Who has given birth with an epidural one time and without another? What are the pros and cons of both? Which did you prefer? I got an epidural at 6cm with both of my girls because my nurse scared me about waiting until it was “too late”, but I didn’t really feel like I needed it when I got it. Definitely going in with an open mind, but I would like to try without if I can.
My 1 I had an epidural absolutely no pain which was great but 19 hour labor took several hours after to be able to move agian! I also have back pain now and started a week after I gave birth. My last 5 no epidural definitely painful but do able and I feel like I healed much faster pain was over as soon as baby came out I could immediately walk quicker labor and 3 pushes and done my first two I pushed for hours
I pushed for an hour with both of mine with the epi, and I think it’s partly because I couldn’t feel myself pushing. Especially in the beginning. Thanks for sharing your experience!
@keeping_upwith_harperkate, yea my first two were almost 2 hours of pushing my first they did the vacuum and my second I was very close to an emergency c section 🤦🏻♀️ the last 5 pain hurt so bad I sufficiently pushed 3-4 pushes and done I wasn’t messing around I needed the baby out 😂
Natural birth all the way, my first I had Pre-E and was medicated to high heaven (magnesium, epidural, etc) and I hated it. My son I went completely unmedicated, pain was over once he was born and I legit felt like I could give birth again right after. Second degree tear with him (8lbs 10oz) but I'd do it over again in a HEARTBEAT.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience!
First I had an epidural, had back pain/problems after.
Didn't have an epidural this time and I'm honestly so happy, I felt fantastic afterwards. I did need stitches so they numbed me with a shot down there, sounds scary, but it doesn't hurt. I was pushing for no epidural because I didnt want to deal with that horrid back pain again, so I kept that in my mind during labor.
I tore second degree with my first (8lbs 11oz)
I tore 1st degree and in two other places with second baby (8lbs 15oz) but in all honesty, healing process was way worst with my first, pushing the baby out felt like nothing compared to the contractions lol
Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I was wondering how it would feel if I needed stitches without the epi.
@keeping_upwith_harperkate not a problem! Also you can feel how to push without the epi, feels like you have to make a big poop 😂😂😂
I’m glad you asked this bc I’m wondering the same. My sister had an epi with her first and she said it was wonderful. Pain was tolerable and delivery was easy. No tear. Her second they administered the epi but it didn’t work. She thinks anesthesiologist did it wrong somehow so she still felt everything as if it was a natural birth. She said the pain was so bad it raised her BP which caused her to bleed more and she lost a lot of blood...almost too much. Her babies were not big, 6 lbs and 5 lbs respectively.
I don’t think my epidural worked fully with my second. I could still feel a lot on my left side. Thanks for sharing!
My first was with and epidural and honestly it sucked and didn’t work right and I still basically felt it all. With my second I went all natural and everything went quick and easy and I was back up walking really soon and felt great! My girls were a bit complicated so I had to have epidurals with them also
I could still feel a lot on my left side with my second when I got the epidural. I don’t think it worked completely. Thank you for sharing your experience!
First labor no epi, much faster. 3 pushes, not controlled and bad tear
Second labor got epi between 6 and 8cm. Longer labor but much more controlled delivery, minor tear.
If i could do it again Id get the epi. O could still feel it but it wasnt so painful I was vomiting as before
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I had epi with my first I was 18 and totally clueless on a lot. I had my other 3 all natural. I preferred the natural births because the pain is over immediately after baby comes and there was no waiting to be able to move around and function normally after. I also only tore with my first and last I believe the first had to do with not being able to feel while I was pushing, the last my baby was almost 10 lbs so the tearing I feel was unavoidable lol.
Yes! That’s what my friend keeps telling me... the pain is over as soon as baby is out! I didn’t tear with either of my two girls. Hoping I don’t this time as well. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Any first time mom's that already had their baby? Did you get an epidural or go natural? I don't want an epidural but if the pain is too much for me I feel like ima have to but I prefer to do it without the epidural.
Natural Birth
Any moms out there given birth without meds? I have people asking me all the time if I'm going to get the epidural and I say no I will try my hardest not to. And some of them tell me that I will have in an get it, or they look at me like I'm crazy lol my sister in law, who is pregnant now with her first, told me there's no way I can do it without the epidural. She's getting the laughing gas.

Me and my princess first time getting epidural and I’m numb from legs is this normal i can’t walk good yet
Birth stories!
I've got 5 weeks left but according to my doctor I only have 3. So please tell me your birth stories and if you did it naturally how it was. If you got an epidural tell me how long you went without one. Please and thank you!!
Starting TWW. Anyone else?
I had a stillborn daughter at 38 weeks this passed Nov. This is my second month ttc. (Last month we only tried for like two weeks though). My last and only pregnancy, I got pregnant the first month of ttc so I hope it's quick this time again.
I did with them all lol