Oh you didn't love. I was exactly the same before I had one! I just worry when people have very strong options on labour. I was so hell bent on my natural waterbirth that when I had a very unnatural EMCS I ended up quite depressed - but not PND, just gutted things had gone how I didn't expect! So now I just try and say to anyone to roll with it - go with what you need to do and be proud whatever. I am sure you will be fine

i have had an all natural birth, an epidural birth, and a c-section. (trying to VBAC this time)
i have been through the pain, and had a pain-free labor so i can only tell you what i think, there is no right or wrong way as far as the epidural goes. it is a personal thing.

the first birth i had i fully intended to labor with no medicine, as i know this is the 'safest' and least risky rout for both mom and baby. and so i birthed him....quickly (5 cm to delivered in 45 min)....and very painfully.
my second birth, i was terrified of the delivery. anxiety at the thought of the hospital, or labor, or the after bits....i was so scared. i got an epidural at 6 cm (and i still wasnt in pain, just scared to be) and delivered a healthy baby girl 4 hours later.
my third baby flipped breech just before labor started and so was a section.
i dont regret not having one. i dont regret having one the second time. and i dont regret my section. i have 3 sweet littles now.


i say what the other ladies said. keep and open mind, while knowing what you prefer. you may welcome the pain knowing the end result. or it could be that you need rest.

good luck whichever you choose

I find that so rude, offensive and ignorant.
esp more so if you havnt experienced childbirth and/or a long hard difficult labour then i dont think your in any position to pass such comment as that. its very easy to sit there and go oh no no epidural for me when you havnt had a child or when you have never been through hours and hours of long hard painfull labour.

its very different when you are in that situ. and there are PLENTY that are in labour longer than "a couple of hours"

we all go through the same thing and saying you didnt have pain relif does not make you more deserving of your baby or better than anyone who did have pain relief.

i had 2 VERY difficult pregnancies (my first and third) and 2 very difficult labours but i dont think of myself as more deserving cos i went through more than others.

come back after a long hard painfull tough labour and say having an epidural is a cop out!

The reason it is good for some women is because some women get contractions and don't progress and tires them out so much and that they would be useless during labor. So it's good in those situations. It's also good for hard labor because if you are in alot of pain and freaking out then your blood pressure goes all over and can put baby in distress so in those situations it is also a better option to keep calm and to have the energy to be able to push the baby out

I never said at any point people who have an epidural don't deserve their babies, that's sick!:O

Also, read my second comment please! Blimey...

in an ideal word we would all choose not to have an epidural. also in an ideal world we would all have short uncomplecated labours it isnt an ideal world and some of us have tough times we should not be judged for that.

and i dont think its fair to judge when you have not experienced the same.
dont be so quick to judge you might see yourself in not the ideal birth.

I can't help seeing it as a cop out. I want to work for my baby and feel like i've made a big achievement and played the main part in his safe arrival into the world, not like i've taken the easy way out.

so basicly if you have an epidural you havnt "worked" for your baby??

your not any better pain relief or no pain relief. you arnt a better parent and it does not mean your baby will be more safer.

i have had terrible pregnancies does that mean ive worked more for my kids than someone who hasnt?

No cos that would just be rediculous...but its the typical comment of someone who has no kids! ...

I did say in my first comment that i don't judge anyone who has had one and that it's just not for me. And of course we don't all have uncomplicated labours, and i hope i'm lucky enough to be one of the ones that do. If i'm not, and end up having a horrible labour that goes on for days then maybe i would consider it as an option, and yes i would hope not to be judged for it. I didn't make myself very clear and i didn't word my point very tactically as i'm shattered. Again, sorry if i offended.

Yeah i read it very quick to take it back when people explained its not as easy quick and painfree as you think. maybe just think before you put those comments in future please

She did say that she isnt judging anyone and its her own personal opinion. She also said further down that its her opinion when it comes to an uncomplicated ordinary labour- not one that lasts days and has complications. If this were the case she would consider the epi. She also said she hoped not to offend anyone.