WHY is such a big deal made if you use drugs in labour?

[hamster]

I'm a little curious as to why so many women think that because you have pethidine/epidural/any other drug, you are a bit of a wimp.

I had an epidural during my last labour, and continuously people have felt the urge to comment. Things such as "Oh I did it with just gas and air", or "A friend of mine went through labour with absolutely nothing"

I do appologise if I do sound petty, but it really puts a dent into your confidence
My sister has just been through labour, a couple of days ago, and I know that this will be one of the main topics of conversation next time I see the family, as such a big deal was made of it before the birth.

At the end of the day, I would have thought that as long as you have a healthy baby at the end of it, what does it matter?

[hunkermunker]

Would also say that as I'm expecting another baby in January, I still haven't ruled out having pain relief next time. I hope I'll be able to manage again and am hoping for a homebirth, but if this doesn't happen and I end up with the works, so be it! Pregnancies are different (feel far more nauseous with this one than last time, for instance), labours and births are different, and babies and children are different. So I shall expect the unexpected!

[RedZuleika]

I think that what irritates me a bit (although I appreciate that it's none of my business and no one has to justify themselves to me at all) is when people make an uninformed choice, based purely on their inclination or their sense of convenience or whatever. I appreciate that not everyone wants to breastfeed (or indeed can breastfeed) - and I can see that there are social advantages in formula feeding. However - if one is going to make that choice, then one should surely do it armed with the knowledge that it isn't a choice between two equals: human milk has proven benefits that modified cow's milk just doesn't have.

Similarly, heading towards labour armed with the knowledge that you're going to be pumped with whatever the pharmacy can provide is fine if that's what you want - but again surely one should have an awareness of how this will affect the delivery and / or the baby, rather than concentrating purely on pain avoidance. That's the whole point of 'informed consent', isn't it??

Tex: your yoga types seem terribly rude and intrusive. I think it is probably true that one intervention can lead to another etc, but if the experience worked for you, then they shouldn't make you feel like some kind of abused victim of the system (empowering?? my left buttock...).

[Mosschops30]

Message withdrawn

[hamster]

I'm so glad there are so many others who share my view.
I won't be made to feel inferior. My ds is beautiful, and you know what...I think I'll have an epidural this time too!

[SoupDragon]

I gave birth to both DSs with "just" gas and air but it doesn't make me feel superior. I do feel pleased that I avoided the major pain relief but just pleased with myself. Makes no odds to me how anyone else does it.

[motherinferior]

The study on opiates and addiction is very tenuous, RZ, and based on the old style epidurals in any case.

I was rather surprised, when researching the article I referred to earlier, to realise just how little drugs do seem to affect the baby. I think calling relief from intense pain 'convenience' is, perhaps, a little unwarranted.

[hunkermunker]

It's odd, isn't it - I think it's a British disease - to be proud of oneself automatically means that you want to jump on other people's heads who haven't done the same. Bizarre! Nowhere is this more apparent than the breast/bottle debate - if you say you're proud of yourself for breastfeeding, you're slated for making other mothers who couldn't for whatever reason feel awful. Craziness!

[hunkermunker]

Not that I'm saying I'm proud of myself, you understand - heaven forbid!

[happymerryberries]

Well, I had the lot, from paracetamol and a warm bath, a TENS , G & A, two separate shots of Diamorphine ( AKA heroin) and an epidural with dd and do you know what? I don't care what anyone thinks!

She is now a delightful 8 year old, who's pre natal drugs have not seemed to have impared he considerable intelegence!

[Ameriscot2005]

Surely it's better to go without drugs so if you can cope on your own - then great. The key thing is to be given the support and non-drug alternatives to be able to cope.

If circumstances mean that natural coping methods don't work, then thank God for pharmacological solutions.

[motherinferior]

Why is it 'surely better' to go without drugs if you can? Nice things, drugs. Make many moments in life go with a bit more zip, and childbirth is certainly one of them.

[moondog]

Good point hm,re pride in a certain achievement being often misread as deriding those who didn't do the same.

Americans wouldn't worry about this stuff like us angst ridden Brits.

I am open mouthed in astonishment at anyone who gave birth without drugs. I'm pretty tough but gladly took everything and anything going and don't feel any 'less' of a mother for having done so.
Toyed with the idea of an epidural,but big needles in my bag and catheters (yikes!!!) freaked me more than the idea of pain.

[motherinferior]

And a life spent without a whiff of gas and air is, I feel, a life less rich

[Ameriscot2005]

Because drugs have risks as well as benefits.

[motherinferior]

But, if you look at the evidence, not actually terrifically high risks.

[SenoraPostrophe]

There isn't a big deal is there?

I had an epirdural with dd, and nothing with ds, and I am proud of having made it though both births.

[Ameriscot2005]

Disagree about Americans, Moondog. They are all-or-nothing, epidural or zip. Brits are more likely to hedge by using pethidine and, almost certainly, gas & air. But British mums are also more likely to use water, mobilisation and Tens, whereas American women are flat on their backs strapped to monitors for the duration (which really does make you wince about how they manage with nothing at all).

[Ameriscot2005]

Morbidity risks are fairly significant. But no, we are not talking about mother or child death.

[Mosschops30]

Message withdrawn

[moondog]

Didn't really refer specifically to birth procedures,Ameriscot.Just like the unapologetic way Americans can feel proud of themselves and their achievement,far more so than the Brits.

[expatinscotland]

I couldn't agree more, motherinferior . My first gasp after sucking on that stuff was, 'This is some GOOD shit!' . It was like a portable bong! I had a blissful 20 minutes giggling about my university days . . .

[dinny]

tbh I felt very happy that I'd had two labours without pain relief (tried gas the first time but made me violently sick). but the idea of an epidural scares me more than labour pain - hate medical procedures, am v squeamish.