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I didn't vote since I feel like all of the options somewhat apply to me. With my first LO I had an epi. With my second, I wanted one but there wasn't enough to time. From first contraction to baby was only 45 minutes. My take: an epidural is heaven compared to an unmedicated birth. I would never want to do another unmedicated birth. But given how quickly things went the second time, I probably wouldn't have time for an epi again. (And we will never find out since we are done.)

I had absolutely no meds due to the speed of my labor (2 hours and 20 minutes from water breaking to baby). The pain was intense, but transition isn't fun and there was no way I'd sit still for an epidural. I say to try. You can always change your mind.

I didn't vote because I'm on the fence myself. last time, I was supposed to get induced but my water broke instead. I was determined to do it without an epidural even though I had pitocin. They did give me some IV meds (which just felt like getting a little sleepy for a while) so I wasn't completely unmedicated. In the end I made it. 12 hours from start to finish, but about 5 of hard stuff and a lot of screaming at the end. I think I had back labor too.

Now with #2 (due today), I am still on the fence about an epidural this time. There is no way I want to go through what I did last time again, but I wonder if the second time will be easier. We'll see!

You can always go in and change your mind if the baby isn't too fast . Or if the baby is really slow you may have them asking you again and again if you are sure you don't want an epidural !

I planned to go med free for LO1, but caved after 24 hours and got the epidural. 37 hour labor and 9 lb baby - zero regrets on the epidural.

For LO2 I had a tough pregnancy and planned for a medicated labor. Like.....please give me allllll the drugs! LO2 had other plans. Labor was too fast 3.5 hours start to finish, and another 9 lb baby. We barely made it to the hospital in time, so I definitely didn't have time for an epidural! Honestly, it really wasn't that bad!!! He was out during my 4th pushing contraction and my recovery was a breeze. If we were to go for a 3rd baby, I would absolutely go med free again.

I've had both kinds of birth, my first was long and full of interventions (30+ hours from SROM to delivery with pitocin, antibiotics, IV fluids, episiotomy and ventouse), my second was twelve hours with only gas for pain relief (he was almost ten pounds and fat!) and I would hands down have another "natural" birth!

I remember thinking that my second labour was very unpleasant but recovery was just so much easier that it was totally worth it!

I've had two unmedicated births and both were great. I felt like a total rockstar after both and the recovery was easy (particularly after the second).

I had two amazing unmedicated births. Both times I wanted to go no meds but I was open to it if it was too much. But by the time the idea of sitting still for an epidural sounded better than the pain, I was ready to push and able to power through. I felt amazing after. Such a rush. Second time the birth was really fast- 3.5 hours from thinking I was in labor to baby. By the time we got to the hospital I couldn't even think about sitting still for an epidural. I don't even think there would have been time- it was 45 minutes from arrival at hospital to baby.

I agree with the others- try and you can always change your mind! As my midwife put it your hardest birth is probably behind you.

@Charm54: I have basically the same experience. I did get a spinal for the 3 pushes it took to get her out, and I never would have attempted without even if I had know it would be over 5 minutes after I got the spinal! It was really terrifying realizing I was going to have to go without meds when they finally figured out the epidural was misplaced and it was time to push. The anesthesiologist saying there was nothing they could do seriously threw me into hysterics and my OB told her to give me a spinal! However, the recovery was so much easier and almost worth trying for med free next time. I might actually try to prepare for it next time just in case!!

ETA - my second was 4 hours from start of pitocin to delivery. By the time contractions felt unbearable, I was also feeling baby coming down on her own, which was about 30 minutes from that first unbearable contraction to delivery.

I didn't have an epidural although did have narcotics, but voted med free since it's still pretty much considered that. A lot of it is fuzzy, but I think that's more due to the fact I was half asleep through it. I got to the hospital at 1am, then had dd around 8am.

Looking back what stands out as the worst was being at home thinking if it already hurts this much how is it going to feel. So it isn't necessarily the pain I remember being bad but he fear of what was to come.

My mom actually delivered both my brother and I naturally and had a really positive experience. I grew up knowing how happy she was with her births and really wanted that for myself.

I had an unmedicated vaginal birth last time. It was 15 hours from my first contraction until baby. I am planning to go unmedicated again in October.

I had LO1 at home with amazing midwives and didn't wish for a minute for anything else. I pushed for 3 hours and it was the hardest thing I've done, and really intense but was never scary the way I think of pain except for when I tore.

I am hoping for something along those lines this time. But am preparing myself for it to possibly happen faster. My labour with LO1 was 24 hours from water breaking to baby and that felt just about like the pace I could handle the first time.

I had an unmedicated birth and I'm actually looking forward to getting to do it again. It was a great experience. That being said, my husband was super supportive, I have birth at a birth center (attached to a hospital) and they were super supportive, I spent a lot of time mentally preparing AND my labor was only 6.5 hours from first contraction to baby on my chest (and I had no clue it was going fast so I was trying to tough it out at home so I didn't even have a choice since I arrived ready to push.)

Have had both. First baby, had an epidural; second time no time for anything.

I felt more calm and in control with the epidural. My recovery was almost the exact same. My labor the second time was much shorter.

I consider my first "med-free" in that I didn't have an epidural. I was induced with pitocin & got only some oxygen & a dose of fentanyl (it was 12 hrs total, with 4 hours of pushing & a vaccum assist).
I was very happy with that experience & recovery, so I planned to try for med-free with my 2nd. It was only 6 hours total & only about an hour from 5cm to birth. There wasn't time for drugs even if I wanted them. Recovery was even easier that time.
I loved both my births, I think because I hadn't tied my satisfaction to *having* to be med-free. I don't think you're crazy to set it out there as an option for yourself.

I had a medfree birth 7 months ago tomorrow I will definitely plan on it again.

I honestly did not prepare that much other than watching a ton of natural births on YouTube and reading The Birth Partner with DH. We didn't go to a birthing class. I gave birth with a midwife in a very supportive hospital.

I agree that it's all mental, but also that I was lucky that everything aligned to allow me to achieve the birth I wanted. I labored for 12 hours start to finish and neither I or the baby had any complications. I will say that the 2.5 hours of pushing was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life but the rest of it was really not that bad.

@caterw: I had a med free birth today and it was amazing!

I was completely pain med free with my first and I had an iv pain med with my second called Talwin during transition. I was on Pitocin with both deliveries though.

I felt wonderful after both deliveries and loved being able to shower right after.

Like you, I was induced due to low fluid the first time. My labor was long and hard. The second time I had an unmedicated water birth. It was, honestly, far harder than the induction. But I'd still take it again if I had to choose.

I had two unmedicated births and the hormons made me forget the pain. I felt great afterwards although I did tear pretty badly with LO1. After my second I actually understood why some people leave the hospital after only a couple of hours.