Thoughts- Natural birth vs Epidural

I am with you Karen. I believe interventions during birth lead to more interventions and usually (1 out of 3 birth) end in a c/s.

My first was a c/s
#2 - VBAC w/ epidural - But then never checked me before the epi and I shouldn't have had one. <4hr L&D
#3 - Unassisted home water birth 1hr 40min L&D
#4 - Unassisted home birth < 3hr L&D
#5 - Unassisted home water birth 1hr 30min L&D
#6 - Unassisted home water birth 45min L&D
#7 - Unassisted home water birth 1hr 35min L&D

So I'm used to giving birth without pain meds and I prefer them that way too. I have the go ahead to do a homebirth with this one too. We're planning another unassisted home water birth.

My waterbirths are my fastest births too.

Now when I had my epidural with my 2nd DD it was pretty good. I didn't feel anything, but it is very different birthing without one. I seem to have more endorphins after I finally give birth. There was a greater sense of accomplishment for me too.

I personally wouldn't give up my natural births for anything, unless there was an emergency and I needed a c/s or something. :(

im so interested in home births.. did you have a midwife there? or was it just you and hubby?... what happened after baby was here as far as getting stats and stuff?

Unassisted means there was no paid attendant at the birth. Our first UHWB I did have 2 trained friends there with us. My best friend is a doula and my other friend was a MW assistant who basically showed us the ropes.

As for stats, you just weigh and measure and we have a scale and a tape measure. Just write down the "stats". It's not difficult to do and certainly not one you need a nurse or MW or doctor for, LOL

Miswives are great for those who want one, but we felt comfortable enough to not need one. But that was just us.

WOW! I've been cleaning all day an I got so many responses!! thanks so much for the info, I'm almost half way through this pregnancy so I need to start thinking about this now! lol

 I was so totally against epidurals.  I have an extremely high tolerance for pain (I walked around for a year and half with 3 spinal fractures).  One reason I didn't want it was because of the screws I now have in my spine.  Plus, I thought I could do it without and I didn't want the possible headaches from it.  Well, I was induced because Libby stopped growing.  Pitocin makes things a lot worse!!!  I went 17.5 hours without an epidural, I ever bruised my legs from tightening them so much during contractions.  I am honestly surprised I did not break my Dads or my Husbands hands from squeezing them so tight during contractions.  Well after 17.5 hours I was freaking exhausted and couldn't do it anymore, so I got an epidural.  Oh and they doc took 3 tries all because of my screws, that sucked.  I felt a huge relief once it did kick in, and it took a while to kick in.  Sadly, my body was way too stressed out and tired and Libby was stressed out so bout 30 min or so later I ended up having an emergency c-section.  Libby's heart rate kept falling and I was so out of it.  I felt horrible and was bawling.  I honestly believe that I would have had a vaginal delivery had I not stressed my body and Libbys body out so much and for so long.  I was dialated to 8 or 9 so I didn't have a problem there.  So, I am an all for Epidurals and will have one with my new baby and will hopefully be able to have a vbac.

Hey Karen -

I had my son 14 1/2 years ago, and medical procedures could have changed in that time (you think?!).  I could not have an epi because of previous back surgery for scoliosis.  I have rods on my upper spine and had a bone fusion on my lower spine, and the anesthesiologist said he couldn't get into the spine to do the epi.  I ended up getting demerol in my IV, and the nurse promised it'd make the contractions feel like they did in the beginning.  About 2 minutes after she put in the demerol, I told her I was going to puke.  She just looked at me from across the room and told said 'it'll go away in a minute.' I repeated several times I was going to puke...she insisted it'd go away...and I won.  I puked all over me, the bed, the floor & my husband's feet.  The demerol didn't do a thing for the pain, it just made me very sleepy between contractions...which could also be because I had been up all night the night before in labor, and had walked several miles the day before (you know what they say about walking can help induce labor...it worked for me).  When it came time for the pushing...I could feel I needed to push and told the same nurse, who poo-pooed me that I couldn't be ready to push already...checked me, found out I was in fact ready, and went and got the dr on the double.  It only took three pushes and my son was born...9 lb 12 oz.

When/if I manage to get and stay pg again...I won't have a vaginal delivery because I had a large uterine fibroid removed a few years ago and they don't want me to go through contractions.  I have read online now that occasionally they can now do an epi, and I would consider it for the c-section just to try to avoid being knocked out.  If I were to have a vaginal delivery, I would skip the demerol because it didn't do much but make me puke, and if they could do an epi, I'd consider it, but wouldn't insist on it.

I like the way one of the pp put it (Julie I think?)...tell the nurse you want an epi so it's there...then when/if the pain gets too much, you have the option of getting it, but you are not REQUIRED to get it just because you said you want it. 

I think you need to do what you are comfortable with, but do your research. In some people labor goes quicker because of an epidural, but the truth is, in many cases it completely stalls labor and then you run the risk of having to have pitocin, which leads to a higher chance of a c-section.
It is your body, your birth experience, you need to do what YOU want. Read, research and learn everything you can about both options and do what you feel comfortable with, just learn the risks and rewards of both options before you make your decision.