Epidural/intrathecal? Pros & Cons!

[Akua808]

I'm a 1st time mommy to be & I'm constantly thinking what are the pros & cons on having an epidural or intrathecal? I've heard & read a lot of good & bad things on both! I'm afraid of needles in my vein! Ya weird cuz I have tattoos! N.e wayz the thought of a needle in my spine freaks me out!!! >_< any mommy's who has had either of these... Pls. tell me how ur experience was.

[sorenr]

I've never had an epidural, but I had to have an emergency spinal anaesthetic with my first which to this day (nearly 8 yrs on) I have some nerve damage. My second birth couldnt have gone better and I had only gas and air....I hope this one goes as well! Pain relief during labour is a personal choice, I liked being able to walk around and I gave birth on my knees, it was really quick amd gravity does help a lot! Def a decision only you can make, my outlook on labour after my first hideous experience is always to expect the unexpected and go in with an open mind, sometimes drugs are necessary, sometimes not...I plan to be as natural as possible, I'm going as far as contemplating a home birth...but I know that I will do whatever is necessary at the time to get me and baby through it as easily and healthily for us as possible.

[taylorann25]

I have four kids three girls and a boy with one on the way. My first born which was a girl that was late by a week and three days. Since she was late I had to be induced and thats when they broke my water. When they had broke my water bag my contractions was so intense I couldn't do nothing but beg them to give me some medicine. But I wasnt dilating fast enough so they have me a vagina suppository to help my cervix dilate but that didn't work either. I was admitted in the hospital at 7pm that night in agonizing pain since I wasnt dilating fast enough and couldn't get no stronger meds. Then at 10am that morning I got my epidural which I was afraid of too because of the needle in my back. But the nurses was very patient with me and waited until I had an contraction before preceding with the dosage. I was so much better then but when my daughter was born I felt a lil pressure because I still had the epidural and didn't realize she was coming so she tore me and I too had to get stitches. But my other three was by c sections just like this one will be. I don't know how well you can tolerate pain but it doesn't feel like no menstrual cramps so with that being sad whatever you choose just make sure it's what you want and goodluck I hope I was helpful.

[muffin1984]

I'm expecting my 3rd child in March my oldest is 9 and my baby girl is 3 all my pregnancies were different my first I had an epidural and it worked out fine I just had to get stitches after I'm also afraid of needles with my 3yr old I was induced and it didn't hurt as much didn't get anything and came out on top with no stitches or nothing my water broke and she was coming on out I just hope this one goes as smoothly as possible I don't want any meds considering how smooth it went so hopefully you can manage without but you no your body and pain so Good luck on whatever you decide