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*stands on soap box*

My doctor gave me one so that I could sleep. I hadn't slept the night before because I was in hard labor all night. They had sent me home because I wasn't dialated enough. I was up the entire night crying. I went to the delivery room the next day at around 11:30 am and had finally dialated enough. My doctor appollogized and made me laugh by saying it was a female doctor that sent me home.

(on a side note of anger towards nurses. The nurses at my hospital had their break in front of my room and were having small talk while I was crying because of the pain. This was before they sent me home. I screamed at the medical person they had measure my cervix because it just hurt so much)

By the time I got to the hospital I had been passing out between contractions because I was so tired. I hadn't slept since Thursday night and it was almost noon on Saturday. He said he was going to give me an epidural so I could sleep and to help with the pain. My anestheoligist (sp?) came and gave me my epidural and I fell asleep.

It didn't cause any problems for my delivery. I had to have my water broken, but thats not uncommon for the women in my family. I delivered D after 45 minutes of pushing. This is not the first time I've heard people talk of the evils of the epidural. I don't get it. Was it that wrong for me to have it? I mean I'm used to back pain, but this was more than I could handle. I used to get an attitude from people because I told them that I wanted to get an epidural and they would tell me how it makes it harder to push and how I could kill my son because I won't know when I'm pushing or not.

I don't think you should push an epidural on some one, but I doubt my son will love my any less for having one. I'm just confused. I'm tired of having people who hardly know me giving me an attitude because of it because birth with out drugs is natural and it creates a stronger bond between the mother and the child. I was still tired and about a minute before D was born I was about to tell the doctor to ******** push himself. I wasn't in pain. I was just tired because I still only slept 4 hours to make up for missing 8. Dr. Stern did a great job though and thats why D's middle name is Paul.

I know long, but still. I feel self conscious about this...a lot...

What are your stories of doctors and epidurals and people telling you whether you should or shouldn't? Why can't people let you decide on your own? And yes it takes a village to raise a child, but do they not realize that there are also village idiots?

*pushes the soap box to the rest of you*

My problem was how long it took them to get the no pain person. She did a really good job and I managed to sleep for 4 hours. Which is what I really needed.

I personally think that you have to be pretty brave to get an epidural. Maybe that's 'cause I haven't been through the childbirth part yet, but I'm less scared of childbirth than I am of an epidural. I see nothing wrong with anyone having one, though I've made the choice not to have one if I can in any way help it.

But you're right. People are always on other peoples' asses about the decisions they make. But as far as natural childbirth strengthening the bond...well, I think that's a matter of opinion. Birth is birth, painkillers or no, and even though you don't feel as much with an epidural, it certainly doesn't make you any less involved. I thnk that making the choices that you are most comfortable with is what will help you bond in the end. 3nodding

Don't let anyone make you feel bad for making a choice that was right for you. If anyone gives you crap for it, remind them gently (or, if you're like me, not so gently) that you do what you believe is right, and that it includes not letting other peoples' opinions intimidate you into doing something you're not comfortable with.

I was cold too, but I got some sleep. I didn't feel my stitches either. The nurse how ever joked on how quickly I recovered from the epidural. Not half an hour after I delivered I was demanding that I walk on my own to the bathroom so that I could go to the bathroom with some privacy. I can't pee with 3 different people in the room watching me. I made it, but she followed me to make sure I wouldn't pass out. She said I would have ran if she had let me.

I sober up quickly. I'm surprised the epidural lasted as long as it did.

From what I understand in no way does the Epidural affect the baby, the mother is the one with the risk. The worst case is that in can complicate the pushing process and some people don't push as hard once they have it. The biggest risk factor is when they put the epidural in, if they put it in wrong, they can pinch a nerve causing life long problems, it can cause paralizes , that was my worst fear. Yes many times they wait to long to give it and then it isn't effective at all. One my third pregancy I had set up with the doctor beforehand to get it, unfortunately my daughter decided to come in the middle of the night and the darn anestiologist was so slow coming to the hospital after they called him, (3 hours) I was in the final stages and to close to delivery to even bother. That was the last time I used that hospital

My ob delivered my son. I was really lucky that way. I pushed really hard though because I wanted him to be born. I told the nurse to go get the doctor when I felt pushing labor coming on. Then I told my aunt to tell them to hurry up because not 5 minutes after they left I felt the sudden urge of come on mom I want to be born like yesterday. Can we hurry this along?

First off, screw those people who are trying to make you feel bad. Epidurals are the way to pain relief without hurting the baby. Not for everyone, but hell a lot of people do it. My opinion is, would you get your teeth worked on without the pain medication? I sure the hell wouldn't and there are risks to that just like an epi.

I don't think a woman who had it without any pain meds is any better than mine.

I was throwing up everywhere. I puked all over the poor nurse (she wanted me to puke in this tiny thing!) because of the pitocin. I pretty much had no sleep at all. I tried to tough it out as best as I could. I wasn't a screamer or anything, but when I finally asked they didn't bother to check me because the nurse was like "she's really hurting" which turned out to be good. My epi didn't kick in fully till after Logan was born.

When they gave it to me, the anesthitists kept telling me to relax my shoulders, I was in the middle of contractions! I couldn't help but jump when the first needle went it. I'm a little scared for next time getting the epi cause I'm afraid it won't work as quick as I would like, that and what if I need a c-sec? I could still feel it when they rubbed the alcohol wipes on my stomach. Didn't even have time for the anema and such it happened so quickly.

Although since it didn't kick in till after the birth, they kept wanting me to use the bathroom, I couldn't tell if I had to go or not! xd

It's a personal decision, but inmy eyes, you're no better or worse if you got one or not. The end result is the same!

I don't blaime you Miss Tiger. I would have been pissed too.