Natural Child Birth or Epidural?

[DevineMommie]

I have had four children and I am now pregnant with my fifth.  With my first child I had an epidural, but it went very badly and do to the complications almost killed my son.  So, after that I delivered all my other babies naturally. (no drugs) 

I was wondering how many women have epidurals, gas, pain shots, ect during child birth and how many do not receive any drugs what so ever and why?

Personally I think my labors were easier without the epi because I could tell what my body wanted and needed me to do. With the epi I had to be told to push and I couldn't tell if I was pushing or not. 

What about everyone else?

[sammiesmom2000]

Jan. 29, 2009 at 10:35 AM

I have had both, I did it completely natural with one of my daughter's because I didn't have a choice.  (I went into labor too fast) and I lost my little window of opportunity.  Would I do it naturally again, no, I'm a wimp.

[Lexiegirl]

Jan. 29, 2009 at 10:38 AM

I've done all! I have to say as much as it hurt I always try and go natural, I've had 5 kids I'm cooking #6 now and I like to go in thinking I'm awesome most of the time I use something. :p

[SpurgeonMom]

Jan. 29, 2009 at 10:50 AM

i have had an epidural 3 times and the last time it was put in incorrectly and i was having severe head aches i couldnt walk for a few hours i was vomiting anything i tried to eat so they had to give me medicine for pain and for nausea. this time i am planning on going natural because i am terrified to get another epi

[DevineMommie]

Jan. 29, 2009 at 11:00 AM

SpurgeonMom

Yeah, after a bad epi it's kinda hard to want it again! After three you should be fine, your a pro now! LOL! 

(Original Poster)

[riotgrrl]

Jan. 29, 2009 at 11:01 AM

I've had 3 kids and never had an epidural. I did have some other pain meds during one of my deliveries. I was given pitocin with my daughter and it was much more painful and I did take some pain meds to get me through the worst of it. I think everyone has a different pain tolerance and that the risks of an epidural are low enough that they should be available to moms who want them. There are risks so I choose to get through without one.

[Syra3.14159]

Jan. 29, 2009 at 11:07 AM

I've heard too many epidural horror stories for me to be comfortable going that way.  My labors are really quick and easy so it hasn't been much of an issue for me personally to go natural.

[mahrmom]

Jan. 29, 2009 at 11:31 AM

I have had 5 kids and I am a wimp and have had an epi with all 5. I always wait until I absolutely can't stand it anymore and it usually pays off cuz as soon as I get it and is able to relax I dilate and can start pushing. I have also always been induced, never went into labor on my own.

[roudybunch]

Jan. 29, 2009 at 12:36 PM

I have done both.  Nothing with my first, some pain meds with my 2nd (hardest labor ever) and epi's with my last 4.  I do not like pain!!  My water only broke on its own with my last pregnancy.

[DevineMommie]

Jan. 29, 2009 at 1:44 PM

mahrmom

I've always had to be induced too! I wonder why some women won't go into labor on their own? I have even dilated but nothing else. With my daughter my water broke, then nada.  I wonder what they did in the old days before pitocin?

(Original Poster)

[ArmyWife041408]

Jan. 30, 2009 at 1:39 PM

3 kids I went all natural but my 2nd I had an IV drug(which she was delivered 20 minutes after I got it..so no point of even getting it)...I had fast labors and I stayed at home till the very last minute so if I wanted anything it would of been too late.On #5 and I plan on going natural again.I don't think the after effects of the meds, I got sick from the IV med I got with baby #2...wasn't worth it..felt like I was high..dizzy and sick to my stomach!