CharlieBrownGirl, whether you have an epidural is completely up to you, BellyBelly is all about choice - but informed choice. It's worth checking out our articles so that when it comes to it, you're well informed about the pros and cons.
For what it's worth, my first birth was a waterbirth and it didn't occur to me to ask for pain relief - it was painful, but through breathing and the water and good support I birthed my bub, and felt like I could do it all again afterwards! My second felt so painful at the time, but that was because my labour was very fast (under an hour) so I doubt there'd have been time for pain relief at a hospital in any case.
What you eventually decide will be up to you, there are positives and risks, and if you make an educated decision and are able to own that, I know that there's nothing more that I would be asking of myself or anyone else.
Bookmarks