Epidural any advice??

[Dee1985]

hi,
im starting to think more about the labour now iv got my birth plan ready but one thing i cant decide on is weather ir not to have an epidural?
what are the down sides? any one no? :
because if it was just a pain free fast labour with no down sides im sure every one would be having them.
iv been watching some of the birth shows on tv and woman that have epidurals make it look so easy?
what you guys think??
any advice?
either way i really rerally want to avoid c-section :!:

 

[Becky]

Hi Dionne,
I have no personal experience of epidurals as this is my first pregnancy but this is what I know about it:

The epidural basically stops you being able to feel anything from your back. This means that rather than feeling like you need to push, you have to rely on your midwife to tell you when and it can also alter your ability to puch and sometimes means you need assistance (forceps etc.)

On the plus side it's a very good pain reliever so personally I've decided to wait and see how bad the pain is. I figure there's no point in being in agony, yet if I can avoid needing assistance I'd prefer it.