100% natural vs epidural

Do women who have had/are planning on having a completely natural birth judge or look down on women who have epidurals or other pain relief? There's currently a debate on an article which someone shared on FB and I'm horrified at the comments being made.
So I'm just curious about BG mamas ... Do you think women who have epidurals or pain medication (gas and air included) are weak or lesser women? Do you believe there's ever an appropriate time to have an epidural? Do you think epidurals should be banned unless there's a risk to life?

I judge women who judge other women who get epidurals. I think they are high horse riding twats. When I have a super bad migraine I don't ride out the pain and call myself more of a woman.

I dont know. I wanted to go without the EPI and just some IV pain meds and it did not work out that way. At first, labor was a breeze and I was feeling great without it. Then when I was like an 7 or 8 I just could not handle it anymore. I think that women who can do it 100% natural are awesome. But if you can't, I dont feel they are "weak" or whatever. For me, after the epidural I actually really enoyed the rest of my labor. I think my next baby I wont even try to stick it out, jsut getting the EPI when the pain gets too much.

I've had 2 natural births and I'd never look down or feel superior to those that have epis. Labour HURTS and If something can make the experience more enjoyable then awesome!
We get offered gas and air here as pain relief which i don't believe is available in America. I do think maybe if the gas was available there many women wouldn't feel the need for an epi.

I have said from the beginning that I would get an epidural during labor if I felt like I needed to get one in order to enjoy the experience.
I do personally feel like some of the women who choose to go natural or are going to choose to go natural look down upon me for my choice. In some cases it seems like they even feel like they are a "better" mother for choosing to go natural.

My fiance and I had a long talk and research of epidurals and other pain management. We decided that we wanted it to be a relaxed and happy environment on the day of our son's birth. For us, that includes an epidural. It is ultimately the woman's choice on whether or not she gets an epidural or any other kind of pain medication. It would not be fair for anyone to tell a woman how to birth her own child.

<blockquote><b>Quoting h*:</b>" I've had 2 natural births and I'd never look down or feel superior to those that have epis. Labour HURTS ... [snip!] ... believe is available in America. I do think maybe if the gas was available there many women wouldn't feel the need for an epi."</blockquote>




The gas and air did nothing for me but I got induced due to pre-E, they told me I had to have an epi due to not progressing and it worked wonders. I, glad I did after having fourth degree tearing and being told that even going natural wouldn't have prevented it.

I feel like natural childbirth is a very empowering experience and I was very proud of myself for doing it. I did feel like it was an accomplishment for me because that was the goal I set for myself and it was very important for me. I don't see it as being strong or weak and I don't judge those who chose to get pain meds.

I don't have high pain tolerance lol so I would be so upset if they banned epidurals. I couldn't handle the labor pains with giuliana.
I couldn't breathe at all. It should continue to be a woman's choice. Its her body, she should be able to choose what she needs to be comfortable

I went natural and it was an amazing experience and I would gladly do it all over again. Now, do I look down on women who prefer to use pain medications? No, I do not. It is there choice and their body and if that helps them experience labor better, than go right ahead. I like things my way and they like things there way.

Am I proud of going all natural? Yes, I am, because I made a goal for myself and I achieved it. Am I afraid to say that I am proud of it? Sometimes, because I've had some awfully negative comments from women who didn't go natural in my real life.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Nicola =):</b>" I have said from the beginning that I would get an epidural during labor if I felt like I needed to get ... [snip!] ... an epidural or any other kind of pain medication. It would not be fair for anyone to tell a woman how to birth her own child."</blockquote>



I'm sorry you have felt looked down on. That sucks. And good for you for acrually researching it and getting more info than just, 'my Dr said....'.

On here I have seen it both ways. A lot of natural birth advocates get all high and mighty but also the epi advocates get really harsh on a momma who wants to go natural. As long as you really deeply research BOTH sides, looking at the good and the bad that can occur then decide you are making the best choice for you.

Quoting D-man's Momma:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Nicola =):</b>" I have said from the beginning that I would ... [snip!] ... deeply research BOTH sides, looking at the good and the bad that can occur then decide you are making the best choice for you."

Well it doesn't bother me because I know we are making the choice that is best for us and it is an informed choice.

I think for the most part women who go natural couldn't care less how anyone else does it. They are just proud of themselves, as they should be. Mostly you see the negative comments and epidural bashing on online forums, such as on here, where women speak their mind more than they would normally, lol.

I have done boh. First time being "whatever happens happens I don't know what labor feels like"attitude and I gotthe epi at 8cm and even then ai felt everything must not hsve worked. Second time around Isaid i wss going all natural and had a very brief moment when i changed my mind (my labor started in "transistion" andi thouht there were hours more labor to come) but she came out so fast even if i wanted to get an epi i couldnt lol.

I dont look down on anyone who gets an epi though I admit I do to people to opt for c sections without any medical need for it.

Quoting BTJ&A:" I have done boh. First time being "whatever happens happens I don't know what labor feels like"attitude ... [snip!] ... I dont look down on anyone who gets an epi though I admit I do to people to opt for c sections without any medical need for it."

Same here!

Honestly, I have seen harsher, less supportive behavior from pro epi mommas than from natural ones. Both on here and in real life. A lot of times the natural mommas are passionate about spreading the word that it CAN be done naturally. The medicated mommas take it as an assault and can become hostile towards anyone saying there is another way.

When I said I wanted natural with my first I got belittled and nearly harassed by women who had an epi telling me I didn't need to prove anyhing. I wasn't doing it to prove anything it was what I felt was right for us. When things didn't work out and I ended up with an epi the natural mommas were understanding and supportive where as the medicated mommas were smug and acted like they had won a battle. It goes a both ways.

I used to be against epidurals during labor...and I was agressive about it... Then I had my child lol. I got one because my blood pressure was raising from having Pre-clampsia. I felt very sad that I gave in because it was unexpected but am I happy with the choice I made? Yes! I would like to have a natural water birth next time but I am glad I had the experience I did because it allowed me to understand how other woman feel. What matters is that THEY are happy with their birth experience; pain medication, natural birth, csection, VBAC, home birth, drug free hospital birth, HBAC ect... We should all respect eachothers birthing choices because we are all amazing for creating life and deserve to feel safe and secure during such an important time.