Hi Ladies

 After reading many posts on child birth experiences it has scared me about child birth so much.

 Even though im only 13 weeks coming up and not even had my first scan yet im panicking as i dont know whether i want to have a epidural or not that i already had planned!

 To make things worse, I have only recently suffered from something called vaginism and thats y the thought of pain scares me more hence y i want to have an epidural.

Has anyone got any positive stories on epidural pregnancies or any other methods to make me feel more positive about the whole thing

 Thanks so much

Louise xxx

Hi Louise,

Every pregnancy and birth is different, I swore I would not have an eppidural with my first, I was in hard labour for hours and not dilating any more, I was advised to have an eppidural. I wish I had had it sooner. I did tear, but I didn't feel a thing. With my second I automatically opted for an eppidural, as I was traumatised from my first pre eppidural labour, as soon as the needle went in I was ready to push so it was a waste of time. With my third everything went smoothly with no eppidural.

The best advice I can offer is to just take everything as it comes. You never know you might be one of these people who gives birth in minutes, but if you feel like you need an eppidural, dont be scared to have one. I personally cant think of a bad thing to say about them. When you hold your baby you will know it was all worth it.

i had an eppidural with my 1st and it was the best thing ever i had the same kind of thing as nicola apart from it did not work propaly for me but it did take the pain away from my belly but i could still feel my legs and i could feel when to push but i loved it as it helped me relax as they gave me the drugs to help me dilate i was sat in bed watching this morning and i could not feel any of my contractions till it got to the pushing part and that was not painful just a massive feeling that i really really needed to push

i midwife said to me you dont get a medel for having a natural birth all you get is a crying baby

hope this helps dont worry about the labour is aint that bad it will all be worth it and you will forget everything once your holding your new baby

Epidurals are fantastic I am so glad that I knew about them. Four hours before emma was born I felt I couldn't take it any more, can't really remember the pain but it was very strong. When I had the epidural all the pain was gone and it was bliss. Tell the nurses as early as possible that you want one.

suzxxx

Hi Louise

I have had two births and am on for my third in 3.5 weeks time (unless i go over LOL)

I have had one hospital birth and one homebirth and i am planning to have this one at home too.

I do believe in natural birthing methods and I have never had pain relief other than some gas and air and managed fine but i would never rule anything out as each birth is so different and i am holding my options open for this baby. My first labour was long and hard and the baby got into distress. They thought i was going to have to have a section so i couldnt have had anything like pethadine or diamophine anyway but i wasn't offered an epidrual, which would probably have made my experience so much nicer! I got through it on gas and air and breathing as i had no choice but i was pleased i had done it without feeling druged up, I survived and had a beautiful baby boy.

Second time round, (my homebirth) i didnt feel i needed any pain relief and only had gas and air for a short while during the transitional period. 

I do agree with Amanda, nobody thinks any more of you for going through agony or any less of you for having pain relief. It is down to personal choice and circumstance.

 I think the best way to get through it is to breathe through the pains, relax inbetween (as being tense magnifies the pain) and just take it one step at a time. Each stage of birth is different and as the other ladies have said every birth and every person is so different. I heard so many stories when i had my first and i just shut off from all of them. At the end of the day you do get through it, no matter how hard or easy, and lets face it...most of us do it again...and sometimes again!

Remember this is your birth and your baby so do what you feel is right for you and don't take too much notice of anyone who deliberatly tries to scare you. You will be fine and it is all so worth it in the end, whatever option you take x