Epidural or unmedicated?

Question

I was induced with both of my babies due to complications and got the epidural.  I had fantastic vaginal deliveries that went so smooth. I was in labor for 12 hours with our son and 6 hours with our daughter. I loved the epidural!! They were both such great experiences.
Im due next month with baby #3 and have no complications so i will be going into labor naturally. I genuinely loved being induced so im already on edge. But id love to go natural and not recieve the epidural...but part of me still really wants it. I know its usually an "in the moment" decision but i feel like you really need to prepare your mind beforehand if going without the epidural. 
Id love to hear some stories (good and bad) of your labor experiences. Did you regret not getting the epidural? Is natural labor easier than induced?

Answer

Had my baby natural. 
When into labor at 40+1 (first baby), labored mostly at home. When I made it to the hospital I was 8cm. Was able to move around and all that to help my labor along. 
Used a irsh spring bar of soap to calm me down (love that fresh scent), baby was 9 lbs 5 oz.  I prepared mentally a lot. Pain was manageable, worst part for me was the pressure feeling the last hour of pushing, it was weird lol. Instant relief after the baby was out, like a switch was shut off! Got up to pee like 2 hours after without any issue. Recovery went well. 
I will 100% do the same with my second baby. It felt great to not have to worry about medication side effects post birth.

Answer

GIVE 👏🏼 ME 👏🏼 ALL 👏🏼 YOUR 👏🏼 MEDS!

Answer

I had the epidural with my first 3 kids and knew I was going to get it the entire pregnancy. Never regretted it. 
I ended up having to be induced with my 4th and really wanted to try without doing it, I was good for a while but ultimately chose to get it. Don’t regret it for a second. Still felt empowered by my decision! 
Go in with an open mind, get it if you want to or you may end up choosing not to! 💓

Answer

I've done 2 unmedicated and had great experiences. I'm far more prepared to mentally handle short-term pain than the possible side effects of an epidural gone wrong. I liked feeling the full intensity of the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Answer

I had my first Oct, 2020 totally unmedicated. He was 8lbs for reference and I am 5'10" so not petite by any means. I went in to get induced at 41 weeks and ended up going into naturally labor before the induction took place. While checking in I asked the nurse about the type of women who were most successful in going unmedicated through labor. She told me that it isn't the most prepared women necessarily, its the ones who are most flexible in their expectations and who can go with the flow, in her experience are the ones that are most successful in birthing unmedicated. I do not regret at all birthing unmedicated, I feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment in being able to withstand the pains of labor and bring my baby into the world naturally. Even my husband was proud of me for enduring the pains, though he didn't mind if I got an epidural or not. Everyone is capable of doing it unmedicated, however I do suggest going with a midwife or hiring a doula if you chose to go the OB route because during transition I was BEGGGGGGGING for the epidural. My AMAZING midwife was able to keep me calm and support me through transition and get me to the otherside with no epidural. 
Best of luck to you and baby #3! 😁

Answer

FTM! Had my little girl all natural back in October! I knew I wanted to go natural was going to do everything possible from getting an epidural and potion. If that’s something you want to do, definitely do your research and prepare yourself mentally for it! Honestly I think a lot of people scare themselves thinking it’s going to be so terrible without one. The pain was manageable, was able to be on wireless monitors so was able to walk around, eat and what not. Walked a lot, and bounced on a birthing ball helped alot. Contractions weren’t to bad till I woke as about ready to push! Pushed for about 20 minutes and out so came! Honestly don’t think I would have been able to do it if I hadn’t researched everything. Also having a birth plan with help too! Hopefully my next birth goes as good as this one!  This was a page that helped me a lot too!! Good luck momma!

Answer

I had an epidural with both my boys, didn't want to with the first but I was induced and the epidural was GLORIOUS! The second time the epidural barely kicked in before baby was out. I was induced 3 weeks early but I was in labor when I walked into the hospital. This time as long as I don't have pre-eclampsia I'm going to go into labor on my own. With that said, I want to wait till I really need the epidural but I plan on getting one. I labored fast with baby #2 so I'm worried I won't make it in time. Like went from 4cms to 10 in 45 minutes fast, 2.5 pushes fast, stunned baby fast lol.

Answer

Baby #1 spontaneous birth unmedicated
Baby #2 induced with epidural
Baby #3 spontaneous birth unmedicated
Baby #4 induced unmedicated
I hated my birth with the epidural 😥 I couldn't feel what my body needed me to do & i hated the feeling of not being able to move until 2 hours after i had delivered 😕

Answer

So my first I had an epidural and my second (born 5 days ago, so it’s still fresh in my mind) was born unmedicated.
Overall, I preferred my unmedicated birth. I was on pitocin and used nitros oxide (although it did absolutely nothing for me). I had horrible back labor but was only having productive contractions for less than an hour (was having contractions that weren’t really doing much for 20+ hours prior to that). I requested an epidural but my daughter came before they could get me one. 
It was honestly excruciating and I truly didn’t think I’d be able to continue- but my body knew exactly what to do and I didn’t really have a choice. It was so empowering to feel it all and although I literally felt like I was being ripped in half, it was an incredible experience and I’m so thankful it’s something I got to do. 
With my son though (epidural) I literally pushed for 4 hours. 
Recovery has also been much faster and easier this time around.

Answer

Natural is WAY easier than being induced, and you can still have an epidural if you’re not induced

Epidural or unmedicated?

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