Pregnancy comes with a multitude of decisions, and among the most hotly debated is whether to pursue natural childbirth or opt for an epidural.
First and foremost, I want to express my profound respect for those who choose natural childbirth. It’s akin to my admiration for extreme athletes who dive deep into the ocean while holding their breath for extended periods. While I find these feats fascinating, I wouldn’t willingly participate in either.
That said, my respect for anesthesia is even greater. I was one of those stereotypical expectant mothers who began inquiring about the epidural around the 20-week mark. In fact, after giving birth to my first child, I even entertained the idea of naming her “Epidural” as an homage to this remarkable advancement in modern medicine.
When I became pregnant with my second child at 37, I was classified as having a “geriatric pregnancy.” This label came with its own set of challenges, including bi-weekly blood tests and non-stress tests in the final weeks, during which nurses frequently remarked, “Wow, that was a strong contraction! Did you feel that?” Of course, I felt it—I was the woman who wanted an epidural at 20 weeks!
At 38 weeks, I received a concerning call from my doctor, instructing me to head straight to the hospital due to troubling blood test results. She was vague but advised us to pack my hospital bag just in case.
Upon arrival at the hospital around dinner time, I was quickly connected to monitors and informed that we needed to wait for the doctor, who was busy with another delivery. As we sat there, we began to hear sounds that I had only experienced in movies—the unmistakable cries of a woman giving birth without an epidural.
My husband and I exchanged wide-eyed glances, a mix of fear and curiosity, especially as the sounds escalated. As the minutes ticked by, our sympathy for the laboring woman grew; I kept thinking, “Is it too late to change my daughter’s name to ‘Epidural’?”
Eventually, a nurse entered, and we remarked about the thin walls. She clarified that the walls were actually thick, and we were hearing the sounds coming through her closed window. After a lengthy wait, the doctor finally arrived to explain the results of my blood tests. I had a condition, which I’ll refer to as “Snarfenflephograph” since I can’t recall the actual name. The good news was there was no risk to me or the baby; however, if my condition worsened, it could prevent me from receiving an epidural.
The realization hit me hard. Had we rushed across town only to leave without my epidural? My thoughts raced while trying to maintain composure. Thankfully, the doctor suggested that perhaps the baby would arrive early enough to avoid the no-epidural situation.
The next morning, I woke up to intensified contractions. While my husband was at the pediatrician’s office with our daughter, I calmly advised him that “I’m about to give birth without an epidural in our living room.” This prompt made sure he was quickly seen at the doctor’s office!
Once we reached the hospital, I was pleasantly surprised to find I was already 7 centimeters dilated. I knew there was a risk of being too far along for an epidural. As I lay there in pain, I focused on my breathing exercises, praying for a favorable blood test result.
Fortunately, there was no line for the anesthesiologist, who stayed in the room with me, ready to administer the epidural as soon as my test results came in. The moment I felt that antiseptic on my back, I knew relief was imminent. It was astonishing to transition from intense pain to suddenly being aware of my husband’s presence and the triviality of forgetting which DVDs we had brought along.
While some may argue that opting for an epidural means missing out on the full birthing experience, I compare it to choosing anesthesia for an appendectomy. It’s not how women have traditionally given birth, but I suspect they would have if given the option.
If you find yourself undecided about getting an epidural, let me gently encourage you toward that choice. It’s a realm where you can enjoy labor while reading magazines and watching movies. Just remember to have the remote handy in case a woman is laboring without an epidural next door.
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In summary, while the debate between natural childbirth and epidurals may continue, it’s essential to do what feels right for you. Choose your comfort, and remember that every birthing experience is unique.
Keyphrase: Epidural vs. Natural Childbirth
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