Why Skipping Prenatal Vitamins Isn't a Good Idea
Delicious Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins
Is Adele Taking a Break From Music?
Michelle Obama's Tips for Getting Kids to Eat Healthy
Take Action: Stand Up Against Weight Bullying
Things Your Son Can Teach You About Men
Past 'Sports Illustrated' Covergirls (PHOTOS)
Are Egg Donors Really 'Mothers'?
Your Lipstick Could Be Bad for Your Health
Jennifer Aniston Slams Brad Pitt
Justin Bieber's Touching Valentine's Date (VIDEO)
Valentine's Love Advice ... From a Psychic
Kate Winslet's Most Impressive Role Yet
15 Worst Valentine's Day Gifts 
10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Having Kids
I have never understood women who are dead-set on natural births.
I have close friends who want them, have had them, and laud them as the only way to bring a child into this world. I support them, and I admire them; I just don't understand them.
There was never any question in my mind from the minute I learned how a baby came out of a woman's body that I would have any and all drugs available. In fact, when I was pregnant with my son, I actually inquired as to if I could be completely put under for the experience (the answer was no).
So to think of experiencing all that pain, on purpose, just baffles me and my chicken-like ways.
A new study, however, gives a few more legs to my love of epidurals ... other than the fact that giving birth HURTS.
A study out of Australia found that an epidural may protect some muscles during labor -- the kind of muscles that control your bladder. Which means epidurals could potentially prevent incontinence.
In the study of about 400 women, two-thirds of those who suffered muscle damage did not receive an epidural.
Dr. Clara Sheck told the BBC this could be for two reasons:
"Firstly, women who have epidurals tend to be told when to push as they can no longer feel contractions. This means the potential damage from premature or over-pushing is reduced. And physical changes in the paralysed muscle may also mean it is less likely to suffer injury."
A small price to pay I guess if what you really want is a natural birth. And this one study certainly shouldn't sway anyone away from a natural birth if that's what she wants and believes is best for her baby.
I just have never heard a reason convincing enough to make me not want/demand one.
And I think I've heard and researched most: To experience the moment (I have a whole lifetime of moments to experience with my child); because some studies have shown epidurals slow down labor (others studies say stress slows it down); because some chemicals can pass to the baby (research I've done has shown epidurals are overwhelmingly safe).
And now there's the fact that I'm less likely to pee my pants while giggling later in life? I'll take an epidural any day.
Again, I absolutely applaud anyone who goes through a natural birth, truly I do. I'll just never understand them.
What are your thoughts on epidurals? If you have had or are planning to have a natural birth, what were the biggest reasons for your choice?
Image via InFaNtRyWifWHIT
Comments (65)
i dont think that i would ever accpet to deliver my future babies w/o pain medication .......... sure , it is a really brave act , but lets face it , the point is for the baby to be born save and healthy and for the mommies to be healthy as well ............... why endure all that pain when you can just avoid it ? lol
brave mommies ! my respect ! :)
Quote:A study out of Australia found that an epidural may protect some muscles during labor -- the kind of muscles that control your bladder. Which means epidurals could potentially lead to incontinence.
Umm-ya might want to double check your blog-because you contradicted yourself...If you're saying epidurals help protect muscles-then saying they could lead to incontinence completely is a contradiction of your point.
I had an epi-I'm fine w/ epi's ...but if you're trying to make a PRO point-you might want to check the fact you stated it as a CON
I have 3 children and 3 completely different labors and deliveries. With my 1st I had the mindset that I was getting all the drugs... then changed my mind. The pain got worse a little at a time and when I thought I couldn't do it anymore it was time to push and that was a relief after nearly 20 hrs. My second child I arrived at the hospital not sure if I was in labor. Well I was 6 cms and had her 3 hrs later. With my 3rd I didn"t feel the need for an epidural or pain management of any sort but I got talked into it b/c they thought I would relax. I couldn't actively participate in my labor which turned ou to be needed b/c his head wasn"t straight on to help me dilat4e. I had fabulous nurses that picked me up and moved me around etc. I was threatened with a c-section but avoided it. It all depends on what you want but being able to participate in labor makes a world of difference imo. you don't just lay and suffer in pain. My back hurt for months after the epidural and if there are any future children I am avoiding it!
I had two natural births. The reason was that I grew up on a farm and had seen and assisted ALOT of sheep and cows give birth. (well never really assisted the cows, that was left to the people with more muscles but I watched them assist lol). I was not afraid of natural birth at all. I, however, was scared shitless of doctors and needles and hospitals. So I went with a midwife in a birthing center and actually had two pretty easy uncomplicated births (12hrs and 5 hrs). Labor was really not that bad (I mean I chose the natural route the second time so.....)
I got really lucky with DD, no epidural and I never experienced any pain in my labor until the last 45 minutes. Even if I had been in pain I wouldn't have gotten one, I only vaguely know any of the arguments for having/not having an epidural. I'm just too darn freaked out by the idea of having that large needle stuck into my spine!
I've always figured that less drugs is better. But I've had 3 babies-3 epidurals : ) My plan with each one was to try to go drug free & then if I needed major relief, I'd get the epi. Looking back, only my 1st & 3rd were bad enough (one labor was super long & I needed to rest, the other was bad back pain & I needed drugs). My 2nd progressed so fast that I could have gone w/o but ended up getting an E c-section. I'm having my 4th in Jan & the plan will be, again, to see how far I go w/o. Maybe my final baby will be born with mommy in way more pain so I can say I tried it. By the way, I still felt contractions & was able to push & felt the baby come out & little tears even with my epis.
You can't understand why someone would want a natural birth? Maybe because they don't want to expose themselves or their babies to the unnecessary risks of an epi? (Spinal headache, anyone?) Maybe because they want to be able to move around during labor instead of being tethered to a bed. Perhaps, because they don't like the idea of increasing their risk of a cesarean or forceps/vacuum assisted delivery. Epi drugs pass through the placenta to baby, and babies are often born lethargic and have a harder time breastfeeding. Women with epidurals are more likely to tear... The list goes on.
I loved my natural birth. If someone else wants an epi, more power to them. I just don't like how this article makes it seem like there are no benefits to having a natural birth, that it's all just unnecessary pain. That just isn't accurate.
PhilsBabyMama, about 90 percent of what you just said is actually disproven.
Studies have shown that the epidural does NOT have this horrible affect on babies -- they are not necessarily lethargic (speaking from experience here as well). Studies have likewise shown there is NO increased risk of C-section with epidural. Also, not all epidurals "thether" you to a bed -- there are "walking epidurals."
As for the likelihood of tearing, um, I can tell you from experience I did not have one single stitch -- no epesiotomy, no tearing. Nor did I have vaccuum/forceps.