Natural birth VS. Epidural birth | I’ve done both, TWICE! | Pros and cons of each 

You say you were too old for natural birth at 33 with your fourth kid… me at 33 being pregnant for the first time 😂😂😂

I did all the prep, and I was obsessed with everything natural. I took the natural classes, I knew the breathing techniques, I knew the positions. I was in good shape. It was still absolutely traumatizing. 36 hrs long. I personally did not feel empowered. Never again. I will take advantage of modern medicine. It also depends on the person, but Harvard put out research showing that epidurals do not slow down birth. Most people I have talked to said it went faster because they could relax.

I’m 28 and pregnant with my first, and I feel like so many of the videos I’ve seen where people compare epidural vs no epidural, everyone is so polarized and stuck on their opinion and almost determined to scare women into thinking what they do. Thank you for sharing both a positive and a negative experience on both sides and for being such an objective and reasonable voice. It has really helped me understand better how I want to approach this whole thing.

I’ve been hesitant to watch any videos on natural birth vs epidural birth because of how polarized people’s experiences can be! I really appreciated your objective review and pros and cons!

Prayer request for fertility 🙏

This was the best pro/con epidural/unmedicated birth video I’ve seen. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!

Thanks for sharing your story. I was surprised to hear you say that your tearing was worse with the unmedicated births due to rushing. I have heard other women say that they tore worse with an epidural due to not feeling what was happening down there. So I appreciate hearing a totally different perspective!

The nurses telling you to calm down is exactly what they said to me during my second birth while I was screaming. Also had zero time for the epidural and I was NOT prepared for that pain 😅 thankfully my third was way more peaceful 😌

this was so helpful. i love how you gave your honest opinion on both choices and weren’t pushy about anything! Thank you!

waiting for the dr to push is so ridiculous. i'll catch my own darn baby! haha

I had an epidural with the birth of my son. Wouldn’t change a thing. Once I got the epidural, it was easy breezy. Like a walk in the park. I definitely like the fact the my son came into the world in a relatively calm manner. But for the ladies that decide to do it naturally….my hat’s off to you. 😊

When you said you were 'older' with your last baby and then revealed you were 33, I almost fell out my chair! 😂I'm 30 (almost 31) right now with my first baby. Currently 33 weeks and already decided I'm getting an epidural. But I was really curious and love hearing about people's experiences. Thanks for making this video! ☺

It's amazing how different the experience of unmedicated birth can be when you arm yourself with knowledge and preparation!

I appreciate hearing about your different birth experiences! I am expecting my first child in March , and I am trying to get as good of a grasp on my options as I can. I would prefer natural, but it makes me happy to hear stories of the epidurals helping out! I also have a doula who will be coaching me during the birth, so hopefully that will help me with relaxing :)

thanks so much for taking the time to make this video! Very helpful information for us new mamas to make a more informed decision ❤

I am pregnant with twins and I really needed this video. I was feeling like a failure if I couldn't do a natural birth, but this made me feel a lot better for wanting to get an epidural. Thank you!

WOW finally a pros and cons video that’s actually helpful. Thank you!

Thank you for sharing all 4 stories!! And concisely. That’s hard 🤣 Totally agree about every birth being beautiful regardless!! 38 and 5 with baby #4 (our first girl) now.

Hi thank you so much for this balanced take . I’m so glad I found your channel as a soon to be new mama I’ve really been looking for some positive voices on motherhood and Joy in motherhood. I feel like God just answered a prayer of mine ❤

Love this! Thank you for sharing your story!

Thank you for this! I'm pregnant with my first, and even though I'm still early on I'm already starting to decide what route I want to go. I'm leaning towards unmedicated, but I definitely want to do my research.

Your first delivery was almost the exact same as mine! I had an epidural with my first, but I got it very late. Didn’t have an epidural with my second (arrived at the hospital too late - he was born less than 20 min after I got there). I’m pregnant with #3 and am planning on leaving for the hospital earlier this time so I can get the epidural 😅

This is was very helpful, thank you so much!!❤

That’s so funny- for me I was so tense pre-epidural and as soon as they gave it to me I went from 5cm to birth within like an hour and a half! It made it sooo much faster (and agree more enjoyable)

Thank you for sharing your experiences!

