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I have had 2 epidurals and loved them both! The epi did not slow down my labours at all (opposite in fact) with my first labour being 5.5 hours and the second (just a week ago) being 3.75 hours. The epi was so wonderful and did not hurt like I thought it would. I could still feel my legs and the urge/sensations to push. I don't plan on having any more children but if someone asks me I highly recommend the epi. For what its worth I don't believe that women today are any less capable of doing child birth drug free. The real question is ...why? We have the technology to allow for a relatively pain free experience and if someone wants to opt for that it certainly doesn't make them any less of a woman or a mother. Tolerating the pain of childbirth is no longer necessary so to each their own.

No matter what they say, for some women it's an ego thing to have a birth without an epidural. They will deny it, but they are nazis to other people if you don't agree with them or if they think you are going to choose the epidural. I know something about these crunchies--they are unreal and they feel no hesitation in telling you not only what you SHOULD do to deliver your baby, but how you MUST do it if you are going to be a decent mother. And they don't care if you are not interested in hearing them out, either--they keep right on going until you have to get rude with them to shut them up. What a mess they are!

I think it's an ego thing as well. I guess some people need to create a reason why they're superior to everyone else.

I haven't been in labor, but what makes me really want the epidural is watching some of these shows on natural labor. The pain these women go through is unimaginable. They scream as if someone was ripping them in two. I think I'll get the epidural.

I totally understand taking advantage of modern medicine to control labor pain. We live in a great time to have babies. However in lunamoo and the other so called "Nazis" defense. I think there is a right and wrong way to present their point of view to a new mother who is open to exploring her options, and I felt lunamoo offered her opinion on the whole thing same as those in favor of epdiruals. Personally I want to "try" a natural childbirth and it's definitely not an ego thing. I get annoyed when women scoff at me when I even present the notion of trying it. More helpful would be for any veteran mom to just say, "hey go for it, girl!" You can do it. I enjoy speaking to people with both sides of the argument and ignore people who are for it in any extreme. The point....no way is better than the others, but why not encourage somebody who is considering it, even if it wasn't the way for you?

Jessica I totally agree with you. I also wanted to try and do it with out the epi but about 3.5 hours into my first birth I couldn't take the pitocin induced contractions! With my second I was no longer afraid of the epidural so I took it much sooner. Labour is such a personal decision and pain is different for everyone so its such a hard question to answer as to wether a person should take the epi or not. I really believe that only the mother can decide and only in the heat of the moment will she know for sure. My point in my first post was that regardless of the way our children enter this world we are all still mothers with no greater advantage than anyone else. Being a mom is more about what you do from that day on in my opinion!

I wasn't necessarily referring to lunamoo as a Nazi. I guess I'm talking about other women I've come in contact with. I really don't care what you choose to do. I've said that I may try it naturally, and it's not an ego thing for me either. I guess there's a part of me that just wants to see if I could actually get through it -- more as a challenge to myself. But there are some women out there who "can't believe" that there are women who choose not to b___stfeed or "are appalled" that women choose to have epidurals. That is super annoying, in my opinion. As a mother of a 3-year-old, I come in contact with other moms who constantly judge other moms for doing things that they wouldn't do. I get really, really sick of it. No one should have to justify their decisions about childbirth, etc. to anyone else. Savy, I'm curious what you decide. I'm right behind you, due April 5.

people get so sensitive and are so prone to name calling on this forum. deary me, its exhausting...i would just like to clear up one little point that tinkri made. i had a natural delivery with my son and i was able to labour down very effectively. I didnt even start pushing until he was almost crowning. so a natural birth and labouring down are not mutually exclusive. im hoping for the same kind of delivery with my next one, due in may.

Could someone describe what happens after the birth when you have an epidural? Do they take the needles and catheter out ASAP. Is there any other restrictions? The way I feel, is that if the woman does not feel she needs one, why get one. I am proud that I didnt get one, but I dont think I am superior, cause if there was a dr with a needle standing next to me at the worst, I would have got one. My reason not to get the epidural, now that I have had one birth without, is how good i felt afterward, and plus I know what it is like to go without. As soon as labour was over, ti was over. No IVs to take out, no catheter, I just got up and walked to the bathroom, so I am wondering what it is like after the birth when you do get the epidural?

