OB/GYN Explains Epidurals and Other Pain Control Options for Labor

The Doctors Bjorkman, a board-certified OB/GYN and Pediatrician couple who are also pregnant with their first baby share what you need to know about your options for pain control during labor including non-medication options, epidural anesthesia, IV pain medications, laughing gas, and more! Stay tuned to the end to also hear what Sarah is planning to do for her own labor coming up in the next few weeks!

**Weekly pregnancy updates on Wednesdays! We will be covering everything from TTC, infertility, prenatal care, labor and delivery, best baby gear, your baby's week by week development, postpartum concerns, and other pregnancy tips and tricks!

Intro Music: A WAY FOR ME - Nicolai Heidlas by Chem Ocampo

Keywords: pregnancy update, the doctors bjorkman, third trimester pregnancy, pregnancy, obgyn, labor

[novasmotion]

I’ve had 2 unmedicated births and and I loved it. The last 30 mins of labor was rough, I won’t lie. Especially since I had solo back labor with both of my babies. But as soon as the baby was out, I literally felt incredible. The pain was instantly gone. I can attest to having pressure on the hips and back helping a lot with the pain of contractions and also laboring on my hands and knees, and being in water were wonderfully helpful.
If you want pain medication, that is TOTALLY FINE. But if you want to do it natural, you CAN DO IT. It’s 75% mental. You need to believe you can. You need to prepare. Eat well. Move lots, Rest well at night. Stretch often…walk walk walk!
Labor and delivery is intense. But that sweet baby at the end is 100% worth it. And no matter what method you choose, you birthed a baby. You are a freaking warrior, no matter what. ❤️

[Jillianrc]

Love that we have doctors on YouTube and not just midwives/doulas who are very biased towards natural births. I suffered from HG, and I’m finally starting to feel a bit better at 27 weeks. If it weren’t for medical intervention so far in my pregnancy, I’m certain I would have died. Ive lost over 25 pounds even with medications, and I don’t want to think about what would have happened if meds/IV’s didn’t exist. Thankfully my baby is doing well, just measuring a bit small. The past 6 months have been the most miserable of my life, and I look forward to using medical technology to make me more comfortable during my labor. More power to those who can do a natural labor, but I’m done suffering.

[faithharrison]

I had two unmedicated births, 48 hours for my first and 36 for my second and i’m so excited for an epidural for my third. It was entirely unnecessary for me to go through that level of pain. Don’t do it! I thought my second would be easier and I ended up having back labor! Giving birth is enough, experiencing that much pain shouldn’t be considered a “better” way of bringing your baby into the world. Thank you for this video.

[gopherwombat]

Just to clarify something about epidurals slowing down labor - the meta-analyses mentioned often include older studies where 0.25% bupivacaine was infused into the epidural (a much stronger anesthesia solution than what is commonly used now, which is 0.0625-0.1%) which resulted in women getting motor blocks (unable to move legs or push effectively) which could slow down the 2nd stage. Many RCTs looking at duration of labor after the switch to dilute epidural solutions show much faster labor progress, probably because the epidural relaxes the muscles of the pelvis and perineum so the baby's head can descend more easily. Pain also slows down contractions (tocolysis) and pain relief can actually facilitate more frequent or effective contractions. Thanks for an excellent and informative video! :)

[zen_mindset]

Lucky for me the pain was tolerable, All I remember was cramps and I barely knew I was fully dilated because it wasn't as horrific as women told me it'd be. Nurse was surprised I was having contractions and barely made any notice of discomfort. I'll thank a strong mindset and rasberry leaf pills. Hoping another good labor with baby 2 due in September. 🥰

[courtneycaswell]

First baby: we had a scheduled induction but baby came early and we weren't quite prepared. I wanted an epidural, but was only 1 cm dilated. I was having terrible bone/joint pain in my hips and pelvis during contractions. Counterpressure with every contraction was a life saver. The midwife offered therapeutic rest: a shot of morphine in my thigh and atarax for sleep. I slept between contractions for several hours. I dilated much quicker than expected and it was too late for an epidural. I used nitrous oxide and it was wonderful. It relieved anxiety and I rested well between pushes. I appreciated being able to feel my contractions and where baby was without too much pain. I delivered lying on my side. I did have pain with crowning and a 1st and 2nd degree tear, but by that point the excitement of having the baby was more important. I had local anesthetic for repairs. I didn't know therapeutic rest and nitrous oxide would work so well. Sharing for anyone who's afraid of an epidural or wants pain control but it's too late for an epidural.

[shaindyhorowitz]

I used hypnobirthing and it was amazing! I've had medicated and unmedicated births (mom of 4) and something I didn't realize is that although epidural is nice during labor, the pain of recovery is much worse! Being able to be in better positions during labor and breathing out my baby instead of pushing like a maniac, I didn't tear at all. Recovery was a breeze.

