What do you decide ..Epidural or Natural?!

DMH1017 · September 2015

i prefer Natural.. Our past didn't have epidural & when it first came out a few ppl used it due to it was no good. But I guess it depends on you pain tolerance.

nlwz123 · September 2015

"Our past didn't have epidural & when it first came out a few ppl used it due to it was no good. "

What?

UptownPearl · September 2015

Yeah, what? You might want to rephrase your question. Are you trying to get opinions to make a decision for yourself, or basically take a poll for fun?

QueenCarlissa · September 2015

I think she's referring to the fact it (an epidural) wasn't used in the past because it didn't exist then when it came about it wasn't as good.

I'm choosing the all natural route since I don't really like medications.

SummerFall03 · September 2015

The women who are going all natural are so bad ass to me! I wish I could, but I'm having another c-section. I had twins in my previous pregnancy, and had to have a c-section then because of how they were positioned. I'll have another c-section because of complications during my last pregnancy.

I wish I could do the natural route. You momma's are awesome!

nlwz123 · September 2015

QueenCarlissa said:

I think she's referring to the fact it (an epidural) wasn't used in the past because it didn't exist then when it came about it wasn't as good. I'm choosing the all natural route since I don't really like medications.

Wasn't as good as what? I'm still confused.

Lots of things weren't used in the past but I'm OK with the idea of using them now. Medical advances have been pretty awesome.

CaraBoonie · September 2015

I personally have a very high pain tolerance...but still see no reason to feel unnecessary pain...which to me is any pain, we've evolved past it. Could I do it naturally and deal with it? Sure. Do I need to? Nope. Drug me up the second I get to the hospital, I'm all for meds, in fact the hardest part of being pregnant so far is avoiding different medications (Tylenol does jack for a headache, I miss my Excedrin!). Just my personal opinion, but every time I think I can avoid medications, and then end up taking them later, I wonder why the heck I didn't just take them the second I started feeling sick, and I don't see childbirth as anything different, to me it's a medical thing, not a beautiful romanticized event.

mloubert · September 2015

I didn't "decide" before my first birth. I learned about what my options were, educated myself on both types of labour/birth and went in with an open mind. I had no idea what labour would feel like for me and I didn't want to make that decision ahead of time. I had an amazing birth and labour because I felt like I knew my options and what they meant for me and baby. For my second birth, I'll be doing the same because I realize it might be totally different.

Leah6120 · September 2015

My PLAN (bc in the end that's all it is) is to labor naturally until I'm past 5cm then get an epidural. Idea being I don't want to get it too soon and risk stalling out my labor. With that said I'm a FTM so God knows what I'll be saying when active labor really does start. @mloubert is spot on. Educate and know your choices and go from there.

UptownPearl · September 2015

Ok then, I'm going unmedicated. I'm going to a birth center so an epidural isn't even an option. At first I was a little sad about not having the option, but the more research I did the happier I am about it.

mamaksweez · September 2015

At the hospital I deliver at over 90% of mamas get an epidural. With my first I labored at home for about 16 hours then went to the hospital. I was already dilated to a 7, and I got an epidural. It was magical, I literally felt nothing. The nurse and doc told me when to push, I didn't feel baby come out at all. The doc said, "open your eyes" and handed me my baby.
I am hoping and praying that this is how baby 2 goes too.

MrsB915 · September 2015

I delivered my son naturally, pain med free. The only med I did concentrate to was something for the nausea. I am a huge baby when it comes to being nauseous and had prepared for the pain during my pregnancy. I plan to labor and deliver naturally again with this baby.

I don't think that it is something that you can just say "well, I'll decide when the day comes." I think that this is a big decision and you should do your research. Talk to your doctor about options available to you for different types of pain management. Talk to women you know who have given birth and ask them about their experiences. Take a childbirth class. Research online, American Pregnancy, American Academy of Pediatrics, World Health Organization, the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology all have very informative websites that you can search. I also recommend reading books on the subject. Then, once you have all of the information you need you can make an informed decision that feels right for you.

