Epidural - why wouldn't you?

[lbsjob87]

I started a thread on AIBU about pain relief in childbirth yesterday that led me to wonder something. Lots of women said they didn't have an epidural because the idea scared them so much, and I just wondered why?
I am 35 weeks with No 2 and am starting to think about a birth plan (although last time has taught me they are not worth it half the time, but anyway.....)
I'm aiming for a VBAC but may yet be advised to have an ELCS. If I do have a VBAC, I will take it as it comes, if it gets too much, I'll probably have an epidural. Last time, my DD was back to back and had shoulder dystosia and an epidural couldn't come quickly enough.
I know it's personal choice/circumstances but I wondered what frightened people about it? Is it the initial needles in the back, the loss of feeling in the legs or a fear of not being "in control" of the pushing?
Last time was a blur, tbh and I really don't remember much about it.
I'm not trying to scare myself, just wondering what others experiences are.

[32percentcharged]

Tbh even if epidurals mean you can stand with support and not be catheterised etc, i still preferred giving birth with just DH and the midwife. A hospital birth with anaesthetist and continuous monitoring just isn't what everyone wants. It doesnt mean we don't understand modern medicine- we are simply making an active choice. I didn't see having a baby as a medical event and preferred to keep it as non medicalised as possible. I was fortunate in having a totally normal pregnancy so was able to give birth first time around in a home from home standalone midwife led unit. I wouldn't say it was easy- I felt pain on a scale I didn't think existed! - but ultimately i felt it was a good birth and I felt very empowered by it. I was in awe of the wonderful midwife who guided me through and helped me believe I could do it.

My dc2 was an equally good birth- this time with a spinal as she needed to be born by C section. I was equally in awe of the technology which enabled me to be sliced open painlessly while awake! Two polar opposite births, but equally 'good'.

I think it's a little sad really that the OP is assuming that as epidurals exist, we should all want to go down the route of high tech birth as is the default position in some countries. In some countries now it is the norm to have interventions like epidural or even c section.

Surely it's good that we live in a country where we still have the choice?

[Noseypoke]

My sister spent two weeks on her back after her epidural. They had punctured something in her back (spinal sac?) and she had debilitating headaches if she got up. They tried ti seal the puncture with her blood but it didnt work. She was black and blue from all the needles. It nearly stopped her breast feeding and ruined her first two weeks with her DS.

[Brummiegirl15]

I'm keen to avoid an epidural as I know they tend to lead to intervention and (excuse my French) there is no fucking way anyone is coming near me with forceps

[MoralityPlay]

I had an epidural with DC1 and blame it for a bad back that lasted 15 years.

I refused to have another one for my other three DC.

[NickiFury]

Because I was terrified of the massive needle and the idea of it going into my spine. A 43 hour labour got me over that fear

[LumelaMme]

I didn't want one because
a) I knew it increased the chance of intervention and
b) I knew someone who'd had a spinal injury so I had seen up close what happens when your spinal cord is damaged and no one, but no one, was going near mine with a bloody great needle.