No epidural?

[lalala_ashleyx3]

Is it really that bad?
i understand labor hurts. but is it really that unbearable that you just can't do it, even though as soon as the baby comes out its over?

i really wanna do it without one.
I'm a ftm though and don't know what to expect.
but im determined.

people who ask for one, but are to late to get one, always say afterwards it wasn't as bad. and afterwards they felt so much better

[Ebone12300]

I did it wasn't that bad honestly the recovery hurt more than the actual labor and delivery but that's just me good luck

[GeekMom1213]

I had a natural delivery with my son, labored for 21 hours and delivered on hands and knees... he was nine pounds, I had no episiotomy, no tearing, no damage. It was hard. Hardest thing I ever did. Never been so tired. But never felt so strong, so powerful. It was incredible. I cannot wait to have the chance to do it again. The contractions were SO MUCH EASIER when I remembered to breathe through them. They take your breath away but if you hold your breath it is wayyyy worse. Absolutely worth it in my opinion, I wouldn't have passed up that experience and that opportunity for the world.

[3rdxmomma]

Just for the record, when I had my epidural I still imediately held my daughter after deluvery. Your epudural should have nothing to do with that. My son I did not b/c we had complications and he went straight to NICU. Not related to the epidural. If you are concerned ask your doctor.

[outlawsphinx]

My current (4th) will be born at home, barring any complications

[outlawsphinx]

My first, I had an epidural, mainly because I didn't know I had rights and choices in birth. I was told I could not birth any way but on my back, even though my back labor was so bad, I was being sick every couple of minutes. My second and third births were natural, and I loved them. With my second, I think I was prepared to endure the worst pain of my life and was surprised at the difference birthing on my knees or side made. Now, with the second birth, there was one moment when I concentrated on the pain and began to panic a bit. My husband still makes fun of me because I started talking to myself, to the point he asked me if I needed to be alone with myself while we figured it out. Personally, I think you need to be determined, and you must trust that your body will do what its designed to do. Also, a supportive partner and/or birth coach is a plus

[perks71]

I was determined to do it natural with my first pregnancy.  After about 21 hours I had been dilated to a four for several hours my water had broken also the dr came in recommended I have a c section.   I didn't want one so he then recommended epidural so I got one and slept for a few hours then they checked me I was dilated to a ten.  So with my second I was just like whatever I don't need another 20 something hour labor and asked for the epidural soon as I hit a four.   Only ten hours with her.

[clairebear3381]

On each of my previous deliveries I went totally natural and suffered greatly with stress and panick so this time round I'm defo asking for pain meds,  as they say no one gives you a medal however you have your baby, so do what you feel is best you carried your baby for 9months long suffered heartburn, cramps, swollen ankles. Etc so I think we deserve a medal anyway just for pregnancy let alone how we decide to give birth ,the only person that will criticize us is ourselves but we need not to but need to pat ourselves on back we did something amazing either way xx

[Ayley_Dru]

I did all natural with my first wasn't too bad but the labor was quick, this time im getting the epidural tho!

[2ndBabyDueFeb13th]

It drpends on your pain tolerance level. It is a 6~8 pound human being swueezing out of your vagina, so its not like i cant understand why someone would need an epidural. Its up to u and how u feel about it though. I had to get one. My pain tolerance is almost zero, plus i tore, so im glad i got one. Didnt feel much pain after i dilated about 4 centimeters .

[MommyOfMandA]

I had an epidural with my first. I was induced at 8am and around 2pm I got it at 6cm and the contractions were terrible. I couldn't handle them and I knew I wasn't even close to pushing. I ended up pushing at 5pm and delivered at 6pm and I was able to hold my son immediately and walking around not too long after i delivered. I felt everything that was going on during the pushing, and the contractions came back when I was about 9.5 cm. For my second, I dealt with the contractions as long as possible and asked for the epidural, but I was already at 10 so I was able to start pushing. I am connected to both children equally and although it sometimes hurts when you push on my epidural spot, I don't regret it.

My advice is, deal with the contractions as long as you can, but ask for medication if you need it, or at least ask them to check how far you are so you can determine if you can deal with them for that much longer. It's your own decision.

[Laura050786]

I screamed like hell with my first. I had a failed epidural and it did more harm than good. Plus a hell of a long labor. Labor hurts. Not the pushing. Pushing feels good when you've been through the pain of Labour. 2nd baby no epidural and it still hurt really bad but its definitely worth it. Pull that baby immediately on your chest with skin to skin contact and you'll be high for days. Have an epidural and they take baby right away for clean up and you miss out on those amazing hormones. I will not allow an epi or pitocin near this body.

