natural or epidural?

[newmommyof1]

I just want opinions about a natural birth and getting an epidural?  This is my first and want to know what you mommies have experienced and what you prefer if you've had both

[actright]

I had my sons all natural im to scared of needles going in my back so I took the pain. Planning on doind the same with my daughter.

[carloswife]

I had an epidural with my daughter,and i got it 15 mins into my contractions,i have a high tolerance but it was my first child and i was a lil nervous about the pain id experience.But this time with baby boy,i want to have him natural.The epidural was great but i was in labor for so long with my daughter because u cant tell how hard your pushing if your pushing hard enough,u cant feel anything so they have to talk u through it all.I really want to do a water birth this time but due to my insurance i cant,i just want a pieceful birth this time and i really dont want to be bothered with all the chaos of the hospital,but hospital is where ill be so the best i could do was write a birth plan and hope that i get at least some of what im hoping for.Either way ill be happy seeing my little guy:) no matter how he comes,painless or painful.But if its too much and i have time...an epidural will be on standby lol

[kennimae]

I also tried to go as long as I could without the epidural. I asked for it at 6 cm and got it at 8 cm. I would just go in with an open mind. I wasn't planning on having pitocin or back labor. I had to stay in bed also so I couldn't do the pain relief methods I wanted to do originally.

[amullen456]

I personally try to hold out on getting the epidural as long as possible. I haven't been able to go without it though. I really did try.  But every ones pain tolerance is different.