I got my packet at the doctor this week about different pain killers, and up until now I had said I wanted an epidural, but now that I know all that it entails, I'm kinda nervous about that, and I know that I will end up freaking out about it going in my back & getting a catheter and everything more than worrying about labor itself. So I think I plan on getting one of the IV painkillers instead, now.

What did you get? Has anyone had both and prefer one or the other? Why or why not?

If you're going to get drugs, you might as well go all the way - I've had two epidurals with no problems and minimal pain.

I had heard horror stories about how painful it was to get the epidural. But it really wasn't bad at all. I thought the IV insertion was worse.
I had a c-section and they put a bit of morphine or something in the epidural. I didn't feel a thing- lovely.

I have had 4 vaginal births. Two with no drugs at all and 2 with one shot of a narcotic. I know I got Statal with one of them, but I don't remember what I got with the other one. The narcotics helped for 5-10 minutes, just to give me a break. I was more scared of the epidural than I was of the pain! My best friend had an epidural with all 3 of her kids, and has chronic migrains and back problems to this day. My other friend had an epidural for her c-section and the epidural wore off before they were done sewing her back up. She was in a ALOT of pain. I have heard too many first-hand horror stories about epidurals to ever get one.

I have a 1 yr old and I had her natural. When I was dialated to about 5 cm they gave me a shot of something in the IV. She told me it would make me feel kinda drunk and it would only last an hour and I couldnt have it when it was time to push. She was right, I felt kinda drunk, it wore off pretty fast. And when I asked for another 1 she said no. lol. Anyway, it really didnt help the pain that much. I think it just calmed me down enough to deal with it. I am so happy that I ended up having her natural. It was such a great experience and I felt like superwoman after that! Like hey I just gave birth to an 8lb baby with no drugs...I can do anything! It really is better for the baby to go the natural route. There are lots of ways to deal with the pain too. I was always scared of an epidural because of all the risks involved. I would just fallow your gut and do whatever you feel most comfortable with.

That's about how I feel right now...

Don't let anyone push you into anything you aren't comfortable with. I know my docs tried to convince me that an epidural was the only way to go, but I stood firm and said, "This is my delivery, and we are going to do it MY way." Women have been giving birth for millions of years without drugs. There is no reason you can't, if that is what you desire. I will say if your labor goes long, there is no shame in getting a shot of narcotic to give you a break. Don't think you are a failure if you can't do it completly natural. I was lucky, my shortest labor was 4 hours and my longest was 10. I'm sure if I had gone on for 15-20 hours, I would have needed some relief.

The docs gave me Stadol at first, which helped me relax and took the edge off the pain. Eventually I got an epidural which was not that bad. The dr. first numbs the area of skin that the big needle will go in with some lidocaine so you dont really feel it. After that started to work, I sat on the edge of the bed and leaned on hubby while he had his arms around me for comfort. After they numb your skin, you dont feel much else. It was mostly psychological b/c I knew what they were doing. There was a little tingle when the cath went it then they tape it to your back and you forget that its there. Then they give you the medicine and sometimes a button where you can give yourself a little more as you need it. It was well worth it to me. After I had the epidural, I was able to relax and progressed quickly. The next time they checked me I was complete and ready to push. I had to have an episiotomy and was very greatful to not be able to feel anything!!

If you do decide to only use IV narcotics, just remember, you can always change your mind if you are not too far along. Just dont wait till the very end cuz they will probably tell you no. As you can see, not everyone has a bad experience. I did experience a little pain and swelling in that area on my back the next day, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. Good Luck!!

When I was pregnant with my son son, I said for the first 8 and half months I would definitely get an epidural. Then I got some more information, and learned about the catheter and everything else and started to get a little nervous too. I have to say though, once labor started I couldn't get an epidural fast enough... and I didn't even feel it going in because I was so distracted by the contractions. I personally had no negative side effects at all and I was completely comfortable for the rest of the labor. And as for the dreaded catheter, after a month of getting out of bed every 10 minutes to go to the bathroom, I thought it was great (and didn't even know when they put it in because of the epidural). Good luck with your delivery and baby, whatever you choose.

when i had my five year old, via c-section, i chose the piankillers. didnt help me and they had to put me to sleep. however, with my two year old, also c-section, i had epidural. it only hurts for a second hon. after that its like, WOW! its good stuff. the only downside is that sometimes you have trouble emptying your bowels b/c it paralyzes them for a bit.