Why do people opt not to get epidurals?

[Anonymous]

I went without any pain relief and "survived" labor. It was a personal decision that worked for me in my particular situation. Every mom-to-be is different with a different pain threshold (and "wus-factor" as my DH calls it).

However, my labor was relatively quick - checked in at 7 am and had a baby by 1pm with about 30 min. of pushing. So, like I said, in my particular situation I opted to go without. My reasons - I preferred it to be natural and I have a high pain threshold. Was I uncomfortable - hec yea, but I didn't want that to sway me from an epidural. I just focused on the baby that was to-be.

Since this was my first, I really didn't know any better - I didn't know what I was "missing" out on with an epidural. The L&D nurse later told me I would've felt less pressure, but that was about it.

Also, my milk came in super quick without an epidural and really gushed so that was another reason I was glad I chose to have it all natural.


To each his own - her own.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Anonymous]

I'm pregnant now - but am praying I can go without an epidural. Why? I am terrified of them. Might not make much sense and I can't explain it - but it is a deep rooted fear of a needle going in my spine. The thought has terrified me for years - enough to make me cry. Pathological fear maybe? My parents knew someone who had a bad outcome after an epidural. I know it's extremely rare - but for the past decade I can't get that story out of my head. So, I will do my best to prepare for a natural birth and pray I can do that.

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised that moms to be are terrified of getting an epidural! I thought the prospect of the labor pain (and once you start to really experience it) to be much more terrifying than getting the epidural. Nurses, doctors, etc are always pushing the epidural in a hospital so be forewarned you'll end up with one unless you are fully prepared to deal with the pain and temptation. You don't see the needle going in at all. Actually the hardest part of getting the epidural (and scary part) is that you are instructed to not move during it but sometimes you are in the middle of a contraction.

[Anonymous]

13:36 here: I know it's in my head - but there it is. I am going to a midwife practice and plan to use a hospital that has a good reputation for natural deliveries. Also, am planning to use a natural childbirth class - bradley or hypnobabies - something like that. I'm going to do everything I can to prevent needing an epidural. The idea just terrifies me that much.
Do I excpect natural birth to be a joyride - no. But, the thought of the epidural just sends me into overdrive.

However, if my child is in distress and an epidural would be the best thing - I'll cross that bridge when I get to it and do the best thing for my child.

But, the OP asked why - and that's my reason. Whether it's logical or not, at this point I can't get past the fear.

[Anonymous]

I had an epi with my first and HATED it. I couldn't move and I was hooked up to a million tubes and monitors. My labor completely stalled at 9 cm, necessitating a pit drip, oxygen, and then a forceps delivery. It felt like an episode from ER. All I could do was lie there in panic as the nurses rushed around me yelling and carrying on. It was horrible. Not to mention I felt like shit afterwards b/c of the drug (headache, a UTI after the catheter, dopey).

For my 2nd and 3rd I did natural deliveries with midwives at a birth center. My experience was a million times better, peaceful, and no complications. I was prepared to manage the contractions and birth, and I did. I am a wimp when it comes to pain, but I was able to deliver a 10 lb and a 10.5 lb baby without trauma or severe pain. I would do again in a heartbeat.

Just remember that getting an epi isn't just about pain relief, it is a major intervention and can cause complications and further interventions. The way your OB and the LD nurses will sell an epi to you is by telling you it is only about pain relief. Keep in mind they want a quiet, complacent patient that they can perform procedures on, not a laboring woman making noise, moving about, needing emotional and physical support.

Good luck to you.

[SurelyYouNest]

OP, this is all great info - just wanted to chime in to say that labor and delivery are intense and you should a)educate yourself well and then b)allow yourself to choose different options while in labor and/or change your mind based on what's happening. Having someone with you who knows your decision making process and how you think/feel about these matters is critical. Make a birth plan, talk a lot to your doc, and then recognize that you can't control everything (ie welcome to parenthood!). Best of luck to you.