Ask your OB about an intrathecal

I have 3 kids.  With the first one, I was 2 weeks overdue, so I was induced.  Up until the contractions started, I told my OB I wanted a natural birth.  But after being started on Pitocin, I changed my mind and I wanted something for the pain.  Unfortunately, the contractions were coming so fast that the baby's heart rate had dropped, so they couldn't give me any.  Since I had planned on a natural birth, we had never really discussed my options.  Fortunately, my baby was 7 pounds and had a 13-inch head along with 13-inch shoulders, making for a fairly easy delivery.  My arms hurt more than anything from pulling myself up with the bedrails to push.

Fast forward 3 years, with this pregnancy, I decided beforehand that I wanted pain medication.  My OB told me about an intrathecal and I went off to discuss it with the anesthesiologist.  I can't remember the exact details now, but I think the intrathecal lessens the pain considerably but still allows you to feel the pressure, as well as full sensation in the legs.  I also had to be induced with this pregnancy and I was able to have the intrathecal.  It worked very well.  I had some pressure sensation, so I knew when it was time to push, but not near the pain as with natural.  Good thing, too, because this baby was quite a bit bigger 8 pounds and 6 ounces and his head was a lot bigger.

For my final pregnancy, 2 years later, I again pre-opted for the pain meds.  Things went well and my delivery was induced but went very fast.  My OB said it was like a log chute.  He came out so fast that he had actually had bruising around his forehead from the amniotic fluid that hadn't all "broke".  He was smaller than my first 2, which was probably part of the reason.  My second child really opened up the old birth canal. 

At any rate, I had back pain before I had kids and I still have back pain.  I don't know whether it had anything to do with the intrathecal or not since I can't tell if it was any different after.  I do know that having been through a natural birth, I wouldn't do it again without pain meds, especially if you have to be induced. 

• Epidural or not? - First timer
  • DEFINITELY yes to the epidural. I think they were invented - by God himself.
  • No Epidural - QA editor
  • No epidural if you can do without, and you can. JMHO. nm - Tired
    • true, buit it hurts!....nm - ()
    • very true!.......nm - ()
  • I had natural childbirth in 1974. 9 lb. baby. Ask for - epidural and don't worry. :)
  • Only thing I have to add to below is to ask if you have a tattoo on your back sm - HappyFlaMT
    • So what kind of anesthesia is available for a gal with - a tattoo on her back? ... GaMT ... nm
  • My experience - Steph
  • go in with open mind - mt
  • As you can see from all these posts, - ()
  • hmm, well let me tell my side of this story.. - Gina
    • Holy crap woman! - MT
    • God bless you,. what a jerk doctor with Kelcie...nm - ()
    • Boy, that anesthesiologist when you were having Kelcie - Backwards typist
  • My experience - Mom 2x
  • I have 2 children. The first, a boy, - ()
  • My experiences sm - Mommy a lot
    • May I just say....sm - PAMT~MDM
  • Ask your OB about an intrathecal - fiddlestix
  • My own experience - AnnuderMT
    • I, too, had both of my kids (now 24 and 25) the - vn
  • They really are not that bad - sm - Laura E.
    • I have had no ill-effects or complications - sm - Laura E.
  • I wouldn't stress. - babymama
    • You are right, everyone different - Mamma
  • SM - KidsX2
    • My first was induced too but - sm - Laura E.

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