I did love both of them. I really got to enjoy my labor because of them. I wish my second labor had lasted longer. I was a little disappointed that I only got to push once!

I had an epidural with my first (and only, so far!) child and it was a horrible experience that I do not wish to repeat! First, despite being redosed multiple times and redone twice, my epidural didn’t take, I was in pain the whole time. Without going into a long, drawn out story, I know the epidural was the first in a long line of interventions that made my labor a terrible experience and ended in a c-section. I think one of the most important points you made was, “Epidurals early on in labor, for example, bring more risks than those used late in labor”. This is a very important point, but even knowing and understanding the risks it’s hard not to accept the offer of relief when it’s presented to you! I do understand that this isn’t everyone’s experience though and I think epidurals are great in theory. Although, when I read a story like Helana Bonham Carter’s I might hate her a little bit for mentioning the “blissed-out state” she entered post-epidural. And I mean hate in the nicest way possible of course! :P

I had my first (8 lb) without and my second (9lb 6oz) without. I tried the second time to go without, but I had been induced with Pitocin (10 days past due) and it made the contractions completely unbearable! I lasted until 5 cm, which only took 1 hour to get to. When they told me an hour later that I was STILL at 5cm and that labor seemed to have stalled (seeing as how I usually progress rapidly), I opted for the epi. 20 mins had passed, the anesthesiologist finally came in………I was pain free about 15 mins after that, I think. I can tell you that 45 mins after pain relief was given he was OUT!!!! I was done! The pain had caused my body to tense up and stop cooperating. I was soooooooooo glad I got it. The pushing was a breeze, just pressure, no pain. I LOVED IT!! Coincidentally, I am to be induced 7 hours from now with my 3rd child. I will absolutely be opting for the epi again. Pushing without one took me nearly 2 hours because every push caused more pain and I hesitated too much. I’m a wimp, I guess. But both times I ended up with a beautiful baby. And neither time did I get labeled a “HERO”. Just a mom, a happy mom. :)

I was really hoping for a nice pro-epidural post, but even when it quotes the celeb addressing the prevalence f the natural birth message, there is still natural birth undertones. How disappointing!

while the epidural is fine for so many women and babies, any article praising the epidural should also cite the medical risks associated with it– risks to the mother and the baby. i’m disappointed the author didn’t even mention them, if only to keep her readers informed.

I did not get an epidural. I would never in a million tell any woman what she should or should not do. That is a personal choice and completely up to the laboring woman.

I had epis with both my beautiful babies and could not have loved them more. I did end up itchy for about 10-12hrs afterwards, but considering that it dramatically shortened my first labor (I was too tense to dilate past 4cm) and vastly improved my second, I think they were worth it. Admittedly my second labor was a very fast one, and had I known how quickly she would be born (once they finally found my ob to come and deliver!!!!) I might have gone without just to skip the hassle of trying to get the darn thing in. But since they couldn’t locate my doctor, and the residents were all with other patients they wanted to stall the delivery as long as possible. I was the picture of patience once that magic needle was in my back. :-) Maybe next time I’ll go natural, but it all depends on how things go. I’m a take things as they come kind of woman. Best wishes and all the luck in the world to you expectant Mommas out there!