Adrenaline will carry you through! I have low pain tolerance and my epidural didn't work but it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. I would recommend getting pain medicine from IV if you don't want epidural because they do have to stitch you up afterwards.
So when i went into the hospital i was shaking with every contraction, while still in triage i almost fainted from the pain, I’m a bit of a wuss too, the nurses didn’t take it seriously and stuck me with a needle about 6 times or so because i was shaking so bad and trying not to faint, my lo was pushing against my lower back/ spine and almost broke it... i got an epidural the minute i got to the room... yes, it prolonged my labor, the way it was progressing before I’m pretty sure she would’ve been born a couple hours sooner than she was. But it also stopped my pain, i was able to turn side to side by myself, the delivery went without complications and i was walking by myself a couple hours after they got it out, putting it in felt weird but not as bad as one contraction. Talk to your doctor beforehand and then listen to your body... i wouldn’t have made it through the day without one... oh, and make sure you have someone with you who knows to speak up if the nurses don’t take you seriously..
Mine went in just fine. I told them not to let me see the needle and they held me still since my husband stepped away at the wrong time. The best thing ever. All you pain is gone. You just feel the pressure of it. It’s been almost 2 years and I have no pain at the site. No additional back issues from before pregnancy.
I got the epidural and it went great I hardly felt a thing! I was nervous about the pain of getting the epidural but my the time I got to the hospital I was 5cm dilated and was ready for any thing!
Contractions suck😂 I had an epidural with no problem and my kid is healthy. It's not a weak thing to numb up a bit. Do what you gotta do because the end game is what matters!
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I would just say go as long as you can and then get epi when need be. Don’t be put off by the horror stories. You will have your own experience. I got to 9cm without pain relief and then got epi because I was so tired more than anything. You will be fine :)
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Also epi was AMAZING lol could still feel but it was more of a pressure feeling than pain... good luck mama you got this xx
I would strongly recommend the book called natural childbirth the bradley method. I got the audio book and listened with my husband. It was really helpful! Idk if I could’ve gone through a natural birth without that book.
I had an epidural, only 5 min pain but then it’s so worth it ! My baby is 4 months old but the spot from epidural hurts like crazy still , I can never relax my back it’s just awful, so definitely up to you . If you want to have a very easy laboratory go for it . But contractions are not bad at all , you can definitely handle it
Thank you all so much. I eventually asked for one at 5cm dilated it’s literally a life saver 😩 and my baby boy is here safe and sound💙😘🥰
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Congrats Mama!
Congrats chick! X
I was adamant I didn’t want an epidural and i just wanted gas and air. Gas and air totally spaced me out so my boyfriend asked the midwife for an epidural. Didn’t feel a thing and it was amazing! Would deffo recommend if your not any good with pain. X
I got an epidural even after many people told me I was young enough to handle the pain and tried telling al the horrible things it did to them. I had no complications before or after delivery. Everyone is different but I am grateful for my epidural (I cant handle pain) and plan to get one when I deliver my second child
I was in the same boat as you and wanted to go with out the epidural but honestly it was so worth it to me. I was a anxious mess when I was in labor and had horrible back labor after I got the epidural I was able to rest and my experience was wonderful after that. I’m also terrified of needles, the epidural didn’t hurt me one bit. Just listen to you body and don’t feel disappointed if you do end up needing the epidural every labor is different and sometimes doesn’t go the way you plan and that’s okay! Good luck mama, your babe will be here in no time! ❤️
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Also, I pushed for 10 minutes and my baby was put and I had no pain after delivery on the epidural site.
No epidural here, but you got this! Your body knows how to birth your baby. Positive affirmations really helped me along with exercising before, eating 6 dates a day, and mentally preparing for it.(: My biggest advice is labor at home as long as possible and if you have access to a hot tub or large bathtub labor in the water. I literally got to the hospital and within 40 minutes (20 mins of pushing) I was holding my baby boy.
3 labors all with an epidural. First two were low doses so I could still feel enough to push. Third was hard core doped up but I was delivering a stillborn so that was a whole different thing. But no complications or anything with any of them.
I did epi but I couldn't feel anything so couldn't push the baby out they had to use tools to pull the baby out and his head was sore for days! I most certainly wish I didn't get it, seeing my baby in so much pain the second he was born was horrifying... If I could go back and not have it I truly would
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Had an epidural and it was wonderful!! Make sure you stay still when they put it in. I was given the advice to ask for it before you’re in too much pain because then you’re less likely to move when they put it in. Can’t say enough good things about it! I felt like a champ pushing!
