I wouldn't have one unless there was some reason that it would be detrimental to me or the baby if I didn't, or if I was in full labour for over 24 hours.

I had a drug free birth with both of my kids, and the big reason I wouldn't have an epi is because the complications I had in my son's birth would have been way worse if I'd had an epidural. A few doctors I saw afterward said, lucky you didn't have an epi, he would have been in much more danger than what he was.

That is my reason, and it's the right decision for me, not saying anyone else should feel that way. Also it's easy for me to say because I've gone through both an induction and posterior labours without drugs or gas and the pain was as bad as it gets and I know I could do it then. If it was my first now, with all the things now I reckon I would be scared and probably quite open to the idea. I'd also be open to lots of things including caesar because there is a completely different culture now to when I last had babies and there is a lot of scare tactics. I feel sorry for some women having their first now for that reason.

I'ts really normal for you to be feeling scared and apprehensive as you are in third tri, I've been feeling this myself. Last night I had 2 hours of regular strong Bh contrax that were actually painful, and boy it started taking me back to those memories I'd long forgotten about the pain LOL.

One thing I can say though, is the pain is never as bad as you'd expect it to be. I'd had various nurses and medical people later on shocked I got through quite a lengthy induced posterior labour with no drugs (I'd only just turned 19), because you read things on how painful it is and how horrible, and I guess it was pretty painful, but I'd had nothing to compare it to, like a normal labour with pains in the front not the back.

I think going into labour with an open mind (note to self LOL) is the best way to go, rather than having set ideas on that you will have an epi or that you won't, and take it as it comes.