Karenin · September 2015

I had fabulous epidurals and short, easy labors, with babies 1 and 2, so I'm doing the same this time. I also read up a lot and weighed my options.

Also, I'm all for every woman choosing what is best for her, but I hate when moms who choose natural birth act like I'm not as tough or I didn't do any research because I've chosen epidurals. I have a few friends like that. I'm really happy for you and your choice and glad it was what you wanted, so please just have the same reaction to me and my (educated) choice. One friend of mine had a home birth and that was great, I would never have thought she was crazy or uneducated, just that her preference after reading up and talking it through was a home birth. And yet she said to me "Oh you shouldn't be scared of labor pain" and "Did you read about epidurals?" when she heard what I chose.

SummerFall03 · September 2015

MrsB915 said:

I delivered my son naturally, pain med free. The only med I did concentrate to was something for the nausea. I am a huge baby when it comes to being nauseous and had prepared for the pain during my pregnancy. I plan to labor and deliver naturally again with this baby. I don't think that it is something that you can just say "well, I'll decide when the day comes." I think that this is a big decision and you should do your research. Talk to your doctor about options available to you for different types of pain management. Talk to women you know who have given birth and ask them about their experiences. Take a childbirth class. Research online, American Pregnancy, American Academy of Pediatrics, World Health Organization, the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology all have very informative websites that you can search. I also recommend reading books on the subject. Then, once you have all of the information you need you can make an informed decision that feels right for you.

Sometimes you have no choice but to decide the day of. Things happen, and I think as long as you are informed about all of the different possibilities you are good going into it. You can't go in with a mindset "I only want natural"- and then lose your mind if you have to have a c-section. Child birth isn't always 100% predictable, and I completely understand when other women say, "I'll decide when the day comes". As long as the baby comes safetly for both them and the mother, then that should be all that matters.

JoJoMama730 · September 2015

I plan to do it the unnatural way with this one again. I loved my epidural with DD.

ariasbabyblog · September 2015

I went natural with my first, but it was because I am terminally curious. I have a serious curiosity about life and how things feel, including labor. I ended up with a c-section (DS was facing wrong), so I will have to do a repeat c-section this time as my hospital does not offer VBACs.

leap_frog · September 2015

Considering my last birth story should have been titled "where's my f*cking epidural?!?!?" (Induced with pitocin before the epidural man was available. For many hours.) It's safe to say I will VBAC with an epidural unless I repeat c-section then I choose spinal. Drugs. Please.

l4rk · September 2015

FUCK YES EPIDURAL.

anightintunisia · September 2015

No epidural but I'm going for pain medication. My mom had Demerol with me and my brother.

adcc43 · September 2015

My first was natural which was NOT part of the plan and my second I had an epidural. I think I will have an epidural again but I am not going to worry about it until I have to make that decision again.

lmichele04 · September 2015

Natural!!

mommiesandbabies · September 2015

I like the idea of a med free birth, but really I will be having an epi even if I try for a vaginal birth because I am having twins and I don't want to risk having a c section under general.

holocene · September 2015

I deliver my babies at home, so epidurals or other medication based pain relief has never been an option for me. This baby will be the same.

ainverso · September 2015

I planned to labor and have baby without medication. I labored great until 7 cm when things got really hard to handle. Contractions were 1 min 15 seconds long with 15 seconds between contractions. As soon as it started it peaked and stayed peaked until it ended and dropped. I labored like that for several hours and couldn't take it anymore. I got an epidural and thank goodness I did because I was 10 cm within an hour, but they didn't let me push for over 3 hours due to doctor, not being able to feel anything. I pushed for a total of 2 hours but because I had an epidural, they were able to massage and stretch me with the pushes and I didn't tear at all.

