Dec 18

“…You Will Be The First Birth Without Pain Meds I’ve Ever Done!”

“If you succeed, then you will be the first birth without pain meds I’ve ever done!” – L&D Nurse to mother who stated she hoped to birth without pain medication.

46 people dislike these words.

There are 37 comments to this post.

Kristin had this to say, Dec 18, 2011 @ 10:15 am (Quote)

WOW.
I hope that this nurse is new to the field, or has just transferred from another department.

If this is from a nurse that has been in L&D for 5, 10, more years? Then I pity her.

I hope the mom git a ton of support for her medication free labor and birth.

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Sheva had this to say, Dec 18, 2011 @ 10:28 am (Quote)

Ok, first of all, nursie doesn’t DO the births. She ATTENDS them. BIG difference.
Second, if that’s her track record, she’s probably sabotaging those mothers, knowingly or not. Neither is OK IMO.
At my first home birth, my midwife brought a midwifery student along as her assistant who had been a nurse for 4 YEARS and had never seen an unmedicated birth. Medicated includes pit, drugs, etc, but she’d never seen any birth where mom simply labored, pushed, and had a baby, without the whole circus involved.

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Lisa Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 6:40 am Lisa(Quote)

Considering she said “if you succeed,” something tells me she’s not very supportive of moms who want to go without pain meds…

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Jessicakc had this to say, Dec 18, 2011 @ 10:37 am (Quote)

Sad. Mine said I was the only one with a birth plan that didn’t in a section that she had seen in a long time. She was amazed that I never begged for drugs. So sad.

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Dee had this to say, Dec 18, 2011 @ 10:37 am (Quote)

When I gave birth, I was one of the 3% who had done so without pain meds in the hospital where I delivered DS. A gaggle of nurses stopped in to see–they couldn’t believe it. They were also surprised by the 9/10 APGAR Scores. Now, I am sure babies born after epidural use might also have the same scores, but for whatever reason, it seemed not to have been the case where I was. I was an oddity, lol. But I have no problem with that.

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Julie Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 12:32 pm Julie(Quote)

Wow, I thought that I was the only one. When I gave birth in a huge teaching hospital, they kept bringing in nursing students to see what an unmedicated woman in labor looks and sounds like. In retrospect, it was kind of funny. At the time, it was quite annoying.

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LMS Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 1:41 pm LMS(Quote)

This was me in my first birth which was at a hospital. More than 96% of births were medicated, over 2/3 resulted in csections. My L&D nurse was great as she taught my prenatal exercise class.. but I did have ALL the nurses from two shifts waiting to see me have an all natural birth (he came just after 5pm so not long after a shift change)!

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Jessica had this to say, Dec 18, 2011 @ 10:38 am (Quote)

I sure hope this nurse had an open mind to “do” this birth drug free. I would have expected this kind of comment on Thoughtful Thursday but seeing as it isn’t I’m guessing the nurse pushed for an epi as soon as the mom vocalized during contractions or otherwise sought to keep her track record for drugged births.

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sara had this to say, Dec 18, 2011 @ 11:11 am (Quote)

My uber-supportive nurse was awesome at helping me achieve my unmedicated birth. Afterwards (the key word here) she told me that I was her first patient in her eleven years in OB that had intended to go unmedicated and succeeded. She had many want drugs, but it was too late, or those that didn’t want them but ended up with them. She was awesome… Partly because she didn’t give that line beforehand.

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Maybeth had this to say, Dec 18, 2011 @ 11:23 am (Quote)

I had a student birth at my first birth. Mine was the 4th birth she had witnessed, the first 3 were c-sections. As I was birth, I has asking her if she could see everything. After asking 3 or 4 times, the doctor suggested that she move so she could see.

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Dawn had this to say, Dec 18, 2011 @ 11:58 am (Quote)

I had a nurse recently congratulate me in that all 7 of my births have been unmedicated and have of course then been vaginal. None were induced. Some were without IV, and I know one was without a saline lock. Hoping to keep this up for this baby I’m having in the spring. My concern is breech since I have yet to find anyone who would catch one. In the hospital, I was told most of the women have an epidural or some other medication. Sadly, I cannot go without a medicine, I am group B strep positive this time.

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Kristin Reply:
December 18th, 2011 at 12:17 pm Kristin(Quote)

I would definitely research your options before you go into labor. I think there are ways to go without meds during labor even though you are group B +.

