So I am about to give birth any day now to a little boy...and I am just wondering about about a couple different things...

I'm not sure if I will be getting the epidural or not yet, I keep telling myself that I will wait to see how bad the pain will be and decide then... So I was wondering, has anyone else here went in with the decision of not getting the epidural and stuck with it??...How hard was it to keep yourself from caving in??...Any advice that will help me from caving in and getting it??

Second question...One thing that I am terrified about is "pooping" during delivery... does anyone know if it happens more with the epidural or without it??...Is it very common?

Any advice will help...Thanks

As far as the epidural question... I am in the same boat. I have decided if at all possible I will deliver without one, but I am not 100% opposed to it if I feel its necessary. The best thing we can do to prepare is be educated and knowledgable in alternative methods, such as breathing, relaxation and alternative techniques, so I would say read up while you still can!

I dont know that having an epidural or not affects the whole pooping thing, once you get the point where you're pushing they are supposed to have let the Epi wear off a little so you can feel your area down there to push, I've heard about 85% of women poo in delivery... Believe me I dont think you'd be the first one your doctors seen! Ive heard a lot of people say "push like you're having a bowel movement" but that's not *really* how you're supposed to push (from what I've heard and read) pushing is more from the abdomen / perineum area rather than the anus.

If its any consolation, im terrified of that too!

I just attended a childbirth class this past weekend. What I learned with an epidural is that not only is it something that stays in your back and you are numb all the way down but you ALSO have to have a pee bag. That kinda turned me off.

Another alternative is narcotics. That way you can sleep through the contractions but still be able to feel your baby come out. Not necissarily pain though since you will be drugged up. Some women swear that that's how their labor went so quick because they were motivated by feeling the baby come out.

As for pooping, it's COMPLETELY normal. when you push you do the same thing as when you are pooping so it's natural. But, dont' worry, the nurse will be there to wipe it up quick. And remember, if it really grossed these dr's and nurses out, they wouldn't be doing the job they do!

I just gave birth to my third on September 25th. With my first two I went natural all the way. With this baby I had the epidural. I did not poop on the table or have the pee bag. I was not numb to the point of where I couldn't feel my legs at all. I wouldn't have been able to get up and walk but it wasn't completely numb either. My legs were heavy and the nurse and my husband had to hold them for me while I pushed. I only had to push about five times and the baby was out.

if you are really wanting to avoid pooping most hospitals will give you an enema upon admission if you ask for it and that will prevent you from pooping during delivery. of course enemas aren't really that appealing either...

My suggestion, whatever you do, do NOT try to hold anything in. That's where I'd made my mistake when I was delivering my baby. It was during a miscarriage at 16 weeks. They had put a catheter in my bladder in case they had to fill it with water for the sonogram. I was worried I'd push it out if I allowed those muscles to relax. Though it was only 16 weeks, labor pains hurt like...eh heh... but when I finally gave in and quit trying to hold the catheter in, the pain just disappeared and it took no time at all for the fetus to come out.