by Patricia Rainford

Created on: November 12, 2008

My answer for the sake of debate is yes. However, I don't necessarily believe EVERY woman should have one. I'm simply saying that it's a choice, an option for those who would rather enjoy their baby's birth to the fullest, for those who think that the severe pain of childbirth would strip them of their opportunity to embrace the miraculous moment that their baby enters the world.

Why there is such a debate seems foreign to me. Why are so many people against it? It doesn't hurt the baby, it allows for easier delivery, and allows for less chaos in the delivery room. If a woman chooses not to have an epidural, that's fine, too. I just don't understand the concept of women who shake their fist in anger at women who have epidurals, as if that affects their decision not to have one in any way. It is not forced on them, so why get angry about it?

Yes, there can be side effects but that is true of every medical treatment available. On the same thought, why take a Tylenol if your head is hurting? Why take a heartburn medicine if you are suffering from acid reflux? I state these examples because these are common drugs offered women during pregnancy. The woman who says that no one should have an epidural and then proceeds to take drugs to ease her pregnancy woes has made herself a hypocrite.

If epidurals weren't beneficial, they wouldn't be available. It is highly necessary in the case of a C-section. Also, I've known doctors to recommend epidurals in cases of extreme labor, where labor has been active for days with very little progression. The epidurals allowed the mother-to-be to relax, therefore speeding progression and allowing the little one to be born before something life threatening occured or before they had to deliver via C-section. It is also beneficial in times where a large baby is expected and a hemorrhage is a possibility. Without it, the scraping and squeezing of the uterus post-delivery would be unbearable.

Does it make someone a superhero to have a natural childbirth? Is it reason to place them on a pedestal high above all others? No. Childbirth is difficult, no matter which direction is taken yet those who strongly advocate a "drug free" birth seem to think they are angels on high for being able to have a children without pain medication. Surely, they haven't yet found themselves in one of the situations above.

It's a choice, plain and simple. If you don't want to have one, then don't. Your decision won't affect me in the least. If you wish to have one, fine. It still won't affect me.

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