Epidural = free birth

Olivia-Anna 2 months ago #2

You're absolutely right!!
I heard it on the news and I don't get it.
Personally, I'm against an epidural because of the nasty side effects if it goes wrong (paralysis, heart failure for both mother and baby..) the risks are actually much higher with an epidural.
But it's just like that pregnancy bonus here in Spain 3 years ago,
everyone who gave birth in 2009 got an extra bonus,
the reaction was that women did everything they could (even taking pills) to delay giving birth until January 1st!!?? Healthy, right!! I don't understand how doctors can go along with that..
This will surely have a tail too..

sanenjho 2 months ago #3

Do you realize that we live in one of the few countries where pain relief during childbirth isn't standard practice! Why should a woman have to endure pain here, while in Brazil almost all women are delivered via C-section and epidural as standard? Explain that to me... If you ask me, we're behind the times here. I find it hopelessly old-fashioned thinking that you have to rely on your body to produce the right "pain-relieving" substances in this day and age. I assume that all women who choose this option during childbirth have carefully weighed it up for themselves, since giving birth isn't exactly a walk in the park, and they've chosen a home birth or outpatient delivery for good reason anyway. And regarding the "error" rate of epidurals, I'd suggest Googling it again, because it's actually quite low!

sietske 2 months ago #4

I don't quite get you... I think in the Netherlands you have the choice whether you want it or not. Isn't that the perfect solution? Yes, you can choose for yourself!

I personally think it's great that they don't just spray you full of junk by default for one of the most natural things you'll ever do.

Do you want pain relief? No problem at all, you'll get it as soon as you ask for it (and if it's safe).

And about the risks. I personally find every extra risk unacceptable. For me, there's no 'error percentage' where I'd say: 'oh, I can live with that'. On the other hand, I also understand very well that you might change your mind during labor and want pain relief, but offering it as standard isn't necessary from my point of view.

Olivia-Anna 2 months ago #5

I agree with you, Sietske,

It's everyone's personal choice..

I believe it's only necessary when it's "necessary" and that's different for everyone,
but why not at least try to give birth naturally??
We're so used to the mess that it's become the standard nowadays.
A birth is supposed to hurt..
We don't even give our bodies the chance to handle it themselves anymore..

(as for epidurals, I recently saw a report where a woman suffered brain damage for the rest of her life because the anesthesia from the injection reached her brain!! : I don't think that's okay!!)

aap-noot-mies 2 months ago #6

Everyone should indeed choose what they want, we have that luxury here. I myself gave birth twice without pain relief and that went fine!
Of course it hurts, quite logical! But I found it bearable.
This is of course different for every person, but to ask for pain relief purely because the delivery is outpatient and therefore free, I find really ridiculous! You do take a risk when you choose pain relief. Basically, everyone follows the guidelines throughout the pregnancy, no medications, being careful about what you eat. Pregnant smokers are almost stoned (I don't smoke myself, by the way), and then still taking pain relief at the last moment just to give birth for free? Too much to handle. Well, that's my opinion.

Daantjuh 2 months ago #7

Women who really want to give birth in the hospital, but are now being forced to give birth at home for a long time due to extra costs, I also think is absolutely outrageous. Not everyone wants to give birth 'naturally' and at home; many would even prefer to give birth in the hospital!

Not that I'm talking about myself right now, but I have talked to quite a few people about this.

I can understand people's reaction to now choosing a 'free' (via epidural = medical indication) birth.

I am now (not at first!) in favor of pain relief during childbirth, after what I unfortunately had to experience during my first birth, but that is also personal: how you are prepared for it at the moment of giving birth and the whole process leading up to it. It varies so much that you shouldn't judge someone else and their pain and pain perception, in my opinion. But indeed, it's good that there is a choice...

Milo Guest 2 months ago #8

We live in London, and the way they look at the Dutch tradition of childbirth here is quite progressive.
Mainly epidurals, where childbirth becomes a medical matter instead of a natural one, is outdated.
Additionally, the active birth becomes passive, where the pelvis is narrowed (by lying on your back) instead of widened (on all fours).
Here in England, they look at the Dutch approach with a lot of praise.

D.C.B & G Love♥♥♥♥ 2 months ago #9

With the first, I really wanted to give birth at home, but after 10 hours of pushing and only 1 cm dilation, I was just glad I could go to the hospital pfff and got an epidural 2 hours later!! 6, 5 hours later our son was born with an episiotomy and vacuum extraction. I've now opted for a hospital birth as standard, but not for pain relief.

Liesbeth 2 months ago #10

When you choose an epidural, the birth isn't automatically medical, and therefore not free. No, it's only free if the epidural is medically necessary!
I want my birth to be "Vlaams style," so in the hospital and if there's too much pain, just get the shot... It'll only make my bill more expensive, because the Dutch insurance has covered everything... so that you have to pay as much as possible yourself! Another confirmation that Dutch insurance is only about money and doesn't put your well-being first!

