Are Epidurals Bad?

EPIDURALS CAN SAVE YOU FROM THE "HORRORS" OF CHILDBIRTH

It is true that an epidural may make a woman have an easier birth, but may also complicate matters? Recently, I heard of a new study written by an anesthesiologist, stating that epidurals do not increase the woman's risk of cesareans. I immediately dismissed it as an attempt to sell a book. The audience is for women who are wanting the validation that it is OK to have an epidural. Guess what? It is OK to have an epidural. If that is what a woman wants, I am all for her right to choose. However, there are still risks with any medical intervention. To sell a book to women who are wanting an epidural and convincing them there are no complications is a farce. This author loves what he does. He loves to save and protect women from the "horrors" of labor contractions. I would love to have him inside my labor and delivery room, if I desired an epidural.

WITH NATURAL CHILDBIRTH YOU DON'T NEED "SAVING"

I am passionate about what I do as a childbirth educator and a birth Doula. I have been at hundreds of births from the first to the last contraction. I bet money that this physician has never seen a natural delivery in a hospital setting where the mother is silent, controlled, enduring, and taking each contractions as it comes. These women act as if they have the whole world supporting them. Some of these women never seemed to have any discomfort because of the body's endorphins. They view birth as natural and healthy and they don't need to be saved.

HOWEVER:

With the typical birth in the hospital, most deliveries will be induced or augmented with pitocin. Pitocin makes the contractions stronger and more intense than nature intended. Other medical interventions will take place sooner than later. The woman is stuck in bed with a lot of pain. She isn't able to move around and treat labor as natural, normal and healthy. Therefore, she has no choice but to have pain medications to endure the "wrath of the managed labor." That is why I am glad that the epidural is available for those women really needing it.

BENEFITS OF A NATURAL DELIVERY

The epidural vs. no medication is this analogy. Are you going to hike up the most beautiful mountain canyon or are you going to take a tram? The ultimate goal is to reach the top. Both ways will reach your goal. One will endure more beauty as you take part of the entire scene. Taking the tram allows you to see some beauty but not all of it. You miss the power that you see in yourself as you hike. You miss out on the support system that is there to help you endure.

I have had two epidurals myself which I will never apologize for. However, I have also had the most beautiful unmedicated delivery. I did say immediately after that delivery that I wanted to do it all over again. It is true that no one throws you a party for not using the epidural. But, I will never forget the love, support and guidance from my birth team. I would not have had that if an epidural had "saved me."

Julie L. Johnson is a wife and mother of three who has experienced every pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and breastfeeding situation there is and has lived to tell about. She is a Certified Lamaze Childbirth Educator, Certified Doula and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant practicing in Southern California. Her website http://www.birth-angel.com provides services and products to help ease the transition into motherhood.

---

What If Your Teenager Get Pregnant?

What if you received a letter from a 13 years... Read More

Benefits of Exercise When Pregnant

Exercising during pregnancy is always a very good idea, and... Read More

Pregnancy Symptoms

There are many early signs that you may be pregnant.... Read More

How To Avoid Post Partum Depression

New mothers sometimes experience "postpartum blues." This is understandable. Pregnancy... Read More

Am I Pregnant?

Am I pregnant? This is often one of the most... Read More

Baby Shower Gift Ideas

Selecting a present for a new mom or dad can... Read More

Reducing Your Pain In Childbirth

Pain is the word most associated with labor. Women go... Read More

What You Need To Know About Pregnancy And Tanning Booths

If you are pregnant, there are things you should know... Read More

How to Deal With Headaches During Pregnancy

Headaches are one of the more unpleasant "side effects" that... Read More

Life After Birth

LIFE AFTER BIRTH: THE FIRST 6 WEEKSLife after birth can... Read More

The Dos and Donts of Pregnancy

With so many people giving their opinion on what to... Read More

Coping With an Unplanned Pregnancy

Your period is late and you start to think maybe... Read More

Pregnancy and Tanning Beds

With summer approaching, you would love to wear those cute... Read More

What is an Ectopic Pregnancy?

Ectopic is another way of saying "out of place". An... Read More

Delight in Pregnancy Bedrest

My first experience with bedrest was at 30 weeks into... Read More

Can a Woman With PCOS Get Pregnant?

One of the most common questions I get from women... Read More

The Sleepless Challenge

For me, it was "welcome to motherhood". Ready or not,... Read More

Dealing With Common Pregnancy Complaints

Pregnancy is not without its side effects. During pregnancy your... Read More

Exclusively Pumping Breast Milk: Why Women Do It

Exclusively pumping breast milk is best thought of as an... Read More

Is a Healthy Pregnancy Possible After Gastric Bypass Surgery?

When a woman in the child bearing years undergoes gastric... Read More

Finding Time To Exercise After Pregnancy

If exercise is so obviously the answer to losing weight... Read More

Pregnant Mothers and Starbucks

Many mothers are addicted to caffeine and cannot handle going... Read More

Hyperpigmentation - Skin Discoloration - Pregnancy Mask

First and foremost I want to start by emphasizing that... Read More

Planning a Healthy Pregnancy

Looking for healthy lifestyle pregnancy information? Here are some steps... Read More

Fetal Development Month by Month

Month 1: Your first month of pregnancy your baby will... Read More

The Pregnancy Glow and Other Myths of Motherhood

It happened during the ninth month of my first pregnancy.... Read More

Pregnancy And Celiac Disease

If you have celiac disease and are well controlled because... Read More

How to Get Your Pre-pregnancy Body Back

The second biggest question you will ask yourself as a... Read More

Homebirth Midwifery

What is Homebirth Midwifery? Homebirth Midwifery is prenatal care that... Read More

Womens Health - Pregnancy Nutrition is for All Women of Child Bearing Age

During pregnancy your nutrition needs are going to increase. Even... Read More

Smoking During Pregnancy

If you have been drinking up until the point when... Read More

Chill Out, Mama! Four Tips on Managing Stress in Pregnancy

One of the best gifts you can give your baby... Read More

Pregnancy Week By Week

There are three stages of pregnancy. These are the first,... Read More