Hi Everybody,

Hope you all are doing well.

I have been going to child birth preparation classes last few weeks. We had a detailed discussion on pain relief medications including the epidural last week. The instructor took a quick poll of all the pregnant women in the class and the majority said they definitely want the epidural. I was in the minority when I said I would like to things to be as natural as possible and avoid the epidural if I can.


It left me wondering if I was being over ambitious and believed that I can handle any sort of pain, however high it is. On the other hand, speaking with my mother I found out she had no pain relief at all with me or my sister. That gives me some hope too.

What are your thoughts? Are you all facing a similar dilemma or have you made up your minds?
Karuna replied. Hey SK and TA,
I'm frm November board, but I peep in daily in other boards too..just couldn't resist myself frm writing here. These r the exact same thoughts going on my mind frm a few days. Though its too early for me, still 2 months to go, but can't hold myself frm thinking abt labour. I'm really keen on NCB, I'm ready to face the pains, if it gets intolerable, epidural is there. But, as I'm in India, doctors here r notorious for doing a c-section without reason just because its easy for them. I still haven't made my preferences known to my doc, will do so after a month. These days I'm really anxious if I'll be able to carry full term..fear of the unknown u know, this pregnancy seems like going on for ever!!
Wish u all the best for both of u TA and SK and wish u have an easy and fast NCB.
Take care,
Karuna TA replied. Hi SK,

I am from Sept board and was very happy to read your message. I share the same thoughts too. It is very strange that I had to specifically mention wanting to attempt a natural childbirth (NCB). But at the same time when people ask \";You're going to take the epidural, right?\"; I wonder if I am being overambitious.

This is my second child. My first was an NCB but I don't really give myself much credit since it was a very short labor. I have no idea how it will be this time since the baby is measuring bigger than my son.

I have received varying reactions from OB doctors (mostly men). One said \";If I were you I would take the epi starting from pregnancy itself\";. I knew right away I wouldn't want him in my delivery room. The one I am currently seeing suggested that I play it by ear. If I go into L&D well progressed, I could try NCB. But if turns out to be a long exhausting one I could opt for an epi. He has now suggested that I meet with midwives in the same practice and opt to have them during the delivery. They are much more supportive of NCB. My internet reading has given a few tips to increase your success at NCB. I really do not know how practical/doable the suggestions are but here they go:

- Labor as long as possible at home. Do not go to the hospital until your contractions are well established and atleast 5 mins apart and painful enough wherein you cannot talk during one.
- Have a midwife deliver instead of OB. This ofcourse depends on how high or low risk you are and your comfort level.
- Hire a doula for your labor
- Try yoga postures, squatting, breathing exercises, chanting. Again, who knows whether one can really do all these things when you are in transition!!

Good luck. I Wish you a wonderful childbirth experience. Ultimately, a healthy baby is the best result be it natural, medicated or c-section. A poster in another board said \";You don't get a larger cookie just because delivered naturally\";!

Warm regards, TA