Epidural Vs. Natural Childbirth

K., mother of four, discusses the birth experience with and without epidural and episiotomy. Just hours after the natural birth of her daughter, K. is up and about, feeling fine.

She strongly recommends natural birth, but does take into account that she had all the support necessary to do this. In particular, she had a great doula and delivery team, her partner was by her side, and she used a birthing ball, which greatly decreased the pain.

Many women want to give birth naturally, but without the assistance, caring,sympathy and support of an experienced doula, nurse, midwife, doctor or other person, it is extremely hard to go through childbirth without pain relief. But as you see here, K. made it through and is feeling fabulous.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• birth
• childbirth
• epidural
• natural
• episiotomy
• baby

[Octahoney]

Everyone should read "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth". Its an amazing book about natural childbirth from the U.S.'s leading midwife.

[sonia989]

Ina May is awesome!

[LillyIvy]

Just another reason I want a natural birth! Thank you for posting!

[heartcutter]

Natural births are where it is at!!!! I was induced but had no pain medication. My next baby I am going to refuse to be induced up until 42 weeks. DO NOT LET THOSE DOCTORS TELL YOU WHAT TO DO!!! Your body knows what it is doing 90% of the time. Get a doula and a real midwife!

[Doodlebuggie95]

THAT. IS. A. BREAKING DAWN. BOOK!!!!!!

[TheBgoz]

@nelsonbig it's not killing babies. shit doctor's are killing babies. not all women are strong, & having a painful birth when you have the option for pain relief doesn't make you stronger.

[hlmelson]

I agree. I had my son fully contracted, i had an epidural but at the last minute they decided to give me a c-section. I was awful afterward and I felt like I was sleep for days after. i was so drowsy and out of it I couldn't enjoy my son until I got home. My baby was even groggy, however with my daughter, I had her all natural no meds! it was great! 2 pushes and she was out!!! she was wide awake and didn't even cry afterward and I was walking around right after they cleaned me up it was great.

[trekkicat]

women should have a choice. I often hear a woman having epidural is no real woman... what an insolence, Birth is birth, the baby comes out! why not having something to ease the pain?

[taythegreenman]

This woman is my hero everyone is telling me I can't do it with out an epidural I am starting to get frustrated with them. I want to feel everything even if its the worst pain in the world. Thank you for your inspiration! !

[cherry0madness]

Of course 4th birth will always be easier. Wonder if the experience would have completely diff if it was the first

[The666princess]

bull shit

[VisFeminea]

LOVE IT!!!

[annkatcom]

@Octahoney I also recommend "Born in the USA" by Dr. Marsden Wagner and "Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born" by Tina Cassidy. NO ONE would have a baby in a hospital then.