Can someone give me the pro/cons for giving birth with epidural, water birth, etc?

Okay I am a midwife and I have seen women deliver MANY different ways. For my kids, I have always done the water birth, it gave me the pain control I needed and it is an easier transition for you and the baby. With that being said... You would need a Dr or midwife who is very familiar to waterbirths because there is always the risk that when the baby comes out that they could try to breathe and inhale the water into their lungs. That is not the wort thing in the world. There is really nothing bad that can come from your baby taking in a little bit of water. With the epidural however, you have other risks and concerns. There is always the chance that your body could react badly to the epidural and you could experience shaking, vomiting, and sweating. Thats not the best experience to have before you hold your new baby, I have seen many women, however, that have given birth, with an epidural, and found that it was the most amazing experience and say that they wouldnt ever do it any other way.

It really all comes down to your prefrences. I hope that you find the answer that works best for you.

I wish you the best of luck and have a happy and safe delivery! :)

As my wonderful OB said, "why be in pain if you don't have to." I got an epidural with each child as soon as they would let me. I have scoliosis and strange spacing in my spine which made it difficult for the needle to get placed in the right spot (9 pokes with my first/3 pokes with my second) but I wouldn't have wanted to feel any of that pain giving birth. Both kids were born with no negative side effects and I was able to breastfeed them right away and was glad I didn't have to feel all that pain since I did tear really bad with my first and had to be stitched up for 35-45 minutes which was extremely uncomfortable and I could feel every tug because the epidural was wearing off but if I didn't have the epidural I think I would have passed out.

I had two natural vaginal births with no drugs and I would do it again.Having an epidural is something I would never have.The cons of an epidural is one side of the body staying numb.Also leaking spinal fluid and really bad headaches.Never would have a c section because that is a surgery.Overall you should do what is most comfortable with you.Congrats :)

i went without any pain meds no epidural it went so fast there wasnt time to do it for me anyways but i still wanted without that was my plan i think its best because well of course u and baby are not haqvin to recover from them and if ur breastfeeding it makes it easier since they r more alert i dont know what else to say really but i think its best natural