Is There a Good Argument AGAINST an Epidural??

(Image Credit: see end of post)

On one of my pregnancy apps, the tip of the day was, "Discuss the pros and cons of an epidural with your doctor."  Um what cons? You know, they don't give out awards, medals, or even those little stickers like they do then you vote if you survive an au natural delivery.  Why do women opt not to get an epidural? You wouldn't get a root canal without anesthetics, would you?

I know some women like to wear their natural births like a medal and say it with pride... Something else for women to be petty and caddy about... Like we needed more things to be caddy about, right?

Seriously, I see no reason to endure that kind of horror unless you get to the hospital too late like my poor nail tech and friend who practically gave birth in the hallway at the birthing center.  Why would you want that awful pain associated with one of the happiest moments in your life?  Not getting an epidural makes as much sense to me as cutting your ring finger off at your wedding, why?  There is no reason for the unnecessary pain.

As my time soon approaches, I have prepared my birth plan to say in big, bolded, red letters, "I want an epidural!" so there is no confusion or in case I suddenly lose the ability to speak.  It also says not to give me any crap about my decision not to breastfeed... but that's a whole other story.

If you are a first time mother, sometimes you think that you're going to do everything that's "best for your baby" by opting not to get an epidural (like in the pre-baby class I went to last time around, and they showed a non-epidural baby climbing up its mother to her breast like a new baby panda climbing up his mother to find a teat - it was gross and TMI), but let me tell you, as the second labor approaches, there will be no question in my mind what my pain relief option will be.  

There's no shame in getting a little help; don't listen to the hippie teaching the classes.  It doesn't hurt the baby, clearly.  I mean, take one look at my little Leighton... he's perfection...most days.
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Image Credit: Snazzy Artables.com

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