my husband and i are planning on having another baby. should i have an epidural or no epidural??

Laura - posted on 11/27/2011

Where I live, we don't have the option of an epidural as I live in a remote community with only one anaesthetist. I gave birth to our daughter without any pain relief, and she was back to back with a head circumference of 38cm. I would do it all over for her again in a second. We're planning to start trying for another child soon, and I am not afraid at all of going through labour withou pain relief again. It is up to the individual, but if I can go through it, anyone can!!

Emma - posted on 11/26/2011

i had my first child at 17 and i used no pain relief i had my other child at 20 and used nothing again, it is painfull but nothing that you cant bear, the pain isnt as bad as people say or you see on the tv, i found mine fine if i was to have another i would use nothing again

Ania - posted on 11/26/2011

I didn't have one the first time around I will not have the second time. Whatever makes you comfortable. Second labors are usually much shorter, if that will be case with you just don't have it, but I would also wait longer to go to the hospital, because if they hook you up to all those machines and won't let you move you will feel a lot of pain. Movement in labor is the key to ease pain

Rebekah - posted on 11/25/2011

Oh, completely agree with Toni: "I think it's worth remembering that for those who had epi's that wore off the pain would be worse because they've gone from nothing (or very little pain) to full on labour, so their bodies haven't had a chance to accommodate the pain."

Toni - posted on 11/25/2011

I can't really compare what it's like with an epi because I've never had one but my first pregnancy I used gas and air and my second I used nothing - personally I felt so much more in control during my second labour, if I have any more babies I will be aiming to go drug free again. I felt the pain second time round was really manageable but I have incredibly fast labours (with both I was induced so luckily I was in the hospital already) from established labour (when they broke my waters) my first was 45 minutes and my second was less than 10 minutes.

I think it's worth remembering that for those who had epi's that wore off the pain would be worse because they've gone from nothing (or very little pain) to full on labour, so their bodies haven't had a chance to accommodate the pain.

Sarah - posted on 11/24/2011

I have 3 children my first I had an epidural. Then when I had the other two I didn't have enough time to have an epidual. I had my second in 45 minutes after arriving to the hospital and my third I had after being there for 15 minutes. My third came real fast I thought I was going to have her in the car. Any how I liked not having the epidual it hurts a lot without it but I liked how I felt after having the baby better without having an epidural. I felt like I could run a marathon. When I had the epidural with my first it made me feel worthless because I couldn't really do anything for my self until it wore off and I didn't like that feeling. Of course eveybody is different. To me it was worth not having the epidural I remember the second two births so vividly compared to the first also. Good LUck no matter what you decide to do!

Rayana - posted on 11/24/2011

each tyme i went into labor i had to b scheduled to b induced.. so they cud break my water.. how do i avoid that?? i guess i cud just ask to not b induced.. i dnt knw if thats possible bt its worth a try! :)

Angelica - posted on 11/23/2011

i say no. i will never get another one. ive had nothing but back pain since i had my daughter. i regret getting it 100%. they turned mine off when i started pushing so the actual delivery i had no pain relief and it wasnt that bad.

Keli - posted on 11/23/2011

I think try without, i had no drugs or epidural and i had a very managable labor i was silent and just breathed the whole time. i think to many people rely on epidurals simply beacuse its there.where i had my baby it isnt offered.you have to drive 3 hours to the city hospitals to get one.

Rebekah - posted on 11/23/2011

If you could somehow avoid your water breaking, labor is much easier to handle. The bag of water kind of acts as a cushion and helps to a certain extent. My easiest labor was with my daughter when my water did not break until about 30 minutes before she was born. So if you start having contractions first, don't allow a doctor to break your water.

Lauren - posted on 11/23/2011

Omg, I feel the exact way. We already have 2 boys (6yr & 2yr old). Im 6weeks pregnant again. & because of the epidural I suffer a lot of back pain. So im not to sure this time if I want an epidural.

Rayana - posted on 11/22/2011

Saadia. Tha first pregnancy, my contractions wer too much to handle. I was 15. And my second, tha contractions wernt as bad. I wanted to wait longer bt the doctor said if we didnt get it done at that tyme ( @ 4cm) that it wud b too late.. Iguess I was jus scared and nervous.. Plus wit bth my pregnancys, I never took any kind ov classes..

