Honestly, why do people say getting an epidural is a bad thing?

Question

Some people cant take pain like others.. and some people dont experience as much pain..

Answer

I had to have an epidural after 10 hours of contractions and not going past 4cm the being given potocin and another 10 hours of contractions not going past 7cm. I couldn't use the gas as it made me sick. My body was tired,my baby was tired and an epidural was my last hope otherwise I would have had to have a c-section and would need an epidural anyway. After it I got an hour sleep, I got to rest and woke up needing to push. But I wouldn't have been able to deliver my baby without it. I'm not saying it's for everyone and I definiltley didn't go into the hospital with any plan of having one and I don't plan on having one with this baby. But if I need it. Then I need it. It had no effect on my baby and I have had no long term side effect. People just read the possible side effect and what can happen and it freaks them out a bit.

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I am personally against them because their are risks with it and It's something that is elective and I just am not willing to add additional risk to the birth. However that's just me and what I want. Whatever other women do I their delieveries is up to them!

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I feel as though in the birthing and mummy community you're seen as 'stronger' if you don't have an epidural and go all natural. Which is ridiculous. Get an epidural if you want! Don't get one if you don't! You're not better or worse for getting one or not getting one. Personally I will not be getting one because I want to go from the hospital to the birthing center shortly after without having to worry about an epidural wearing off.

Answer

A lot of the time people can be very judgemental of other people's choices. But, I know for me, I don't think epidurals are bad and if you want one then I think you should get one. I'm choosing not to get one because they tend to stall labor (sometimes, not always), and I don't want to be stuck in bed when I'm in labor. I'd really like to be free to move around, go to the bathroom, etc. But, those are just my choices. Lots of people have completely valid reasons for wanting an epidural.

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I think its a matter of preference. I've actually  been called barbaric for wanting to be  drug free (only because  i have adverse side effects to alot of meds)

Only thing ive been told  "negative " that it slows labor, where  the babys pressure  might drop  and have to do C section. BUT ive had family members do an epidural  and have a vaginal birth. 
So to each their own.

Answer

i always tell people who ask me to try and do it without it.. but if you feel you need it, then get it! and i only say that bc my personal experience was HORRIBLE with the epidural! they had to insert the needle two different times. and it NEVER numbed my stomach! it numbed my arm and legs. then afterwards i got these horrendous migraines, turns out that's called "Spinal Headaches". which is when the hole from the epidural (where the meds go into) doesn't properly close and your spinal fluid leaks. it seriously felt like my head was going to blow up. i would rather go through a natural birth 10 more times than to ever feel the pain of that headache again!

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No one else knows what you're going through and what you're feeling, your pain will be different than someone else's pain. People are just judgmental. I loved my epidural

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To each its own.You dont know til you go through it.You can plan and plan and change the plans once going through it..Or end up getting or needing a c section due to not getting an epidural as i did.I put my baby in distress because of how my labor was progressing i refused and refused pain meds then BAM...heart rate went down and in to emergency c section i went.But as long as you dont let your plan dictate your mothering..etc...dont worry you had your baby like a CHAMP😊😊😊

Answer

With #1, I believe the epidural helped me. Contractions woke me up around midnight and I couldn't go back to sleep. When they became regular, they started getting more intense and closer together really fast. In the car on the way, they were less than 3 minutes apart and I didn't get a chance to catch my breath in between. If I continued like that and with the lack of sleep, I'm not sure I would've had the energy to push.
I told them I want an epidural once I was admitted around 6 AM because I knew they needed to do blood tests before it. When I had it, I had a chance to rest and take a nap. My anesthetist would come ask me to move my legs every now and then and would adjust the dose if I couldn't. He said if it's too deep then I may not be able to push.
Around noon, I started feeling pain, I told him and he checked and said no you're numb and this is pressure. He had them check my cervix and I was fully dilated and had delivered within 30 minutes. A few hours after delivery, I got out of bed and was able to shower unassisted.

They don't give medals to women who handle more pain. We're lucky we have options and we get anesthesia with other procedures so why do we act like it's a shame with childbirth. No one has an unmedicated wisdom tooth extraction and no one even blinks at people who get knocked out to get teeth pulled (I had mine done under local BTW 😅). But in all cases, it's a personal choice and each person has the right to have the birthing experience she wants.

I always said I'm opting for an epidural 100% but now I'm thinking I may keep an open mind. They say second babies come faster than 1st ones so I might be willing to try enduring the contractions but if they get crazy like with the 1st one, the hospital already has it on file that I want an epidural.

Answer

There are more risks and a more difficult time immediately after birth with an epidural, plus the scary needle which also brings risks. Personally I would rather try to handle without if I can, based on the research I've done.

However, if there's a medical reason or a clear benefit to the baby I will certainly get one. It's just not my first choice. But I don't judge moms who've had one. You do what makes you feel more comfortable, but I hope you read about what the possible risks are. Knowledge is power!

Honestly, why do people say getting an epidural is a bad thing?

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