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Dawn Reply:
December 18th, 2011 at 12:34 pm Dawn(Quote)

Thank you Kristin. I can go without antibiotics, but that carries great risk. Even with the wash some are saying works well, it’s not been shown to be better than antibiotics at reducing the risk…to the level antibiotics do in labor for Group B strep infection in newborns (primary infection). I do know there is a risk of ecoli with the antibiotics for Group B strep, and I would love to know what can be done about that…if the wash would help. I know waterbirth does help and keeping the membranes intact and no VE’s seems to be logically better but not sure of the evidence. At any rate, Group B strep in the hospital birth means I can argue very strongly against any VE’s without as much medical staff resistance, and I will also keep that water intact. My midwife says she will take that IV off as soon as I’ve received my first dose, and after my 2nd again…hopefully I’ll have my baby by then. She’s even said if I need pit after for pph that I can choose to get it IM so I don’t have to have all that IV fluid with pit. I plan on going evidence based, and for now, the evidence does lean in the direction of antibiotics. It also leans in the direction of pit after baby is born because of risks of pph in grand multiparas. I’d rather take it than be sorry I didn’t. I am looking into probiotics for after birth, and whatever I can do ahead of time to avoid yeasties.

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JC Reply:
December 18th, 2011 at 3:11 pm JC(Quote)

My midwife treats group b strep + with tea tree suppositories…. no meds. Just something you might like to look into! Best of luck! :]

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Dawn Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 5:14 pm Dawn(Quote)

Are you talking about WITH antibiotics? Has this been tested to see if it works? I really don’t feel the risk is worth it and really have looked up a lot on this one ladies. Thanks for the ideas. I was just wondering what would work to help with the antibiotics to avoid the other infections…

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Aron Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 6:36 am Aron(Quote)

Probiotics. Our teaching hospital actually prescribes them WITH antibiotics to help avoid secondary infections. You can take OTC ones, though.

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Dawn Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:03 am Dawn(Quote)

suggestions on how to know which probiotic is best?

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Cat Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 1:22 pm Cat(Quote)

Try using garlic vaginally before birth, then having them retest you. You can be Strep B + one week then not the next.

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Dawn Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 5:15 pm Dawn(Quote)

Can you point me to some articles in support of this?

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JC Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 1:27 pm JC(Quote)

No, no antibiotics – all natural treatment with the tea tree suppositories.

http://www.agapedoula.com/GBS.pdf

Protocol from Heart and Hands: A Midwife’s Guide to Pregnancy and Birth
1. Twice a day, with breakfast and dinner:

2 capsules lactobacillus acidophilus (2 billion per capsule —try Nature’s Plus)
1 capsule Echinacea, 350 mg
1 capsule garlic, 580 mg
1 capsule or gel vitamin E, 500 mg
Also place one clove peeled, unnicked garlic in vagina every other night, remove in morning.
*Does not say how long this regimen should be followed
2. Each day:

6 capsules EHB by NF Formulas (an antibacterial supplement)
Tea tree oil suppositories (soak cotton ball or small cotton tampon with fifty-fifty
blend of tea tree oil and olive oil), every four to six waking hours
500 mg vitamin C every four waking hours
*This is to be followed for 10 days close to term.

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JC Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 1:30 pm JC(Quote)

And, yes, like Cat stated, it can be here one week and gone the next…. I wasn’t even tested this pregnancy (due to other testings always being negative) and just watched our baby closely in the days following his home birth. Honestly, you can tell if your baby is unwell, and GBS is deadly only when allowed to progress past a certain point in an infant. If you noticed your baby was unwell or sickly, you would take him/her to the hospital/dr right away…

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LMS Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 1:48 pm LMS(Quote)

I have had all 6 of mine naturally too.. no meds, no saline drips. My 1st, 5th and 6th did need antibx for GBS+ too. First needed it since water broke first and I was in labor a long time. 5th and 6th came fast so only got one dose in. I didn’t want to do it but like you couldn’t find another protocol that seemed like it really worked. My midwife is very alternative but this is the one thing she wouldn’t do alternative for as lacks solid evidence. I wanted to decline against medical advice, but with so many kids, homeschooling, non/selectively vaxing, cosleeping, extended bfing, etc etc my hubby didn’t want to stir the pot jic something actually happened. But I didn’t allow them to give my babes antibx when I only got one dose, we just watched them. Frankly, I think they should be teaching all moms what to look for b/c it is true that you could be negative at the test at 36-37 weeks but positive at delivery.

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road2vba2c had this to say, Dec 18, 2011 @ 12:32 pm (Quote)

There’s a first time for everything.

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Jessica had this to say, Dec 18, 2011 @ 3:19 pm (Quote)

Dawn, if you’re less than 36 weeks, try taking grapefruit seed extract and retesting at 36.

I got antibiotic shot during labor for gbs+ but I don’t consider that the same as getting pitocin or an epi. I considered declining the antibiotics but my husband and I discussed it and felt the 1 in 200 chance vs 1 in 4000 (I think) was too big a difference.

Anyway antibiotics arent like most interventions, they won’t lead to more intervention.

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Dawn Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 8:06 am Dawn(Quote)

Thank you. You got the shot? I was told it was by IV but have read about the shot for labor. Wondering if that is a good option? I heard the antibiotic can sting when in the IV and it’s about 20 minutes to 1/2 an hour. But, it’s not everyone either who gets the stinging sensation. I think the shot would hurt but not that bad.

