Natural or epidural?

Question

I am 5 weeks 2 days pregnant with my first.  Trying to weigh the pros and cons of epidural.  One of my aunts literally almost died due to complications from epidural so I’m a little scared.  One of my friends delivered naturally this weekend and did wonderfully!  So those of you who have done this before, what do you recommend?

Answer

Hello there!  Surgical assistant here.   As with any medical procedure, epidurals have risks, but they are very rare.  Unfortunate that you know someone who experienced complications.  
When I had my baby a month ago, that's the one thing I KNEW I wanted, and I absolutely do not regret it.  I had to be induced and felt a couple small contractions before I got the epidural and then it was smooth sailing until I had to have an unplanned C-section the NEXT day.   10/10  Highly recommend.

Answer

You never know how your labor will go..my advice try natural and if you need an epidural don't feel bad

Answer

I have had 6 births all natural no meds. Kegels helped me start them now

Answer

As a mom who has done both, I completely prefer no epidural. 
With the epidural I got a spinal headache that sent me to the ER when my newborn was 3 days old. I was blacking out or throwing up every time I tried to sit or stand and the pain was unbearable. It ended up ruining my chances to breastfeed my daughter.
Aside from that, I was bloated from the epidural as well as all the liquids. I couldn’t move, had a catheter and baby was less awake and alert.
When I went natural is was like day and night difference. I felt great after. 
Tore exactly the same but it hurt less actually than when I had the epidural with pushing because I was so into in going natural and I pushed a lot less time because I could feel my body and what I needed to do. 
My baby came out alert and immediately latched. The process was intense but not as bad as I thought. So worth it. I felt so empowered being able to do it that way.
I would say if going natural having a doula is a great decision. Mine helped so much with positioning, reminders to breath, speaking up for things I wanted in my birth plan when I was focused on pushing the baby out.

Answer

You could have a “fool proof” birth plan and then POOF it goes out the window and you just do whatever you need to do to get through labour and get your baby out, I’d wanted all natural then I had to be induced with pitocin them contractions were something else, I cried for the epidural! You’ll know when the time comes what you need! 💕💕

Answer

I prefer natural...i keep hearing how once u get epidural labor slows down significatly. I do not want a slow labor., but im deluvering at a hospital in case i want it...this will be my first time so i dont really know what ill need in the moment.

Answer

Depends on your pain tolerance. I work as an L&D nurse at a hospital that delivers the most babies in the US and we do epidurals all day, everyday. Never had anyone die or come close to dying from one. Needless to say it’s your choice and if you feel like the benefits outweigh the risks, and want one...go for it. If not, go to birthing classes so you can learn to cope with labor pain cuz it’s a pain you’ve never experienced before. It’s all up to you and what you feel is safe for you and your baby.

Answer

I had an epidural because I was induced and put on pitocin. Was wonderful! I still had feeling but without the pain. Made pushing almost painless and didn’t feel any of my stitches being done. Was terrified of it but ended up working great for me.

Answer

I’m pretty open minded with birth, my first was back labor for 3 days, puking and shaking with every contraction, made it to 6cm before I just asked for an epidural. It was amazing. 
Second, no back labor, went to a 7cm before I asked for it but only bc I really had no support. My husband can’t see me in pain and kept saying I should just get it. 
This is my third, I plan to go natural as long as there is no back labor. I’m probably getting a doula though.

Answer

I had a 9 pound 2 oz baby naturally... I did have to push for 3-4 hours and when I had to start pushing I told my husband I wanted an epidural but by then it was way too late lol. I would say if you are doing natural get a tub to labor in. That was the only thing that made me not go to the hospital. (I had an at home birth.)

Natural or epidural?

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