Plan this time is to try un- medicated and see what happens

jrouge12 · September 2015

Natural to me implies no medical intervention or help. So unless your planning on delivering in a cave it's not truly natural. I am not choosing a med-free delivery, I hope to take advantage of medical advances and have an epidural. Our past didn't have vaccines, smartphones, water filtration, etc but it doesn't mean that they are bad to use. Women and babies used to die at higher rates during child birth than they do today. I'll take the present and future, thank you very much.

Kelley421 · September 2015

I am having a C this round

But the first baby-
1)labor starts
2) go to hospital
3) have epidural as soon as possible
4) have baby
The perfect birth plan!

ChrissyD1203 · September 2015

I plan to do whatever feels right the day of. @MrsB915 I didn't realize their was a medication option for nauseous - that's what I am way more nervous about than pain. What was it that they gave you?

jeanbug12 · September 2015

I had an epidural with my first and hated it! I did not like being numb from the waist down and not even being able to move around in bed by myself. I ended up with a c-section and I think it was partially due to the epidural. With my second I had a VBAC with no epidural and no pain meds, I am hoping for that again. It hurt, but I liked feeling like I was in control and it really didn't hurt as much as I imagined childbirth would...plus it hurt WAY less than c-section recovery!

mamakculb · September 2015

With my first I had read a lot about birth options and my DH and I did a lot of Bradley practice at home (didn't have a chance to do a class). I was pretty afraid of an epidural or any meds because I've never had any major meds or procedures done. I ended up having to be induced and went to about 8/9cm before I finally got an epidural. My labor started pretty intense with contractions at 2 mins apart and I kept trying to push too early. The epidural really helped me to relax and enjoy pushing.

This time I plan to go as long as I can without again, but I'm open to an epidural again if it helps me enjoy birth.

I know PP said you can't just make a decision the day of...I think there's two sides to that. Don't go in completely ignorant of your choices and expectations, but also don't be so stuck in your birth plan that you aren't flexible for the situation.

kmo8986 · September 2015

I had an epidural with my first and plan on it again. I labored for 26 hours and was told at about 8 hours that it could be a few DAYS! So I said "drugs please, now!"

danasphillips · September 2015

I had a great vaginal birth with an epidural. I was stalled at 5cm for hours, got an epidural, and made it to 10 within the hour. I also only had to push for 12 minutes, so the idea that an epidural makes it difficult to push is a myth.

MrsB915 · September 2015

@SummerFall03 sorry, I wasn't clear on what I meant by "don't decide the day of." What I meant by that is that you shouldn't make uninformed decisions. Do your research, make a plan and be willing to be flexible the day of so that you can do what is best for the health of both mom and baby.

I took Bradley classes, read a ton of books and knew in my heart that was right for me and I completely believed I could do it. All of that went out the window when I went into labor very early. My medical staff, dh and I all agreed that I could try natural as long as baby tolerated it. But because of his prematurity and not knowing what complications he might face if he started to show distress it was off to the OR for me. I would have been completely happy with that as well because it was best for him. Fortunately he didn't show distress at all and I was able to deliver him by my original plan. I'd researched cs and that helped me be at peace because I knew what I'd be facing.
@kristanoah aid it well. Don't go into it ignorant and be flexible.

@ChrissyD1203 I wish I could remember what the nurse gave me for nausea but it's a little blurry. I'd have to check my medical records. But you can ask for something for the nausea if you need to and the nurse will know what to give you.

Eta Whatever it was it worked very quickly and I didn't need a second dose!

