 | The best advice I can give you is to go into labor and delivery with an open mind! Don't try to make decisions based upon what others say, or thier experiences because as you will find out, all deliveries are different! My first pregnancy was incredibly easy, followed by a 45 minute labor (total from the first pain I actually felt until she was lying on my stomach) which produced a healthy 10 lb baby girl! No drugs, and to be completely honest very little pain (none of which I remembered after the whole process was over). With my second baby I was 13 years older (33), and they were afraid that I may have trouble delivering such a big baby (because of my age I guess), so they induced labor 3 weeks before my due date. My actual labor was only about 4 hours, but because they had induced so early (and my son obviously was ready to make his appearance), my son wouldn't (or couldn't) move into position because the contractions were so strong and close together. And yes, they hurt real bad at that point. The doctor said that the contractions were putting undo stress on the baby and if he didn't move into position they would have to do a C-section within an hour or so......they said that the epidural would ease the muscles enough for my son to possibly move into position (thereby avoiding the C-section). I was petrified of the epidural, but I knew that I would end up with one (or something like it) if I had to have a C-section anyway, so I had the epidural. They only administered about 1/4 the dose that they normally do, but my body completely relaxed and 15 minutes later my son had moved into position and I was ready to push. One push, he was out, and because they hadn't given me that much medicine I could feel the whole process and could even walk rigth after the delivery. I am currently pregnant with my third baby, and again it is a BIG one, but I am opting not to be induced until at least my due date, and not planning on having an epidural, but all that could change at the last minute. The most important thing is that your baby is born healthy and complication free......with or without drugs! Just keep an open mind and I am sure you will know what is best for you when you get to that point! Good Luck and keep us posted! |
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