Labor Process

[PT95]

I'm due June 28, but it seems like it's approaching quickly. I have made no set huge decisions about how I want to give birth, and I keep going back and forth about them. The idea of an epidural really bothers me because I can tolerate needles, and I have a very high pain tolerance but not for something to go into my spine for up to fifteen minutes lol- thinking about that makes me want to go natural and just feel every bit of childbirth pain instead. It also doesn't help that I have a friend who is very uncensored and rude about things, like telling me if I move when they give me the epidural, I can be paralyzed... wtf??
I'm leaning more toward natural to avoid the epidural as well as to lower my chances of an emergency c-section, but I'm getting really scared either way.
Have any of you FTMs made a decision? Or any experienced mothers have good advice for women like me?  

[Crystalann43]

Ftm here and I've decided I'm going natural. I also have a huge fear of needles. I hate getting IV or anything where the needle just sits inside of your. Totally freaks me out lol. But even if that weren't the case, I'm really sensitive to any pain so this is definitely going to be a big accomplishment in so many ways, meeting my little one is the greatest. But I just want to be aware and expierence the moment. A lot of moms say that when they got the epidural they we're relived and dont remember to much after. Idk I'm just hard stuck on going natural. I've already told my doctor if I give in, I'm not in the right mind so DONT give it to me. And I also told my fiancée to study hard because he's my support group lol.  That's just me. Good luck with whatever you chose, there's always "risk" for either way.  We all get the same outcome. Our baby :)

[Emalee132]

The epidural is painless! I hate needles and the only thing you feel pressure with is the lidocaine they use before! Then for my epidural at least it was in an IV drip that they didn't take out until after my son was born(: there is negatives and positives for the effects of the epidural but it can also be a traumatic experience if you can't handle your contractions! If you have a high pain tolerance than natural may be more easier for you! I will say though that at least for me, my contractions were so bad that I was tensing up and making my labor longer! As soon as I got my epidural my son came right out of me. Lol. So I know people say it slows down labor but I can speed it up too! (I know multiple people who have said the same thing (: ) don't let people tell you it's bad though because in the end it's all the mothers choice and labor definitely isn't a walk in the park, it's the most painful thing I've been through! But I will say the epidural was a lifesaver (:

[Tavi12]

http://sarahbuckley.com/epidurals-risks-and-concerns-for-mother-and-baby I highly suggest  reading on what a epidural  actually does to mom and baby then decide  what is best for you I'm going all natural  the negatives out weight the positives for me

[kassidyerin]

You don't feel the epidural at all lol. But natural birth is always an option. For me when I was going from a 5 to a 9 within an hour I was in so much pain the epidural was like heaven on earth, even getting it. Lol. & I plan to get it this time around. & yes you can be paralyzed but honestly I moved and jumped a few times because my back is very ticklish and I was just fine. But the epidural actually stays in your back like an iv. & if you don't get an epidural there's a large chance you could rip or be cut then you get needles straight in your vagina to get stitches. My epidural unfortunately wore off and I had to get that as well. All in all its scary and intimidating but when you're in the moment you'll know what to do and how to handle it! Very natural process.