did you have natural birth? epidural? or something else?

Question

i had a natural birth with my son, but now with baby number two, im so scared, and im thinking about epidural...
what do you guys think?
epidural or not????

Answer 1

I had an epidural with my first. I also am pregnant again, and i wouldnt go without it! The needle really isnt bad at all, and they numb you before they put it in....not near as bad as contractions, i promise!! The only thing that i felt was pressure, and the pushing really tired me out! Other than that, it was reallly easy. I highly recommend it. You've done the whole natural painful birth thing already...so you know how it feels....i think its time to go easy on urself. Go for the epidural!
But if you're scared, there are also spinal blockers and other means of pain relief. Check with your doc about your options

Answer 2

I had a natural birth with my first too. It has quite an ordeal of an induction and then 2hours of pushing for a 9pd baby! Ouch!!

When bub number 2 came along I started freaking out again remembering what the pain was like but it was definately much easier the second time around and I again had a natural birth. I'm glad I didn't give in to epidural but my labours were 8 and 9 hours so easier than most to begin with. I can understand if you had a 15-20 hour labour and you were just exhausted that an epidural would seem like a might fine idea!

I think you need to research the effects of epidural and then decide upon its importance to you. If you find it appeals to you, you can have it straight away, or see how far you can go naturally without epidural and use it as a last resort. This was always my idea when I was in labour and i ended up not needing it and I'm very glad.

Its your second time though, you have a very good idea of what you need to go through and can always have one if the going gets tough. Just do the research first because it does come with its own set of complications as does any medical intervention.

Good luck

Answer 3

I had an epidural after 3 days of contractions with a back to back labour and it was fab. They are generally frowned upon as my antenatal class said they statistically lead to further complications (like assisted birth/c-section) but I think this could be due to the fact that a lot of women who opt for epidurals are already having a difficult labour.

Once the epidural was in, I lay on a bed for ten hours and pushed my baby out in 5 minutes. I did have the drip to speed up my contractions but as this did most of the work for me (the midwife lifted up the sheet to examine me and the baby was crowning!) I thought it was great.

I agree that epidurals can slow a perfectly normal labour and may lead to further intevention but if you are worried about the pain then just remember that they don't call it the rolls royce of pain relief for no reason! I will definitely be having another one if I get pregnant again.

Answer 4

my first was natural, and i felt like i was going to die from the pain, i think thats just because firsts always or (most of the time take longer to come out), mine took 1 and half days too come out. i asked for an screamed at the nurse to give me an epidural but she kept on making excuses like later you'll get one and things like that, just bcoz she believed its better naturally, until the baby finally come out, all i had was pethidine and gas, mind you it hardly done a thing. the gas dried my mouth , the nurse congratulated me on not getting the epidural in the end, my second was the same, this time i never asked for an epidural, i felt the pethidine made me forget the pain in between contractions, it made me not focus on the pain, but i started becoming funny, like saying weird things, and they were laughing at me, but i guess the main thing was i wasnt scared in the whole labour process with the pethidine in me, but i still felt the pain. But one thing ive heard when you get an epidural, because you cant really push, because your numb, the baby cant really come out, so they make a cut so that they can pull the baby out? i know some people have had that done. If you choose to have nothing, i know you will be regretting it when you are in labour and in pain, but after the baby comes out you would feel so proud of yourself that you made it without taking anything, and trust me baby number two wont be as scary as baby number one, because youve already experienced it. Good Luck.

Answer 5

Apparently subsequent births are easier than first births, so this time should (in theory anyway) be easier! If you've done it once, there's no reason you couldn't do it again without pain relief.

At the same time, why not? If you have assessed the risks and it is the right decision for you, then go ahead and have the epidural. I had one with my first daughter and I have no regrets at all.

Answer 6

I had a c-section. I was put to sleep by my own requesting. They offered an epidural but my sister got one and it caused her to go paralyzed 3 days later and she had air pockets in her brain from that so they had to do a blood patch on her which she got better after that but that is why i would not ever have an epidural.

Answer 7

I would always take the pain of childbirth over having someone shove a needle in my back.

I'd say no to the epidural but i did have a 9 hour labour fromstart to finish so who am i to say what!!

Answer 8

I had one shot of pethidine during my labour which lasted for 3 hours unfortunatly for me when I asked for another shot they examined me and I was fully dialated and had to push with no pain relief (I couldn't stand gas and air) although it hurt at the time as soon as it was over and I had time to reflect on it I wouldn't do it any other way and I was glad I didn't have an epi. I think pethidine is pretty good it dulls the pain really well, with every contraction all I did was concentrate on breathing and it worked! Good luck whatever you choose to do¬

Answer 9

i had and epidural and i would recomend it....i felt no pain but still felt my son come out if that makes sence......i think it would make it more enjoyable feeling no pain because u can just consentrate on the baby and being happy....good luck with the birth....x

Answer 10

i had a natural birth, i was planning on having gas and air, but when the time came i didnt want that either. im glad i didnt have any drugs, and im planning on the same next time. x