Epidural or No Epidural?

OK -- so how many of you who had vaginal births opted for the epidural?

My birth is coming up soon, I had it twice before with moderate success and really want to try to do it without this time.

So what did you think of it?

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28%

 (10) 

No epidural for me

8%

 (3) 

Didn't want one but changed my mind and had one

28%

 (10) 

Loved my epidural

25%

 (9) 

Got one but it didn't work well

8%

 (3) 

Wanted one but not enough time

35 Members voted

[autumnj]

I got an epidural delivering my twins 3 years ago. It worked great for the contractions, but I felt all the pain with the birth.

[CYW]

autumnj-thats what an epidural is intended to do, numb out the contractions but still feel the pressure...you need to know where to push...

i was induced so i opted for the epidural sice i could not relax my body and within 2 hours i was ready, fully dilated etc...even though i believe i was ready before then...

[Aydensmommy]

That was the first thing I asked for when I got to the hospital.  I am glad because I ended up with a csection.  

[Quinns momma]

No time for an epid. I was induced due to pre-eclampsia and let me tell you that the pitocin made my contractions so painful I would black out from the pain. I want an epid next time!!

[mami1323]

I had an epi but it didn't work well.  Only one side was none.  My labor was so fast, I could've done without it.  Next time, I will try and hold out and not get one.

[jellybean123]

I didn't have one, as soon as i found out how they did it, there was no way I could go through it, having a needle in your back the whole time. I just couldn't do it.

[Quinns momma]

The needle is only used to thread in the catheter that provides the medication. No needle is left in your back.

[jessbbg]

I didn't want to have one---but I chickened out at the last minute.  Really ticked at myself though, because I had three pushing contractions and I was DONE!  I could've gone without.  I'm going to try without this time too (maybe I'll actually get around to taking the Bradley classes this time instead of just thinking about it... that should help.)

I say go for it, you can do it!  

[justice6920]

With my first i did not have one.... i am terrified of needles LOL so I didnt get one.......And Man did the contractions hurt (I was induced) I am currently 24 weeks pregnant and will try to go the natural route this time again.... BUT definitely have no problems getting one this time around if I feel I cant handle the pain...

[waitingwithhope]

Baby 1, 2,3, 4: Epidural. Baby 5: No epidural (the guy didn't answer his pager and didn't stick his head into the room until I was pushing the baby out!). Here's my theory, if you can handle the pain, the recovery was much easier without the epidural. However, it was horrible going through it without the epidural (and having pictocin). It is possible if they had allowed me to go completely naturally without trying to "speed up" the labor process, that it might have been fine without the epidural.

[peekawho]

They didn't have them when I had my kids...back in the stone ages.

[kelliestarr]

I had the epidural but if there is a next time for me I'll go without it because it wore off before the delivery anyway lol.

[amberd5191]

No meds with 1st 3; Epi about 10 min. prior to pushing out #4 wasn't a wise move...didn't know I'd go so quickly...

[ania_2]

had an epidural with both my daughters, with the first one, I wasn't dilating, cause I was fighting with the contractions, the epidural calmed me down. Made my bottem numb though, haha. with my secound I was in alot of pain because it was a quick deliver and the pain was awful to bear the epidural took the edge off, I felt pressure but not pain.

[Crritter]

I had great epidurals both times.  With my first son I had been induced and was over 24 hours into contractions and a couple hours after my water broke I finally got one.  Didn't even feel the pressure when I pushed.  He was out in under an hour, and thankfully I got it as Carson was big.  Second baby it took 7 tries to get it placed, and I was overstimulated from the pitocin again.  Not fun, but the epidural was great once they got it,  I felt the pressure but not the pain.  Had no idea the vibrating feeling was pressure though.  Mentioned it to the nurse and they realized Cam was about to crown.  He was out less than 15 minutes later, I barely pushed.  I would do it again in a heartbeat, made it so much more enjoyable.

[kjbutcher]

I wanted the epidural, got there too late and did not have one.  I WILL get one next time!!!!

[Tima]

I had epidural when I was about 6cm dilated. I have uterine dydelphis and we couldnt know if I would dilate all the way so was safe to have it incase had to have c-sec. I pushed 7 or 8 times, one daughter started to have low heart rate with every push so c-sec it was. I was told that I would feel the pressure, but I dont think I did.
It was the weirdest feeling when nurse turned me over to change my sheets in recovery, she moved my legs, I couldnt feel the touch or the move just saw my thigh but felt nothing.