Medicated vs. Unmedicated Birth

BackseatDriver

I knew I wanted an epidural last time and I definitely want one again. I requested the epidural as soon as I was admitted at 3 cm. It was complete and immediate relief in moments. Once I got the epidural I went to sleep for a while. I woke up when I was feeling a lot of pressure to push. They told me it was too soon and not to push, but I couldn't stop myself and it turned out I was fully dilated. I wasn't in any pain and couldn't really feel the contractions, but just had this urge to push. It was weird. We all chatted between contractions and I would push when I felt the need. Immediately after my son was born I was definitely wobbly on my feet, but I could feel and move my legs. No pain at all. I was so glad that I got to rest for a while before pushing. I'm hoping my labor goes the exact same way next time.

efujan

Like some others said, I chose an epi so I didn't have to focus on the pain, but could focus more on the "moment", and I plan (at least I am as of now) on having another epi for #2.

I went into labor at 35 weeks.  Water broke, contractions started, by the time DH got me to the hospital, I was 6.5 cm & they said it was time for the epidural if I wanted it.  I am so glad I did, because in all that panic of figuring out I was in labor and not being ready to have a baby yet, the epi calmed me down a LOT so I could wrap my head around everything else that was going on around me (doctors talking about mandatory NICU and all the other tests they would be running on DS once he was born - literally, after the epi kicked in, I made them come back and explain everything & I feel like I handled/processed it a TON better).