RE: Nasty epidurals!
Cris Coffey (CCOFFEY@rugs.bry.indiana.edu)
Mon, 1 Apr 1996 09:37:08 EST5
Ina,
You are NOT sick! (from loving the whole labor experience). After
being in bed for four months and going through all that torture, I
can honestly say that I enjoyed labor. I had no pain killers (only a
relaxer that didn't take any edges off the pain!), but I think I was
designed by "The Man" to give birth. Maybe not to carry a child, but
definitely to deliver one! Although I was in pain, it didn't bother
me much because I knew the pain wasn't due to something being wrong.
I was in pain because something was really right, and I didn't mind.
I was told by everyone--doctor, nurses, my mother and my
husband--that I handled it like a champ. I absolutely loved it! The
nurses were bragging on me. They said that earlier that day they had
a woman in L&D giving birth to her FIFTH child and screamed bloody
murder. They couldn't get her to shut up! Here I was, my first
child, normal size, no anesthetic, and I didn't make a peep. My dad
was in a waiting room one room away from me. He said that all he
heard was one groan (my final push), then a baby crying, and he and
my mother-in-law knew it was their baby. My mom thinks I have some
pioneer stock in my blood.
By the way--for all of us "crazy" women who want to attempt this
again even though things went very wrong with previous
pregnancies...I went home and buttered Keith up this weekend. He
didn't rule out another baby (he's scared to death after Brandon),
and said we'd think about it over the summer. I always wanted my
children to be three years apart, but Brandon will be four in June.
Brandon told his daddy that he wants a sister. Keith asked, "what if
you have a brother instead?" Brandon's answer: "Then he'll just be a
boy!" Keith and I sort of agree that if we have another, it should
be before Brandon turns 5, so they'll at least have something in
common and be able to play at times. That means we need to conceive
this fall. That's scary. We haven't decided, but I explained to
Keith how I felt cheated, and wanted another chance to do it right.
He sympathizes. We're thinking about it!
Cris
From: INA MORGAN <nhorizon@iafrica.com>
To: "'Preemie Support'" <Preemie-l@vicnet.net.au>
Subject: RE: Nasty epidurals!
Date: Sat, 30 Mar 1996 00:00:51 +-200
Such interesting topics at the moment.
I have had two epidurals, my first with Gareth was fantastic, felt hardly anything when they inserted the needle, could feel the contractions so was able to push and yet felt no pain. When my OB wa
stitching me up afterwards I asked my husband "when can we do this again", I loved the whole labour bit (Am I sick). A couple of hours later, I was up and about with no side effects.
With Devin, they had to do a caesar and I requested a epidural as I wanted to be conscious for it. This time things did not work, this was an emergency so everyone was anxious to get going, they in
erted the needle - again hardly any pain and then we waited - my feet felt like concrete but my stomach was still totally "alive", eventually they gave me a general. This turned out to be a blessin
in disguise, as my husband was already gowned up to be with me for the epidural caesar. They asked him to leave for the General (does anyone know why your husband can stay for an epidural but not
general?) and then things went wrong - I hammoraged, baby was critical - I was later told that the atmosphere in theatre was very tense as they were worried about both baby and me.
I would still recommend an epidural to anyone and am so glad that I had such a positive first birth - get VERY jealous when I know someone is about to give birth - what a miracle.
Ina
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Cris Coffey, Information Specialist
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Indiana University
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