EPIDURALS!!!

That was the topic of our 3rd birthing class this past Monday night & I was surprised to hear that our instructor who is a licensed doula had one with her last child. She has been so against them since our first class & then she mentioned she had one, but she of course wishes she had not. She informed us that she got her when she was 7 cm & 45 minutes later she had her baby, which she seemed to think was a bad thing. But she also continues to tell us that at any point during your labor you decide you can't see yourself handling the pain/discomfort in an hour that it is probably time to ask for an epi. So at least she isn't telling us not to get one at all.

We watched 2 videos & the first one was fine which Chris didn't watch but the 2nd one made me a little uneasy. It was on epidurals & they showed it being administered, which I didn't watch (I just can't handle that type of thing). Then after the video she passed around medical equipment that would be used during labor/delivery & I thought I was going to have to leave the room. I started to get really hot, light-headed & a huge headache. I just kept telling Chris I don't want to see any of it, I just couldn't handle it. The only instruments I did look at was the monitors that would be placed on my belly. I can handle watching birthing videos all day long but I can't deal with seeing all the medical instruments or needles. Chris of course was fine, what a pair we are - me a medical whimp & he gets nervous with the whole reproductive/birthing issues. Luckily I don't have to see the epi being administered & Chris will he at my head during labor/delivery so we should both make it through without getting sick. Although my Mom will be on stand by just in case her assistance is needed.