WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

Epidural: Making the Best Decision

Childbirth
Delivery method
Childbirth and Epidurals: Making a Choice
As you approach the joyous moment of giving birth, you might be considering your options for pain relief during labor, and one popular choice is epidural anesthesia.
However, making this decision is a personal one, and it's crucial to be well-informed about the benefits and considerations.
Let's explore childbirth and epidurals to help you make the best choice for a safe and comfortable delivery.
Childbirth: A Transformative Experience
  • Natural Birth: Many women opt for natural childbirth, embracing the experience without medical pain relief. This choice allows for full awareness of the labor process and a deeper connection to the birthing journey.
  • Pain Management: On the other hand, some women prefer pain management options like epidurals to alleviate the intensity of labor pains, allowing them to conserve energy for the actual delivery.
  • Support and Information: Surround yourself with a supportive birth team, including your healthcare provider, doula, or partner, who can provide valuable information and emotional assistance throughout the process.
What is an Epidural?
  • Local Anesthesia: An epidural is a form of regional anesthesia that numbs the lower part of your body while allowing you to remain fully conscious during childbirth. It's administered through a thin tube, or catheter, placed in your lower back, and it helps relieve pain during labor.
  • Gradual Onset: The epidural takes around 10 to 20 minutes to take full effect, providing gradual pain relief. The amount of medication can be adjusted, allowing you to feel more comfortable while still being able to actively participate in the birthing process.
  • Monitoring and Safety: Throughout the procedure, your healthcare team will closely monitor both you and your baby's well-being, ensuring a safe delivery. Epidurals are generally considered safe, but like any medical intervention, they come with some potential risks and side effects. It's essential to discuss these with your healthcare provider.
Making the Decision: Considerations
  • Pain Relief Preferences: Consider your personal pain tolerance and how you envision your birthing experience. Some women find great comfort in the prospect of pain relief through an epidural, while others desire to experience the full range of sensations during childbirth.
  • Labor Progression: Epidurals can sometimes slow down labor, and this aspect might be a concern for some women. However, it's crucial to remember that every labor is different, and the impact of an epidural on labor progression varies from person to person.
  • Flexibility: Keep in mind that birth plans may change unexpectedly, and being open to flexibility can help you adapt to any situation that arises during labor. Your healthcare provider can help you navigate these changes and make decisions that align with your best interests.
In Conclusion
As you approach your birthing journey, remember that choosing whether to have an epidural or not is a personal decision.
Be informed, consider your preferences, and communicate openly with your healthcare provider to create a birthing plan that aligns with your needs and desires.
Whether you choose natural childbirth or opt for an epidural, trust that your body knows how to bring your precious bundle of joy into the world.
Embrace this transformative experience, and may your birthing journey be filled with love, support, and joy. You've got this, mama!
H
Hera
21 Nov 2023

He was born I pushed through natural till 5cm then gave me epidural I had preeclampsia unknowingly and had get induced but best thing ever

Childbirth Delivery method
3 comments
D
Daphney
Congratulations 🍾🎉🎊
27 Mar 2024

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Hera
Thank you love
27 Mar 2024

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Zarah
1 Jun 2023

Question(For non first time mommas): Is it true that Epidural has side effects or cause arthritis, or is this just a myth? Would it be best not to take it? And is there anyway we can prepare our body to give birth without epidural so it's not too painful? I read comments of other moms who already gave birth about the bad side of epidural, so I wanted to know more....

Childbirth Delivery method
7 comments
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Ninaa
It’s different for everyone really
27 Mar 2024

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Caliann
It just depend on that person health… I had 4 kids n had epidural each child and I am completely fine no issues … u can try a lot of things to prepare yourself but u have to find out what works for u because I walked, exercise, use birthing balls , ate certain foods to try to help had plenty of sex n ect n with all 4 of my kids , they was ready to come out but I never dilated.
27 Mar 2024

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Shawan
30 May 2023

Well I made the decision I’m not getting the epidural I’ve been hearing to many bad stories about it looks like I’m going natural again lol

Childbirth Delivery method
14 comments
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Shawntrail & Suavae
Have You Ever Experience One Yourself.?! Each Person Is Different.!
27 Mar 2024

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Shawntrail & Suavae
Oh iSee You Said Natural Again Lol So I Guess Not….
27 Mar 2024

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Vanessa
23 Mar 2023

Loc’ing my hair was the best decision I ever made fr and I’m definitely loving the journey 😍I’ll be officially 6 months loc’d next month and I’m just loving it 😍😍

Childbirth Delivery method
6 comments
P
Princess
They look beautiful 😍
27 Mar 2024

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Vanessa
Awww thank you love ❤️
27 Mar 2024

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Keirsten
24 Oct 2022

Are you guys leaning towards natural birth or medicated? And what’s making you choose that decision? It’s my first and I’m freaked out at the thought of the epidural and pain meds, but also freaked out at the thought of going natural, so I just wanna see opinions and pros vs cons.

Childbirth Delivery method
6 comments
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Danielle 🦦🪷
I did an epidural for my first two and I’m wanting to try natural for this one. I’m definitely going to be more prepared for the pain that comes with laboring and I’m doing research to make sure I know tactics to help get me through it
27 Mar 2024

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Shay 💝
I’m going towards natural. My 1st child I wanted meds but was too far along to get them. So I ended up having him naturally like my other 3 children. I just like that you and baby know when you’re body is ready to push and as long as you breathe, relax and I also move around labor progresses pretty quickly. I never really wanted baby to get any side effects from meds either personally
27 Mar 2024

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Heaven
21 Oct 2022

My boyfriend tried arguing that I’m not allowed to get the epidural because I’m a recovering addict🤦🏼‍♀️ I told him it’s my body. Point. Blank. Period. Of course I want to do all natural but if it comes down to it and I feel like I need it I get to make that decision… am I in the wrong here?

Childbirth Delivery method
12 comments
k
kattie
no your not wrong it hurts ik men don't understand how bad it hurts to push a kid out of you 🤦
27 Mar 2024

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Heaven
That’s what I’m saying it’s my first so I have no idea what to expect and I’m going to try my best to go without but my pain tolerance isn’t the best so if it were to come down to it I feel that it should be my choice.
27 Mar 2024

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alena
13 Aug 2022

Epidural or natural?? I’m undecided. I know it’s personal preference but, I would love to hear your experiences/opinions on them!🫶🏽

Childbirth Delivery method
14 comments
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Tammy
Ever since I was little and knew I wanted to have kids I’ve always said I wanted to give birth naturally without any meds and it still holds up to now. That is still my plan unless there are complications where I need them.
27 Mar 2024

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F
Fin
For me it will be natural again I did natural with my son and then decided to get the epidural which they couldn’t complete because his heart rate dropped so I ended up having him natural anyways lol 😂 This time around I know how to breath and have more confidence in myself so I’m planning all natural again but this time without me acting like a fool lol Honestly after having my son I was so relieved I didn’t tear and I could feel when I needed to push I pushed him out in less than 15 minutes
27 Mar 2024

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Sky
21 May 2022

Okay mamas , y’all plan on going natural or getting an epidural when you have your babies ? & if you already had a child , which one was the decision & tell me your experiences

Childbirth Delivery method
15 comments
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tatyana
I’m indecisive 😩
27 Mar 2024

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Nellie
Well, I had to have mine naturally because I dilated way too fast and couldn’t get it! But I would recommend getting an epidural depending on your pain tolerance. However, when you have your baby naturally, you won’t have to worry about any side effects that may come with an epidural.
27 Mar 2024

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