Pain Relief
I bet you can’t guess what this post is about!
It’s been too long again. I didn’t mean to stop blogging, but our computer stopped working in the middle of last week (A.J. fixed it the next day), and then we went out of town for a day, and I kind of lost my momentum.
I’ve been meaning to ask this question for awhile though, and it’s a question for mamas – what did you do (if anything) for pain relief during labor, and how do you look back on your experience? Both A.J. and I would really like to do it without medication, but that’s still an option, especially for the first time. I’ve talked to some of you about it in person, but I’d like to hear more. 
Speaking of all things mommy-related, as of yesterday I’m 28 weeks along and officially in the third trimester – and feeling it. The second trimester was great after the morning sickness subsided. I’m actually experiencing a little nausea off and on again, back pain, and fatigue – I never knew how draining pregnancy would feel, or how completely lacking in energy I would feel. However, other than those normal symptoms, everything is going well!
I can’t believe we’re going to have a baby (!) in our house in less than three months – I feel somewhat prepared emotionally, but not prepared practically. Lots to do still!
I’ll leave my pain relief question hanging out there now – time to finish up a few more things before work.
November 10th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Ok, me (your mamma) first.
I went into my first delivery (you) with the same hopes – no medication if possible. Epidurals were far less common and their effects less certain then. I got to the point in the long and difficult labor when your dad and I decided it was time for me to go ahead with some meds (Demerol). I realize that for an epidural you need to plan ahead. But if you opt not to do that, you can always decide on something else along the labor way, and it does help. And John 16:21 is so true:
“When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.” Overwhelming joy!
November 10th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
For Hannah I opted to go as long as possible without any medication to see how I could do. I had not taken any breathing classes so really was unprepared to labor with meds. I did get the epidural with Hannah (I think I had it for like 12 hours!) and had a harder time coming out of it. It seemed like it took me forever to get the feeling back into my legs. When I delivered Andrew I knew I was going to get another epidural and due to a fast delivery I got it much farther along in labor and only had it about 1-2 hours. I came out of it quite fast and felt great. It was a much better experience the 2nd time around.
A tip, you can ask for the epidural to be turned up higher or lower. With Andrew I asked for it to be turned down a little lower so that I could slightly feel my contractions (thus knowing when to push) and it more or less took the edge off the pain. I also got the feeling back to my lower half much quicker!
November 10th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I did forget to mention in my email that with the epidural for me, the numbness went away within about 2.5 hours. Its different for everyone.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:48 am
I used an epidural for both my kids (now 4.5 years & 13 months). Each pregnancy was in a different state/city/hospital with a different OB. Actually, with my first I ended up with a second epidural as the first didn’t take as well. It really wasn’t so bad getting them. The nurse at the Labor & Delivery class I took with my first pregnancy joked that the labor breathing would probably be used to get the epidural…well, it definitely helped. With both deliveries I was able to “feel” what I needed to be able to push. I had no negative after effects. Everyone has very unique experiences when it comes to delivery, as well as different convictions when it comes to using medicines. (Several friends ended up with unplanned c-sections) I was much more worn out after my first child (difficulty walking, etc. for the first couple hours), but much better after my second (but the difference was due to differing lengths of labor – my second came so much faster). We are thankful that God kept me and our children safe…and thankful that pain medication made the experience more tolerable.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:52 am
I had the epidural for Grace. Got it around 5 cm but honestly I didn’t really feel I needed it at that point. I heard the doc was up there and I was afraid if I waited longer that he wouldn’t be available to put in when I needed it and my time would pass! I have to say I had a great experience with it. Just enough to take the edge off but still felt everything so I could fully delivery Grace. However, and as so many have said, epidurals are so different for everyone. It depends on the person and the doc putting it in and sometimes just the situation. One other thing I remember is for me the epidural helped me progress. I was stuck at 5 cm for awhile and as soon as I had the epidural I relaxed and my body was able to work. I guess I was fighting it before. However, I have had friends with the complete opposite effect where when they got it it slowed everything down. So unfortunately this probably doesn’t help much!
Just one of the many things that everyone does different for different reasons and as a parent you do your best and trust in God.
MOST of the time with your first baby you will have sometime to see how you are doing before you have to make your final decision. However, if you for some reason would go really fast God may decide for you!
I like your mom’s scripture b/c it is so true for me. I know I had pain and discomfort but I truly do not remember any of that. Even afterwards I was in no pain and required no pain medication. Honestly, and people think I am absolutely crazy when I say this, but I enjoyed my labor. It was an awesome, beautiful, fun experience with Joe and my mom (she was there too). I was blessed with a very relaxing pregnancy and everything went very well.
