Natural birth vs. epidural

[Srrme]

I had an epidural during my first labor (I was giving birth at 28.6 weeks) and an all natural labor with my last baby. I am ALL for the all natural labor. I did not like being stuck in a bed not being able to feel my body from the waste down, and not knowing when to push, etc. Yes, it hurt like hell pushing my last baby out, but it only lasted 3 minutes. I would do it all over again if I had to, and wish I could go back in time and turn down the epidural during my first labor!!

 

[Candipot]

With my first I had completely natural. Not even gas and air and I was given oxytocin when I hit 7cm as labour started to slow. If I had to do natural again I would as it wasn't great but it wasn't completely horrible either. But i didnt have a choice, i wasnt on medial aid and i couldnt afford an epidural. My 2nd I opted for pain relief (epidural) it was just amazing and I am going to have an epidural again with this one. I loved the epidural because I was so aware, I could sleep if I wanted and just overall was so relaxed it was such a pleasant experience. I wasn't exhausted after and spent time bonding with baby as I was so alert from having lots of rest. My labour was also 4 hours shorted with the epidural. I knew when I was contracting and when to push, just couldnt feel any pain. It felt like ticklish pins and needles in place of pain. It was brilliant. But that said, what suits one is not always suitable to the other. Keep your options open and do what feels right for you. Don't let anyone push you into having an epidural if you don't want one or push you not to have one when you decide that you do when in labour. Do what will make your experience the best for you

 

[MindUtopia]

I think plan and prepare for a natural birth (learn some natural pain relief strategies, arrange to have things like water or a shower or a TENS machine, practice hypnotherapy or another technique, get your partner on board in supporting you) and then see how you feel in the moment. You can always opt for an epidural if you feel you need one, but you may find that you don't. Personally, I never even felt like I needed gas and air (epidural wasn't an option for me because I had a home birth), and I never even asked for any pain relief. For me, walking around and bouncing on a birth ball really helped and I wouldn't have been able to do that with an epidural, so getting an epidural for me probably would have made things harder. You don't get a medal for having a natural birth, but at the same time, in our culture we tend to think birth is a lot harder and scarier than it actually is. You will probably surprise yourself at home well you cope.

 

[ElOrance]

I think as others have said to plan for natural (since in some situations there may not be time for an epi anyway) but stay open to the idea of an epidural.

I know a lot of women find natural labor empowering, not that bad, etc etc... But lots of others find it really awful (even after planning to go natural). My mom, for example, remembers natural birth with me to be the worst most painful experience ever (all worth it in the end .. etc etc..) even though it was a normal, uncomplicated birth. After experiencing that, she can't fathom why anyone would want to go natural if there's the option of an epi (she gave birth in a hippie sort of area where everyone assumed you'd go natural and really discouraged epi).

Point being, the natural birth narrative of empowerment, accomplishment etc etc may be true for some, but having a "positive" birth experience for others may mean not being in horrible (and potentially unnecessary) pain. It's hard to know what your experience will be until you're in the moment.

 

[Shadowy Lady]

TBH labour is very personal and a lot of it you cannot predict. My advice is always to educate yourself. Don't just say you want to go natural to be trendy or get an epidural because you are too scared.

I had a natural birth and it was an AMAZING experience! It was only 4 hours, I coped with the pain very well, pushing stage was super quick (only 25 mins and this was my first and only birth), I didn't tear and could get up and walk around after. I had a great support team (my hubby and midwife) which is important. I went into labour not frightened but excited and I'm very grateful for it.

I had not ruled out getting an epi but really wanted to try without. I'm glad I could do without, not because someone here suggested I'm "smug" but because I wanted to experience birth and be in control of it. If things had been different and my labour had been very long/too painful..., I would have not thought twice about getting an epi It doesn't have to be one extreme or the other

Good luck!

 

[hans2009]

I never thought I could do a natural birth so I got the epidural. Oddly enough, it never took effect in my left side so on my left side I felt everything. Painful? yes but not as bad as what people say. Granted, I'm sure there was some medicine there, but I felt an awful lot! I'm thinking about going natural next time around!

 

[BunnyN]

I never thought I could do a natural birth so I got the epidural. Oddly enough, it never took effect in my left side so on my left side I felt everything. Painful? yes but not as bad as what people say. Granted, I'm sure there was some medicine there, but I felt an awful lot! I'm thinking about going natural next time around!

The thing about going natural is that you have so many alternative ways of coping. Once you are stuck in your back in bed a lot of those options are taken away. I found labour bearable as long as I wasn't restricted at all. Of course everyone is different and has a different experience but it is worth bearing in mind. I found laying on my back during a contraction at least 10x more painful and it made me feel panicky.

 

[smileyfaces]

I had G&A with both of my boys. I was always sure I didnt want an epidural and am very proud that I did it without both times. There is nothing wrong with opting for an epidural but my personal opinion (and it isnt meant to offend anyone) is that we were put on this earth to bare children and birth them and women have been able to do it for thousands of years without the luxury of laying in bed pain free.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting pain relief at all and you will do what you feel is best for you at the time! If that is an epidural then go for it! There are no medals for going through an unmedicated labour (although as I said, I am very proud I managed on just gas)!

From my time on BnB I have noticed such a massive difference between the attitudes towards epidurals in UK ladies vs US ladies!

