Only 10 weeks until my due date!
Tonight in Childbirth class we did a lot of the same stuff (talking about breathing and relaxation techniques and reviewing the signs and stages of labor and what not). But most of class was focused on pain management. We learned about a few different techniques, "drugs" and epidurals.
I was really looking forward to hearing more about epidurals because I was kind of on the fence about them. I was hoping that after tonight I would have a clear idea about what I wanted to do. Unfortunately that is not really the case. It's hard because on the one hand, I like the idea of not feeling the pain and being able to rest more during the beginning stages of labor so that I am rested enough to push and get through the last stages of labor. On the other hand, I don't like the idea of having the huge needle in my back, or having a catheter, or being tied down to the bed (unable to get up and walk around or change positions) or some of the potential side effects (both the common and rare side effects). Hence, why I was on the fence (and leaning towards trying to do it naturally).
I did however make a decision that I am confident about. I decided that I will let the doctor and nursing staff know that I am going to try to do the birth naturally but that there is a good chance that I will decide that I want an epidural and that I would like to be fully informed on my progress each time they check on me. I want to know how much more dialated and effaced I would have to be from where I am at that point to not be able to have an epidural. That way I can make an educated decision on whether or not I feel like the pain is bad enough to get one or not. I know that towards the end of labor you can progress rapidly and that by doing it this way, I might miss my opportunity to have an epidural and then have to do the whole thing naturally whether I like it or not. But I have a feeling that if I need one, I will be asking for it way before the time comes that I can't have one (and if the pain is that bad, I won't be worried about my previous concerns). And if I don't feel like I need one that early, and then by the time I do want one it's too late, at least then I know that I will be in the last stages of labor and will not have hours upon hours of the pain ahead of me. I have to keep the same mind set I have when I go to the dentist or have a blood test or do other things I don't want to do: "what doesn't kill me, only makes me stronger" and "I only have to endure this for a short time longer and then I will be done". And somehow that is comforting and helps me get through.
Anyway, that is the decision I made. So, though I'm not going into it with a clear cut yes or no, as I had hoped. I am going into it with some idea of how I would like things handled. And that makes me feel more prepared for the big day! :)
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