Hi, I am 37 weeks pregnant and I am due on August 27! I take lovenox shots for clotting problems so because of that my dr said that I can not have the epidural unless they schedule an induction for me and be 24 hours lovenox free. I had the epidural during my last pregnancy and I had back pain for 2 weeks after labor. He told me if I did not get the epidural, he will give me some morphine! I just want some real experience from those of you who had a labor without epidural. How painful was it and what pain medication they gave you? thanks

They didn't have epidurals in my time of child birth. My kids are 27 and 35 years old.
I had something, I don't know what, for pain and it helped. My DIL did not have an epidural with my DGD. She is 7 years old. They were not even heard of years ago and we could not use them. I'm not sure this helps but I know you can birth a child without one cause I did, 2 of them.

I didn't have one with my first child, and with my last THREE, my epidural did not work. I wouldn't recommend the morphine. Your BABY will also be getting it, remember!! Have you taken a lamaze breathing class? It really does help. Also, you might look into a hypnosis center. It sounds a little funny, but I have heard GREAT things on that...and I think it only takes a few visits for them to train you on how to "escape" the pain.

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I had both my kids without epidurals. It was painful, of course, but you can do it. I just kept thinking of how the pains were bringing me closer to pushing that baby out!

I had both of mine without epiderals, freshen up on the lamaze breathing and you will get through it. I did for my first get a dose of nubane but that just helped me sleep a little before the pushing started!

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Have a bootiful Halloween!

I did not have an epidural nor did I want one with either one of my girls. I was given stadol (sp???) to take the edge off. It worked fine for me. Is there pain yes but I did the breathing that I learned in Lamaze and just focused on the miracle at the end. When I had my girls I had an old fashioned Dr. and once you were in bed you were in bed. No up and walking or anything like that. Once I got to the hospital I delivered within about 5 hours.

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~Jill~

I had an epidural with my first, but not with my second. It was definitely more painful, but not as bad as I thought it would be. Just remember that when you are done laboring you will have your baby!
I agree about the morphine. I have never heard of that given during labor (I work in the NICU so I see lots of women in labor). Your baby will get it too, and can definitely cause your baby to not breathe after delivery. I would talk to your doctor about other pain relief options!
Don't be scared!! You will do great, no matter what you decide about pain management!
Good luck to you!!

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I love my girls...Rylie, Brooklynn and Camryn

I went totally drug free- no epidural no other drugs until after the birth, as I was afraid how it would affect the baby. I am lucky, though, b/c my labors are relatively short. What worked best for me was of course, breathing techniques. I also asked and arranged to be allowed to walk around and shower and that helped me immensely! It was painful, but I enjoyed it immensely. The hospital I was with for DD1 was so supportive and the nurses would joke and cheer for me as I hobbled along the small hallway trying to speed things along.

You can do it! Relax and let nature take its course. I read several books such as Hypon- birthing that put me at ease about the whole thing even though I didn;t use all the techniques mentioned

I never had anything with any of my 7 labors and it was just fine!! Relax, women went through labor without drugs for many years!

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~Happiness is a large family~

My First three Births Were Completly Drug free -

My Labors Go fast -
And By the Time I Realize I Am in labor - I am 4 to 5 cm Dialated -
After that the Nurse only Checks me Once or twice - And I progress so fast ....so They Really don't have time to Give me one.

My 4th Birth - I really Wanted to Try the Epidural.
I Told My Doc how fast things Go and she said I Could get one On arrival -
I was about 5 CM - and Felt two Bad Contractions - Before I Felt NOTHING-
It was Great - and I Had No problems Pushing - so it was this tottally Relaxing Birth

I will Say all Births are different - of Course -
My First Birth Was About a 5 on the Pain scale contraction Wise - Pushing was a Breeze no Pain =

Second - Pain was about a 5 For contractions and pushing was about an 8

Third Contractions were about a 6 and Baby Was Laying Face Down and pushing was about A 200 - I thought I was going to Die - But I Didn't -

And 4th - was an epidural so that was No pain or trouble Pushing -


Also The Breathing Techniques DO NOT work for me -
I really Don't Like them and find them hard to Concentrate on ......

What works for me is thinking of others in Painful Situations and making it through them -

I knew it had to Be done - and it could be Done - I Just had to deal with it -
You can't Panic - it'll Make it worse

When I Had my First - I was told Labor will be the Most painful Experience ever

Maybe For her it was - But For me - I have had worse toothaches than Labor pains -
So it really is different for everyone

Good luck to you !! No matter what - you will get through it!!