Questions & Answers

If you do not get the epidural, you will be begging for it eventually! I say, get it. I have experience with and without it. While I had a natural childbirth, I wanted to die and kept wishing I'd just die through the whole thing. It was a nightmare of pain. Never again will I do it natural! You cannot function, you cannot breathe, you cant think about anything but pain and hope for death. ... seriously!

This was my experience.

If you do get the epidural, know that your baby will be affected by it as well. Babies born without pain medicine are more alert and able to help themselves twist as needed to negotiate their way through the pelvis and birth canal, so the doctor will be less likely to need forceps and other tools. Babies are also going to be more awake to nurse for the first time. Also, sometimes epidurals fail, so it's important to be prepared for a birth without one and to practice techniques for dealing with the pain just in case.

I would see how you handle labor. everyone tolerates it differently. I know I couldn't handle it. My pain tolerence is very low. If your labor is fast you may be fine without it.but if you have a long labor you might want the break from the pain.

I had an epidural with my son and it was hard to feel when I had to push, so in turn I ripped. With my daughter I had no time for any drugs, not even an IV! And I was totally fine after, no stitches or swelling. I felt fantastic. But don't get me wrong, it was very painful and if I had time I probably would of gotten it. It's hard to tell you what to do when you won't no until your in labour. Obviously it is much safer to go the natural route but it all depends on how much you can take. Hope this helps you out! And good luck :)