Epidural or no?

Question

This is my second pregnancy and I do not want to have an epidural. I did with my first child and I hated how I felt. I couldn't even tell if I was pushing and there were multiple times I thought I was but I wasn't. I couldn't walk around at all. I was a vegetable for six hours. And then after my daughter was born I couldn't even sit myself up to watch her daddy give her a bath.

This time I would like to be able to use a birthing ball and walk around and be out of bed basically until I can't anymore but I am afraid that the pain will be too much and I will give in to an epidural. Especially because everyone thinks I'm crazy for not wanting one.

Did anyone else use a different pain blocker? Or go natural and how did you cope? Also do you think I might have had a bad reaction to the epidural? Let me hear your birth stories!

Answer

I just had my first 2 weeks ago and went the unmedicated route. Would do it all over again in a heartbeat! My labor was 38 hours start to finish. It was so great to be able to have control of my body the entire time. I labored in the tub for a couple hours and spent the rest of the time walking and standing. I was mobile up until it was time for me to push. I walked by myself to the bathroom an hour after I delivered and my body has felt totally back to its normal self since about 1 week pp. All you have to do is get through one contraction at a time and rest between each. It's totally do-able!

Answer

I'm almost 15wks. I'm going to say no the the epidural. Your body was made to do this! Not to be shot up and numbed.

Answer

Currently 31w+5d with baby #1 and plan on having a natural birth.. I want this experience to be a memorable one.. pain and all

Answer

This is my first due in 4 weeks! I will be doing natural... Epidural is a last resort.

Answer

Too scared to go natural. My first daughter was done with an epidural - I'm considering it again. I can tolerate pain but I don't think I'm strong enough for that kind of pain😔. I solute any woman that gives birth naturally!

Answer

I had my first all natural and it was amazing ! I plan to do it again this time around .. Our bodies was made to do this , you just gotta put your trust in God and be as strong as possible 😘

Answer

I swear I could have written this myself lol. I want to be able to walk and stuff as much as possible. I'm gonna ask for alternative pain meds and look at the epi as a last resort

Answer

I had a epidural with my first too. I was the exact same didn't know when to push they had to tell me. They sat me up, bathed me, moved me everything. I could feel my legs until 12 hours later, it was great for the pain I loved it but the after affect of needing help to pick up your baby because you can't move isn't nice. Currently 4weeks 2days...going to try natural and would love to be able to say I did it! At least I know what to expect this time around. Good luck

Answer

Look into taking a Bradley Birth class. They have a really great record of helping women have unmedicated births. That's my plan :)

Answer

I had Epi with my first and didn't with my second. I LOVED giving birth naturally. Hated the epi. I couldn't feel anything and pushed so long with nothing happening. Without the epi, I felt where and how I needed to push and she came out a lot easier than my first. And being able to walk during and immediately after was awesome. Healing was a lot faster too. Good luck mama! :)

Epidural or no?

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