Everyone seems to be on one side or the other when it comes to epidurals.  I have read stats that epidurals can cause additional complications 23% of the time.  Now, these are not always major complications: they could be episiotomies, tearing or just head-aches.

Most of the mothers that I have talked to were either in the majority (77%), or they did not associate any complications they had with the fact that they had an epidural.  This is not surprising, since most of us do not have anything to compare birth with, until we have had lots of children.

We learned in our pre-natal class that the worst position to give birth in is lying on your back, and yet, how often do you see a birth in movies which is anything else?  Lying on your back removes the advantage of gravity, and causes more stress on the Perineal since the baby’s weight is on that area only.  more info on labour positions

Every woman I have talked to who has had an epidural, has also had a difficult time breast-feeding (ok, I realize this is a really small sample of people, and most women find breast feeding difficult).  Then I read an article from Today’s Parent with a section on “How Birth Affects Breastfeeding” which seems to agree.

Now,  there are some cases when an epidural is recommended.  So while I am going to try to avoid an epidural, I am also going to listen to the Nurses and Doctor and deal with things as they happen.  While it is not ideal, an epidural is an option that I might choose.