epi, tearing, pain meds????

OKay just wondering, I was thinking about pain meds and stuff for when the time comes. I DO NOT want an epi, but I was wondering if they can give you any other meds for the pain, and if so what? IV's, pills, etc? My doc has never mentioned them to me in any way and I am due 3 weeks or less. Also when it comes to tearing, how do they determine the degree of the tear? Any sites with this info on it? Thanks

Quoting Britni_824:“ OKay just wondering, I was thinking about pain meds and stuff for when the time comes. I DO NOT want ... [snip!] ... or less. Also when it comes to tearing, how do they determine the degree of the tear? Any sites with this info on it? Thanks”

i didnt want the epi when i was in labor but i ended up getting it, what they were giving me for pain didnt last long enough and they normally give it through the iv

There ARE alternative options for pain releif besides the epidural! I applaude you on your decision not to get it.

Alternatives from http://www.thecradle.com/delivery/alternativepainrelief
Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Hydrotherapy
Hypnosis
Meditation
Music Therapy
Pattern Breathing
Reflexology

They're NOT drugs, but they DO work if you practice beforehand and utilize them during the labor. If you're interested in more ways, I can pull up some other sites and post them here too.

Are you in a Lamaze class?

I don't know if you know this or not, but I had the chance to ask a nurse some questions the other day and found out something kind of surprising.

IV meds [and other meds] will effect your baby where as epidurals do not.

This is what she said.."It's worth a try if you want to have a medication free delivery...they funny thing about that though....IV medications actually affect your baby and go across the placenta whereas an intrathecal or epidural is in your spine and never affects the baby directly."

ETA* She also mentioned that breast feeding [if you choose to do so] will be easier without IV meds since your baby won't be out of it from them.

Quoting Lilly89:“ I don't know if you know this or not, but I had the chance to ask a nurse some questions the other day ... [snip!] ... that breast feeding [if you choose to do so] will be easier without IV meds since your baby won't be out of it from them.”

Do NOT take what she said at face value. It is true, some health professionals "claim" epidurals have no effect on the baby, but in reality, the TRUE effects are still being studied and are not completely known!!!!!

Check out this article for more info.

http://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/do_epidurals_affect_babies_

All the dr's I've spoke with said epi's DO effect the baby, not as severely as IV meds, but it can actually take a couple of days to get any of theses drugs fully out of baby's system b/c they don't process as quickly as we do....bad for b/f thats for sure.
You can have laughing gas too, ask about that... it's effects on baby are pretty low.. I know a few women who've tried it and all of them said it worked well.
Thier spouses said it was hilarious  

I'm not sure how they classify a tear, but I do know that tears often heal faster then an epsiotomy does...I had a 2nd degree tear and it was feeling better in a few days... still had to wait until almost 6 weeks to have sex though....sigh...
I think it has something to do with the length as well as how much if any of the muscle tissue tears.

A tear may be less painful than an episiotomy and may also heal better.
Classification of spontaneous perineal tears:

1. First degree Injury to the vaginal epithelium and vulval skin only.
2. Second degree Injury to the perineal muscles, but not the anal sphincter.
3. Third degree Injury to the perineum involving the anal sphincter complex.
4. Fourth degree Injury to the perineum involving the anal sphincter complex and rectal mucosa.