I had an epidural with no 1 and it was the best thing I could've done. I had 5 hours before which was hell, then 7 hours pain free, then half hour of pushing when they turned it off. No side effects whatsoever. I did hear after that it can cause the baby not to sleep after birth and DD1 was SUCH a bad sleeper for 8 months that for no.2 I was determined not to have an epidural.....
No2, the labour was SO short (1 hour 54) so no time for epidural. I didn't want one, but I will be honest and say, if it had gone on ANY longer, I would've been getting one. AND my theory on better sleeping baby....no 2 was WORSE!! So that one is out the window!
So only good experiences here. xoxox