ive been thinking about this for a while now and i guess im still on the fence about it. im sure my feelings may change when im in labour and in a world of pain, but at this stage i would like to go into labour with an open mind and just see what happens. If i cant bear the pain anymore i wont feel ashamed to have the epidural, but if i can manage then i'll try my best to deliver naturally.
Im still curious to hear opinions from women who have been through labour - why they would or wouldnt have the epidural? Ive researched it a little and it seems like there is no simple fact sheet out there to say "OKAY .. Here is why you would, and here is why you wouldnt!"
I spoke to my OB and she basically said that complications can happen when you have been given the epidural, but they are unlikely. You loose feeling from the waist down so you cant feel how well you are pushing so I thought this meant a longer labour, but my OB tells me that its actually a quicker labour IF you listen to their directions. This way they know what is working and they will tell you when to push etc. She also said the epidural does not affect your baby. I always thought it had to and thats why women chose not to have it. Its all so confusing! You hear so many things and obviously all you want is the best for your baby. I kind of think that lots of women have the epidural and they have healthy babies so if need be I will have one. Also... im kind of a woos... i may have tattoos but i'll put money on it that labour pain is kinda different to that of a tattoo needle!
Id love to hear womens thoughts on this! comment (you dont need to have a google account) below or email/private message me! The internet seems all so one sided! I just want to know facts... but like i said, i will be going into labour with an open mind and i guess i need to see how my body reacts to labour, everyone is SO different!
here are some pics from the past couple weeks :) oh PS. im 25 weeks today! my phone app "sprout" says that the baby is starting to grow fingernails! WEIRD! ;)
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| shooting a wedding in Echuca at 23weeks 2 days |
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| walking to "D'Feet MND" 23 weeks 3 days. comparing bellys with dad |
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| 6 months! 24 weeks! |
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| taken out front of the USA foods store! yeah yeah! |
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| 24 weeks 2 days. at a wedding mark and i decided to have an intimate portrait haha |
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| walking at Melbournes first COLOUR RUN! 24 weeks 3 days |
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| ebens 28th birthday - 24 weeks 4 days. I made him a chocolate cake with chocolate icing. then i tried to draw a AK47 gun on the top... kinda failed |
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| TODAY! 25 weeks, at my work desk |
you are adorable noonie! i love your pictures! some women in my family swear by epidurals - simply because it takes the pain away and i think there are risks but like your OB said they're pretty rare these days. so many women get epidurals now that doctors have to know exactly what to monitor and look for when they give them. i had one for my c-section and i couldn't feel a thing! i also know some women who have had one and they say that it slowed their labor BECAUSE they couldn't feel anything. i can imagine that pushing with one is nothing compared to the urge to push without one. i think the possibility is that it takes longer because you lose that urge to push and you basically have to force it even when you can't feel it. but i have also heard that once they tell you that you need to start pushing you can ask to have them start lowering the dose or turn it off so it starts wearing off and then you can get more of that urge without ALL the pain. i think you should stick to your plan of seeing how you go without it and if it gets to be too much than have one - no shame in that! i think once you start going into early labor it will be easier to make the decision cause you'll know more of what you're getting into. i'm so excited for you!! xxoo
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