Epidural vs. Natural?

beccaleap

My DH and I were discussing epidurals or natural birth last night and I realized I know next to nothing about it.

What are some Pros and Cons for each option? 

Welshgirl12

I watched The Business of Being Born which really promotes a more natural approach. I think that whichever way you decide to go, just make sure your decision is based on facts and not scaremongering either way. I personally am aiming to have a natural

beccaleap

NRyan55:

I hope you are also planning to do your own research.

I'll be doing my own research, yes of

hamiltks10

I like to view it more as my goal is to have as few interventions as possible.  

 This starts during my exams...I skip the internals.  I just feel they do nothing but stress out my doctors and give the

mamawolf71

I went natural both times....mine wasn't so much I didn't want the epidural, I just delivered very fast. You never know for sure what's going to happen and how your body will react to labor. Make a plan, but don't be too disappointed if it doesn't go ex

lbethke99

Welshgirl12:

I watched The Business of Being Born which really promotes a more natural approach. I think that whichever way yo

hamiltks10

I guess I didn't really explain WHY.  I feel like my body was built for this.  There should be no reason, barring complications of course, that I need to be cut open to birth my child.  That is the main reason I want to avoid interventio

amwest

My first birth I had an epidural. I am glad I did. My labor was very long and if I would have had to feel the contractions that entire time it would have been awful. The epi gave me relief and did not hurt at all. The numbness of one of my legs to whe

BMnatz11

I went all natural and I loved it.  I loved being able to move around during labor and being able to walk around and shower shortly after delivery. I think I had the easiest time of it a woman could ask for, from labor to recovery. I hope I will be s

QuigleyCat1

T3hKay:

Well I can only speak for the epi side. I was induced and had an epidural...and I will be getting another one.

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reederah

I had a natural and had the BEST experience. Obviously it was painful, but I definitely felt the "pressure" to push and the pain helped encourage my pushing along. I think the pain helped me be more effective. Also I was happy that I could walk around dur

RunningGal900

The pro for me was that I had no pain. Seriously, I never wanted a med free birth. I loved my epi. I had no complications from it, I was able to nurse immediately, it let me sleep which was nice since I had been up all night in labor, I had no issues push

Agechols

I remember driving by the hospital in my way to the midwifery clinic while I was in early labor. The pain was more in the beginning than I expected, so I remember looking at the hospital go by and almost mouthed: stop, I want an epidural... But I went to

sooner1981

I had an epidural and my entire labor and delivery was a dream. Very quick progression after epi was placed, could still feel everything but the pain, could still move my legs, delivered the baby in 4 pushes that I could feel and direct on my own, but jus

shelliescove3

Dds head never dropped down... They couldn't understand why after my water breaking and being induced... I really wanted an all natural birth but the doctor came in with u/s and I didn't have an option her head was stuck between my ribs.. Epi and c sectio

RhodyMomToBe

I had an epidural with DS and will most likely get another. My plan with DS and this one was/is to last as long as I can without it. Last time I was 5cm when I asked for it. I had horrible back labor and contractions were on top of one another by the time

FreddyRN25

I got an epidural fairly soon after my water broke. It broke 6 hrs into the cervidil, which isn't bad at all. The only downfall for me to the epi is I'm pretty sensitive to fentanyl and started projectile vomiting as soon as they put it in. Guess that thr

jorkz821

T3hKay:

Well I can only speak for the epi side. I was induced and had an epidural...and I will be getting another one.

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jorkz821

reederah:

Also I was happy that I could walk around during labor, and was able to get up and use the restroom myself after I had th

AshleeyNiiicole

I have also watched Business of Being Born and am aiming for natural. I go to Kaiser and they offer workshops and classes on early mid and late classes. They also have a class on delivery medications so I'm def attnding all I can. Educate yourself and fin

lenci2525

I've done natural twice and I'm not gonna lie, it hurt...a lot. But I have a high threshold for pain. I'm considering using one this time cuz honestly I see no reason not to.

shelley1002

I got the epi. It was after 10 hours of labor after my water broke. My labor was not progressing fast so I was given pitocin. I was fine without the epi before the pitocin. After 20 minutes of pitocin I wanted that epi. It was great. I still felt the pres