Epidural - Your Take?

Epidural -> Natural both times.
First time I was trying to go all natural and took epidural way too late...just before the window closed. The labor was long and if anything taking the epi really helped me to relax..and things moved much faster after that.
Second time.I walked in and asked the nurse..when can I get the epidural?

 

I gave birth to baby a month back and I took epidural and normal delivery. I took epidural when I was 7-8cm and I went to hospital at 6cm.

 

First time epidural -> natural delivery . My labour was quite long and things were not progressing much . I had a wonderful obgyn and she recommended going for epidural. I had some inhibitions and I thought looks like it's going to be a c section but at that point there wasn't much options left so opted for epidural and Pitocin. My labor went so fast after that and I still had a normal delivery in the end .

2nd kid . No epidural and it took me 3 hours from start to end . She was also a week early . Normal delivery. It was painful obviously but things were so fast that I hardly had any time to think about it . Recovery was fast both times infact after the 2nd baby, I didn't have parents or MIL here and I was up at my feet managing 2 kids and cooking with help from hubby .

I have friends who didn't opt for epidural but still ended up having C.

I would suggest you go to with an open mind. Go with the natural flow but if things don't seem to to progress or you can't bear the pain , no harm in going with epidural . It doesn't matter how the delivery happens , ultimately the only thing that matters is a healthy baby.

 

no epidural ---> "natural" vag delivery

Many people around me told me to take the epidural, including my doctors. I chose not to, because I felt like I had it under control. Especially, after taking prenatal yoga and having my mother come in as much coach, I was pretty sure that I wouldn't ask for the epidural, even with the pain. I have a very small pain tolerance, but I had will power and Om chanting as my background music. I can honestly say that I can't remember the pain, anymore, so I'll probably do the same for the 2nd delivery.

 

epidural

 

Hi,
I am also an expectant mother. I too had lots of questions about pain management, epidural etc. Then we attended the childbirth class at the hospital. The class was taken by an experienced delivery nurse. It was a 6 hour class where we were explained everything associated with labour & delivery - relaxation exercises, pain management techniques, how to time contractions, things needed to be packed for hospital bag, etc.
Coming to pain management techniques - we were taught some breathing exercises, massages at the back & hip (to be done by DH), using the birthing ball, epidural and local anesthesia (we were explained all options available, pros and cons of each).

After attending the class I feel confident that I can manage. I dont want to take a decision about epidural now and I feel like I have all the info needed to make the right choice at the moment. I strongly suggest you and your DH attend a similar class ( or discuss in length with your doc) and have all your doubts cleared.