re: why put yourself through so much pain???

<blockquote><b>Quoting Crystal Marie S.:</b>" The risk of 1 complication is 1 in 10,000 people. But you put all the complications from an epidural together and it's much higher percentage. Like 1/4 people who have it."</blockquote>




Exactly, neurological damage is not the only possible risk associated with epidurals.

I had an epi, but I wish I didn't. I stalled at 5cm after my water broke so the Dr wanted to give me pitocin to help me dilate. My contractions went from moderately painful to excruciatingly painful. I ended up getting IV meds then an epi. After I had my epi they laid me back down and I had a bad reaction. My blood pressure plummeted and I almost blacked out. All I remember was feeling dizzy and hot and nurses running around. It was horrifying. I'm 4 months PP and still have back pain and spinal headaches. I won't be getting one again unless absolutely needed (i.e. for c-section).

And OP I still felt when I needed to push and the ring of fire, even with an epi.

I had a natural labor; not to feel tough, but to have control over everything. My pain tolerance is very low, I freak over needles, therefore I'd have a natural labor rather then an epidural. I had 14 hrs of labor and will go natural for my next child/ren. There were times that got rough during my labor but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Overall it's the mother's choice and I feel the OP is demeaning towards mother's who want to labor naturally.

Quoting kelsey054:" I had a natural labor; not to feel tough, but to have control over everything. My pain tolerance is very ... [snip!] ... in a heartbeat. Overall it's the mother's choice and I feel the OP is demeaning towards mother's who want to labor naturally."

im not. go read through the 8 pages and think again. im not about to explain myself again.