Selena, I loved your last sentence. It really is all about how you handle things after birth. MichelleB, your birth experience sounds exactly like what I would want. In my childbirth cla__s tonight they will cover all aspects of pain mgmt. from epis to natural. I'm also curious to hear from the epi moms how it was afterwards.

Well I just had my little girl and had gotten the epi. It was in be4 I knew it. I was very greatful. I'm glad I got it because I ended up getten a c-section anyway, I was really nerves about it getting it but I'm really glad I did. The only part that hurt was when he first started after that it was in and I was in no pain. I would do it again.

MichelleB, I have to admit that it does suck waiting for the epi to wear off. I was completely numb, which bothered me, and it took a while before I could move my legs at all. I want to know about an episiotomy when you do it naturally. The pain of childbirth is bad enough, but what about if you need to be cut? Do most docs do a local anesthetic, and does it really work? I just imagine that that would be the most excruciating pain ever. I think that's the main thing keeping me from doing it naturally.

I had an epidural with my 1st and it took me from friday nite at 11 until Sat nite at 8 to get to 4cm. When I got to 4 cm they broke my water and I had horrendous back labour-I could not breathe. I did not really want the epi as I didn't like the idea of a needle in my back but had no choice. I got it and got some sleep(much needed) and dialated the rest of the way by 1am. It was a little hard pushing but it gave me the break I needed and it actually speeded up my labour. I didn't have one with my second as I was only in labour for 40 min. I would have but then again I don't deal well with pain.I don't think women who have had "natural births" should think they are better than those who have not. THere are sometimes medical reasons, or personal reasons to get one. Everyone women who gives birth anyway is a hero. I am planning on getting one again if my labour is a little longer--but I think everyone should play their labour by ear and do what is right for them and their baby.

savy--I would not go for the epidural, but I am having a non-medicated birth. An epidural is a narcotic and despite the fact that many women get them, there just isn't enough evidence out there to convince me that it is 100% safe for mother and baby. If you have to sign a waiver saying you won't sue the hospital if you never walk again, then you have to wonder. Your body is designed to give birth and I am convinced that you can do it without drugs! If you have the time I would read up on the Bradley method. You don't have much time to practice the techniques, but maybe it will help you make a decision. Some of the main reasons I advocate for non-medicated birth are: effects on baby could include the inhibition of the sucking reflex immediately after birth which can make b___stfeeding difficult in the beginning. Epidurals can make labor last longer and eventually lead to c-section. Once you start interferring with the natural process, it is a domino effect. One last thing---my sister-in-law had an epidural and they "turned it down" so she could feel when to push. She said they practically turned it off and she felt everything. She said it would have been easier if she never got the epi, at least she would have been able to build up to the pain. GOOD LUCK!! And remember, no matter what you do you are AWESOME for giving birth!!!

My epis must have been exceptional because in both cases I was up and using the bathroom about 45 minutes after labour. I never did lose all feeling in my legs and I was able to feel the contractions but not experience pain. After delivery it was about an hour or so before the nurse removed the epi catheter but that part was painless. To be honest the worst part of the epi waswhen the nurse pulled the tape of my back that was used to keepit in place....OUCH!!!!!

No guys, you know who is a mess and super annoying...TonysWife. I think that you are just mad that some people don't freak out over pain. You know when I first read your posts, I felt bad for your situation. Didn't know how to help...offered the surigosy option. But now you are just getting on my nerves.You really do have something against natural birth. You were mouthing off about it in the other post as well. I don't know about epidural Nazis, maybe they should just keep their mouth shut. Who cares if labor will be more difficult for someone else. But when I was planning a natural birth people were either laughing in face or looking at me like I'm crazy. So when I had a pleasant birth my way, why shouldn't I be proud that I used my own head and did the right thing.