Should You Take an Epidural? Weighing Both Sides Before You Decide

At some point in pregnancy, almost every mom-to-be wonders:
“Will I take an epidural?”

You might hear your friend say she couldn’t imagine labour without it, while another swears she felt more in control going without.
Doctors, doulas, and family may all have opinions — and yet, when the time comes, the only person who can decide is you.

This isn’t about which is “better.” It’s about what’s right for your body, your birth, and your comfort.

What an Epidural Does

An epidural is a form of pain relief used during labour.
A small catheter is placed in your lower back, through which medication is delivered to block pain signals from your uterus and birth canal.

You remain awake and aware of your contractions, but the pain is significantly reduced or sometimes even absent.
It’s one of the most common and effective ways to manage labour pain in hospitals today.

If You Choose an Epidural

Benefits

• Strong, reliable pain relief: It is one of the most effective methods for managing labour pain.
• Allows rest and calm: You can relax, conserve energy, and sometimes even sleep before pushing.
• Helps during long or complicated labours: Especially when inductions are slow or contractions are intense.
• Useful in case of a C-section: The same epidural can often be extended instead of using general anaesthesia.
• Reduces stress hormones: Calmer body chemistry can sometimes help labour progress more smoothly.

Considerations

• Limited mobility: Once the epidural is given, you’ll likely need to remain in bed.
• Second stage may last longer: Numbness in the lower body can make pushing slightly more difficult.
• Monitoring is required: Continuous tracking of both mother and baby is needed.
• Mild side effects: Temporary shivering, itching, or soreness near the injection site.
• Rare complications: Headache or nerve irritation, though these are uncommon.

For many women, an epidural is not about avoiding a “natural” birth — it’s about staying comfortable, calm, and present.

If You Choose to Go Without an Epidural

Benefits

• Full mobility: You can walk, squat, or change positions, using gravity to help the baby descend.
• Better body awareness: You can feel contractions and push instinctively.
• Fewer medical attachments: Without an epidural, you may not need IV fluids, catheters, or constant monitoring.
• Natural hormone flow: Endorphins and oxytocin rise naturally, promoting calm and connection.
• Freedom of movement: You can choose positions that feel most comfortable.

Challenges

• Pain intensity: Contractions can be strong and unpredictable, requiring focused breathing and coping strategies.
• Fatigue: Pain and effort may be physically draining, especially during a long labour.
• Timing constraints: If you change your mind late in labour, an epidural may no longer be an option.
• More mental preparation needed: Labouring without medication requires emotional readiness and good support.

Note: Even if you choose to go without an epidural, some interventions — such as IV fluids, continuous monitoring, or a catheter — may still be part of your birth experience, especially if labour is induced. We’ll explore this difference in more detail in an upcoming blog on induced vs. spontaneous labour without an epidural.

For some, an unmedicated birth feels empowering and deeply connected. For others, the experience feels overwhelming — and both are completely valid.

Who Should You Listen To?

Hospitals and doctors may have differing approaches. Some recommend early epidurals for pain management, while others prefer to wait until active labour.

The best approach is to talk through your options before labour begins, not in the heat of the moment.

• Discuss your pain management preferences with your gynaecologist.
• Ask about the hospital’s policy on epidurals and what alternatives exist.
• Have an open conversation with your partner about your comfort, fears, and priorities.

Gather perspectives — but remember: the decision is yours.

The Real Answer: There’s No “Right” Choice

Some women say the epidural helped them stay calm and present.
Others say feeling every contraction made them feel powerful and connected.

Both are true. Both are valid.

What matters most is that you feel informed and respected.
No one — not your doctor, birth team, or family — can force you into or out of an epidural.
This is your body and your birth.