Rayana - posted on 11/22/2011

Catalina. I hve it at the top ov my bk and I hve bk problems frm tha epidural. Whn I had my first they had to take it out and put it bk in. that sukd!

Saadia - posted on 11/21/2011

Well, labor pain is unique to everyone. I've had all 3 of mine without any pain meds precisely because I'm afraid of needles. But my labor times were 5, 3.5, and 4 hours. What prompted you to get the epidural with your first 2 children? If it was the pain, rest assured that it does get worse as labor continues. Just be prepared and go into your delivery room with an open mind. That way you wont beat yourself up just incase you change your mind. ;) Good luck!

Catalina - posted on 11/21/2011

I have that too (where your spine curves) but I don't have any back pain from the epidural, that didn't work anyway! Back problems are a concern for me though.

Rayana - posted on 11/20/2011

I was jus wonderin cuz I have had two babies wit tha epidural. My daughter is 6 and my son is 2 and till ths day I have back problems.. I even have scolliosious.. (however u spell it)

Catalina - posted on 11/17/2011

For me the pain was unbearable. I got the epidural way to late so I felt everything. They say you forget but you never forget that pain! With my second I am going to get one. Good luck:)

Bethany - posted on 11/16/2011

I personally didn't have an epidural. However, my labor was also only 6 1/2 hours. My plan was always to try to have a natural birth, but if I came to the point of absolutely needed one I would get it. I think it is great to try for a natural birth and know it is possible, but not to rule it out if that is what you need at that moment. That is my plan when we have another child as well.

Mary - posted on 11/16/2011

I had my son without any type of pain reliever and i can say that the only thing that hurt for me was the back labor and it was quite excruciating (sp?) but it passes and you forget instantly about the pain when the dr. hands you your little baby. I am so glad i didn't use anything it proved that i could do it. my sister had an epidural and had backpain for 10 months after giving birth to her son. i would not want to risk that back pain is no joke to me. but i have also heard stories of woman not having any complications it's a tough subject i think every womans body handles it differently.

Rayana - posted on 11/14/2011

kristy.. let me know how this pregnancy goes! :)

Lisa - posted on 11/14/2011

Hi Rayana. My first one i had with an epidural, because i had so much back labour and the pain in my legs was unbelievable. It wasn't much better with my second daughter, and given the chance i would of had one, but seeing as it only took 35 minutes to have her, it was too late for me. Do what you think is best, or try and wait as long as possible to see how you feel then if need be you can have an epidural :) Good luck x

Danielle - posted on 11/13/2011

The hospital where I had my son didn't do epidurals. (at that time.) I had pain medicine instead.

Alison - posted on 11/13/2011

I had an epidural with my first daughter and it had worn off before it was time to push. It was back labor and awful. Thankfully, I only pushed for about 15 minutes. My second daughter, as soon as I found out I was pregnant, I decided not to have one. I was so happy with my decision. My water broke at about 2am on its own, got to the hospital around 4:30 and had her around 9am. Everything was smooth and she came quick once it was time to push (about 2 minutes). I am not having anymore kids but if I did, I would definitely go without!

Kristy - posted on 11/13/2011

Everyone is different and copes in different ways. I have had 2 babies without epidurals. My first was a 27 hour labour from start to finish. I had back labour as DD was on my spine and yeah it hurt like nothing else but i got to 10 cms dialated and lost the urge to push, so they broke my waters and gave me the drip. 5 hours later my DD was born. I had a half shot of pethadine. I also spent to much time lyeing down and not being active. My second labour was 13 hours from start to finish and so much easier and less painful. I walked the whole time i was in labour as it helped with the pain. I didn't have any gas until i was 8 cms and when i got to ten i didnt have it any more. I stayed upright and gave birth squatting as it made it easier. Everyone is different but maybe if you do your research you will find something that you want to try before having an epidural. I am pregnant with my third and plan on doing it without any drugs this time to. My 1st born was 7lbs 9 ozs and my second and easiest child was 9lbs 4.5 ozs. Goodluck.

Brittany - posted on 11/12/2011

Try it without, you can always change your mind mid labor. Just ask the nurses to tell you when you've reached the point of no return (that point is different depending on the hospital).

