Epidural

I wouldn't decide yay or nay on this until you're actually in active labour, as you have no idea how you will cope with it! I've had 3 natural deliveries and never wanted/needed one x

I had an epidural on my birth plan because my biggest fear was labouring for too long and then not being able to get one. It was the best decision I ever made, even though it only really worked for 90% of the pain (there was a small section of my back that it didn’t hit properly). The peace and relief I had when I got it in after 6 hours of labouring was so good. I do consider myself to have quite a high pain threshold, but so many people told me to get the epidural and, in my opinion, the pros outweighed the cons. My one regret (and it’s very small) is that I never felt the need to push, which I kinda wanted to feel. The midwives determined a time that I would start pushing and then we did, but I never got that natural urge to do it (I had no problems pushing, despite being numb from the waist down)

You don’t need to make a decision now, it would be silly too, just see how it goes on the day. By the time I was thinking about getting an epidural I was too far gone to have one anyway. Obviously the pros are the pain stops but the cons are that in some cases it can lead to more interventions and a slower recovery.

Wait and see. I didn’t need one with both of my labours, my second labour was unmedicated

My contractions were so bad because I dialted so quickly, I couldn't get the epidural fast enough. Had I dialated slower I could of done natural I think. Don't worry about deciding now if anything I'd tell the hospital you want it that way they can have it ready but when the time comes if you're doing good and feel confident you can decline it ❤️ but that way it's ready if you want it because an anesthesiologist isn't always ready. Mine was late I didn't get it till 5 cm and Holy shit.. lol you got this girl

I had an epidural with my first and I still felt everything! I was so disappointed and honestly angry and felt lied too also was not aware that they put a catheter in lol My second and third birth I went to birth centre went unmedicated and they were the BEST birth experiences for me!! They were faster, I was able to focus more and move to a position that baby needed me to be in. I did a water birth which is nature’s epidural and used laughing gas to help take the edge off contractions and remind me to breathe through them. Which ever way you decide to birth just know you are strong and capable! ❤️ good luck Mama

As painful as it is, I think going unmedicated allows you to be in tune with your body more, I.e., you need to feel everything! My 3rd birth was amazing, all I had was gas & air and it progressed so well, only 5hrs!

I suggest having a birth plan and keeping your mind open, you can also look into other forms of pain medication if you don’t want to go to the extent of an epidural such as nitrous oxide or morphine. On my plan I don’t want an epidural and plan on doing everything in my power to have a natural birth. I go to pelvic floor therapy, do perineal messages, minimal stretches/ exercises, plan on bringing lube, combs, and my tens unit. There will also be a bath/ shower and birthing balls for me. My sister got an epidural and loved it, she may have some back pain here and there, but she said she’d do it again in a heartbeat. She also said when she had her epidural there was some hip pain and pressure, but that was all. My mom had a horrible experience where her nurse told her to scoot back while they were inserting the needle and she was in excruciating pain for months after birth and to this day has back pain. Some women don’t have any issues at all and it helps them relax and get rest🤷‍♀️

I had an epidural after 2 days in labour, I had the 'walking' epidural, I could still feel contractions and some pain, but I could have asked for a higher dose of epidural but I never did as I still wanted to move around. Downside for me was it slowed my labour down and I had to be put on a hormonal drip so took another 24hrs to give birth