[emilyorr]

My epidural with my first took beautifully, without side effects and I was up walking in the hour after birth. I’m due with my second and praying for a similar birth!

[DelorienAz]

I was undecided right up until I was in labor. I took the pain as long as I could and then I asked for an epidural. I'm actually glad it worked out that way, as I got a good taste of contractions, but then once the epidural set in I was instantly in a better mood. Relaxed and excited instead of stressed and screaming. Plus no needles needed to numb me for the many many stitches I needed afterwards😅 thank you for explaining all the options in an unbiased way!😊

[laurenswift]

I felt weird pressure to go all natural with my first birth- which might have been self-inflicted but I was also around a lot of people who were in that mind set. And I remember my mom saying “look. If you want to go all natural, you go for it. But women, for all of time, would have been so happy to have relief in child birth. So if you want the epidural, get the epidural.”

It was what I needed to hear to feel ok with my decision either way. I have had an epidural for 3 of my 3 births and loved it every time! I felt so mentally present for each birth and have felt so great physically during recovery. And I plan to go the same route with this pregnancy!

[blandzxh]

Epidural is really the best. I tried for unmedicated. I labored hard for 27 hours. Baby wasn’t moving down. Come to find out after my c-section that he was wrapped up in the umbilical cord and according to the doctor “would never have been able to come out on his own”. Labor in total was 32 hrs. That epidural was magic.

[brianhudson]

My sister gave birth to my nephew without anesthesia. He weighed 11lbs 9oz. She said that would never go through that ever again, and will make sure the epidural is on full blast. Thank you for giving women all options available and what to expect.

[janinerudder]

This video is so valuable. Thank you! I'm 31 weeks pregnant and have been conflicted about whether or not to go the unmedicated route. My birth class video and other resources I've consumed are very biased toward "natural" births and I've been feeling judged / pressured. Your myth busting has helped me to decide on going with the epidural and feel good about it!

[Lola-ehcp]

I had a completely unmedicated birth 🥲 & it was horrible. I panicked and couldn’t grasp the level of pain I was in. But the repairs afterwards were ROUGH. They have to numb you, aka shots in your lower region, and it is awful. Especially when you just want to take in your baby and enjoy the moment. I will absolutely try to get an epidural next time. I’m pregnant with my second and have been stressing about pain management. Thank you guys for all the info!!

[Elemenohpea]

The women I know who had severe menstrual cramps before pregnancy tend to think labor isn’t too terrible. Honestly, my menstrual cramps were way worse than contractions. Also, contractions aren’t constant. I’ve had 5 unmedicated births and am planning another with baby number 6. Oh, and by the way, after I had my first baby, I no longer had menstrual cramps! For people planning an unmedicated birth, be sure to take magnesium supplements (check with OB/midwife first) during pregnancy. Magnesium can help your muscles recover from contractions.

[Everlycece]

I’m also pregnant for first baby. Thanks Sara for sharing with us what path you’re going to take. Wish you the best as you birth your baby. No medal 🏅🤣 is given

[danielleneuhalfen]

Another wonderful and informative video! As a labor and delivery nurse I love seeing these videos that help prepare expecting families. I am always surprised by how many people I labor with that honestly have received false or poor information about their pain control options or have done no research. The lack of birthing class options due to the pandemic does make it challenging for people to prepare for labor. Also, for all the mama’s wanting an unmediated labor you really need to prepare and practice the skills you will need in labor before the time comes to have the best experience.

[wthomason]

This is so encouraging and helpful to me. I’m almost 34 weeks pregnant, and have been watching pregnancy videos, birth stories, child birth classes, etc. Most of the content I have viewed has shed a really negative light on using pain medication during labor. It made me feel like if I have an epidural or some other form of medicated pain management during labor that I would be considered a failure. I’m not sure how my labor is going to go, but if it’s at all possible I would love an epidural. So, this makes me feel like my decision is valid and I’m just as strong if I do go that route.

[trevor_corey]

Just subscribed- it’s SO nice to hear this covered by medical professionals. And able to watch and rewatch. I always feel
Rushed out the room, always
Given contradictory advice or
Unsure answers from the team I see. Some thorough education is SO APPRECIATED

[AstyMasty]

I gave birth a week and a half ago. No meds, no epidural, on my back and induced in the middle of it all. My water broke at 7PM, Friday, gave birth Saturday 10:50AM.
It's the induced part that really rocked me, the pain was intense and long, from 5AM till 10:50 I was holding on to the side of the bed and trying not to shout as those false labor pains tore me apart. Pushing was short, I literally pushed 4 times and baby was out, they did an episiotomy and I did tear in one place. I didn't feel a thing. And - my baby was bigger(4, 4 kilograms, cca 9lbs).
What I'm saying is, if you can, have your labor naturally, breathe, breathe and breathe. And don't scream! You'll lose your energy that way.
The pain is there but it's not the worst. You can do this, ladies!