child birth and pain relief

I have had 4 children. The first child they gave me a pill to relax me and then I went into labor. The pain was there and no relief at all. The second child came so quickly that I was in the hospital for 15 minutes before I had him ~ again, no pain relief. Then I decided to go to the hospital early for the 3rd child...wanting pain relief, but again, it was a quick delivery so no time. For my 4th child I went in early enough to get an epidural. It was wonderful!!! I felt nothing. I would be having a contraction and not even realize it. That is the way to have a baby:)

I was really hoping to undergo an all-natural birthing method, as in no pain relief. I took Lamaze classes to prepare myself and my husband for this feat. Unfortunately, my daughter had other plans. She was kicking inside me so hard that my waterbag broke a month before my due date. Thus, I underwent an emergency caesarian section, which was totally painless while baby was coming out but heck! recovery was one hell of a pain!

I didn't have any pain relievers when I gave birth to either of my boys. However I did get a little help with both delivers. With my oldest the doctor gave me an episiotomy (a small cut down there) and with my youngest the doctor had to break my water as it wouldn't break on its own. The second labor was easier for me, probably because I knew what to expect so I wasn't scared like I was the first time.