Thank you for this video! It was so useful to me!

I had 3 epidurals and will be having another baby in less than a week! One thing I learned that epidurals are not equal. With my first, I was so numb dumb I could not feel anything or move my legs at all! It was uncomfortable and I didn’t feel myself pushing. With my third, I was able to move my legs. I didn’t feel any pain but I did feel pressure when I was at 10 cm and ready to push! This was a game changer! If you plan on getting an epidural, I recommend telling the anesthesiologist to give you half of the recommended dose. And then you can always click the button to adjust if it’s not enough!

Loved your story. I also have 4 kids 2 epidurals and 2 natural unmedicated births. If I had to choose again I would get an epidural. We also chose to not find out the gender until birth with our fourth. I was induced by just using a breast pump with her. My contractions were intense at 6 cm I had back labor for the first time and lots of uncomfortable pressure in my bottom. I requested to get an epidural ( my plan was to go natural like my last two) back labor is the most intense pain I have ever felt. I got the epidural and and had baby 20 minutes after injection. She was born sunny side up with one hand on her face coming out. I’m thankful that god spoke to me encouraging me to get the epidural so I didn’t have to experience the last moments of intense pain.

I have to add couple of corrections here, as someone who had an epidural, an annoyingly doctors never tell you this beforehand and this adds to the misinformation which doesn’t help: you CAN walk with an epidural and you DONT need a catheter. This is because they can dose it as little or as much as you want. I explained I didn’t want to not feel my legs and then the midwife told me epidurals are dosed. So she gave me a low dose (I was in back to back induced contractions for over 15 hours so I was ready to die!) and she checked I could pee on my own so didn’t need a catheter and could walk around and change positions. I just needed a dose enough to make the contractions bearable. If I knew this before I went into labour, I would not have been hesitant towards the idea of an epidural at all. Secondly, the epidural anasthesia doesn’t enter the bloodstream so it isn’t supposed to get to the baby at all - this is what I was explained. It goes directly into the spine and not the blood stream. I’m about to have my 2nd at 40. Think I’ll go for the epidural and hope to not have to experience induction again.

Thank you for sharing this ❤

Had a natural birth 18 years ago and now expecting baby #2. I really want to have another natural birth but now you’ve got me considering an epidural! Thanks for the insight!

Hi Anna thank you for this video so informative, can you let me know what books , podcast and videos train you for natural birth? thanks!

thank you for such a geniue share

I had my first baby 3 months ago and had to get 2 epidurals which caused my spinal fluid to leak, causing what’s called a “spinal headache” which was an excruciating pain up the back of my neck, into my head to behind my eyes. That was honestly worse than pushing. To this day my spine feels bruised and painful. I feel like they ruined my spine with the epidural and it didn’t even really work. So I never want ti do an epidural again being that I am now traumatized and afraid of ever messing with my spine again. Your back and spine are so important for the rest of your life, I had no idea it could ruin my spine like this. I’m still hopeful that it can heal more over time but I’ve heard other moms tell me they still experience pain at the epidural sight like 9 years later. So whenever I do have another, I am nervous but I want to try a natural water birth.. I know it’ll be painful but my last experience was absolutely horrible so I feel like that’s unavoidable. At least I’ll be protecting my back and spine which I need to support me the rest of my life

Thank you for sharing your story! ❤🙏🏻

Thank you for sharing!

Thank you for sharing! I’ve just had baby #2. Both were epidurals but such different experiences! With the second baby I actually asked to have my epidural turned down almost entirely so I could move to more positions. It was very painful but I was finally able to push in a squatting position. Without that I’m not sure I would have been able to get my second out - he was a stubborn little guy!

wow so informative, thank you!!

It seems every epidural is different! I had an epidural with my first and it was incredible. Didn’t completely take away the pain, but it took the edge off to where I could focus on contractions and could even move my own legs!

Very interesting to hear your perspective on your 4 hospital births! I've found that one of the biggest pros for natural birth is that women can birth outside of a hospital environment! Like in the comfort of their own homes or birthing centers.

I have also had 4 babies, 2 epidural deliveries and 2 unmedicated! My last was actually an accidental unassisted homebirth. I did intend to go unmedicated, but at the hospital!