Epidural here too! I also wanted to try natural but it doesn’t always work that way! I had a great experience with mine so I would definitely recommend it personally. It’s definitely not painless to get the epidural and the first few days post-delivery, the most pain I had was at the epidural site (just felt sore like a big bruise). Good luck with everything! Just remember YOU are the one going through it so it’s your choice!
I had and epidural and it definitely helped. I was able to sleep a few hours while I finished dilating. I did however end up having an emergency c section because the cord was compromised when my water broke, but it definitely made the process of transitioning to a c section very easy.
I got an epidural! I didn’t feel the needle at all, the worst part of everything, is the uterus massage.
I’ve had two babies with two epidurals. No issues. Trust your body and your instincts. I found that the epidural just helped me rest up a little before it was time to push (28 hour labor with my first, that rest was very necessary). There’s no way to know what your decision will be until it’s decision time. You got this!
Have the epidural. Pain wise, it's not worse than the pinch you get when getting a flu shot. Something to weigh would be getting the epidural will give you the ability to be better rested and less stressed once you have given birth. You'll be able to be more present for your child (you will still be exhausted, just not as much!)
I got an epidural and was fine as well!
I got one at 5 cm dilated and don’t think I could have done it without. Once I got it, it was smooth sailing. I could still move my legs but didn’t feel pain - just pressure - until the moment he came out. Then it was only moderate pain. I think it’s important that you do what feels right to you. Have your plan in place but don’t be afraid to change it when you get there if you need to!
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Same! I was scared to get the epidural but honestly it made everything a breeze. I had a 10lb baby and I know I wouldn’t have made it without the epidural.
I wanted to go natural also. However contractions were way worse for me than I anticipated and I was having difficulty early on. Everyones different, just gotta deal the best you can. Took the epidural and it helped a lot. No issues until I needed an emergency csection... then I was overdrugged during and after childbirth. All ended fine obviously.. but ppl over romanticize pregnancy... and labor... and being a mom... and marriage... lol. At least were all in good company.
I have an extremely low tolerance for pain. And I was terrified. But believe me girl when I say your body takes care of itself. I had my little dude at home fully breech and took nothing but arnica tablets here and there. Don’t get me wrong you could feel it but something definitely kicks in at some point. I would have had it any other way.
I felt the exact same way. Unfortunately I had to be induced and my contractions went from nothing to full blown and 90 seconds apart when I was still 4cm. I ended up going with an epidural bc the contractions were so close I couldn’t catch my breath and almost passed out twice. I would suggest if you want to go natural try it. Epidural is an option if you can’t handle the pain. But remember you are stronger than you think. ☺️
I got a spinal block because my hospital didn’t have epidurals and it helped a lot. I had a very hard labor and don’t think I could have done it without.
Had the best epidural experience. No issues. You don't feel the needle at all. I am also 36 weeks pregnant now and I am looking forward to another epidural as well as a catheter at this point lol.
Momma you got this, it’s okay. I truly believe in the epidural because why have unnecessary pain when there is medicine for it? It isn’t true that the medicine goes to the baby. If anything all the stress that you’re causing yourself and the baby when you don’t have the epidural is unnecessary. I don’t do well with pain either, I suck at it. I got the epidural and I’m alive and well. It does sting a bit going in but nothing too crazy. It doesn’t make you less of a woman if you want to have an epidural, you have nothing to prove. Get the baby out as safely as possible, you will do just fine. You got this momma.
I had an epidural with both my babies and was completely fine. I had no problems whatsoever 😊
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C-section here 🙋🏻♀️
It was no pain at all Hahahaha I fell asleep as they tried to pop my water
My epidural was awesome. They placed the catheter for it at 8am and my daughter was born at 4:21 pm, and I didn't feel ANY pain. When I was pushing, I didn't scream, shout or anything. I grunted but that's because how hard I was pushing. I got a third degree tear though and I didn't even feel that.
I forgot to add that natural contractions are way easier than unnatural (induced) contractions provided you're prepared. HUGE difference.
Not trying to be a negative Nelly but if you really want to try to go natural, you're wording it wrong. If you truly want to try natural, focus on how strong you feel and how much you want to do this. You already know the epidural option is there so don't focus on it. Unless you don't really want to go natural, in which case, that's totally your option.
