How important is having an epidural to you during labour?

Question

I'm pregnant with my first child and I was looking into giving birth in a midwife/birthing centre so I could have a water birth, only problem is they don't offer epidurals. I'm just looking for people's own opinions on this as I've never gave birth before and not entirely sure on what to expect.

Answer

It was important to me not to get an epidural. You can't have an epidural and a water birth so you would have to choose one or the other

Answer

I think this is totally a personal choice, and I don't think you will truly know until
You are giving birth. Go with what you want and if it's getting to the point of wanting\ needing an epidural then you maybe able to be transferred?? I wanted a water birth myself but baby decided he was coming at 36 weeks didn't have chance for gas and air let alone an epidural. Enjoy it what ever happens x

Answer

I'm not one of those strong warrior mamas who did it all med free and was happy about it. I needed all the drugs. the pain had me scared out of my mind and I would have been useless during active labor if I hadn't taken the epidural and the other pain relief. my oxygen levels kept getting too low from the fear and they were scared my baby would get too stressed. I'm not trying to scare you, but some women can handle it and some can't. if this is your first and you aren't certain what you'll do, my advise would be to give birth at a place that can allow for a water birth or at least let's you labor in a tub, but that also has the epidural in case you need or want one. my hospital would have let me labor in a tub but I just took the pain meds and took a nap instead haha.

Answer

I love me an epidural! Praise the lawd!

Answer

I had 24 hours of intense back labor so I chose to get one. I felt absolutely NOTHING in the front so I feel like if I hadnt had back labor I would have definitely went without. its 100% a personal choice but if you convince yourself that you can go without, you will. a lot of people just get nervous and they just have to have it but there are lots of ways to manage pain without meds.

Answer

I'm a FTM & I didn't get an epidural but I was only in labor for 10 hours. Labor is very painful & if I would've went couple more hours I probably would've gotten the epidural no matter how bad I didn't want it. You never really know until the pain starts.

Answer

Personally after swearing off drugs for my first and needing an epidural around 6-7cm dilated, I just changed my medical provider for the second because they don't offer epidurals. I would hate to need one and not have the option.
Totally a personal preference - people go without all the time. All the best :)

Answer

I've never had one. 
But each person and labour is different. Just keep an open mind and don't limit your choices before you even start.

Answer

I'm use to extremely painful periods. The kind that makes you think death is coming. lol I cannot foresee going through labor which from what I hear is quite painful (person coming through your hoohaa and all) without the epidural. nope nope nope nope nope

Answer

I didn't want an epidural. But, once I was having back labor for almost two days at this point, I decided to go ahead and get it. However it didn't work, and it still took another 19 hours after getting it for my son to arrive. So it was pretty much pointless since it didn't work anyways. Hopefully this time around if I get it, it works

How important is having an epidural to you during labour?

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