Yes or No to Epidural?

[OwlLover5515]

Im getting closer to my due date and havent decided if I want to have an epidural or not. What are you ladies choosing and why?

[Rachel__grace_]

This is baby #3 for me and I'm choosing natural again. I always thought I'd be an epidural person, and I had planned on getting one with my first, but by the time I got to the hospital I was already 4cm and the anesthesiologist didnt get to my room until I was 8cm (I was only at the hospital for 2 hours before it was time to push) so I was too far along to get the epi. I started bawling because I was terrified of feeling everything. Luckily, there's this amazing thing called lidocaine (which is the fancy name for a local anesthetic) which they can inject you with (via syringe) around the areas you are tearing.

I had a different doc for my second child, and she definitely wasn't as generous with the lidocaine so I felt more of the tearing, but I should have told her beforehand to make sure and give me plenty, so thats my fault.

However if you have a really long labor I'm sure you may want an epidural. Both of mine were quick, I only pushed for 10 minutes with both kids so its easy for me to say 'yeah no meds is great!' ... If you can tough it out, there is nothing like the feeling to be able to say you did it all natural. Bragging rights are totally worth a few hours of discomfort.

(Sorry this is turning into a saga) and one last thing: the best advice I ever received before having my first, which is what I think got me through the labor, is that your contractions only last for one minute, then you get a break. So in your mind, just remind yourself that the pain will only last 60 seconds and then it will stop (until the next one starts of course). I think just knowing that there is relief in the near future is comfort enough for me to do a natural delivery again without hesitation.

Hope that helped. Good luck!

[shaymich2015]

I chose one. I went as long as I could without one. I even denied it three times. Once I got it I felt like I was on top of the world!

[BonitaMichelle]

I will be getting one.

[sabbylopez]

My first I was in labor for 26 hours due to my water breaking when I was 2cm. I had a med free birth no antibiotics either. I had one stitch but to me I didn't think it was necessary. With my second I was in labor all day walking talking laughing cooking and my midwife checked my and I was 10cm and ready to push. Had my baby after 4 pushes. I'm not afraid of labor and I'm pretty confident in my body and my husband is so supportive.

[mrsbrown222]

I think if you have a high tolerance for pain then go natural. For my first three I went meds  free my first two I was in labor for 3hrs my 3rd one in labor for 9hrs no meds wasn't bad.. Now with my last I'm hoping the same. I'm to scared to get the epidural ..I think if you really can't handle it go for it..I wish you the bestest luck

[anything2345]

I took Hypnobirthing classes and delivered in a tub with my first child. I felt very little pain. I chose a birthing center because they do not have epidurals there. It was great and I am going to do it again for this baby.