This seems like the next logical question after the breastfeeding question. I know that some women sort of wear a natural childbirth as a badge of honor, and make it seem like they're a better mother (sort of like breastfeeding mothers). I'm curious if that sentiment is true and common, especially considering that many women go into the birth saying they won't use the drugs, but then halfway thru, they realize how painful it is and scream for the epidural.

I know my wife has said flat out that she will be having the epidural done beforehand and not even going thru that initial "I'm not going to use it" phase. I'm curious how other mothers or future mothers or people with opinions think about this issue.

there is a big difference between the two questions, though - epidurals have no lasting measurable effects on the baby, whereas not breastfeeding does.

drugs for pain are goooooood!!!!!!

I couldn't care one bit. I wouldn't go through that pain, so why should we expect our wives to?

I have an epidural ever day before work. Just below the brainstem.

Yeah, I'm not saying they're the same thing, just similar issues (i.e. there is a social stigma, albeit small or large) that says one is "preferred" and one is not as much. I honestly don't know the side effects or whatever else of the epidural et al, but I imagine there has to be some possible effect on the mother or the baby (not saying anything serious, just the fact that if you inject anything in your body, it can affect you in some way or another).

Nonetheless, answer the question

I'll be getting an epidural - I'm not going to pretend that I won't.

my wife had an epidural for our first child, but not for the second (not by plan, she progressed faster than anticipated, and they refused to give her one, because they said the baby would be here before the epidural kicked in.)

If you ask her, she would tell you get the epidural.

I want to have natural childbirth.

My mother did it, so I know that I can.

I don't think less of people who want the epidural, but for myself, I don't want drugs in my system when I have my baby.

in situations that don't have detrimental effects on the child, it doesnt matter what you do

For that matter, if anyone is informed, is there any difference in using an epidural vs. natural childbirth? Is the whole issue simply socially based, or is there some medical reasoning that can be used in addition to the social "reasons"?

i dont look at "natural childbirth" as a "badge of honor" or being a better mother. I think it doesnt make any sense and the person is being extreme.

When we were in the observation room a woman was wheeled in screaming her head off wanting the epidural but she was at 8 already and so it was going to come naturally. 30 minutes later according to the nurse she did.

the epidural can have lasting effects on the woman, though. That isn't something you hear very much about.

My sister was one of those natural birth women that suddenly changed directions once the real deal started. She was drugs-all-the-way with her second kid.

My wife was drugs-all-the-way from the beginning. I didn't have a problem with it at all. I'm one of those "why not take advantage of modern medicine" types. Her labor ended up lasting so long that there is no way in hell she could have got through it without drugs anyway.

It still doesn't hurt to learn techniques that will help you get through a drug-free delivery, because there are instances where the epidurals don't work effectively - or the labor progresses too fast, as mentioned above.

[This message has been edited by BadaBing (edited 9/10/2003 8:55a).]

As far as the mothers go, there is definitely a difference. My wife had an epidural with our first child, and she was numb from her midsection down for several hours afterwards, and was pretty groggy. She didn't have one for her second and was in much better shape afterwards.

Also, it effects the ability of a mother to push the baby out. My wife had a hard time pushing our first out because she was unable to focus on the exact location of where to push. It's hard to explain. With our second, she pushed her out much more quickly. Of course, the second is easier anyway, but I still think the epidural had some affect.

I would recommend any mother to at least sign up for one, even if you are initally opposed to them.

I have always said that I will have an epidural, no way I am going through that pain with no drugs! Although heres to hoping that my labor will be quick and easy like my moms was with me, she was only in labor for 30 min before I was here. If it goes as quick and smooth as my moms then hopefully there will be no need for the epidural, but if not I am all for the meds!

The pro-"natural childbirth" group have the following reasons:

1) The epidural drugs get into the baby's blood stream. Most babies born with medication are lethargic and less likely to start breast-feeding right away... it probably goes without saying these people are very pro-breastfeeding as well.

2) The epidural slows down the birthing process which requires the addition of other drugs into the system (pitocin) to help the contractions proceed.

3) Because the epidural slows down the process, the mother has a higher chance of having a C-section which then usually precludes bonding and immediate breastfeeding of the baby.

