Still don’t know if I want the epidural /: Moms, tell me your stories! If you got one or not, and your experiences!

The epidural is the best thing ever.

My first at 19 no epidural, my second at 28 epidural, I tried and couldn't handle it, almost too late to get it. I'm going to try without again. And I'm someone who has a high tolerance for pain. We will see.

I labored for 12 hours, no epidural. You can do it, Hell we are MADE TO DO IT. System has you so wrapped up in not believing in your abilities to brace down and overcome this amazing event of bringing your child into the world. I hate needles more than I hate contractions 😂 in all seriousness my breast feeding was easier, I could walk immediately after, no complications with IVs or particularly numbness/back pain. Seriously look into it... and consider a doula (helped me a lot) and my husband doing hip compressions during my contractions.

With my first son I didn’t get an epidural I was able to endure the contractions and I didn’t want one anyway. But with my second son I had to get one at first I refused the epidural but once my contractions kept hitting they became more painful and I had to get one

I got it and after about 1 hour it stopped working (wrong placement I think) and there was nothing they could do.. The pain was absolute hell and my son ended up fracturing my tailbone. With this one, I’ll try again to see if it works. I’ve had a lot of friends tell me how amazing it is.

I got one, I was so scared to get it but I'm glad I did! I didn't feel anything from the waist down..they had to tell me when to push because I couldn't feel my contractions so I pushed for a half hour and had my son. Felt NOTHING. I was literally smiling and laughing giving birth lmaooo

No judgment from me for those who do get it because believe me, I KNOW the pain.. I've had 8 vaginal deliveries! 5 of them being with the epidural and 3 without.. It's tough to do it without but it CAN be done, our bodies were made for this! And let me tell you, the benefits of recovery after having not had the epidural are great! The babies I had without the epidural were more alert, observant, calmer and less fussy. And my recovery time was cut short. I felt better much faster!

I got it didn’t feel a thing never had any issues

I had epidural with my first 2. My last son came too fast but I did want to get it. 8 years later I'm am suffering with terrible back pains from the epidural. I've had days where I could not walk or get out of my bad because my back was so stiff with pain. To make it worst I'm a hair stylist so I've missed out on money because of my back problems due to the epidural. Don't get me wrong, I loved it when I had it because I didn't feel a thing but I suffered from it in the long run. I'm actually debating if I will be getting one this time around because I know the back problems that I have now but at the time it was so worth it so I'm torn.

I do not judge any woman who chooses to get an epidural. I am honestly against them unless of course you require surgery. The epidural can slow your labor down. The reasoning is if you want one, the doctor has to preload you with plenty of IV fluids. After the epidural, your contractions might actually space out apart further - lengthening your overall labor. A pain-free labor is not always a fast one. Also, sometimes they don’t work like in the case of my aunt. Discuss all of your concerns with your doctor and I encourage you to take a natural childbirth class before deciding what you want to do.

I didn’t get the epidural, and from the time I was 3 cm to ready to push - it was seriously less than 6 hours overall. Since I could feel everything, I felt the urge to bear down. Pushed three times and baby was out. The pain is bearable. I think every woman is strong enough to handle them! Ultimately, it is your decision what you want - just don’t feel like it’s impossible if you choose to go without it. 😊

I loved mine. Contractions hurt like hell especially with pitocin the nurse is how to break my water after that then contractions were no joke. I had bad back labor but it helps with that too

I got it. I loved it. Helped with the pain & made my delivery nice & smooth, just took a long time almost 23 hours in labor once my water broke.