I’m pregnant with my 1st at 33yrs. Thank you for this video ☺️

I had an epidural with my first. I could relax and even sleep in between of my 12 hours labor. I really helped with the pain until it was time to push. For some reason it still hurt like nothing in the world before and while pushing, I could not really notice when exactly to push so I had a 3 grade tear and needed quite few stiches. I also had post epidural headaches that lasted for more than a week, had to stay so long lying in the hospital taking pain meds and could not brastfeed. I am currently 37 weeks pregnangt and even if I am not oposed to getting an epidural again if I need it, I am trying to prepare to go natural this time to avoid all the complications that I had the first time around.

I love how you addressed this so graciously. My first 2 births were scheduled c sections because my babies were relentlessly breech. Then with my 3rd I had a successful VBA2C because baby was head down 🙌🏻 I am preparing for another natural birth for our 4th if the Lord wills. I agree with you that natural birth is so. painful. But using your intuition through labor and the fast recovery is so worth it. I was so swollen, bruised, and sore after both of my c sections and recovery was so slow. I wouldn't choose interventions if I could help it, based on my experiences ❤ Thanks again for your video! It was very informative and a breath of fresh air on the birth scene ❤

I'm currently 6 months pregnant with my first and have been holding off on these types of videos for some time now. I've never been one to want a super detailed birth plan but as we get closer to the due date my mind needs some peace when it comes to all these options! This video was so incredibly helpful and eye opening. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. It really helped me understand both types of births! :)

This video was very informative and thoroughly convinced me, that epidurals are not for me 😅 that con list was crazy! I’ve had two natural births. My first was sunny side up with back labor right from the start, and I recently gave birth to twins. Minimal tearing with the twins and only four hours from the first contraction till it was all over 😌 No matter how you give birth, holding your newborn baby(ies) in your arms is the best feeling ♥️

I've had 1 epidural and 2 natural births since. I will never go back to an epidural birth, but i will say you missed out not having a water birth! I've done one water birth and one on the hospital bed and the water birth one was SUCH a beautiful birth with not much pain❤ My third non-water birth was sSSSooo painful and I was so sore after.

This was very helpful and informative! I've had one unmedicated birth so far (not by choice - it was precipitous so there was no time) and am currently pregnant with my second and thinking about what to do this time around.

Loved the story! Had my first via epidural but got it at 8 cm, had her shortly after so no time to really kick in. My next 2 were natural births. Definitely prefer those over my epidural. Although, I totally agree that natural birth is painful. For me it’s been a temporary pain where the epidural has been an ongoing pain. I still have issues at my epidural site due to anesthesiologist hitting a nerve while doing the epidural.

I am currently 25 weeks and 2 days first time pregnant and still trying to decide if I don't want an epidural or if I do want it. I am also trying to find a good book to read that gives both perspectives of epidural and no epidural birthing that will also give me good tips on how to handle the pain and breathing techniques haha I feel so unprepared. Thank you for this lovely video as it helps me a bit to decide on what I want! God bless you and your family!

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I had an unmedicated induction turned emergency c-section with my first birth, and want to try again for a vaginal birth this time, but I have no idea what I want. Last time, I went in for a post-due date ultrasound and got sent to the hospital for a an immediate pitocin induction due to baby’s poor condition. I dilated to a 6, before the heart-rate decelerations were too bad to continue labor. I was so stressed out the whole time cause I thought my baby was dying. I honestly barely noticed the contractions. The nurses kept telling me I must be in pain, but I was too focused on the heart-rate monitor to care. When we did the spinal for surgery, I think the doctor botched it. It took him 40 minutes and was the worst pain of my life. People keep saying that wasn’t normal, but I just don’t know if I can handle anyone stick me in the back again.

Thank you so much for this video! So helpful! So nervous about having a baby! My husband and I are newly married and we talk babies all the time now.