I got the epidural and had no problems. I still felt when the contractions were coming but none of the pain, which was so nice. I highly recommend it. You got this momma!
I freaked out about it but honestly if you have a good person doing it you should be fine . Just don’t think to hard about it
Mine was good how ever every now and then I get pain
With my 1st I delivered all natural without the help of an epidural. They had placed my epidural incorrectly and it was not working . They replaced it less then a minute before I delivered my son. So well pushing I felt a lot of pain. After delivery it kicked in. With my 2nd she was a scheduled induction I did not want to have her on the day my FIL passed and it was actually a good thing as she had 3 full knots in her umbilical cord. The epidural worked but wore off a 1/2 hr before delivery. I was being nice to the nurses and not complaining about anything. (My 1st delivery was bad at sisters) Both deliveries I was on pitocin. If your going to be induced or if they are going to use Pitocin I would recommend the epidural. I did both and only took the epidural at the end to help. I hope that you have an amazing birth experience.
I applaud women who can do without but I had the epidural 😏
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I worry a lot about this too. I’ll be giving birth in China and while my husband told me that epidurals are available here, I question whether it’s the same as back home 😧
I had the epidural and everything went great. I was in labor in the middle of the night so with the epidural, I actually was able to sleep and be rested for the pushing. I had no reactions or back pain.
I have one and it was AMAZING! I say have no fear and accept it if that’s what you need.
Epidural was the best. No pain but there is still pressure. Contractions were the worst part about labor. Once the epi was in, it was smooth sailing from there, I didn’t even feel the pain of pushing my baby out. I was at 4 cm when I got the epidural. Don’t worry you got this! Our bodies were made for this 💪🏽 be strong mama ❤️
Love epidurals ❤❤❤ ive gotten 3 with every vaginal delivery the second they would let me. I've also had 2 spinals getting my third in 7 days. No problems. I had a relaxed labor... Slept through most of them pain free and was refreshed and full of energy when it came time to pushing. My epidural were on a drip so they were still going strong for pushing and I had zero issues getting the babies out. 15 minutes of pushing with my first, 5 minutes with my second and my third baby was out in one push.
Hey momma. If you're being induced, I'd suggest an epidural. I was induced. Wanted to go natural. However, they don't tell you that contractions from induction are significantly worse than normal contractions. I ended up running closr to having a dry birth, so I chose to do the epidural to help my body relax. The baby was out within the next two hours. Haha :) If you're going naturally, from what I hear, if you push through the first little bit, once the baby is out, it's amazing. So if you're not being induced, you shouldn't have as much need for one. Don't worry and don't stress. You were MADE for this, momma! ;) Love ya. Here if u need an ear! ❤️
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I agree. Unwanted to go natural also, but the contractions from the medicine were unbearable after a certain point. I didn’t push until about 6 hours later. But I was able to take a nice nap before hand.
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I had the epidural for an emergency c section and then a scheduled c section. Everything went fine in both occasions. But as for your pain tolerance, I hope you go in with a mentality that your body can handle it. Your body can take the contractions, they start off mild and get stronger and your body can do it. Your body is amazing in what it can handle. I had an emergency c section my first time around because I had contractions starting in a Monday and was dilating so slow that I didn’t go into active labor until Friday. And was in active labor for 15+ hours and my stubbornness was hanging in there for as long as I could. Eventually I started swelling instead of dilating so I had the emergency c section on Saturday.
Epidural
I had an epidural. I went in at 5 got it at 12 in the morning like late night. It wasn't that bad. But I was induced so my contractions were different there not to bad. Just keep an open mind and stick to what you want and if you cant take it the person who gives it will be there in around 30 minutes or so.
I went into labor at 36 weeks + 1 day. I had an epidural, it was amazing... I felt no pain at all!!!! My water broke before I started having painful contractions so by the time they gave me the epidural it was right after contractions started getting bad.... I have NO idea how I would’ve gotten through those awful contractions for more than I had to!!!!
I can not take pain at all. I am literally the biggest baby. I knew from day 1 that I was going to get the epidural as soon as I could. I know myself and I know I can’t handle pain. I didn’t feel the needle at all and I had no side effects during or after!!
Epidural is totally fine don’t stress it. Go as long as you can without it wait until you absolutely need it