Ring of Fire
During the monthly pregnancy check up with the OBGYN today,
my wife and I were confronted with an issue we have often discussed:
epidoral
or no epidoral;
drugs or no drugs.
Opinions vary widely on the uses and effects of the various available
birthing drugs. An epidoral isn’t the only choice but it looks to
be the best, providing comfort to the mother without passing much of the
same along to the child. Some drugs, which aren’t accompanied
with a big nasty
needle
that they stick in your back, can be
even scarier – offering
side effects
that two prospective parents can fear even more than the upcoming pain of
childbirth.
But to me (and seemingly to her as well), an epidoral is still a
very scary proposition. The idea of losing the feeling in the lower half
of my body gives me the creeps. There are other minor side effects
and risks as well (and did I mention the size of that
needle).
It will, however, take the pain away.
It comes down to her decision and her decision only. I’ll only offer an
opinion – no pressure and no judgement. I love her and want her to be
comfortable with the experience and comfortable with what she does to her
body. I’ll be there to hold her hand, regardless of what she decides.
If she does choose a natural childbirth, I’ll leave the other hand free to
block the random swings and curses that originate from soon-to-be
mother of my child.
Incidentally, the title of this blog refers to
a clever little moniker for the feeling a woman gets during birth.
Supposedly, you can get a simulation of
this sensation by grabbing the insides of your mouth and
stretching the two sides in opposite directions for several seconds.
Yikes, I bet that hurts.
Jenn
August 20th, 2002 at 10:23 pm #
You are soooo sweet. Knowing you’ll be beside me comforts me enough to believe that I can get through anything! I love you and I can’t wait to see the beautiful being we have created.
Jayna
August 22nd, 2002 at 1:14 am #
FYI…even with an epidoral, it’s still a “natural” childbirth…that huge head still pops out of that tiny little hole…the difference is that for at least a while, the mom can enjoy the process…I hate needles more than anyone I know but my first words coming into the hospital were, “GIVE ME DRUGS!” And then after they kicked in, I said, happily, “let’s call people and tell them I’m having a contraction!” this is not to say it won’t still hurt like hell… just another mother’s opinion.
Mom
August 24th, 2002 at 8:50 pm #
Your Mom’s honest mom’s comments! While in the deliver room, after 26 hours of pain – ouch!!!. the anesthelogist (or however you spell the name of the guy that gives you the drugs) started to pack up his gear and I looked over and said “whoaaaa, what do you think you’re doing” and he said “you’re not ready yet” and I said “like h……. I’m not”. fortunately you decided right than and there that we were both ready. Yeeeeeeaaaaaa! And I would gladly do it over again. Love you, Mom
Yary
April 29th, 2003 at 2:52 pm #
I gave birth on april 19th 2002 and i got an epidural cause i punked out and couldn’t take the pain i regret it now because exactly one year later I am having the worst back ache right in the middle of my back where i got the epidural last night i felt some numbness in my shoulders and i get sharp pains on my back is that normal??? is this gonna pain gonna last forever???
Liz
August 12th, 2003 at 12:56 am #
I had an epidural with number 3 and it was a cake walk. I was laughing and talking with my Mom and telling the doctor he better tell me when to push, because I felt nothing. It is very tough to do natural childbirth – you have to be incredibly focussed to relax through the pain. I wouldnt go back though. I knew what to do and what to expect and how to push because I had gone naturally with my first (and second). I am sure my first would have been a c-section if I had not gone natural. When you feel the ring of fire girls, you’re done – Push through it. You can do it.
Ken
August 12th, 2003 at 9:20 am #
The wife opted for the epidural about 5 hours (out of 10) into the process. It
helped a lot but, unfortunately, my baby boy was facing up, not down, causing
her a lot of pressure in her lower back. It did allow for a moment of humor,
though. When he finally started poking out, my wife smiled. The epidural
finally got to do its job.
ber
February 6th, 2004 at 12:24 pm #
does anybody have any info of where somebody taking an epidural during labor and had a depressing effect after birthing