Chelly - posted on 11/12/2011

I have had one with an epidural and my second without. I loved the natural childbirth so much better. I'll never get another epidural again

Ashleigh - posted on 11/12/2011

I didn't have an epidural with either of my deliveries. The labor process with the first wasn't really that bad, since it was mostly at home. The second however, was induced by petosin and I really struggled with the last part of labor, before delivery. I did ask the nurses for some calming drugs during the last few hrs, as I was really tired, and hadn't gotten an uninterrupted hr of sleep in 4 days. Do what's best for you. If you are scared of the pain or have a low tolerance for pain, I wouldn't suggest going natural. But if, you really feel like you want to try natural, remember that the nurses can always give you something to take the edge off.

Kathleen - posted on 11/12/2011

It depends on you, though I would reccomending getting all information first. Due to where I have to give birth (no choice) I have chosen low dose epidural so it will help, but i can still walk around and do other things. On the other hand if the hospital I was giving birth at offered an alternative way I would be using very little pain reliver and having a water birth. I just bought a book that was helpful, "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer. I also was looking into the Bradley Method. With my first I did have an epidural, however, only had it for part of the labor. A good portion of it was without it due to complications in the lab when they took my blood. Depending on you it may hurt hurt, and it may not. If you have another it is possible the labor and delivery will not be that painful and over quickly. Take in what advice we can give you here, but I would talk to your midwife, doula, or doctor. I have done my own research on pain relieving during pregnancy. I did not have any idea with my first, this time I wanted a better idea. I realize I will need some, but not as much as a full dose of epidural brings. This time I want to be able to move around, feel the baby, go to the bathroom on my own the list goes on and on. I would have preferred a water birth, but where i have to go does not offer it. Check into that, seems like an awesome birth expierence. Remember it depends on you, your baby, and the medical personal you'll be involved with. There are so many factors and medical factors that may need to be accounted for.

Laura - posted on 11/12/2011

I have four children and i have never had an epidural. My labor is short though never longer than about two hours and an hour of hard labor. I would say just postpone getting it until you feel like its too much pain and then request one. Natural birth isnt for everyone all i can suggest is try it you can wait until the pain is to much for you to bear.

Caitlin - posted on 11/12/2011

I've sadly had epidurals all three times. The first 2 I was induced so the contractions were so hard and fast that it was agony and I had to give in (13 hour labours for both of those) and the third time around I was in so much pain that I could barely speak enought ask for the epidural, and when they gave it to me, it didn't stop the pain (turned out the baby was compressing a nerve against my pelvis which is what was causing the pain - not the contractions - so they had to give me painkillers on top of it all to stop that pain because I thought I was going to die it hurt so much). I would have loved to do all 3 without the epidural but obviously it wasn't in the cards for me (though the third time it wasn't really needed - it wasn't the contractions hurting, it was the squashed nerve).

My theory always was that I will labour as long as I can without, but I wouldn't feel ashamed or upset if I took the epidural. All 3 of my labours were 12 hours or more, so mine were pretty long and intense, and everyone handles pain differently, so it's hard to say what you should do. I say take it one step at a time... (oh, my third ended up being 9 lbs 14 oz, they had NO idea he'd be that big, considering I had trouble with my 8 lbs 8 oz baby, they most likely would have c-sectioned me had they known.. good thing it all worked out okay.,..)

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 11/11/2011

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth has a lot of techniques and advice for handling labor. I hate needles and never wanted an epidural. I know it sounds crazy, but stay positive. Don't worry about the next contraction, focus on the one you're having. Keep your body and especially your jaw relaxed. Do research on positions that can help and find out things that your partner/support person can do to help you (like counter pressure). I've never had an epidural so I can't compare, but I've had two babies naturally and each experience was amazing.

