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My family members are in medicine, and so much of what is said about what is supposedly bad about epidurals is bunk. Yes, everything has risks, everything. But when you see the results of natural childbirth for SOME (note I didn't say all) women, and when you hear from qualified medical professionals who have no axe to grind (no, not profits, ladies!) who talk about how poorly some of these natural birthers did with their births, it's hard to respect the bunk that comes out of SOME (not all) of the birth nazis. For the record, a natural childbirth is a choice today--a choice. No one is any better or any worse for making that choice. It's a choice. I have a serious problem with SOME (not all) of the outright lies told by nazis who seem to have something invested personally in seeing everybody go through childbirth naturally, when, at the end of the day, it really is nobody else's business. Unfortunately, these nazis see fit to interject their opinion when it is unwanted, unwelcome, and unheeded. And you will notice I did not refer to crunchies--I referred to nazis. There is a huge difference.

hi im on my fourth baby and would love to have had an epidural with the last one>as it was my worst labour pain wise i was induced had previously had two natural deliverys this time i was begging for an epidural lol but eventually didnt have one because of my basic fear of needles. so now im on my fourth done it three times with just gas an air if i dont get induced this time i will try without gas an air lol probably go out the window when the time comes tho. some of my friends have had epidurals and had no problems they felt more relaxed during their labours because there was next to no pain i think that would be better than them crying and stressing out because of the pain they're in which they were before they had their epidurals so fair play to them i just wish i wasnt so scared to have one lol. what some people do not realise is what they went through labour pain wise could be completely opposite to another person thats why people cope differently so what im saying is if you have one then you have one if you dont you dont as long as baby and mother are doing well who cares lol

I had an epidural with my first child and it wasn't a bad experience at all. I don't really remember having it done. By the time they gave it to me, I was having extremely strong contractions that were basically back to back and it was making me dry-heave. I was ready for any relief they could give me. I thought it was really no big deal.

By the way, Miriam, you missed my point completely. What you choose to do with your birth and your body is your business. Nobody has a right to tell you what to do. If you need to be proud of it to other people, it isn't for you--it's for approval of other people. Not a good idea. We have to do what is right for each of us, and not for the approval of others. What other people think of your birth choices has no value. You and you alone decide what is best for you--and the same for other people. Nobody gives a rat's rear what other people choose to do--and that's a right we all have in life. Do what is right for you, and don't accept judgement from others. By the same token, understand that your opinion of another woman's birth choices is irrelevant. If it works for you, that's all that matters--and the same for everybody else. Sorry I struck a raw nerve, Mariam.

I had no pain or anything with my epidural. I was so nervous to get one but it just felt like a bee sting for a few seconds

My best friend just had a natural birth, I had back labor with my first, I wanted a natural birth too, but I was in the most pain I'd ever been in in my life. She really kind of makes me feel like a loser because I got one and I'm planning on getting another one. Its up to you, whatever you choose, don't let anyone make you feel bad about your choice!

my best friend still has terrible back pain from hers and she had to have vaccuum extraction after 3hours of pushing cause her pushes were too weak. i went natural which was hard but i mostly labored in the bath tub which was wonderful, and for me the pain stopped as soon as i was pushing, i pushed for 10min and not that horrible count to ten hold your breath pushing...its dangerous for you and baby but nessecary w/epidurals i guess. i just pushed when i felt like it sometimes harder than others and he came right away. i almost got one cause i'd been up the night before and after laboring all night was sooo exhausted but thankfully my doula helped me, i had my water broken to speed things up, which was good for the circtumstances but wouldn't do again, and from what i hear with epis is that pushing is the hard part, but for me it was relief and i'd rather be able to enjoy the delivery than the labor, plus the pain makes you seek comfort and what helps you in labor is helping the baby , plus i wasn't forced to be laying down to deliver which is the hardest way for you and baby. if you need one than get it but i think its best to try without and have people support and encourage you. make someone squeeze your hips too it will open your pelvis and relieve some pain too. good luck, and as long as you and baby are fine well then thats all that matters

oh by the way, if you try to picture your ideal birth situation it might help you make up your mind, and regardless, if you use medication or not, fear will create pain, so have loved ones support you and remember you can never labor alone, you and baby are working together and you'll get through it together. happy birthing, and congrats on your bundle of joy

in my last pregnancy an epidural was my last resort but i ended up having one and its brilliant if u really aint coping,its a brilliant pain relief but u really need to think about it,ur be paralized tummy down and will have to be attached to a drip and also have a cathata and can make the babys heart beat go down slightly.but except that its a great.Ill def have it again this pregancy..im due in 5 weeks