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LMS Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 1:51 pm LMS(Quote)

As of 3yrs ago the protocol had changed, IV only and a different med that DEFINITELY stings!!! It was worse than labor itself and since I need anticoagulants injected daily during pg that sting, that is saying something. I don’t think it took quite that long to get the dose though.. but that is fuzzy. That last baby decided to be 9lbs and come out with his hand next to his head so… lol.

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Malgorzata had this to say, Dec 18, 2011 @ 3:59 pm (Quote)

I had gbs+. I followed European protocol: monitoring body temperature and breathing of the baby and myself. America and New Zealand are the only ones that test for gbs all women regardless of their health status. Healthy mom even passing it to a baby would not cause the desease. If the illness developes it is easily treated with antibiotics. Giving antibiotics to a newborn who doesn’t have any gut flora has long term effects on baby’s immune system.

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JC Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 1:34 pm JC(Quote)

Yep, this is what my midwife explained to me as well…. I know doctors are here for a reason, but there is no need to let them scare you into treatments you’re uncomfortable with or possibly unnecessary. People have come to think of doctors as Gd, but if that were the case, there wouldn’t be any illness – or, at least, everything would be 100% curable… Sigh…

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Tee had this to say, Dec 18, 2011 @ 7:54 pm (Quote)

In all fairness, I can’t fault the nurse this time around. (At least, not in the context that I’ve read.) It makes me incredibly sad to think that she had never seen a natural birth but I’m not sure it surprises me. It doesn’t sound like she was discouraging the Mom from natural birth. It just sounds like she made an offhand statement about how she had never seen one.

I really hope this Momma went on to have her med free birth. Maybe the nurse would be inspired by it and would learn from it. Who knows, maybe she would even go on to encourage other women she cares for, rather than pushing drugs so frequently?

I very much believe that every woman has the right to choose what medication they use during birth. While I wouldn’t choose any, I can respect women that do. Oftentimes, though, I wonder how many women would go on to birth naturally if drugs weren’t shoved in their face so often.

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Robyn Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 9:26 pm Robyn(Quote)

It wasn’t the “you’ll be the first” that was the problem; it was the “if you succeed”. That clearly shows that she doubts that the mom is capable of going unmedicated.

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Tee Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 9:36 pm Tee(Quote)

That’s a really good point, Robyn! “If you succeed” does make it sound like she really doubts the Momma’s ability to have a med free birth. I just can’t help but wonder if the reason she doubts it is because she’s never actually seen it happen. If this nurse had seen 300 medicated births (random number) and no unmediated births, it wouldn’t really shock me that she doubts that it is even possible.

I’m not trying to argue with you, I promise! I just try and look at these things from the health care professional’s point of view. Oftentimes I can’t see things from their angle but this one I could see. I could be totally wrong! Just my thoughts on it all.

It’s a real shame no matter what.

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Erin had this to say, Dec 19, 2011 @ 2:13 pm (Quote)

Here’s my similar story: After birthing #2 (drug-free), the nurse exclaimed: In three years in OB, this is the first posterior baby I’ve ever seen delivered vaginally! She was so excited and proud, and I was excited that she’d been a part of the birth. When more OBs and nurses are exposed to unmedicated births, the more supportive they can be of future ones. if all you ever see are women crying for pain meds (that is, suffering instead of coping), then you think that’s the way it is.

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Chelsea had this to say, Dec 19, 2011 @ 4:35 pm (Quote)

This is mine. And the only drugs I ended up getting were when she gave me pitocin…I didn’t know that’s what it was until my hubby (a nursing student at the time) looked at the IV bag and said, “This is pit! Why are you giving her pit?!” And she turned it off. I did give birth med free other than that 30 min. or so. She had been a nurse for about 20 years, and an L&D nurse for at least several of those years, she said she had “done” over 200 births since she started at that hospital 5 months before that and all of them had either been a C-section or an epidural birth.

She was very much following my OBs orders, and I’m happy to say I switched providers after that! I went on to have an amazing midwife attended water birth (in the hospital!) where the only interventions I had were those I expressly asked for (i.e. “Could you please check baby’s heartrate, haven’t felt him move in a while”)

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mharry Reply:
December 19th, 2011 at 10:09 pm mharry(Quote)

Can I say bravo to your hubby for calling her out? Good on him.

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Kathryn Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 7:26 am Kathryn(Quote)

Second that!

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Melissa Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:20 am Melissa(Quote)

I wonder on just what planet “informed consent” means “we’ll just sneak this powerful medication in your IV AFTER you’ve instructed us that you want an unmedicated birth and we’ll hope that you don’t notice!” I am not in favor of our hyper-litigous society, but sometimes I wonder what other avenues are available to let practitioners know that this is NOT OK?

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