UPDATE: This is something I wrote 12/01/2013 but it is just a great recap of how I was feeling then about getting empowered with information. I don't want any woman I know to have to go through what I went through without being informed.
Epidural Yes or No
The day an epidural became important to me was a day I will never forget. I was given an induction after finding out my 39 week old son was no longer with us.
I have decided I will no longer have things put into my body without doing to research on it, how about you?
photo credit: mjldas
The things they don't tell you...
Why didn't mine work?
It was a day I will never forget and I day I felt disappointment, misinformed and confused. After hearing the devastating news and trying to cope with that. I was informed it is now time to make some important decisions. How and when would I be having my stillborn son?
My labor was started via IV Pitocin and time. The goal of my labor nurses and OB was for me to be as comfortable as possible as to not aggravate the already morning mood. Being that I was already so far along my body did soon kick into gear and contractions were coming very regularly. After having felt some intense rushes I had requested an epidural they had recommended to me previously. Anesthesiologist came in and did his" what I thought at the moment was magic" and went on about his way. Feeling maybe a slight moment of relief I noticed nothing had really changed. I was feeling every single contraction and nothing was different.
Now when I had heard about epidurals before my moment of need. I never heard of people feeling all the contractions. I heard it would just knock ladies right out. What was wrong with me? So after moments of the nurses trying to calm me down and not knowing what else to say or do. I was given a shot of morphine. Really?! I will never do that again. I felt like on a roller coaster, it was crazy. After that wore off again, I felt every rush like none other but thank goodness my son was on his way and after his birth my mind was else where. But fast forwarding on through life I was having another child and requested another "mind blowing epidural" still not educating myself on the first flop.
I was having another son. I couldn't be more happier; as you could image. The induction was started once again via IV Pitocin and time. I waited until I was 4 to 5 cm dilated before I requested the epi. Once again this method of pain relieve did not work. What is going on I thought as I was brought back to my first experience wondering what is wrong with me. I asked the Anesthesiologist why is this not working and as he sat next to my bed, feet kicked up and reading a paper. He said to me " you have the max dose, you are just going to have to deal with it." Deal with it?! I couldn't believe this man (no longer a physician in my eyes) said this to me. I pleaded with the nurses to help me with my pain as I was getting very close to having my little guy I needed something maybe even some coaching but another nurse just told me "shut up." I thought ok something is wrong here, they deal with women in labor all the time. Even if I was being a drama queen which I don't think I was why were they talking to me like this. I said to them, "this epidural is not working is there something else you can give me or help me some how?" I was just ignored and thank God that is when my family started to step up. And help me out. I was checked because apparently I was transitioning right about that time that I started to plead with people. Baby once again was ready to arrive.
Why didn't this medication work on me like it was supposed to work on everyone I know? Well come to find out after doing some of my own research and talking to other ladies I found out. Epidurals don't work on everyone and I happen to be a part of that group. Then come to find out that some of the issues I was having postpartum was actually related to having those epidurals administered into my body. Back pain, pins and needles sensations, base of neck headaches and the list can go on.
I was thankful to have had my then two children one living and one that had passed on but I would have liked to have been more educated on the medications I was being given. Whenever I heard about epidurals I heard about all the bonuses and never any of the possible negatives. And talking to me world sisters this is a common trend.
So the next two lovely babies I had naturally and in the most beautiful, empowering and calm way. Nothing like when I was in the hospitals and after having both of them I did not experience the lingering pain and sensations I had. However to confirm my feelings about epidurals. I recently had another adorable little lady and we had a bit of a complication with her and I was forcefully persuaded after the issue was resolved to have an epidural. Now, I am having some of the most annoying back pain, pins and needles and infrequent headaches. Again?!
Where are the true health care liaisons between hospital workers and patients? Where is the literature that has layman terms for the average american to connect with?-Mercedes Snyder