 

[messica]

I think it's *really* strange how everyone over in the UK assumes if you have an epidural you'll be stuck in bed flat on your back. I had one in both my labors and nothing could be further from the truth

I was fully mobile up to and including straight on through delivery. I was never at any point on my back with the sort of exception when I laid on my side while taking short naps that allowed me to be at 100% when it came time to push.

If done right, they can be turned up (to the point of complete immobility) or turned way down (to the point of merely taking the edge off the pain but still being able to feel pretty much everything) depending on the experience the woman wants. I was not a dead fish lying there while everyone else did the work. I walked. I labored in the shower (you can't be submerged once the line is in but I labored in the tub prior to that). I had access to and absolutely used the birthing ball and squatting bars. My labors were short and AWESOME. I felt in complete control and was, pushing both my babies out quickly and efficiently with no assistance, no tears and no complications. I was sit/squatting completely upright as I delivered both. I was able to get up and pee unassisted about 15 minutes after delivery.


I'm all for women who want to labor without gas (can I just say that idea actually wigs me out again, I get that when I'm at the dentist and I don't know my right from my left while under it! I want my brain about me, especially then, so I know what I'm doing!!!), air, epidurals etc and I'm all for women who don't mind those things at all.

I fully plan to have another epidural this round as I seriously loved my birthing experiences with them thus far, but don't think they're necessary for everyone by any means. I just wish more women would be better educated as to what they actually are and what they have to offer a woman in the delivery room

 

[Mrsb3]

I am praying for an epidural this time- has a natural birth with my last and thoroughly regretting it. I was in that much sock it spoilt those first few moments every labour is different though, I just got unlucky and was projectile vomiting so I couldn't have baby delivered on tummy either. Had an epi with first and it was such a lovely experience. You still feel the pain of child birth as they don't give you it until you are in pain lol but what you don't feel is the awful transition and ring of fire. But if you want to experience that part then have a natural birth! All I can say is for me it felt like I was going to die and that no one could survive this lol (not nice)

Gl x

 

[BunnyN]

Messica- it sounds like you had a wonderful experience birthing with an epidural. It's true that there is a big variety in the drugs and methods used when giving an epidural. Mobile epidurals are available at some hospitals but not all. Most of the women I know who had an epidural were only given the option of lying on their back during the birth and for some time after. It's worth finding out what options are available at the hospital you go to.

While a mobile epi sounds better to me than being stuck on my back I still would have found it restrictive. But that is just a personal preference.

 

[PumpkinBump]

I had an almost natural birth with my first (it was a rush birth, i couldnt get the epidural until i was already dialated to an 8), and with my second i was induced with an epidural. I would never ever recommend natural birth for anybody. Even though i only dialated to an 8 before the epidural, it was the worst pain i have ever experienced. I am still scarred from that whole thing. When i was induced, i had my epidural whne i was dialated to a 4 and i wasnt feeling anything. So i didnt feel a single contraction, no pain whatsoever. I was up walking a few hours later too. Epidurals are a must!

 

[Mrsb3]

I would like to add something about epidurals and lying on your back for hours on end- well,, my feet are swollen, I have serious muscle pain in my left buttocks and pelvis from carrying my 11 month around on my hip whilst pregnant. If I stand for more than an hour my legs become jelly and my feet kill me to the point where they are throbbing in pain. sitting down is a luxury these days with taking care of lo crawling everywhere and in to everything - plus running the house, cooking, cleaning, teenage tantrums and hubby working 24/7 My midwife came round to do my birth plan and said "if you do have an epidural, you won't be able to walk around you know you will have to remain on the bed" I laughed out very loudly and she just looked at me in surprise, I said to her that sounds like bloody heaven lots of bed rest and no more pain, I beg you for the epidural!!!

 

[Wannabe Mommy]

I loved my natural birth but was incredibly lucky in that it was short. If I had been contracting for hours I may have gone with an epidural.

I was induced by breaking my waters, contractions started immediately, I went from 2-4cms in 2.5 hours then they ramped up so I asked for gas n air. I went from 4cms to 9 in less than 2hrs then had 37 mins of pushing so labour lasted 4hrs 22mins in total.

When I went from 4-9cms the contractions were quite intense and close and I'm not sure how much longer I could have withstood them without something stronger.

 

[Leids]

I've had both an epidural and natural birth. Overall I preferred the natural birth but it was also very fast (3 hours)!

With my epidural birth there were complications that are quite rare. The anesthesiologist accidentally went too far and I ended up with a spinal. The medication went to my brain and I ended up passing out frequently and having very bad blood pressure issues for the entirety of my labor. I was still passing out 12 hours after I delivered, it was awful. Baby also went into distress when they placed an internal head clip and that was terrifying. I'm lucky that it didn't result in a c-section! I was terrified and crying my entire labor, felt completely out of control and it's what made me pursue a natural unmedicated birth with my second. But my complication was rare and honestly I think I would have had a great experience had they not messed up!

My natural birth went by very quickly. Until I hit transition I was in a jetted tub and I used a lot of distraction techniques to work through the pain. When I hit transition it started going fast and furious. I was shaking and puking and was wondering what the hell I got myself into! It went by quickly though and there was no pressure from my midwife which was great. Pushing was easy and quick but crowning was in all honesty the most excruciating thing ever. I wanted to quit right then. Once I delivered him all pain was gone. Aside from superficial blood clots in my varicose veins (ugh) my recovery has been so much better this time around. It was a great experience and I was in complete control. I felt confident and I wasn't confined to a bed terrified the entire time.

The Ina May guide to childbirth book gave me a lot of great ideas for getting through it and I definitely suggest it!