From the start I have been dead set against having one, but obviously I don't know how bad labour is yet!

I was talking to someone I know who had one and recommended them to me saying the pain just vanishes and she "even had a sleep" for a few hours, but TBH if I am in labour, to the point of needing an epi, the last thing I want to do is sleep, I want her out!

Surely it can't be healthy for the baby when everything is in motion and we sit watching TV or sleeping when we should be using that time to try and get them out.

Forgive me if I am wrong, I just don't get it and not judging anyone who has had one. I just don't get why you would want to sleep and sit there for hours chatting away numb when you could be wasting precious hours of being able to meet them.

Have I got it all wrong? I don't really know the pros and cons of epidurals, I just know the thought of the needle in my back, on top of the risk of further intervention, puts me off. But I don't want to be in absolute agony if it isn't necessary. I know you won't get a medal for not choosing pain relief. Are they worth considering or not?

It is so difficult.

I see what you're saying.. and sometimes epidurals slow down dialation/labor, so yeah.. you could be spending a lot of time not progressing (which is why I don't want one).

I'd rather go through a few more hours of pain, personally.

I don't think just because you don't get an epidural you will def meet your LO any faster. I kinda see it as if I can get a bit of sleep I'll be better rested and prepared to be a good momma. I'm sure you could use all the rest you can get during such a tiring event.

If you wait til 5 cm to have an epidural it isn't shown to slow down labor any.

Noone can make that decision for you. You will always get a mixed response to such a personal question. Pain tolerance is different for everyone and some women tolerate it better than others. I had an epidural first time around as I had a back to back labour and was in excruciating pain. Second time around I managed on just gas and air.
I would suggest you keep an open mind and see how you feel on the day...good luck honey.

Im back and forth on them. I think it would be nice to be relaxed because it would give you more energy for pushing etc....but i dont like the risks that come with getting one...if im in enough pain im sure i wont be objecting though!

Sometimes being exhausted from laboring too long can slow things down more than an epi, so in those situations it's beneficial for mom to be able to rest and get her strength back, so when the epi wears off she can push. I think most of the time if mom isn't tired, then the epi does slow things down which tends to lead to more interventions (pitocin to speed things up again etc.) At this point in time I don't want an epi, but I've never been in labor before either. Do some more research and keep your options open. Getting an epi tends to make the baby sleepier and have a hard time breastfeeding in the first hour. Also, about 5% of women get a spinal headache and epis aren't effective in about 20% of women (don't numb evenly, don't numb at all, or numb waaaay more than they should).

Im the same totally against epis, but I dont really know why tbh. I managed a 12 hour labour without one (was screaming for one at the end) but aparently thats common as the bit where baby arrives it obviously the most painful. Who knows what will happen this time!! I dont want one but things may change when I get in there. My body might remember the pain and think hell no Im not doing this again haha
xx

well i know id rather be sitting there painfree conserving my energy for when it comes to pushing to in so much pain for hours on end tiring myself out and being in so much pain for so long (which was the case for me 37hour labour with my first) that im stressing myself out the baby struggling with all that pain for 37hours and being to tired and sore to push baby out so having to get a c section.

not having an epidural does not mean your labour will go faster trust me i was in labour for long long long time before i had epidural with mine.

its everyones choice but when your in that much pain for so long its hard word why put yourself though that? also not having an epidural does not mean your labour will be smoother. mine 2 labours were so long due to babies been back to back and my first almost ended up with ventouse and forceps due to her head being too far up so thease things can happen and not be due to the epidural.

i dont think anyone should be judged (not saying you are) its hard work and anything that makes it easier you should consider well anything that makes it easier for me i will defo consider.

i didnt have one till i was 6-7cms with two.