Comments on: What I Learned From Having Three Epidurals

By: Chelsea Johnson

Chelsea Johnson — Thu, 19 May 2022 16:08:57 +0000

In reply to Parag Mathur. Yes, absolutely! Thank you for your input!

By: Parag Mathur

Parag Mathur — Sun, 24 Apr 2022 17:20:01 +0000

I am anesthesiologist who places labor epidurals. Great write up. I wish that patients had more opportunity to speak with their anesthesia provider before they are in pain and can’t really process new information. We share your goal of a healthy delivery. An epidural is just a tool, and it is not right for every delivery. Getting true information ahead of time will help you decide how to approach your labor.

By: Chelsea Johnson

Chelsea Johnson — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 17:58:02 +0000

In reply to Ashley C.. Absolutely! Thanks for sharing, Ashley!

By: Ashley C.

Ashley C. — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 03:37:59 +0000

I’ve had 7 babies. Five with epidurals and two without. I definitely healed quicker without but I really needed them when I got them. I went from no contractions to a baby in one hour on pitocin (my baby is clearly sensitive to pitocin) and even though the epidural hadn’t kicked in completely each time, it took the edge off which was amazing. Every person is different and so is each labor. No mom should feel guilty for something like getting an epidural.

By: Chelsea Johnson

Chelsea Johnson — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 18:48:20 +0000

In reply to Anna. Yes! I agree 100%! There's no wrong way to have a baby!

By: Anna

Anna — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 05:35:40 +0000

Thank you for this article; I have gone both ways! I would only add that the fear of the epidural causing any lessing of your connection with your child or any other of the fear factor crap about how it will affect your child’s pysche for the rest of their life is NOT true! As a mom, you need to give birth with what js best for the baby AND you! Epidurals can totally be that and your child does not care! Yay for no mom shaming!!

By: Chelsea Johnson

Chelsea Johnson — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 02:14:31 +0000

In reply to Savannah. Everyone is different! Thanks for sharing your opinion!

By: Chelsea Johnson

Chelsea Johnson — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 02:11:51 +0000

In reply to Beth. Thank you, Beth! And you're welcome! It's such a big decision, and I definitely think people need information from both sides of the argument to make the choice that's right for them!

By: Beth

Beth — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 18:30:07 +0000

I love your point of view on this!! I personally didn’t get one with either child but that’s because I’m terrified of that big needle! And thankfully both of my labors were very short (4hrs and 1hr) so not really an option lol but I love hearing someone say something positive about them. Every article I found before my first baby made them seem like the worst things ever! I also like that you remind people that everyone is different and having a different opinion is ok. All of my friends gave me such a hard time because I said I didn’t want one (Hello – did you see the size of that thing?!) even one friend who said hers didn’t work. Thank you for sharing the positive side of epidurals for those trying to make this decision for themselves 🙂

By: Savannah

Savannah — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 02:06:02 +0000

I had two epidurals and then had my last naturally. If I ever have any more kids, I’d do it naturally again. Labor sucks and birth is hard but dealing with the after effects of the epidural I had for me wasn’t worth it. Naturally was so much better for a ton of reasons