Childbirth: Nautral Vs Drugs

Every woman who has not had a child yet has this one question run through there mind. Should I go natural or get the epidural. Well there are pros and cons to both sides of that question. I have three daughters and have gone both ways.

Epidural Cons

When you go into the hospital to have a baby there are many different forms of drugs that you can get. The most common is the epidural. There a few not so good things about the epidural. Most commonly being that you have to be a certain amount of centimeters to get the epidural. My experiences with it is that you need to be at least three to four centimeters. If not then the epidural can slow your labor. It may also take you longer to dilate. Therefore if you walk into the hospital at only two centimeters and you are in severe pain, you are going to have to wait a few hours until you progress a few centimeters. Another Con to the epidural would be the fact that it makes your entire body from the waist down completely numb. Therefore you are not able to feel as good as you need to too push the baby out. You can not feel the pressure right before the baby is ready to come out as well as normal. The last major issue is how long after they stop your epidural that the affects last. When I had my epidural with my first baby the after affect of my epidural lasted a few hours I was still numb , could't move my legs or my feet for a few hours. With my second daughter I ended up getting the epidural a little later than normal I caved lasted minute. My after affects lasted about a half an hour.

Epidural Pros

There are quite a few things that make the epidural so good. If you have a low tolerance for pain then the epidural would probably be the best thing for you. The epidural numbs you from the waist down, so all you feel is the pressure from your stomach tighten from the contractions. Also if you need some rest then the epidural usually calms your body so much that you can drift off to sleep. If your labor is not progressing and you are opting for drugs then getting the epidural may actually help. When you get the epidural it calms you and your body enough to the point that your body may be able to progress. You aren't tense and as stressed with the epidural. You are actually able to have a conversation and enjoy your labor. It is a happy time and being able to experience it in the calmest, most enjoyable way possible

Natural Cons

The absolute worst thing about going natural is the fact that you feel everything. I mean everything contractions, pressure and stretching. When you have a baby your body is put through an enormous amount of changes. I personally myself never knew what the "Ring Of Fire" was until I had my youngest baby naturally. The "Ring of Fire" is when the baby's head is crowning. After the babies head has reached a certain position your vagina has to stretch to accommodate the babies head. Hence the stretching and pushing of the babies head causes the "Ring of Fire". It is a burning sensation that will go away after you vagina goes numb, which does not take very long. Another con is that you can end up doubting yourself on if you think you will be able to have enough strength to have your baby. Always no that back in the older days woman didn't always have the ability to have drugs and we are all here now. You can do it even when you feel like you can't.

Natural Pros

I personally think that this was the best way for me to go there are so many good things can come from going natural. The first and foremost for me was that baby is not doped up. When you have the baby, the baby comes out reacting very well and is not as groggy as they might be from having the epidural for long periods of time. Also you don't have to wait as much time to recover all most instantly I was able to get up and walk around. You don't have to sit there and wait for side affects to wear off. As well as during labor you are not confined to your bed , you are able to be up walking around to help your labor to progress. Your not as helpless with your body, you are able to tell everyone what is going on with your body and able to feel everything that you need to feel. For me it was also a but easier to push , I was able to feel exactly what was going on and able to help my body more.

These are my view on Natural childbirth vs. Drugs. Every woman is different and has different views. These are just the most common pros and cons. To all woman which ever way you choose to go you are doing what is right for you .