Natural Childbirth VS Epidural/Medication/Interventions

[NIGHTB1022]

I was induced twice. Had epidurals twice. Those drugs were my best friends.

Amen sister, I even asked if I could take some home with me LOL

[tinabohio]

I agree that you need to keep your options open. Don't wholeheartedly decide against an epidural b/c you will feel guilty if you decide you need one. DS was induced b/c I had pre-eclampsia so they also had me on some other drugs and I was completely sick and out of it. The epidural was my best friend and I pretty much slept through my whole labor. They actually had to wake me up to start pushing. I don't think that was the epidural though I think that was the other stuff they had me on.

Did they have you on Magnesium Sulfate? That stuff messed me up! I had hot flashes and was sleepy but feeling so crappy, it was torture!

[hiding57]

I went natural and don't want to do it again but I wouldn't wnt to discourage anyone else from doing it either.I had kind of a wait and see approach but then when I deicded yes I did need pain medication it was too late! And it took another 1.5 hours of pure agony before I delivered. So this time I'm thinking epidural, although I'm kind of nervous about that to!

[lvn777]

my 1st child was epidural 7#13oz
my 2nd child 10#12oz NATURAL-NO MEDICATION WHATSOEVER
my 3rd child 9#6oz epidural
my 4th child 8#6oz epidural c-section

This is my take i have had it all, i still to this day believe that EVERY woman should experience natural child birth, this may sound evil, but believe me there is no other experience on EARTH like it, then after that i believe it would be up to you, i still to this day do not remember the pain that i was in it seems to immediately disappear once you see that wonderful GOD's gift. That's just my thought. :shrug7:

[hotpostalchick]

I would have definitely took the epidural. I'm all about no pain! I had to have a c-section with DD because she was breach. Hopefully, if I have another, I will be able to deliver vaginally because I don't remember the whole day she was born. :sad:

[aimeemarie]

Go with the flow. I promise you 2 years later, it won't matter. You'll have a beautiful baby and nothing will change that :)

Best advice yet!

[tenisha]

Okay, so DH and I are going back and forth with the dicussion of "natural childbirth" versus epidural/medications. My personal opinion is that DH does not get a firm say in this as he will never experience it, but his opinion matters to me, plus I've been reading how a natural childbirth is most conducive to breastfeeding, etc.

So, a quick poll on who had a natural childbirth or who had medications and what would you all recommend?

I am pretty much of the view that I might want to see if I can go natural, but I am reserving the right to demand an epidural at any time, lol.

I went totally natural for all four of my children (including the twins). My first son I had no idea I was in labor because I had none of the "textbook/checklist" signs of labor: bloody show, etc. I got to the hospital at 6 cms dilated and my son was born an hour or two later. Second time, I labored at home and went to the hospital when I was feeling pain. My second son was born 15 minutes after I got there. My labor was a bit more dramatic with the twins, mostly because of hospital politics. I was more terrified of the potential paralysis with the epi (as per the nurse explaining my options) than I was of the birthing pains, so I stuck it out.

Do what works for you, but remember there is a point where it is too late for an epi, so If you really feel like you are reaching your pain threshold, let someone know before you feel its unbearable. As for breastfeeding, I am still nursing my twins, and even if you are a little groggy from meds (or exhausted from labor) you can have a nurse(or family member) help you with pumping by holding the breast pump flanges for you to express for baby or hold baby to breast while you rest.

[MrsPinecone]

I had 2 c/s and nursed both of them in the recovery room, about 30 min from birth.

[aimeemarie]

I had 2 c/s and nursed both of them in the recovery room, about 30 min from birth.

2 C/S here too. If we are talking about c/s affecting nursing....while I didn't nurse right away because he needed oxygen he latched right on and nursed until 12 months. DD nursed until 18 months.

[faeryedark]

my 1st child was epidural 7#13oz
my 2nd child 10#12oz NATURAL-NO MEDICATION WHATSOEVER
my 3rd child 9#6oz epidural
my 4th child 8#6oz epidural c-section

This is my take i have had it all, i still to this day believe that EVERY woman should experience natural child birth, this may sound evil, but believe me there is no other experience on EARTH like it, then after that i believe it would be up to you, i still to this day do not remember the pain that i was in it seems to immediately disappear once you see that wonderful GOD's gift. That's just my thought. :shrug7:

See, gotta respectfully disagree. I most assuredly remember the pain from my DS2's birth. I had horrible back-labour like as if some evil person were reaching in grabbing my spine, twisting it sideways and attempting to rip it out.
Now DS1's I was out cold, woke up, and they handed me my baby. I would rather have had that experience all over again.