Hi Friends,

I had my Gyn visit today.He did a strep B test and an internal check.The cervix is closed and the baby' s head is in the pelvis.As per today the baby weight is 6 1/2 pounds.I asked whether it is going to be a VB ? he said it will be a Vaginal and recommended an epidural, so that i will not have any pain.
Can someone please advise whether it is safe to take epidural in the intial stages?

Hello,

I think it is better to go with ur midwife,is it possibe?I dont think perineal massage is mandatory before delivery, but good to have as it enlarges the cervix and prepares it for the birth.Dont worry about ur internal exam as dr checks if the baby' s head is down or not.Anyway u will be meeting ur midwife next week and she can check that for u.

Nila/Priya,so u guys are waiting for ur Big Day,All the best gals :)

Take Care
Bye purnima replied. hey guys,
i told my doc i get period like cramps regularly but not contractions. she said that a MILD contraction is 10,000 more painful than a cramp. and then it gets more intense. so i can never mistake one for the other.

I m not tryin to scare u, (my gyn sure did scare me) but she said i dont hv to make a decision rite nw.. epi is usually given 5cm and later, so i wud hv experienced many contractions and i can judge for myself if i need one or not.
and though there are side effects, not everyone falls prey to it. (if injected at wrong place, it wil give u backache) doc said it is pretty safe.. Hi replied. Hello/AVB/Kirti,

Thanks for ur thoughts.Actually,my gyn suggested epidural,its up to me to take or not,i am thinking to bear the pain how much i can and take epidural if the pain is unbearable if it safe to take. hello replied. I havent researched about pidural enough,but read somewhere on IP archie' s post that it could stall labor if taken before 5 cms and may lead to c section.Try to do some reasearch on epidural and talk thoroughly to your OB.My OB said she' d administer epidural only if I requested.
Im going with an open mind.I would try to put up without epidural as long as possible ,but I might opt for it if I cant bear the pain.We' ll see... Kirti replied. I have heard mixed opinions about epidural. While my previous doc at Chennai suggested epidural (almost like compulsory), my current doc in Bangalore says she can give, if only I want it.

Since I am due anytime now (EDD 2 March), I am going with an open mind, will bear the pain as much possible and only then opt for Epi when I will not be able to bear the pain anymore.

It is also advised not to take epi unless you are dilated by atleast 5-6cms, again there might be different schools of thought.

Your baby weight seems pretty good, wishing you a comfortable delivery. AVB replied. Hi,

Good to know about your progress. Even I am wondering about epidural. Most of them seem to take it without any complications. My gyn said that she will adminster a low dose incase I go into a long labour or just cannot bear the pain anymore.

Regards,
AVB.