I had mine all naturally.  It can be done but then it totally depends on your own self.  If you fear pain and are worried than leave it open to what you want.  It is not a test and what ever you choose you will have a wonderful little baby!  There is a lot of pain but somehow it is not remembered, it is just a  natural part but if you know you can not take the pain then the epidurals are used everywhere and are safe for your baby. Best of luck!

Perhaps you should keep it to yourself, tell them you will try to go totally natural, and when you are in labour, make the decision then.  Your mother and husband might still have an opinion about what you should do, but a woman in labour usually has the final say (you have my permission to go slightly crazy - I did).

You might find that you don't need it - if you keep talking to the midwives (or whoever is there to assist), you will be told how much longer they expect the labour to be, and you can decide if you can bear the pain or not.  Maybe ask them to tell you when the latest you can have one is, so that you don't miss the opportunity.

One thing to remember about labour is that it ends.  And once it ends, you will not be in pain any more.

Hi there!

First of all, it is your body and your childbirth experience, your mother and husband will not be going through the pain of labour, so they don't get a say, it is up to you. In Australia (where I am) they have the full range of pain relief. People can choose to go without, or they can have 'the gas', pethedine, or an epidural. Most of our hospitals prefer that you 'work your way up' through the options but ultimately they will go with your preference unless there is some medical reason not to. I had all three for the birth of my first child and I plan to have an epidural with my current baby (due in 2 weeks). Why? Because it hurt. Alot. I have had pain related problems in the past and have a pretty high tolerance, but I had a big baby who got stuck and it was hard going.

Epidural does not automatically mean just lying there not feeling anything. I had the one that takes away most of the pain, but you can still feel pressure and push. I was able to walk around (in Australia they encourage an 'active' labour) and was also able to deliver in the position most comfortable for me- on all fours rather than being forced immobile into stirrups. My child had no complications related to the epidural- he scored extremely highly in his APGAR. I was also on my feet immediately post birth and had no after birth complications. So for me, an epidural was a very positive experience which lowered my pain and stress.

It seems to me like you know what you want and need, but your family is trying to tell you otherwise. That isn't reasonable-you need support and love not judgement and censure.

Good luck!