Throughout this whole pregnancy I've been planning on going with a natural birth but the last week or so I have been thinking about why I wanted to go natural. As I have been evaluating my decision I really haven't been able to give myself a good reason of why I wanted it. I understand that many mothers have very strong opinions about the use of epidurals and how much better a natural birth is but in all honesty I don't have those strong opinions.
In looking at my reasoning behind going without an epidural it really came down to this; I wanted to do it naturally because I felt like I had something to prove. Not because I felt like it would be a better experience for me or for my baby, because in all honesty I don't think the experience would be any better going without an epidural and here is my reasoning. My mother gave birth 10 times. That's right 10 times! She has done it many times without an epidural and a few times with and she personally felt like she was able to enjoy the experience more with the relief she felt by having the epidural.
So I was thinking about it and I just feel like what do I really have to prove? I am growing a human being inside of me! Isn't being pregnant and then giving birth an amazing feat no matter how it is done? I personally feel like for me having an epidural might just be the way to go. If it means that I can be a little more comfortable and enjoy the process a little more then I feel like for me it is worth it!
I know that for some people having an epidural wouldn't be the best choice, I understand that it is different for everyone, but knowing how my body and mind work I'm feeling good about my decision.
5 comments:
Great post! I feel too often the trend for Natural birth is more to say you can do it and Epidurals are almost looked down upon, like saying you were weak.
I knew going in to my pregnancy that it would be awesome going natural but I would most likely get an epidural because I had no idea what I was getting into. Instead of a black and white goal (natural or epidural) my goal was to stay at home laboring as long as I could, and I did!
Thinking back on my birth experience there are moments I think I could have gone natural and other moments I think I could not. I do know for my next baby I will do the same thing- labor at home as long as possible. Whether it ends with medications or not, I still get a baby!
In the end it is you who has to deal with this experience. No one should tell you wHow you should personally handle it. And you are right, growing a baby is already amazing enough. Love you!
I agree that you are not less of a woman for having an epidural! Like you say, you grew a child!
I personally feel no need to attempt it without the epidural, however I have a friend who accidentally had her 3rd baby without an epidural and she said she felt amazing afterward. She liked the recovery so much better without an epidural that she chose to have her 4th child without an epidural. You know what April, You don't need to make this decision yet. It's o.k. to wait until you see what labor is like to decide whether or not to have an epidural. Keep in mind that things don't always work out the way you plan them. No matter how your baby comes into this world, you have done and amazing thing. I wish you the best!
It's nice to have a choice. and no matter how you choose it will be a natural birth! It's funny to me that people refer to it as un natural if some pain meds are used. We are excited to welcome your little man child! YOU ROCK! Happy planning.
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