Hope this wasn’t too much information! Sorry you are not feeling well again. Hopefully the last few months will go quickly. However, enjoy the last few moments you and A.J. have together alone. It will be awhile before you can have his undivided attention and him yours.
Miss you!
November 11th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
We had an epidural (etc) with our first labor. We have since had 4 labors without medication and I’m a believer! Having a baby is like a marathon- you have to prepare your body physically and your mind as well as your spirit to endure. It is possible though! And it is a joy to hold your sweet little one afterwards and for him to nurse contentedly… the Lord is so kind to allow us Mommies this privilege!!
My suggestions to make it through labor:
1. Stay at home as LONG as possible. Like when you can’t talk anymore- then it’s starting to get serious. If you are still able to laugh between contractions, it’s *so* not time yet.
2. EDUCATE! Take a Bradley class (it’s worth the $ and totally different info from hospital childbirth classes) and read as much as possible about natural childbirth if that’s your goal.
3. Vitamin C. Ask Alissa G or Jenifer T for specifics, but the word is it greatly diminishes the perception of pain and is completely natural- no side effects for you or baby!
4. Change positions throughout labor. (Plug: You learn about this in Bradley.) If you’re already at the hospital, request to not be hooked up for constant monitoring- that allows you to move around. They should let you just be monitored periodically at least for the first while….
5. Ask other Mammas who have done it to share their stories. Attend a birth if you can. It’s so helpful to hear what others do so you can prepare a bit for something you have no experience with.
6. Hire a doula (or ask an experienced friend *Allie raises her hand!!*) to help in the hospital and do the mundane things so AJ can comfort you. Doulas do things like: remind you to change positions, keep you hydrated & fed, keep AJ hydrated & fed = happy!, massage, pray, read scripture, put on a CD, etc whatever you need to make it through!
As for your fatigue and nausea returning- that’s totally normal. Rest as much as you can, drink as much water as you can (half your weight in ounces!) and eat your food as close to how God created it as you can. (Less processed… so a cracker with peanut butter and a banana slice instead of PB Combos or PB sandwich crackers). That gives your body more nutrients and less work to get them.
Love ya- you’re doing an amazing work.
Allie O.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:17 am
Hi Anna –
Although I have no practical experience, I’d love to present another option for you that I’ve been learning about. I’m having my baby at a birth center where they do not offer any drugs whatsoever for pain relief, but really promote alternative options such as a warm bath and frequent movement (which speeds up labor and helps with pain because you’re not just lying on your back, but letting gravity work for you and not against you). Other things like heating pads, massages, calming music and dim lighting (because staying calm relieves tension and less tension means less pain!), and familiar and comforting things around you can help to mentally and physically relax you so that you can cope with any pain more easily. I have absolutely nothing against using medication for pain relief, but I also strongly believe that it’s healthier physically for the mother and the baby to try to do this very natural thing without chemicals involved. But I’ll leave the soapbox for another day…
Whatever you decide, I’m sure it will be the right decision for you and your baby! Trusting yourself as a woman made to do this is the most important thing. 
- Steph Salvini
November 14th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
That’s so exciting that your getting so close! Don’t have much to say on the pain question, because I’ve never gone through this before, but I’ll pray it’s an easy labor.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Hello Anna… I ran across your blog through clicking on a reply on a close friends blog and I have checked your blog out once in a while…. I just had my 3rd baby two weeks ago. All three of mine have been medication free…. My first labor was a little tough because I didn’t know what I was in for and could not make myself relax. Relaxing is the key. If you are tense you are actually fighting your own body! Of course, it is hard to relax when in pain. I have had very intense labors so I understand! I use water to relax… and actually am a firm believer in water laboring at least! They say that water acts like an epidural… I believe it (if I had to get out of the jacuzzi for any reason the contractions felt much worse!)! My first labor was 11 hours and my following labors were 3 hrs. 45 min. and just under 3 hours…. but everyone is different in that! Exercise is very helpful… they say walking is the best…but if you have not done that before now it might be almost impossible to start! My 3rd trimester is still very vivid in my mind! (I did much better this time energy wise etc because I really exercised this pregnancy but I will not talk about that for now) I hope all goes well for you! There is nothing like holding your own little one in your hands! May God bless you! I hope you have a wonderful labor and safe delivery!
November 17th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Thank you all for your responses, especially for taking the time to share. I read them all with great interest and look forward to sharing my own experience in a few months.
Mrs. VK, it’s nice to “meet” you, and I agree that exercise is great during pregnancy; whenever I exercise I feel so much better; I can only imagine how much being in shape helps out during labor!