[3rdxmomma]

I had an epidural with both of my prior deliveries and plan to with this one as well. I have a high pain tolerance (went around with a bulging then herniated disc in my back for weeks until I got stuck in a 45° angle) but I see no point in being in extreme pain if not necessary. I had no problems with my epidurals and the wore off quickly after delivery. As far as the bonding comments, total nonsense. You can still hold your baby right away. Being in pain doesn't mean you are going to be closer with your baby than if you are in less pain. It's up to you though. I have heard all sorts of arguments against it and for it.

[dominika1980]

I wish I could stay at home :( I've got a high risk pregnancy so they'll be sending an ambulance if i can't get there myself.

[lindsayleigh1719]

I had an epidural with my first 2, my second I was already 8.5cm when I got to the hospital though so my goal this time around is to try without but will get one if I feel I need to. I plan on laboring at home as much as possible, my labor went so much better the second time when I was at home and not stuck in a hospital bed.

[dominika1980]

And my connection with my boy is super strong.  He's definitely a mama's boy! :)
I was fully conscious and was able to hold him immediately after he came out.

[imaslice]

I had pitocin and no pain meds or epideral. I can see why someone would ask for an epideral or something with the pitocin! It was awful. But I'm so glad I did without. After the baby came out, the pain was gone. And I was able to get up and shower and go check on my baby in the nursery. I felt like super woman afterwards, like I could do anything. Second time around I plan to have the baby at home so no pain meds again. Hopefully things will be more.calm and go smoother at home so labor will progress on its own. I'm actually looking forward to my birth in the water and being able to stay home.

[dominika1980]

My boy was posterior, from reading up on it, the pain is way worse. He got stuck and had to be suctioned out, plus I had an episiotomy. I don't know how that would have gone without an epi which I was offered when they realised he was posterior and it was too late to turn him. I couldn't even reply with  legible words at that stage.

i do hope my second behaves and i can have my drug free experience!!

I believe every woman can do it in all honesty. But you must be prepared for all that can't be planned for. :)

[nonishy]

With my first pregnancy i had a natural birth...no medication or anything. I figured at least with my first i should know what it really feels like. And it wasn't that bad at all. The contractions where the worst. Not the pushing, not the baby coming out, but the contractions. But also my labor was quick. Some women are in labor for a couple days before they are ready to push the baby out. So it all depends.  
I know with this baby, which will be my sevond, I'm going to do it natural as well.

[2ndtimemoma927]

Every person and labor is different. I got an epidural with my first, after 14hours. I was too tired to go on without help. But my sister on the other hand had her first three children all natural, and her last baby she got an epidural. It's all about how you feel, and how your labor progresses.

[rosealie23]

I still have back pain from my epidural and only got it because I was induced... if I knew I would still be having pain years later I never would have asked for it... labor is more meaningful without the epidural. I have more of a connection and bond with the two children I had natural...

[babybrown2]

I said I wouldn't get one with my first  but I got one at the last min. at a 9  For me the pain was unbearable with my second I had a more open mind about it and the pain seemed to come on so strong so fast I was in so Much pain I was balling my eyes out and I was only at a 4 or 5 and i decided I had enough I praise those who go with out but I think it really depends on the person and pain tolerance

[DocsPhilli]

I had one for my first and it was great. For my second, they gave me Stadol and it completely sucked. I do think recommend it at all. I would fall asleep in between contractions and wake up screaming then fall back asleep. It was aweful. I wanted an epidural foR my second but they gave me Stadol first... I progressed way too fast for them to give me the epidural. I am currently pregnant with my third and I'm not too sure what I want to do as I've experienced labor with and without the epidural. I think that if you can go without it, you should try to do it naturally but there's nothing wrong with getting it either.

[Emilee99]

Wow my phone hacked up my sentence. *mine didn't take completely**

[Emilee99]

Mine didn't come tell take and my body metabolized it fast. So from the very beginning I could still move and feel my legs and thr pain was awful! I felt every contraction but when it came to active labor and pushing, yes the contractions hurt but it's like your body takes over and you know what to do and when to push and when they come out its like a relief. I was walking to the bathroom 10 mins after I was done delivering the placenta and getting stitched. That tells you how much my epidural didn't work lol. I'd like to try it without this time. But I'm having twins and I might need a c section.