Natural birth or epidural ?

Question

What's your birth story and how has it affected you? (If it has) . I hear how bad the pain of natural labor is and honestly I can't handle much pain. But I hear to many horror stories of getting an epidural and I'm more scared of messing up my spine instead of my vagina. Just would love some mommy to mommy advice 💜

Answer

I'd say just keep an open mind either way. Be prepared to labor without pain medication and with it.

I think people only have a hard time when they say they will "only" do it one way, when until you're IN labor you really don't know what you will want.

It's okay to have an epidural. 
It's okay not to have an epidural.

Your labor. Your body. Your baby.

Answer

I had one with my first delivery 6 years ago and had a good experience and planning to have one this time around. 
I was able to rest before pushing and then pushed for 30 minutes. I had an episiotomy because he pooped and his head was almost 90th percentile 🤦🏽‍♀️ so they wanted to get him out quick.
I had no lasting effects.

According to the paperwork I got from the hospital this time, studies show that back pain can occur with and without the epidural so it's believed to be due to delivery itself and not the epidural. It was also shown not to increase the need for csections but it does increase the risk of needing forceps or the suction. It can lower the blood pressure so that's why they need to give you IV fluids. You need to stay in the bed (even with a walking epidural, you can move your legs but won't really be able to walk). You'll need a catheter. It can slow down labor so you might need some pitocin with it (for me they broke my water so that helped + I was already have intense back to back contractions). Some people may develop a severe headache after it (it may need to treated with an injection of blood in the same spot). In some people it may only work on one side.

Answer

Honestly, get the epidural. I went through all together 54 hours of labor. They sent me home the first time I got induced because j wouldn't dilate, but I was having contractions through the ass, not even kidding. So I went back a week later and was DETERMINED to make it to at least a 5 before getting the epidural. Um hell no. Not even close. I got to a 3 and screamed that I needed the epidural now. Like that thing is a life savor. So what happened was, I was at 3 when I got it, I took a 2 1/2 hour nap, and then they woke me up to check me, add I was a 5. Then they brought my midwife in, she checked me, and I was a 10. Not even 5 minutes ad I was fully dialated. Pushed for 5 minutes, and I had my precious baby girl. She is now 7 months old :)

Answer

I had epidural when I gave birth to my daughter. I knew I wanted epidural my entire pregnancy and I'm glad I got it. I couldn't handle the pain of the contractions because they were so strong I was puking. At the end of the day, I'm really glad I got it even though everyone told me it could mess up my back.

Answer

With my first 10 years ago I got the epidural and it was wonderful! Worked like a charm, no complications during or after birth. I'm pregnant with my second now and 100% plan on getting an epidural again. I do not tolerate pain well and it was so nice being able to relax and rest before pushing. I'm praying that things go as smoothly this time around.

My best advice is to do what feels right in the moment. There's a million things that could go wrong in labor but no need to worry about them because more than likely things will be just fine and no need for added stress during an already stressful time. Best of luck to you and prayers for a smooth, healthy delivery!!

Answer

I had a 42 hour labor, and only got the epidural at 38 hours when I transferred to a hospital and they put me on pitocin. I hated it, and they wouldn't remove it when I started pushing, even though I asked them to. I won't get one again. The purple pushing I had to do with the epidural gave me 3rd and 4th degree tears. No thank you. This baby will be born without one.

Answer

Most anesthesiologists are.pretty good at the epidural. It's not just the vagina ripping that steers some away from natural it's also the pain from feeling EVERYTHING lol. You won't know what either will.do until u pick one. I'd rather not feel anything rip lol. My first pregnancy I barely had a paper tear on one of the inner Walls and she was 7 1/2 5oz.

Answer

Epidural. I had a natural but not on purpose. It wasn't magical or empowering- it was awful and I don't just mean the pain. The whole experience. Next time I'm team Epidural!

Answer

I've done both and natural birth was much better and way easier.  You just need a supportive hospital staff or birth center.

Answer

I have done both. My first baby was only a 4 hour labor & i was 5cm dialated when i git to the hospit so I didn't have time to get an epidural...my second one they were trying to stop him cause he was 8 weeks early so they gave me one cause they can sometimes slow down or stop labor. This baby I am not sure if I am gonna ask for one or not. Probably will depend on when this one tries to come. If it's between 36 and 40 weeks I will probably try my best to do natural...if it's earlier I will probably get one to try and slow down or stop labor...ot didn't work with my second baby but every pregnancy is different.

Natural birth or epidural ?

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