Epidural?

[HaYnSweetie]

So initially i wanted to get an epidural because i didnt want to feel too much pain lol, BUT after talking to my sister, a couple family members and a few of my co-workers im having second thoughts. I heard from every one of them that after they had their babies they felt no pain! Thats without the epidural. So now im debating on getting it. It'd be nice to push him out and then not feel any pain!

Any advice ladies?

[momof1princess]

I delivered all 4 of my children naturally. I had my first baby in less than 6 hrs and only pushed for 21 min. Then when my 2nd one came along my water broke at home at 3am and he was born at 5:16am after 60sec of pushing. My 3rd the dr broke my water at 9:30pm she was born at 11:57pm now number 4 was a little different the dr broke my water at 7:30am and I expected to have him in 2 hrs like the last to and because I didn't go to the bathroom my bladder prevented him from dropping and he was born at 1:21pm about 15 min after finally going to the bathroom. What I tell most women is you have to realize it is pain with a purpose and it will end and it will bring about a beautiful new life into the world. My dr actually commented after I had my 3rd that I needed to teach women how to have babies, because I make it look so easy. She said she had never seen a women with such control without an epidural. It is also benefical for you baby, they are much more alert and have less problems with nursing if they are not groggy from the drugs. I wish the best and most wonderful experience no matter what you choose.

[Dolphin05]

I know this post is a couple days old but im sure you will value my story as well. When i had my oldest son in 04 i was 16 and did not want to feel any pain at all. Mind you i was admitted and induced due to being in a car accident at 39w5d. I remember getting patocin at 6:30pm and was 1 cm, moved to birthing room about 9pm and given epi was about 4-5cm. I remember i kept feeling pain on my left side and asked for more meds and they boosted it twice. At that point i was told i could not have any more but i still had pain on my left side. When it was time to push about 1:30am i could not feel my contractions, down there, or anything at all from my waist down. I had to have my family hold my legs and the nurse tell me when to push. My son was born at 2:10 am and i was numb until 7am ish...
Then my second son i went to the hospital at 33w5d having contraction only to find i was 4cm and they could not stop it. I did not get an epi until it was almost to late i think i was about 7cm. then with in an hour i was at 10cm and ready to push. I was happy because i did not have any pain but could feel everything down there and my pushing. So in my opinion if you do decide to get on id hold off as long as you can.

[ammanda]

Most people will argue the fact that OBs are all about C sections.. as aposed to Midmives.. which is not the truth.. I BEGGED for a c section.. just as I begged to be induced and my OB would not do either, he refused with me.  he kept telling me I can do it and I need to let Nature take her course on the whole labor thing...  

and when it came down to the labor, my OB was in and out of my room checking on me the whole time..  But after teh labor he only checked on me maybe 3 times.  but I was okay with that, because i had amazing nurses and Coles Ped. was there the whole time.  

[jenkaye21]

Wow, so many great comments already!  I've had 4 babies w/o an epidural. I'm not that tough, just terrified of needles, LoL   I wanted to add that, like some of the others mentioned, I had NO pain after delivery AT ALL.  I mean, I literally could've taken my baby and walked out within 5 minutes of the birth.  My early visitors were shocked to find me sitting cross-legged on the bed, getting in and out of bed, etc.  And the baby and I were both perfectly alert and able to bond w/each other. :

[hiltonvslohan]

I was pretty stuck on some kind of pain meds but reading all of this has made me think I want to atleast try without the meds and if in the end im exhausted or can't take it anymore then ill resort to another option. I really don't like the thought of being help down to the bed and with the epi I know thats what ill get.

[SunWorshiper_26]

I had the epidural and it only lasted an hour then j felt everything for the next 5 hours (all of active labor pushing and transition) honestly it didn't hurt without an epi!  Never cried or even made a noise the whole L&D