Epidural Nation: 'Guys' created the problem.

Me ^ | 28 Oct 2006 | GoBucks

[BJClinton]

The kind of Men who fear the pain of helping their wives through the pain of childbirth are the kind of American Guys the hijackers evaluated as they planned their way to 9-11.

I see you took the meds for her...

[Gerish]

Four children, no epidural, no pain meds - all natural. That being said, my labor time went very fast for all four so I guess in that way I was lucky. The pain is real, especially with my two sons (for some reason I had back labor for both boys), but the outcome of that wonderful baby far outweighs the pain and I tried not to dwell on it. My husband was a lifesaver, he didn't do much, but just having him there with me was comforting. I think he was in more pain from me squeezing his hand so tight!

[AnnaZ]

While the pain is muted, yes, the joy is muted far more.

Speaking as one who has given birth three times, and with all due repect, you may be out of your ever-lovin' mind.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

Speaking as one who has given birth three times, and with all due repect, you may be out of your ever-lovin' mind.

Back when natural childbirth was first getting trendy (1970s), my wife and I briefly considered it. We talked to the wife of a friend who'd done it and asked her about it.

Her sole comment: "It was like passing a basketball."

Ended that idea.

[HungarianGypsy]

Things can go tragically wrong whether in a hospital or not. Good midwives are particular of making sure the mother is in good health and that things are developing well. I was happy to have had a doctor with my second baby since the cord was wrapped around my daughter's neck. He was a good doctor, too.

After my third, though, I just knew I didn't want to be sitting around a hospital when I was practically bouncing around the hospital room within a few hours. Of course, that could have been the effects of the Stadall.

I just wish more doctors would inform mothers that there really are better ways to give birth than having your legs up in the air in stirrups.

[HungarianGypsy]

Ouch! 22 hours! My midwife with my fourth baby said the reason I was having so much non-progressive labor was because I was actually progressing for about a month before giving birth. When I actually would go into full labor I would have the baby within hours.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Sometimes people write really really silly stuff on FR . . .

[HungarianGypsy]

Midwife or doctor? First three births were by doctor. Each one a bit more natural than the last. The first one was the biggest you-know-what in the world. I doubt he would have let me have an epidural if I had wanted it. Which didn't matter since my labor went too fast anyhow. I kept thinking it just had to get worse.

The last two were midwives.

[wolfcreek]

What an unadulterated, hippydippy load of quatsch.


I'll have to agree, Wide. This guy's been watching Opra and reading Cosmo.

[HairOfTheDog]

...if I were a typical woman...

You aren't. Stop being proud of your wife's labor pain. It's truly bizarre!

[HungarianGypsy]

i personally thought the women screaming their guts out in natural childbirth were nuts.

My kids still tease me about giving birth to their youngest brother. My big word was, "Owie!" I was so sure I had screamed louder than I had.

When I had my daughter (#2) the nurse kept looking at me like I was nuts because I wasn't screaming.

[GovernmentShrinker]

So my wife had to have a C-section... Oh, and they numbed her up first.

What a limp-wristed swisher you are, letting your wife have anesthesia for a C-section! Guys like you are responsible for the 9/11 attacks!

[HungarianGypsy]

Of course, if me and the mrs were anti doctor and anti hospital we would have home birthed without a qualm...but my wife's sister had a few choice words with me regarding the subject and I realized in the low probability that if a problem actually occured, I would need some help.

If you and the Mrs. ever decide to have another Baby Bucks you might want to look into a birthing center. They are very free with movement and comfortable. The medical equipment is all right behind the cupboard doors just in case they are needed.

[AnnaZ]

I find that the actual birth part isn't as bad as the hooours of labor. The contractions are mind-numbingly painful, so getting baby finally OUT is quite a relief.

In the beginning I always think, "Hey, I can do this", and next thing you know I'm screaming for the anaesthesiologist.

[teenyelliott]

This vanity is a load of crap.

[Scotswife]

I have given birth 6 times, and about to give birth for the 7th time in a few weeks.'
I have done it every which way...once with no drugs whatsoever, a couple of times with mild drugs, and the last time with an epidural (thank God!she was a 10 pounder!)
There was not any muted joy when I had drugs vs. no drugs.
There is nothing special about suffering intense agony that gives special "joy".
Women should choose how they deal with the pain on their own terms, and be allowed to change their mind once the killer contractions hit. They should not be told one way is any better than another.

This article is pure hooey...and it is a valid point to say that a man who will never endure this pain himself ought to keep his yap shut.

[Scotswife]

"The fact that epidurals increase the CSECTION rate is a fact little known. Thanks!"

That's funny...I just read recently that epidurals may cut down on time in labor, as the woman becomes more relaxed.
Because of the study results, it was suggested that women should NOT be discouraged from epidurals.

[mjwise]

The kind of Men who fear the pain of helping their wives through the pain of childbirth are the kind of American Guys the hijackers evaluated as they planned their way to 9-11.

You know, if you could have just worked in the rise of Hitler somewhere, you would have a perfect...ly crazy article. I must have missed the video where Osama praised the epidural as his inspiration for attacking the weak American men.

Epidurals are not there for the man's benefit and ultimately it is the woman who should choose what pain relief she receives. If my brother-in-law had insisted on one for my sister's birth a year ago, I think my sister would have systematically kicked his teeth out as she was in labor for hours with their ten pound baby girl. I see no evidence of an epidemic of men who are afraid of the pain of childbirth and are absolutely insistent upon an epidural. If the woman really wants to try it "natural", the husband should be supportive, but it is not an affront to his manhood if she prefers pain relief.

To suggest that an epidural-assisted childbirth is somehow less joyful and authentic is delusional and patronizing.

[mjwise]

Epidemiologically, the idea that epidurals cause C-sections is extremely suspect. It may be literally true that epidural use is associated with increased rates of C-section, but it's more likely a confounder, such as this:

Increase epidural use ← Increased labor pain/increased labor complications → increased C-sections

[Scotswife]

Here's the article I was thinking of....just in time for my 7th delivery!

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=20151