Birth 1: home, water birth, all natural Birth 2: at 42 weeks, midwife transferred me to OB. Got pitocin, asked for epidural in transition, had a 1 sided epidural which hurt way bad, I tore badly, and epidural kicked in at the end, so I was spared the tearing pain. Birth 3: induced in hospital, pitocin, with a midwife in hospital, who let me do my own thing, quick, no tears, great, natural, 2 hours after pitocin had baby Birth 4: tried epidural from the beginning, it made me pass out and they turned it off immediately. I gave away my freedom, but has no pain control whatsoever. Hardest birth because of restrictions and stuck in bed... So I had a natural delivery, but was pushed around and wiped out by the medicine reaction, and it was not fun. Birth 5: induced with pitocin, natural again, easy and fast. 2 hours from first strong contraction until baby was in my arms. Birth 6: I'll be induced next week. I don't think anyone could convince me to try another epidural because of my bad reaction. I wish I could have another home birth, but I have had antibodies since my 3rd, so they induce me at 38 weeks now, and I have to be in the hospital.

Epidurals sometimes don’t work properly, I felt EVERYTHING with my last child, after the birth that’s when the epidural medication kicked in but only on my left side, my leg was too numb to walk for hours. Also multiple epidurals can hurt your back in the long run, I have lower back problems that pop up from time to time in the area they administered my epidural shots. I had 3 births, all with epidural.

I found this video very beneficial as you seem to have had every type of birth planned and unplanned medicated and unmediated. My first birth was medicated but my baby was over 9 pounds and I was really in a lot of pain so I’m not sure if my epidural was very effective. I was faring well until I got the epidural at 9.5 cm so I wonder if I just never got enough of the medicine before I started pushing and they didn’t give me anymore after pushing. I felt every stitch afterwards, and was able to move my legs the entire time. So I’m very on the fence about my next birth: prepare for a natural birth since I’m pretty sure I could do it or try for another epidural and hope that one works a bit better.

Great video!! Thank you for the much needed education!! 🍼🍼

Thank you so much. Immediate follow!

My nurses kept offering the epidural whenever they came to check on me. I was planning for a natural birth but I didn’t appreciate that I was trying to focus on my contractions they’ll be like are u sure about pain medicine. So I felt pressured by the nurses. So I gave in at 5 cm 😢😢😢

1st: hospital + epidural, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th: birth center water birth, unmedicated. 5th: planning natural birth again. Although the pain is a lot, it is temporary. But the low and then high of the natural process and much, much easier recovery makes the pain worth it to me.

My 2nd was on the traumatic side. With my 1st I knew going in I'd probably end up getting an epidural and I was just very go with the flow. I didn't feel anything bc of the epidural. I couldn't even feel myself pushing or any pressure or anything. It was nice but labor took a long time. I was pushing for 2 hours. With Mt daughter I wanted to do it differently. I experienced with an epidural so I wanted to try natural, but also wasn't 100% against getting an epidural. I just wanted to do my best to go natural. Well my midwife couldn't be there so another was and she basically lied to me to get me to accept pitosin to speed up my labor(I was already in labor, it just wasn't moving along much). Pitosin was the ONE THING I didn't want. BUt she used fear tactics to get me to agree to it and my labor ended up progressing so quickly I didn't have time to get the epidural when I'd finally asked. I managed the contractions for about an hour and then asked for an epidural. But then while they were gearing it ready I started feeling the urge to push, the midwife checked me and of course I was 10cm ans it was too late for an epidural. I pushed on my hands ans knees for about 10 minutes before she told me I needed to lay on my back and try(no idea why, also not what I wanted) ans then pushed another 15 minutes and she was out. But I dilated from about 2cm to fully dilated in under an hour and then pushed her out in about 20 minutes. It was excruciating and my contractions wouldn't stop. I had no breaks for the last 10 or so minutes between contractions and I almost passed out a few times because the idiot midwife kept telling me to hold my breath while pushing(not recommended anymore). It was just an awful experience. But I did heal much faster from it than with my son

i loved my epidural with my first! i got it after a few hours of labor so i couldn’t even feel them poke it into my back bc of the labor pain i was already in. then i had just enough epidural that i couldn’t feel pain but i could move my legs and feel the baby & when i needed to push. for my second pregnancy (which i’m in now) i plan to do the same as last time, but i’m nervous it’ll be like your second and i won’t be prepared! i guess i should prepare just in case.

4 births.. all natural. The first was by far the hardest. I think due to fear and uncertainty, but also the nurse told me the first "makes a path" for the rest.