4) Because the epidural slows down the process, the mother doesn't dilate properly thus increasing the chances of an episiotemy and a longer recovery time.


We had our first baby by doing just doing whatever the doctor told us... trusting that they knew what was best.

We got to the hospital when they told us to, got in our room, got the epidural when they recommended, got the Pitocin when they told us, etc.

We spent 12 hours in the delivery room before the baby was born along with a nasty episiotemy that my wife never wanted to repeat... it doesn't hurt at the time... but for two weeks afterwards it is hell going to the restroom.


The second baby, she wanted to do naturally, mainly to say she did it and to avoid an episiotemy.

We took an 8-week class (one day a week).

Got to the hospital much further along in the contractions, and 35 minutes after getting into the delivery room had the baby. It was about 10-15 minutes of pain, but the recovery was easier and no episiotemy... still had to actually YELL at the doctor when he tried to give her a local anasthetic even though we made them sign a paper saying that we wanted no drugs.

When one of my sisters was born in the early 70s, my mom had more than an epidural, she was heavily medicated. Supposedly that was the thing to do at the time. But she was so out of it, that she could barely push and the doc ended up having to pretty much pull my sister out.

Growing up and still now, she (my sister) has always had bad neck and back problems. One of her doctors told her that it was probably caused by her birthing process and he had seen it in other people who's mothers were heavily medicated.

When I get pregnant and am about to pop out a kid I'm gonna want an epideral. I have lower back problems and I don't think my back could stand the pressure and pain.

That being said, my mom was kinda tipsy when she was in labor with my little bro. He seems to have turned out alright I guess.

I had an epidural with both of our girls, but with the second, it wore off about an hour before delivery. It was easier to push the second one out, but I can't imagine going through hours and hours of that. Our third (and final) child is due in a month and I'll ask for another epidural. Both girls were alert and nursed right away and so I don't believe there were any negative effects from it.

Screw that! Gimme drugs, anything to ease the pain. Why should I resent the kid for the pain I go through.

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My mother did it, so I know that I can.

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I would never say that, my mother is a million times stronger than I could ever dream of being.

Epidurals are great if you don't have complications. I do think doctors should spend a little more time advising people of the potential side effects of an epidural. I was one of the 1% that has a "wet tap" with my last epidural. This is where the anesthesiologist pushes the needle in just a little too far causing a leak of spinal? fluid. This is the fluid that cushions your brain within your skull so the result is a severe spinal headache starting several hours after birth. Mine lasted two days until I received a blood patch (no fun!) my last day in the hospital. This worked immediately but then failed two days later at home. Nothing like laying flat on your back and taking pain meds when you have a newborn and two other young children at home. Thank goodness Grandma was there I had lasting problems (including lingering headache and numbness/tingling on one side of my body) for almost 3 months after the birth. Not to mention that it totally ruined my birth experience with my last child.

This was my 3rd epidural - the first two worked wonderfully. I won't tell people not to have an epidural but definately ask the anesthesiologist about the risks and side effects. I would deal with the pain of childbirth any day over what I went through because of a bad epidural.

I have a very high pain tolerance and have also had many kidney stones so I decided to try it w/o the epidural.First and second babies were complicated deliveries and needed forceps and for that I was given a pudendal block..worked great no pain at all.Third pregnancy everyone was pushing for an epidural and saying how tough it might get and out pops a screaming baby with no pushes at all. Good old uterus said I've had enough and shoves the kid out and surprised the heck out of everyone including the doc.We made all the phone calls home from the labor room with screaming baby in our arms..it was great and since it would be impossible to top that one he is the last.I am sure my daughters will want epidurals and I certainly don't think anyone is weak for wanting relief when it is readily available.

This thread is a new all-time low for texags.com. This should be moved to the PMS & Oprah board.

The Rivalries Board?

For all the Natural Birth people. Natural Birth tends to age you or take years off your life, depending on how you look at it. I've heard it takes longer to recover from too. Why would this be desirable? Not trying to pick a fight, just wondering.

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Natural Birth tends to age you or take years off your life,

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Kids in general take years off of your life.