Who's had both epidural and natural births? - Page 2

[CrazyCatLady]

1st - All natural birth

2nd - Induction, meds and epidural used

3rd - Induction, no meds or epidural used

4th - Induction, meds and epidural sort of used (I pushed her out before it kicked in).

So two natural births and two with epidurals.  There are pros and cons to both and I am no longer judgemental about those who use epidurals.  The pain of some of my labors is more than I can describe.  Nobody should have to go through that if they don't want to.  Yet, I love the high of a natural birth.  If and when I birth baby #5, I have no idea what I will do during the birth.  I could honestly go either way. 

[Mom31]

Melaya- you are planning to have another baby!???:)
 

[CrazyCatLady]

Not tomorrow.  But I am only 28.  Who knows what could happen in my future yk?  If I got married again someday, I would probably be willing to have another baby.  If and only I had the supports in place to handle the post partum depression and anxiety that always makes me want to consider adoption though. 

[Mom31]

Hugs to you mama!  I hope all your dreams come true!

[Thandiwe]

I had an epidural with my first.  I was in early labor, not yet full-on labor, after prodromal labor and being at about 5.5 cm and zero station.  Contractions weren't yet consistent, but doc admitted me because of the progress.  Looking back, that was mistake number one on my part, but I had no clue.  So I made it about 24 hours strapped to a bed most of the time with the darned monitors and puttery contractions.  After that, she broke my waters and the pain was awful.  I made it about an hour and a half with a shot of Demerol (which wore off after an hour) before I agreed to the pleas from the nurses of, "Oh, honey, don't you want an epidural to get some sleep?"  I was tired, so I agreed.  And I did sleep well!  But it was surreal, because I was so numb that I was watching Dr. Phil when they came in, checked me, and said, "Okay, ready to push."  So we shut off the tv and I pushed. 

My next 2 were at home with a midwife, and in both I hit a brick wall where I was longing for the relief of an epidural.  The 1st homebirth was very fast, about 3 hours and 15 minutes start to finish, which left me dizzied with fear after my 32 hour previous birth.  The last one was about 24 hours start to finish, and I was longing for an epidural about 75% of the way through at 3am. 

But I was much more in-tune and aware non-medicated.  As hard as it was, I prefer that to the medicated birth.  My oldest was born lethargic from the epidural and had an awful time breastfeeding.  It ended up escalating from there and at 5 days old he was hospitalized for severe dehydration.  My other two nursed immediately with no trouble.
 

[loveneverfails]

I've had three home births and three hospital births with epidural, and I honor the reasons why I've made both choices.  My most recent birth was my best birth experience to date and it was with a cytotec induction with epidural and AROM and it was a truly beautiful birth experience.  In terms of regrets, I am closer to feeling regret over not having an epidural particularly with my 11 lb child (that was not humane) than I am to regretting my epidurals.  And I am likely at this point to continue to have epidurals.  I'm at the point in my childbearing that I want to reduce any unnecessary stress or difficulty for myself, and I just don't buy that the risk of an epidural is that great.

One other thing I'm going to mention is that there's somewhat of a built in bias with a lot of these sorts of questions because most of the time, folks move from hospital to home if they've done both.  Not vice versa.  So, you're also dealing with a  lot of "is it easier to be a second time mom than a first time mom" and the answer for most of us will be "yes."  For me, being a well seasoned mom and not having to focus on working myself through pain during birth made for a birth that was pretty much a cake walk.  And at this point?  I like cake walks.  :D

[BriannaJ]

I had an epidural/hospital birth with my first baby.. (and regret it terribly..) However, that is me.. 

I had a completely natural/drug free home/water birth with my second and planning the same for my 3rd. :)

I LOVED it, it was worth it, the feelings, the way I felt about myself and my baby was just different. I would change my first birth if I could and had a homebirth, or atleast not had an epidural.. But I can't change the past, only the future:) Good luck, and I hope the best for you! :) 

[Mom31]

Originally Posted by BriannaJ 

I had an epidural/hospital birth with my first baby.. (and regret it terribly..) However, that is me.. 

I had a completely natural/drug free home/water birth with my second and planning the same for my 3rd. :)

I LOVED it, it was worth it, the feelings, the way I felt about myself and my baby was just different. I would change my first birth if I could and had a homebirth, or atleast not had an epidural.. But I can't change the past, only the future:) Good luck, and I hope the best for you! :) 

ya that

[Climbing Rose]

I have had both- natural (home water births) and epidurals.

Honestly, I prefer the epidural.  I have fast, intense births, and it has been a God-send.

[Sharlla]

my natural birth was the best, it could be because i was on my knees in a birth tub

[Niniel]

I had an epidural with my first and I would never do it again. My second and third were drug free home births and they were so much easier, in terms of how in control I felt and recovery. I think epidurals have their place but to me they are very much a last resort. 

[AlainaFrederick]

I had epi's with my first and second birth. I did not have one or ANY drugs with my third birth and that birth by FAR was my most positive experience. It was a nice birth but what I remember most is the few moments just after the baby was born and that rush of hormones and how amazing I felt. With my first child I couldn't walk for nearly a week and it was about two weeks before I could pee without it hurting.  With my second I was able to walk and whatnot but I did not bond with the baby that well and had PPD. With my third I was ready to leave the hospital just hours after he was born and was grocery shopping the day after they released me from the hospital. Had it not been for "protocol" I would have gone home.

The drug-free experience was amazing and yes it hurt like hell but I labored mostly at home so I could move around as needed without being told I had to lay on the bed. Once I got to the hospital I was around 7-8cm and it was about an hour later they he came out with literally three pushes. Because I could FEEL things I knew not to push. I knew that I wasn't ready but then I could feel something between my legs (it was his head) and pushed and there he was. The recovery time was also much faster too and my milk came in that night after I had the baby so the turn around time for me feeling full and able to nurse was faster too.

Good luck and congratulations I know that a birthing center will be an amazing journey for you!!