We are currently in labor now And she just got the epidural This video was so helpful ❤

No one told me about the catheter!!! Thank you!!

Just had my second baby, first one was a C-section for breech. I had a Vbac induced with Pitocin and a foley bulb at 40weeks. Got to the hospital at 2cm, and the foley was placed. It was definitely uncomfortable by I couldn’t really feel contractions despite the Pitocin and seeing them happen on the monitor. The foley bulb came out at 5cm and then they broke my water at 3:15. It got crazy painful instantly. Contractions 2 minutes apart, I ended up getting in the shower with little relief. I was looking at the nurse and midwife and begging them to help me lol. I started pushing at 5:15 and baby was here at 5:36. I had a second degree tear. Got the shakes super intense after. It was amazing. I’m still in disbelief that I did it with no epidural. I’m not in a hurry to do it again though lol.

The first birth sounds exactly like mine. They kept saying before they’d administer an epidural they had to have me monitored for at least 20 minutes uninterrupted but because of 💩 (cytotec side effect, same as with you), I wasn’t able to stay in bed for longer than 5 minutes. Contractions were so close together my husband had to physically hold me down for them to get the needle in me, but thankfully I delivered two hours after the epidural was administered. My OB was absolutely amazing: got to the hospital in 15 minutes after being called and was there the entire time I pushed and delivered though!

After having a 4th degree tear, I'm so pro epidural. Natural was my preferred method going into labor but I changed my mind really quickly and so glad I did. I went from 5 cm dilated to 10 cm within 20 minutes after getting the liquid gold.

Hi Anna, thank you for your information. I'm currently 36+4 weeks pregnant with my 3rd right now. I took castor oil with my last and it really worked much to my surprise. How far along were you when you took it? Just want to know because I plan to do it again but don't want to do it too early.

Thank you, I have done unmedicated for first and still undecided on my second who will be here in 19 days!!! Approximately :) I had an induction with my first and went from a 0 cm to 10cm in an hour. I was in labor for a total of nine hours with no epidural and it was traumatizing because I could not push our son out and needed a forceps delivery. Most doctors I talk to tell me the induction does not make contractions worse but I just do not believe it. This is why I am trying to weigh pros and cons of both. Thank you again for your honesty. My birth for our first was very traumatic and painful. Most women just do not talk about it. I read up a lot and had breathing down but I never prepared for not being able to push my baby out and being in pain for hours with contractions every three minutes. I also had no pain relief for the forceps which was the most traumatic moment of all! I cannot believe anyone would tell a laboring mother to calm down!!! wow

What are the books to read about the natural birth ? Or the channels?

I did all the preparation for my unmedicated birth and I’m still traumatized from my fast labor with my first. It was only 7.5 hours. Birth is just hard ❤

I have had six vaginal births. 2 in the hospital, 2 with pitocin, and then 4 home births. I had an unnecessary episiotomy, and tore with the other 4 the last two severely. This last one, I looked into gentle birthing and the bradley method. I also felt the baby's head as she came out and my the difference!!! Just very small tearing with no stitches. If you can change your mentality, it can help for sure!! Hope this helps someone trying to decide! Also my babies are 9 or 10 lbs with large heads:)

I’ve got an epidural for both my previous pregnancies. I’m considering going all natural this time but idk if it’s worthy. My first first epidural experience I didn’t feel a thing I was numb numb. My second epidural experience, I could still feel my legs, I could walk but the nurses would hold me just in case. I felt my baby coming out and felt my contractions as well but not like excruciating pain, felt more like period pain on and off. Nothing to complain though. Everything went perfectly ❤

I've had an unmedicated birth, a c section, and plan to have a medicated vbac this time. I hope it all works out. To be able to experience all the ways of delivery sounds so cool 😁 Also, 34 here on my 3rd and last child. I feel too worn out and old to endure another unmedicated birth 😅

The epidural ran out like within 30 minutes because the anesthesiologist had not done any of it effectively, So I felt it all & I was legit screaming at the top of my lungs too from the transition til she came out 😂

May i please know what your height is? I think mine is similar to yours so i was just wondering if my babies would turn out to be around 7 pounds too.

I had 4 my first 3 was natural and my last one epidural and it was weird, no pain but the strong pressure was tough.

