Dear Questioning…
Deciding whether or not to have an epidural during labour is a question that many people wonder about. (And you’re not the first person to be told that you’re crazy to even consider birthing without one!) The good news is that you can respect your friend’s experience while still making your own choice for your birth.
To help you make your decision, you might want to think about why you’re considering that option. Do you have personal reasons to want to experience labour this way? Do you have a fear of needles or of hospitals? Have you heard from other family members or friends who made different choices for their births than your best friend did? Whatever your reasons, even if it’s just an ‘I don’t know why, but I just want to try this’ gut feeling, they are a valid part of your decision process.
If you have the time, you could do some research into the pros and cons of birthing with (or without) an epidural. You could look into the risks and benefits of having an epidural and what some strategies are for birthing without one. This might help you feel more confident in what you choose—or it might give you new things to think about before you make a final decision.
Either way, meeting with someone to talk things through can help. You could talk with a friend who didn’t have an epidural about what their experience was like. You could talk to your partner or another trusted family member who you know will listen without judging as you process your thoughts. And, of course, you could meet with your doula (if you have one) to benefit from some one-on-one discussion of evidence-based research that can help you make an informed choice! Doulas love sharing their knowledge and helping clients reach the decisions that work for them.
Last, but not least, I don’t think you need to worry about getting a medal – I’m pretty sure that’s not what you were looking for when you started thinking about this! What you can get is the peace and satisfaction of knowing that you have made the right choice – for you – and that you have done what you felt was best for you – and your baby.
Wishing you all the best with your birth journey!