ALM92 · September 2015

I had gas and air with my first. The anea came into the room to give me an epidural but I'd dilated too quickly and was pushing so he was sent straight back out! I'm actually glad I didn't have it in the end. However, this time round it's twins so I'll be having an epidural a soon as they offer it, I'm hoping to push them out myself but I'm having the epidural in case I have to have an emergency c-section. I agree with what most people have said. Just know your options but don't set your heart on anything before you you're in labour because there is no way of knowing what will happen on the day.

willashbaby · September 2015

I'm going unmedicated if I can. Narcotics do not react well with me and I've had a lumbar puncture and an epidural blood patch just last December. I did not enjoy them one bit and it took awhile for me to recover after them. In all my "birth plan" will be an "if then". If this happens then I will allow this, etc.

alandaim · September 2015

Epidural with my 1st and same this time around. I watch my sister give birth to a baby with an epidural that didn't work and one that did, so I knew I wanted one ASAP. I'm not against non-medicated, but I felt like the whole experience was far more enjoyable for everyone (e.g. Doctor, nurses, DH). I was almost in tears and hyperventilating watching my sister the first time, it is very upsetting seeing someone you love in that type of pain. I know that non-medicated can be "relaxed" too, but an epidural did that for me. Yes it wasn't fun being trapped in the bed, but that was a small price to pay in my opinion. Plus they don't give out awards for the most "natural" delivery (although it seems some people think so ), so I will take my meds!

tdart14 · September 2015

With my children I gave birth naturally! With an epidural! Cause guess what, there is nothing unnatural about pain relief during birth. And epidural is a form of pain relief. Even in the past, there were pain relief options, just different than the ones we have now.

Now, perhaps your planning for an unmedicated birth. Cool. Best of luck. Not my style to be in pain needlessly.

enkb · September 2015

Ok, I have had a completely different experience with people's responses to my 'birth plan' decisions than it sounds like many have had. I am completely supportive of mom's making whatever decision is right for them once they have all the information they need.

For me, this means natural labor with no meds at home. I have almost universally been told 'yeah right, wait til you are in labor, you'll change your mind' and a variety of other unsupportive things and threats about how I am endangering my baby and how much better their choices are.

I am thrilled that different options exist so mamas can have what works best for them. I just wish more of the women who speak to me would remember that their experiences are not necessarily going to be my experience and be more respectful of my choices as I am of theirs. My choice to plan unmedicated labor is in no way an attack on your plan for medication!

CaraBoonie · September 2015

@enkb I know plenty of people who had unmedicated births and were fine, and I'm sure you'll be fine! I will say I hope you live nearby a hospital just in case, just as those who say they'd never do a c-section should go into it not being depressed if it medically has to happen...but of course we all hope our just in case scenarios don't come to pass! I think most of us are defensive because MANY natural birth proponents tend to state their views in a "better than you" way, that they're some kind of holy martyr for refusing medical interventions and that their births are somehow beautiful, magical, unicorn births. Those of us who are very into drugs (teehee) receive as much flak as you do for a home birth, and frankly it all pisses me off, what does anybody care about how another person chooses to get a human out of their body, as long as they are safe and keep baby safe?

Lljbean · September 2015

I plan on having a baby. Other than that, we'll see what happens when labor starts.

samara267 · September 2015

I'm having a home water birth. Pain medication isn't even an option, which is exactly what I want. I want as few interventions as possible, and expect that my midwife will be basically hands off unless there's a problem. Either myself or my husband will catch the baby.

mvhyde · September 2015

With DS I had an epi, this time I am going to use Hypnobabies self-hypnosis 'natural anesthesia.'

I was not a fan of my epidural experience for DS. I think that the anesthesiologist was something... incompetent, overzealous... I dunno. I was feeling numb in my breasts and because I couldn't feel my chest I felt like I couldn't breathe (I was breathing normally because my heart rate I was being observed for non-epidural reasons) but I felt like I was having an anxiety attack. I had to keep reminding myself that I was in fact breathing.

So I wish I had a better epi experience, I had heard about mother controlled doses of epi but my hospital didn't offer it. This time I will be using hypnobabies and can hopefully I can avoid any pain meds.

I wasn't disappointed that I used the epi, I just want to try some other options this time around.

Want a personalized experience?

What do you decide ..Epidural or Natural?!

Re: What do you decide ..Epidural or Natural?!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards