Epidural or All Natural?

Question

Or somewhere in between?
I'm 21w 3d and I've been putting a lot of thought into my birth plan, especially pain relief methods. A large part of me wants to try and do it naturally but there is also a part of me that is afraid. I have a high pain tolerance, but I know labor is a different experience. I've been researching pain relief methods other than epidurals, but there really isn't much that I'm finding from reputable sources. 
I'm not into the idea of hiring a doula or birthing coach. And I'm also not 100% against an epidural. But I'm thinking of something kind of in between. Possibly a walking epidural?
I want opinions and suggestions. I'm really open to anything at this point.

Answer

Mind over matter. If you want au naturale - prepare for it! If you are open to an epidural you will get one lolol I tried hypnobirthing and it gave me confidence in myself to birth naturally. I ended up using gas&air and while begging for an epidural my body went from 4 to 10cm very quickly and bubs came flying out! Good luck!

Answer

I was allllllll about the epidural. But maybe say you want to try natural and see how it goes? It’s something you can decide that day so if it gets too intense you can request one.

Answer

Just go in with an open mind! I went all natural with my first and it wasn’t bad at all. I was all about going natural again and wanted nothing to do with an epidural. I was induced with my second and by 4cm I was crying for an epidural and I’m so glad I did it!

Answer

I went in wanting all natural but the hospital staff only checked me once for dilation so I just assumed I wasn’t dilating and the contractions were getting worse so in my head I was thinking oh god I’m only at like a 6 I can’t do this so opted for the epidural but turns out by the time they tried giving me the epidural I was already crowning and it also failed twice so I ended up having a natural birth and turns out I actually didn’t need it... just make sure they are checking for dilation more than once 🤦🏼‍♀️

Answer

I wanted go go natural and got induced with my first. I went to 8 cm when a voice told me to get the epidural and I'm so glad i listened cuz i ended up with tearing next to my rectum due to him being sunny side up and extremely cone headed a 4th degree episiotomy and a forceps delivery he came out 8 pounds 5 ounces from his little 88 pound pre pregnancy mommie. My daughter i went into labor on my own and had a fast labor but was nervous id have an emergency c section since i was literally a push away from one with my son so i got the epidural again at 8cm. Unlike with my son where i felt nothing at pushing with her i felt the contractions and could feel my body telling me to push. It wasnt unbearable so i was pretty relaxed but was also very in tune with my bodys natural signals it was a wonderful experience i think the epidural is a wonderful thing and ive watched labor stories of women labor for hours on end just miserable and wont dilate get the epidural and be ready to push within the hour because they were able to relax and their bodies did their thing. But on the other end i think natural child birth is amazing too! To be able to feel everything your body is doing and manage your pain homeopathically is probably an awesome experience. All that matters is you and baby make it safely through delivery if you wanna go natural then try! If you end up being unable to endure it the epidural is there when you decide you want it you dont have to decide now if you are unsure

Answer

I had a csection and something wasn’t quite right with the spinal block, so they gave me IV pain meds. Anyway, I learned after the fact that they can cause you to have difficulty bonding with your baby, and the first few days were really tough for bonding. I felt like “who gave me this strange baby?” So I guess I would ask your doc what pain options your hospital provides. Even though the IV pain meds alone (no epidural) sounded better to me before, I wish I would have known about that side effect when I was planning for an unmedicated vaginal delivery.

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I would talk with your doctor and see what specific options your hospital offers. Some may offer some things you’ve looked up and they may not offer some things. I’d start with what they offer and then research from there.

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With my first I had a 22 hour labor. I had signed the paperwork to get an epidural when I preregistered at the hospital, but it was up to me as to when or if I got it. I went for most of the labor relatively easy and didn’t feel I needed. Every time the nurses checked in on me they would ask if I wanted it. After 17 hours of laboring without any pain relief I finally agreed to the epidural. After I got it I felt soooo much better! I couldn’t believe I had toughed it out for really no reason. This go around I’ll be getting that epidural as soon as it’s offered!

Answer

Just go in to it with an open mind. If you need an epidural then just get one. Some women’s birthing experiences are easier than others, and it’s unpredictable.

Answer

I went all natural both times and I loved it. Labor felt so raw and real. It was intense and one heck of an experience for sure but I wouldn't have changed it. My one tip would be hire a doula, stay home for as long as you can, and stay hydrated!

Epidural or All Natural?

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