Epidural or no epidural?

Question

So with my first baby I had no epidural but I also delivered her when she was only 18 weeks so extremely big different than a full term baby. My mom delivered me and my sisters with no epidural so I’m not really sure whether or not to get one. Some people say definitely and some say they wish they hadn’t even gotten it.

Answer

Whatever you decide remember to be flexible. There’s no shame in going into it planning on no epidural and adjusting your plans as you progress. Labor rarely goes exactly how we want it to. I had two epidurals and the main thing for me was how quickly it helped me progress. I was at a four foreeeeever but after the epidural went to a ten within a couple hours.

Answer

At the end of the day you have to learn about the risks and benefits and hear stories about women who had both experiences. And make the choice for yourself. You can also leave it as an open question mark. Labor often lasts for many hours and some women choose to start with no epidural and leave it as an option if they choose to at some point during the labor. 
Personally am choosing not to. I have a connective tissue disorder that puts me at higher risk for CSF leaks with an epidural so even though it isn’t entirely contraindicated, my doctors would prefer me not to get one unless it becomes essential because an emergency C-section is needed. I also learned epidurals can make labor last longer and take away the natural urge of when to push, and labor lasting too long is sometimes a reason for a c section. My doula said she often sees more perineal tearing with epidurals because women can’t sense as well when to hold back or slow down to allow for intuitive controlled stretching as the baby comes out. And the other thing is I hate the feeling of “paralysis” which happens for some women and I don’t want to feel numb or out of control of my body especially when other people are going to touch that part of my body. I’ve been through sexual trauma and I’ve heard many stories of women who had epidurals and a history of sexual trauma and it was just a really bad experience for them. I know myself well enough to know that I would not deal well with lack of sensation lack of control over my body. 
On the flipside an epidural can provide incredible pain relief and make birth less traumatic for many women. Because of various health factors and mental health factors, I think the experience can be very different for everyone and even the risk and benefit “lists” can be different for individual women. To me, the most important thing is informed consent. If a woman is equipped with knowledge then she can make the choice that is right for her￼

Answer

It's my favorite part. It always seems to make my babies come faster because my body isn't all tense. Literally less than 2 hours later babies were out.

Answer

My epidural was the most amazing thing in the world. My birth plan this time is simply 'give me an epidural' 🤣

Answer

Mine was an open question mark. I really didn’t want to get it but I had awful back labour and wasn’t progressing the way my midwife would have liked me to so I ended up getting it and gave birth 5 hours later and pushed for 5 minutes. Once they took out the epidural I was up and walking like everything was normal. It was actually pretty fantastic.

Answer

I had an Epidural with my son. I had back labor and the regular labor stuff. So I couldn't lay either way without hurting and I just wanted to go to sleep before he was born. I planned on doing natural. I just really wanted some sleep.

Answer

I had one and it worked well no issues. My recommendation is to ask to talk to the anesthesiologist early on before you’re in a lot of pain so you can make a thought out, informed choice. Otherwise you may sign anything they put in front of you later on. I held out quite a bit but was way more comfortable after.

Answer

I would say to keep an open mind! My first, I got an epidural right away, around 4CM, and had her like 6 hours later. I felt literally nothing because I hit the boost button so so many times 😂 Second baby was an hour labor, and she was born in my husbands truck! So obvs no epidural. That was by far my easiest birth, which is funny to say, but really! So easy. My 3rd I labored with my pitocin cranked to 30, which was horrific. I got an epidural 10 minutes before she was born. Went from a 6 to a 10 in 15 minutes. If I get pit with this one, I’ll get the epidural. For me, pitocin is way WAY worse than natural contractions. But seriously, just do whatever you want in the moment. I know some people love having a plan, but go with the flow.

Answer

You don’t need to decide at the start of labor. When I was asked, I said I want to see how this goes. Two hours later, I delivered my daughter with absolutely no medication. They wouldn’t have had time to get me an epidural if I had asked, but im happy that I didn’t put my body through it when it wasn’t necessary. 
If I end up in labor for 20 hours this time and I still have a ways to go, I’ll probably ask for one so I can get some rest, etc.

Answer

I think it really depends on the flexibility of the location you’re birthing at. With my first, I had an unmedicated water birth, but I NEEDED to move during contractions. At one point I was at home, trying to lay down and those contractions while laying down were awful. I can’t imagine being tied to a hospital bed without pain medication. 
You can always start without it, and see how you feel as things progress. If I can help it, I won’t be having one this time because I like to be up and about.

Epidural or no epidural?

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