first time mom????? epidural or natural birth???

Question

I want a natural birth i know it's gonna be hard and only one in ten women go natural but it's what i want i just want to know what you think .....so....EPIDURAL ...or...NATURAL????

Answer 1

Of course going naturally is the best because the baby comes out a little more alert. Plus, you feel everything you're doing so you can push effectively. When you have an epidural, you're numb so you can't feel what you're doing. However, the pain really is intense. I was determined to go naturally because my mom did with me and my brother, but the pain was unbearable so I had an epidural. Having an epidural is fine too. I respect the people who can go naturally, but some of us don't have the tolerance for pain like they do. You'll just have to wait and see what happens. Try and be as strong as you can and deal with the pain, but if you have to have the epidural, don't feel bad. The baby will come out fine and you will too.

Answer 2

I have done both, I would not do it natural again. But, every body is different. My sister had her babies so fast that she never had the chance for an epidural. So, I think decide when you get into labor. Tell your doctor that you want to start out natural, but if you decide that you can't handle it, then to give you the epidural. I think this would be the best and easiest way to go. No, one can tell you how you will feel until you get there. You may be able to handle the pain and do it natural. I will say that natural ,you don't have to worry with coming off the meds, like with the epidural. You can do more a little quicker.

Answer 3

I wanted to have a natural birth, too. I don't think you're crazy for wanting to do that! But during my labor, an anesthesiologist came to speak to me. He explained that having an epidural would not only ease my discomfort, it would actually ease the stress on the baby. The baby does not feel any effects of the medications because it's inserted into your back. If you were having medication through an IV, meaning it goes through your veins, then it would have an effect on the baby. The risks to you are also very low. There's a common myth that it could cause paralysis. That's only a possibility if the JANITOR is inserting your epidural. They insert it well below your spinal cord, so there's no harm in it. After the anesthesiologist explained this to me, I went with the epidural. It was MUCH better. I was more comfortable, and was even able to sleep, even though I was having contractions. I didn't feel any pain at all through my entire labor and delivery, but I could still feel the baby descending, and I could feel him as I was pushing. It made it to be a wonderful and joyful experience. It was less stress and pain for both me and my baby. There are some side effects of having an epidural. It pretty much numbs you from the waist down. :o) I thought it felt pretty good. It will sometimes slow down the progression of your labor, but because you aren't feeling any pain, you won't really care. I sure didn't. It was just wonderful, and even though I was only in pain with contractions for five or six hours, the 12 hours I was in labor after the epidural was MUCH better. I could rest, and save my energy for when it was time to push. And it turned out beautifully. So think about it, talk with your midwife or OB, and decide what's right for you. Since it's your first, go in planning on trying it naturally, and if it gets too much, ask for the epidural. :o) It's easy enough. But there's no reason a woman should have to go through all that when we have something that can ease her pain. Good luck!

Answer 4

I had an epidural with my first 24 years ago because it was "the thing to do". I had an epidural with my second 21 years ago. With my third 16 years ago I went natural. I can't really say which I "prefer" because with my 3rd I was only at the hospital for 3 hours before she was born so it was much quicker because she was my 3rd.
My 24 year old just had her first baby & asked for an epidural as soon as she could have it because she was having such terrible back labor. It helped her tremendously!
My 21 year old had a baby in October and was dead set against an epidural. After about 9 hours of labor & she was still dilated to 2 the dr basically strongly recommended an epidural to help her body relax. She had it & the baby was born 3 hours later.
It's up to each individual to decide what is best for them but there truly are no "rewards" for not having an epidural - just your own mind knowing you didn't have one. Good luck in whatever you choose!!

Answer 5

My first I went natural, I only had a 5 hour labor and it wasn't that bad, but I decided to get an epidural with my second and I was in heaven, 5 hours, in complete bliss. My third I had what was known as a walking epidural, because my hospital didn't offer the kind I had had before. It was not pleasant. I would go with a regulat epidural if you decide not to go natural. Every woman has their own stories, and advice, but everyone is different. If you decide to go natural and then decide its too much for you, you can get an epidural. good luck

Answer 6

I say start out wanting a natural birth but leave epidural or other pain meds open if you decide you want them. I went in to both my deliveries wanting natural birth but decided on epidural. I was able to relax with the epidural and within an hour after recv'g the meds the baby was born both times. Im all for women who say "Im a woman hear me roar" and go for natural childbirth but I often wonder why they would do that to themselves.. but its up to each of us to decide what we want. Like I said keep pain meds open as an option if needed. Take Care and Congrats!

Remember that just because you get pain meds doesnt mean you are less of a women than those that do it au natural.. going through childbirth is an amazing experience whether on meds or not.

Answer 7

I wanted to have as natural of birth as possible, but I had to be induced and the contractions hit too hard, too fast that after one dose pain medicine it stopped working and I had to have the epidural. The great thing is that the epidural only slightly numbed my legs so I felt every little thing (except my legs). I now know that I can go through labor in a few months without medicine.

Answer 8

You dont have to choose ahead of time. I've had 4 pregnancies and all births are different. You don't have to choose ahead of time. Take lamaze and be prepared, its painful but temporary. People have had babies for generations without epidurals, so you can do it. I'm glad and proud to have been through natural childbirth and wold not have wanted to miss that experience, but I've got nothing against drugs as needed.

I had the first with a local for an episiotomy, believe me that is natural and it beats tearing on a first child.

On the last child I was getting some major pitocin to move the child out due to the onset of toximea, I had to have an epidural. Much easier for the birthing but that injection spot on my back was sore for weeks and worried me. Alsmost wish I hadn't had it, but it sure helped me relax and the child came relativley quickly after I relaxed.

Answer 9

Go into it thinking natural and if it gets too hard then get the epidural. But don't get down on yourself if you end up getting it. Just give it a try without.

I wanted the epidural and went natural because it really wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Answer 10

I was only 16 when I had my son but the moment I found out I was preg. I said I would never get an epidural... the thought of a needle in my back scared the crap out of me. Once I was in labor they gave me pain meds in my IV... the problem was that they gave me too much and I was unconsious for my whole delivery... I came to long enough to give one big push and then yelled at the nurses to not loose my baby and I was passed out again for another 4 hours till the meds wore off. I still would not do an epidural if I had to do it over again. I'd just tell the dr. to not give me any pain meds unless i absolutly needed them and even then for him to give me just a little at a time. I'd like to be awake for the next birth of a child..lol. My best friend had an epidural when she had her kids and she now has back problems... but she was also diagnosed with MS a year after having her daughter. It's pretty much up to you what you do.... talk to your dr. about it and research your options on the web. just make sure you are well informed of the dangers of each method. hope all is well, good luck with your soon to be baby.