Phew.. That's quite a spicy one so early in the morning ;-)

Tamara 2 months ago #11

The only downside of an epidural is that your blood pressure might drop, but you’ll get an IV drip anyway to keep it stable.
All those rumors about heart failure and paralysis are just myths. The medical field is way more advanced than that. The only thing that could go wrong is if you don’t feel the anesthesia or if you feel some soreness at the injection site after giving birth, but that’s rare.
At the info sessions at the maternity clinic, all of this is thoroughly explained by experts.

And yeah, you choose what you want.

dammie 2 months ago #12

I've seen and experienced the downsides of epidurals a lot through my work. Like when they miss the mark and fluid leaks, sending you back to the hospital. Severe headaches, and for some, permanent ones... They don't put everything online, otherwise no one would choose it... I've always said for me, better no epidural... go all the way if needed... and during labor I want to do it as naturally as possible and if I can, just at home....
Every thing has pros and cons. And one person wants this and the other that.. let me just follow my gut and go back to that primal feeling and hope I can experience it that way too... just like in the past...
In Africa, women just give birth among the bushes.. without help. After birth, they stand up and carry on.. as long as there are no complications.. right now they are busy doing things there to reduce maternal mortality. So that people can get help etc etc... I think that despite the pain we will experience without pain relief, we still have a lot of luxury... most countries don't have midwives, there you spend your entire postpartum period in the hospital.. and when you come home you have to do it yourself. Here we have postpartum care... so yes you can talk about pain relief... and that we might be lagging behind... but we do have the luxury of the midwife and postpartum care...

zwijgt 2 months ago #13

I want to avoid an epidural at all costs. And even though I've never given birth before, I know that I'll probably end up lying there, suffering from the pain, but absolutely no epidural. I'd rather give birth naturally anyway. I always think natural is best, but if it's not possible, well... still no epidural. There are too many risks associated with an epidural. And plenty of people who mess up the injection; they're still human after all

.

Edith 2 months ago #14

As far as I'm concerned, women should have an equally viable choice (including financially) between giving birth at home, in a clinic (poliklinisch), or in a hospital with pain relief. It's really sad that some women are now forced to choose between home or hospital births, when they'd actually prefer a clinic birth but can't afford it

Sanenjho, it turns out that many fewer interventions are needed for women who don't get an epidural than for those who do. When you have an epidural, you're basically tied to the bed with an IV, a heart monitor for the baby, and (often) a catheter, so you can't take up an active birthing position anymore. You also have less strength to push with. As a result, there's a higher chance of needing an instrumental delivery or C-section compared to women who can move more freely. It's not comparable to pain relief during surgery, because during surgery the surgeon does the work, while during childbirth the woman herself does the work. Pain relief disrupts that active process.

By the way, this doesn't mean I'm against epidurals - everyone should have the option to choose them - but they shouldn't be the standard, and especially not for financial reasons (which is what this topic is about).

Guess Guest 2 months ago #15

What a circus, grown-up Western ladies who will do anything to avoid getting a shot. What is this about? I'm just 13 weeks pregnant, and I already know I want and will get the shot. No matter what. Suffering pain for no reason is nonsense. And so is the "naturalness" of your childbirth. Tooth decay is also natural. Appendicitis too. So? Never go to the dentist and die if necessary?

I hope everyone can do what they want. I just hope that these ladies, who come straight out of the 19th century, never become the majority here in the Netherlands to restrict the choice of getting a shot.

ii Guest 2 months ago #16

I'm all about choice, and there shouldn't be any financial difference between giving birth at home, in a day clinic, or in a hospital.

On the other hand: what's 300 euros on the total you're already spending on the baby's room, stroller, and all the other stuff and clothes you need?

nmina Guest 2 months ago #17

I don't call postpartum help a luxury. They're there until 4 PM and then they go home. I live in Germany, and there I can stay in the hospital as long as I want. Lovely to just not have to think about anything for a bit!

Anonymous Guest 2 months ago #18

Some people don't have much money and can barely afford a nursery, let alone the 300€+ because they want to give birth safely in the hospital.

Anon Guest 2 months ago #19

When you go to the dentist, you get pain relief, right? If it's purely about enduring the pain because it's a natural process, then you shouldn't take paracetamol for headaches or fever either.

I'm giving birth soon and will definitely go for the epidural, not because of a free birth (my insurance covers everything), but because of the pain.

pris Guest 2 months ago #20

Well, I had a terrible long and painful labor and was actually against it, but I was falling apart day and night! so I ended up getting an epidural anyway. Now I'm pregnant again and my boyfriend left me. Financially, I'm living on benefits with a 2-year-old. I'm just getting by each month and things are tight. Given my first experience, I'd really like to give birth in the hospital, but for someone like me, that's just a lot of money. I can totally understand why someone would want a medical indication to give birth in the hospital! It's a shame that things are so regulated these days. In many countries, you can just give birth in the hospital without extra costs, but the Netherlands is always cutting budgets. It's nice that there are people for whom 300 euros is nothing, but keep in mind that for some of us, it's a lot of money!

Epidural = free birth

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