Brianna - posted on 11/11/2011

I didnt have a epridural with my daughter. Ive no alot of people who almost died because of complications with there epridrual so i dont plan on having one with future babys. I say read book on and educate yourself on nature childbirth and different natural child birth birthing method for coping with pain. and then when u go into labor try to go with out the epridural but if u then decide to have one the go ahead and have one. there is no harm in attemping to do it natural

Aniesha - posted on 11/11/2011

I can't say personally as I've only had the one & used the epidural, but my Mum had 3, first 2 with epidural, last one completely natural. She said the last birth was by far the best, yes it was painful, but it was over & done with much quicker, & she just felt it to be a better experience for her. Good luck with your decision:)

Toni-Rae - posted on 11/11/2011

I had good sized babies aswell; 7lb 8oz, 8lb 10oz, 9lb 12oz and 9lb 2oz (three weeks early). Walking around brings labour quicker and helps you manage the pain a bit better by keeping your mind off it. I gave birth standing up twice as my legs wouldnt allow me to do much else! I gave birth the fourth time on all fours, against a bean bag; MUCH better!

Toni-Rae - posted on 11/11/2011

I've had four children without an epidural. I enjoyed being able to feel the baby coming out and the ability to be able to walk around a little bit after birth. I have had three great births and one terrible one. I was terrified with my first that it would be terrible, but deep, controlled breathing releases a natural pain relief and yelling helps alot aswell :D It all depends on how long your labours are and how intense the contractions are. I had very intense contractions, barely any time inbetween to rest, but I had short labours so I could deal with it.

Rebekah - posted on 11/11/2011

7lbs 7oz, 8lbs 11oz, and 9lbs 1oz.

After doing my own research, I decided that allowing my body to do what it was intended would be best /safest for me and my baby. I've also always been a little afraid of the whole stick a needle in your spine concept. For me, I get into a grove, breathing away every contraction, and it's just easier to continue than to have to stop and get an epidural.

Rayana - posted on 11/11/2011

and if u dont mind me asking.. what made u not want to get an epidural wit ur babies?

Rayana - posted on 11/11/2011

thats crazi about the epidurals slowing labor down.. i heard that it helps the process go faster. idk.. i myte do it this tyme witout an epidural :) how much did ur babies weigh??

Rebekah - posted on 11/11/2011

Wow, quick labors! In a lot of cases epidurals slow labor, so if you didn't have one and walked around instead, I bet you'd have your next baby in an hour or two.

Natural labor is completely manageable. I wouldn't have done it 3 times without an epidural if the pain was unbearable. :) So, don't fear what your body was designed to do.

Rayana - posted on 11/11/2011

i know that befor i got my epidurals i was not in a good mood at all but as soon as i got them, i didnt feel even tha littlest pain..

Rayana - posted on 11/11/2011

my firstborn i was n labor for 6 hrs and my second was for 4 hrs.. wit my firstborn i was n alot of pain. mabe jus cuz i wasnt familiar wit labor.. and my second born i thnk they gave me an epidural whn i was 4 centimeters.. i felt like i could deal wit tha pain of the contractions longer but they said if they didnt give me the epidural at that tyme, that it would be to late to get it.. so i was all for it... Rebekah- was it as painful for u as it sounds. witout the epidural?

Rebekah - posted on 11/11/2011

How long were your previous labors? Mine progressively got shorter, so my 3rd labor was easiest without an epidural (all three of mine were born without an epidural).

Have you seen the movie "The Business of Being Born"? I'd recommend reading some books or educating yourself on natural births so you can be prepared to go without an epidural b/c your labor might just be too quick to get one.

Nicole - posted on 11/11/2011

I had an epidural for my daughter and if and when the day comes, I will probably be getting one again. However, I know the pain of child birth because my epidural was starting to wear off and I could feel every contraction while pushing. My doctor was actually happy about this since he didn't really have to tell me when to push, I felt it naturally but the relief I had for the few hours before giving birth was well worth it. Good luck.

Kelina - posted on 11/11/2011

I've had one with an epidural and one without. to be honest the pain isn't as bad as you might think. Lol the biggest thing i remember from giving birth was thinking i didn't know i could make that sound lol. Your body will give you kids of a natural anaesthetic so that you are able to manage the pain. however every woman is different and some women feel it more than others. you most definitely don't have to have the epidural but you could go into it with the thought you're going to give it shot naturally and if it gets too bad you can ask for the epidural. I'd never do it again with drugs. It was way better without.

Eschelle - posted on 11/11/2011

I am a big fan of the epidural, especially after i felt how it feels without one cause my stupid mid wives let it wear off right before I had to actually give birth. I was freaking livid and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.