to epidural, or not to epidural? that is the question.

Question

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer.
 Ok anyways, for the most part I'm leaning towards not getting it but I want to hear real and personal experiences! My mom never got it with her 3 births and tells me she didn't need it. My aunt has done it both ways and says she prefers no epidural. Those are my only two examples  so I want to hear a few more. Help :). No bashing please, only personal experiences.

Answer

I had an epidural all 3 of my deliveries. I liked that I could chill and be calm while I labored. No stress. I tried without and I was just miserable. But there's no reason to decide ahead of time. Try without it and see how you do.  When I decided I wanted one, they paged the anesthesiologist and I got it within a few minutes. No biggie.

Answer

I didn't have an epidural bc I got to the hospital when I was 9 cm dilated and honestly it wasn't that bad . I mean yes it hurts like hell but then it's over...I was up walking around and showered an hour later ...good luck making your decision! Remember if it was that bad people wouldn't choose to do it multiple times haha

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I got the epidural, but o was also in labor for 15+ hours so I was worn out.
This time around my plan is to not get it. I want to see what the difference is

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I did two natural births. No epidural or pain meds. Fast delivery with both i am hoping that it will work out the same for the third.

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I got the epidural, I was in a lot of pain and just wanted to sleep.
Went into the hospital around 9-10pm with contractions and didn't have my son until the next day around 12:43pm.
I had two epidurals and it saved me from pain and I was able to relax

Answer

I have 2 children. I was induced with both and I've experienced birth both ways. With the first I was in labor for 18 hrs and had an epidural. With my second I was in labor for 9 hrs and went all natural. I am now expecting #3 and plan to go all natural again. I honestly think it's a personal preference and depends on your pain tolerance and also your body. I had small babies..both under 6 pounds at full term. I felt much better after delivering natural vs. with an epidural and also felt recovery time was much less and much easier going with a natural birth.

Answer

Sweetie I salute ur mom, as my daughter will be 23yrs  old next month now I'm almost 21weeks come wed feeling the youngest I've ever felt at 41yrs old. I believe in epidurals 1000000percent if your labor is long and hard as mine was for 46hrs. I didn't want one I was dead set on not taking it until I got to 5cms and was in complete despair.my GYN at that time also delivered me and my sisters asked me "Cindy y r u making this so much more harder on you and the baby"I said okay let's do it, girllllllll lemme tell you I was great after that I dilated faster I was laughing and it just made the rest of the experience soooo great. The pushing was sooooo enjoyable bcuz I wasn't in horrific pain, I felt pressure to push and bare down but not pain. I can remember it like yesterday after that epidural it was amazing but in a great way. Fast FOWARD 23yrs almost I'm a yoga instructor and want it all natural but Noway IM TAKING THAT EPIDURAL lol I wanna make this sooo great for my fiancé as this is his first child. Everyone is different I pray you won't be in pain so bad you will have to make that choice. I hope for you a fast and smooth delivery.🤗🤗🤗🤗plz plz keep me posted. Your two months ahead of me lol.

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Everyone is different on this some are ok with going through the crazy pain of childbirth this will be my 4th delivery I certainly plan on an epidural I wanna be able to relax and talk maybe sleep durning my labor instead of wanting to scream and cry and say I hate you to my husband lol little dramatic but I'm sure I would say that if I was suffering

Answer

I've been induced with pitocin horrible contractions got an epidural second was emergency c section third there was no time for pain meds all natural same for 4th I'm not into pain at all I'm aiming for an epidural this time around I just hope I can make it in time to get one. Just go with how your feeling if you think your ok don't get it but if you need it don't feel bad about getting it.

Answer

I'm expecting #4. All three of my previous births were inductions. I did the first two without pain meds. I asked for an epidural with my first but they wouldn't give it to me at 6cm dilated back then. My second went so fast. By the time I began feeling the contractions to the time she was born was less than 3 hours. It wasn't bad going natural. My third I couldn't resist the urge to push but I had been at 6cm for hours and pushing too early is bad so I tried IV pain meds and it took the edge off but still felt a primal urge to push so I got the epidural. It was amazing!! Shortly after it was in I fell asleep for about 2 hours. Then I woke up and asked that they check me again and I was fully dilated and ready to push. I waited about 30 minutes for the on call OB to arrive and pushed through 3 contractions and my son was born. I felt nothing and pushing was so much easier and faster with the epidural. I'm going to be induced July 1st. My plan is to go as long as I can. If I can make it without pain meds awesome if it's slow and painful again I'll get an epidural. Go into it open to both. All three of my previous labors were all so different. There's no way to know what will happen. Study all your options so you're ready to make decisions as they come up in labor.

to epidural, or not to epidural? that is the question.

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