because I could move, walk, bend, and squat during contractions that she turned into optimal postion. She was born 45 minutes after turning, and it took about 5 pushes. Not having an epidural had real, postive consequences for me and my daughter.

Of course, the reverse it true sometimes too, and an epidural is needed. Again, women need to make whatever decision works for them.

Iroar said...

Definitely agree!

Trashaddict said...

Have to chime in. 3 kids. All no epidurals. But I was incredibly lucky and had quick labors and a high pain tolerance. I did do some self-hypnosis with the last and it helped. If you conceptualize your body as bringing your baby to you and being powerful (after all the contractions are yours) it feels more controlled.
Yes, everybody has different pain tolerances but my God in this country we WAY overdramatize everything. All these horror stories condition everybody to be afraid.
Long labor? Complications? Absolutely epidural.
But for me, not for a routine labor. But it is definitely true that when you can't feel as much, you aren't motivated to push, things slow down, more sections and possible complications for mom (if the med goes up the epidural space, including difficulty breathing, and sometimes delayed walking afterwards, spinal fluid leads and spinal headaches. EVERY procedure has some risk going with it.
And if the mom is not well, that is a stress on the baby and the whole family.
So it is and should be mom's choice, but it's got to be made with the situation and the complications in mind.
BTW at the hospital nothing makes everyone roll their eyes faster than moms with freaking birth plans. Sometimes pages. It's analogous to concert riders, think about the personalities of the musicians with long ones and you will know what I mean.

Dani said...

Amen! I had an epidural for both of my deliveries, but Holy Sugar the last one was induced & it hurt like hell!

Henriette said...

I've only been pregnant once with twins. I had to fight to have a decent birth! I didn't want drugs or a planned c-section, my first doctor was pushing me for the c-section. I have elevated high blood pressure, am overweight, and "geriatric." That first doctor was WRETCHED and that's putting it mildly.

My first doctor gave my hubs nightmares about what was going to happen to me and our twins. He seriously was apologizing for not using a condom for most of my pregnancy, which aged him about ten years. Thanks doc!

I had my twins at nearly 41. It was not as bad as I was led to believe by the medical community. I had to do all my own research to have my twins in a less invasive medical manner. Ina May Gaskin was my inspiration! I read all her stuff.

I think what that first doctor did to me and my hubs was HORRID! I'm sorry I did not plan my life in such a way that I did not have my first kid at 25! What was I thinking? I'm too fat to have a kid? Please hide me in the basement! I guess all the women with high blood pressure who have been having kids for eons, which is one of the reasons high blood pressure is hereditary, should have been sterilized. That's how I felt dealing with the medical community with my first pregnancy.

I think there is a lot of fear mongering in the medical field that no one really addresses. I'm lucky that I live in a very hippy new agey area (natural birth is now a fad), where I could find a supportive community. I shrudder to think what type of birth I would have had somewhere else.

All I can state about this is: DO YOUR RESEARCH! It's your body and your life! Make informed decisions and realize the medical community is run by insurance companies. It's a business all the way.

It's strange how so many fight for abortion rights, but not birth rights.

Lelaina Pierce said...

I view any woman who chooses to go the natural way a super hero, based on the horror stories I've heard about labor WITH drugs, but she should have chosen her words more wisely.

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