What RU-vid classes did you take ? Looking to try natural with my son

I had one epidural when i was induced (daughter came 3 hrs after the epidural). I tore a lot with this labor and my epidural wore off after an hr and a half. Second daughter i had natural. Starting thinking i was in labor around 4 am and baby came at 7:33 am. I was holding the baby in essentially until we got to the hospital. They rushed me to delivery room and she came out right away. I had so much bleeding that i did pass out on first trip to bathroom. Didn't get to bond with baby as much because everyone was taking care of me while the baby was screaming at the top of her lungs. But def easier naturally. I loved being able to feel her coming out.

which youtube videos did you watch to prepare for unmedicated birth? I may get an epidural but I would like to be prepared :)

I’m 18 and having my first baby, I’m 29 weeks and my anxiety has gone through the roof, I’m so so nervous but excited. I have no idea if I’ll get epidural or not

Greetings and Salutations I did the natural midwives' birth for both my kiddos they were almost 8lbs 1 boy child 1 girl child My given name is Alma-Jantz Sonboth (it means ragu) Great upload 😊

Nice video. Cute little boy

I'm a fan of natural birth!!! I personally don't believe in needle

I have had 4, 2 with and 2 without and very much prefer epidural!

How did you prepare for the natural birth as far as videos and podcasts

I had two unmedicated births and the pain is so unbearable I feel like I’m done having kids but deep inside I would love a girl one day. I’m scared of the epidural leading to a c section 😭

Remember Everyone body is different i had to epidurals and going to do it again this third time I tore about a inch towards the front with my first second baby i didn't tear at all and both labors where about 4-6 hours

This really helps me be okay with the thought of another epidural birth. I would love to experience a natural birth, but I also thought that with my first and then was begging for the "good drugs" when I was in the heat of contractions with my first 😂 whatever I end up choosing, I won't let myself feel bad about it after hearing your very reasonable pros and cons.

Thank you for noting at 33 it is very tiring, I am blessed to have gotten married in my 30s and having my first baby was so hard, w/ 24 hours of labour and always feel like it shouldn't be so hard, but at 33 it was exhausting! I always have to not compare myself to younger mom friends bouncing back so easy w/ out complications.

I labored at home all day until 5cm with my first baby and i thought about going natural but once they started hooking me up to things i got uncomfortable super quick so i was just like okay lets do the epidural and it led to me getting pitocin which worked too well so they had to give me something to reverse it then give me more and i just could not feel a single thing and ended up having to have the vacuum. The worst was yet to come though because a couple days later i got the spinal headache and that was insane. I'm pregnant again now and i dont know if im more afraid of another epidural or the pain of unmedicated birth. If i get another epidural i will absolutely ask them to go easy on it but also that headache was like nothing ive ever experienced

Pros and cons at 17:13 if you’re a skipper like me

No tearing for the epidural births? Usually people tare less for the nautral, and more for the epidural I've heard

I'm pregnant with my second baby due in March and my first birth was a bit traumatic almost four years ago as I had to have a C-section and they messed up my first epidural and had to do another. Is it possible to have a healthy vaginal birth this time?

Our first delivery experience sounds very similar! My only difference was no epidural (they checked me and said I was 5cm so I asked for it but turns out I dilated too quickly and my body started pushing my baby out as he was putting in the epidural 😂) and also no 💩😂

what kind of tears did you get? you did not specify but I am curious!

Could you make a video on how to prepare for natural birth? 😊 I’ve been thinking about it, this is my first, and he’s due in April! 😊

Does epidural birth really slow your birth time ?? How long did it take for you in labor without epidural and with epidural ?

I've heard medical professionals say stay AWAY from castor oil. So talk to your doc or midwife before taking it just in case

I dunno why people be all judgemental about getting an epidural. At the end all we need is a healthy baby out yeah. All mothers go through hardships for 9 months and no one should actually care or judge how she’s going to have the baby out. If the world is developed and has found new medications to make people feel better, why not taking that? It’s like avoiding all the new technologies. I’m at my 21st week and have already decided to get the epidural. I really don’t care what others think or say. If anyone wants to have a c section, go for it. It’s your body, your baby, your decision. 😊