I don't care if you go "au naturale" for your L&D...

[KristyCat]

but do NOT under any circumstances criticize me for my decisions regarding pain medication during my L&D. It does not make me:

• ignorant
• a weaker person
• weaker than you
• less of a woman 
• less connected to my child
• or a bad mother

There are risks with everything (including birth itself), but it’s my prerogative to relieve pain in order to make the experience more positive for me. I’ve done my own research and made decisions based on that and talks I’ve had with my OB/GYN. I’m not going to defend or explain my decisions or my birth plan, I don’t have to. I should be respected and not criticized.

It’s okay to be proud of yourself, but you aren't now Mother of the Year because you didn't recieve any medication during your L&D. Congrats, you gave birth the way people have given birth for thousands of years. Get over yourself, lady, you didn’t discover the cure for AIDS…

[Elayna90]

Well said. I have had one with meds and one with no meds. No meds is my choice unless it is necessary. But, that should be each woman's choice to make. Everything we do has possible risks. You educate yourself and make your decision based on how you feel. Either way, you give birth to a baby and that in itself is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Hate to burst anyone's bubble, but in the end, NOBODY (not your kid, not your DH, not your Aunt Sue or the neighbor next door) gives even one single gram of fuck what kind of birth you had. Seriously. By the time that kid's in grade school, neither will you. IDK why anyone sweats it. If someone's all holier than thou about it, just laugh because they're focused on all the wrong things.

[Anonymous]

Alrighty then.

[Kaya529]

I envy you.

I wanted an epidural but couldn't get one because of spinal fusions. I really don't remember much because of all the pain.

[xoxoDanicaxoxo]

I loved my epidural, it only worked on my right side, but I would get another one in a heartbeat. Back labor is no joke.

[NeverABreak]

I had fun with my epi. It wore off at first, so they gave me an extra dose. My leg kept falling off the bed and I'd have to call the nurses in to lift it back up. Everyone had a good sense of humor about it.

[Vertical15]

As one of my friends likes to say

*I can prove my womanhood in so many other ways*

 

[Bigmetalchicken]

Well said. I did not get pain meds with my son, but it was not because I am strong, it was because I was too cheap.  We paid cash for everything, and I just saw that as another bill I would have to pay.

[NDADanceMom]

 my only pain killer free birth damaged me emotionally for a couple of years.  I was traumatized by that pain.  Maybe I am weaker than other women.  who cares?  im taking drugs!

[momto2boys973]

I had to have emergency C-sections with both my boys. Thanks to that I have 2 beautiful, healthy boys, so I'm happy we have that option.
Having said that, one of my best friends had her first without meds and the second one with meds. She told me she felt much more connected and happy in her second delivery because she wasn't focusing on the pain. She often spoke of the "myth" of natural delivery being better. For her it was not. And I can understand why.

Sharon