To Epidural, or not Epidural?

I loved mine. I was in so much pain once I started to progress. The only trouble I have with it is that I occasionally have back pain where the needle went in.

Well if you have already delivered all your others without it then why do you want one this time if you obviously can handle it!!!??? There is no way on this planet that I would be able to have a baby without an epidural!

Its all about what you feel comfortable getting, why is your doctor stating you should get an epidural, does he/she think its medical necessary, if not then if you havent had one before and you are okay with the pain then dont get one \, unless the doctor believe its some benefit in getting it.  This is my first child im 5 months and everyone around me does not want me to get an epidural, they even have my husband convinced the baby will be druged out.  I talk to my doctor she says it my choose and stop listening to other people and plus the epidural doesnt work for some woman, so i guess i have to wait for that big day...

Its all about how you feel when the time comes... Not any one decision but your own..

Being induced makes your contractions soooo much more stronger then going natural. I went on my own with my first born and had no induction. All I had was stadole and made it no problem. But with my sec I started to contract 2wks early and didnt progress so they tried to help me along with pitocin and the contractions where so bad that they ended up giving me an epidural and I then realized I had been holding my pee for the whole day because of all the pain. I would say to leave it open and if they get bad enough to go ahead and get it. Remember that you are in control either way. GL

Make a pregnancy ticker

I personally that labor is better without one. I had one with my daughter and I regret it to this day.

It's NOT your doctor's decision. If you've done it in the past you can do it again. Do what YOU want and what is best for YOU!!!

The reason my Dr. thinks I should have one this time is because I had problems with my uterus not clamping down after giving birth last time.  What they had to do to get it to clamp down was extremely terrifying and horribly painful.  His thinking is that it might happen again and if it does I won't have to go through that same anguish.

Quoting CaraRose:

The reason my Dr. thinks I should have one this time is because I had problems with my uterus not clamping down after giving birth last time.  What they had to do to get it to clamp down was extremely terrifying and horribly painful.  His thinking is that it might happen again and if it does I won't have to go through that same anguish.

I had the EXACT same thing and I DID have an epi. The epi will NOT take away the pain of them sticking their hand inside to massage and massaging the outside. I had bruises all over me from everything they had to do to keep me from bleeding to death.

PLUS they turn off the epi when it's time to push so it won't help. TRUST ME!!! I've been there and it doesn't work!!!

Well like a pp said, induced contractions are generally much more intense and closer together than natural contractions.  Why is the dr. inducing?  Unless is medically indicated, I personally would refuse the induction and just wait for baby to decide. 

If medically needed then I would still try and go without.  The possible side effects and risks of epidural outweight the benefits for me. 

What all did they try to get it to clamp down?

Quoting CaraRose:

The reason my Dr. thinks I should have one this time is because I had problems with my uterus not clamping down after giving birth last time.  What they had to do to get it to clamp down was extremely terrifying and horribly painful.  His thinking is that it might happen again and if it does I won't have to go through that same anguish.