Sort of a spinoff for those who've delivered - with and without an epi

luvmykids wrote: If you have had a delivery with an epi and another without, and were/are going to have another baby, which way would you do it?

I had an epi with the twins, and had one with Macie that didn't work. After the twins I was convinced that I loved epi's but after Macie I realized it really wasn't that bad. If I were to have another, I'd do it without the epi now that I know I can.

Boo&BugsMom replied: I had an awesome epi with Tanner. Didn't feel a thing, it was grand. With Aiden, I had horrible shakes, headaches, nausea, and it wore off right before I started pushing. If we were to ever have another, but we wont, I probably would not go with the epi, but rather get something else to help with the pain though. Both deliveries were very different, and both with epi's.

My3LilMonkeys replied: I had an epi with Brooke and not with Madison. The labor was definitely easier with the epi, but the recovery was 10x harder. After Madison was born (no epi) I felt great within a half hour - with Brooke I felt terrible for 2 days. I'd go natural if I did it again.

lovemy2 replied: With Olivia I had an epi - after 1 1/2 days of labor they started pitocin and I was sooo exhausted that I couldn't have done it without it - it did start to wear off a bit right before my emergency c-section -

With Dylan I had a spinal for my c-section - the spinal was fine except it makes you very shaky after....but it all wore off fast....

So really I have no opinion of the epi really except that it did provide me the relief I needed when I needed it and I had no problems with it

gr33n3y3z replied: never had the EPI and never would

luvbug00 replied: epi with mya and going to go without if i try again. good epi experience but i wanna try without.

DansMom replied: No epi with Daniel, would not have an epi with another child.

PrairieMom replied: I had no epi's with either of my kids. I did have a shot of stadol with both deliveries tho. It helps you relax, but doesn't do anything for pain. i would do it that way again.

MommyToAshley replied: I had planned to go natural, but I was stuck at 6cm dialated, and I must be a whimp because the pain was getting to me and I asked for an epi. The epi was what I needed to relax as well because I went from 6cm dialated to Ashley being born 20 minutes after I got the epi. Ashley was a big baby and I did have a tear, so in hindsight I am glad I had the epi.

So.. I've only given birth with the epi. I didn't have any problems with the recovery either. I know people that have had bad experiences.

If I were to give birth again, I would probably do the same thing. I would try to go natural, but have the epi as a back-up plan.

5littleladies replied: I had three without and one with. My experience with the epi was not great so I would probably shoot for without. I hated having the catheter (I could feel it the entire time) and I didn't like being bedridden.

boyohboyohboy replied: i did it natural with my first.
with my second i was induced and they kept raising and lower the pitocin, so it was a harder labor..i wimped out, in my own opinion and asked for the epi after stadol really didnt help me, the epi did nothing for my pain, and it only numbed my legs so i had a hard time getting them into a position to push..labor was 12 hours. i think i would have done better without.

i also had side effects, still have two numb toes, and on the side of my thumb in my left side.
and also for several days i could feel the injection site in my back, it was really painful.

i wont do it again, it scares me now to think of someone messing with my spine.

i know i might need something to take the edge off but it wont be the epi this time.

hoosier momma replied: I had an epi and did fine. I don't plan on having anymore, but I would probably get another if I did.

~Roo'sMama~ replied: I had an epi with my first and no drugs with my second, and it was much better without it. I don't know if I'll go completely drug free again next time, but I might now that I know I can do it. But even if I do get some kind of pain relief, I'll never get an epi again.

HuskerMom replied: If I wasn't having a c-section then I'd try to go as long as I could without an epi like last time. That epi was great!