In two months my baby will be one year old. It seems like just yesterday. She was just 5Ibs 15 oz but as small as she was I was told she was too big for my 5'2" frame. After I went through with my doctor about these painkiller medications and much more self educated, I planned for natural birth but also kept my mind open about using pain medication. I didn't have a difficult labor but I had written on my birth plan that my idea was not to have epidural, but if I asked for one, I meant I wanted it. Eight hours into labor the pain was unbearable and requested for one but I was told my window was closed. I really don't know what window they were talking about but glad I didn't get one. The pain went very quick after the delivery.
Thinking all these and now just in two months she will be one year old. I wonder to myself where did the time go? Time fly so fast by my eyes. She is growing up no matter how much I want to slow time. Love you my princess.
Here are some of the advantages and disadvantage of these pain killer I think you should know but weigh the risks and benefits to decide what you think is right for your birth, your body and your baby.
Benefits
- Usually provides excellent pain relief
- Small amount of medication is used, so you remain alert
- Not very much medication reaches the baby
- Safer than general anesthesia, if cesarean section is required
Disadvantages
- May provide inadequate or patchy pain relief
- Necessitates immobility, precluding walking or other movement that may help labor's progress
- Decreased pushing urge and ability
- Possible shivering, itching
- Usually requires urinary catheterization
- Requires continuous monitoring to detect complications and/or progress
- Reduces experience of birth; mother becomes observer instead of full participant
Risks to the mother
- Fever
- Serious drop in blood pressure
- Malpresentation or malposition
- Since it may interfere with progress, increased need for Pitocin
- Increased need for forceps and vacuum
- Increased need for cesarean section
- Severe postbirth headache
- Long-term backache
- Severe complications are very rare but include paralysis and death
Risks to baby
- Medication crosses placenta
- Septic workup and NICU care if maternal fever develops
- Complications due to forceps, vacuum or cesarean section delivery
- Respiratory depression
- Increased likelihood of fetal distress due to mother's low blood pressure
- Short-term neurobehavioral changes, including irritability and inconsolability
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