WHY is such a big deal made if you use drugs in labour?

[hamster]

I'm a little curious as to why so many women think that because you have pethidine/epidural/any other drug, you are a bit of a wimp.

I had an epidural during my last labour, and continuously people have felt the urge to comment. Things such as "Oh I did it with just gas and air", or "A friend of mine went through labour with absolutely nothing"

I do appologise if I do sound petty, but it really puts a dent into your confidence
My sister has just been through labour, a couple of days ago, and I know that this will be one of the main topics of conversation next time I see the family, as such a big deal was made of it before the birth.

At the end of the day, I would have thought that as long as you have a healthy baby at the end of it, what does it matter?

Tiredemma - stop putting yourself down! You're perpetuating the cycle! Labour has nothing to do with bravery, work ethic or pain threshold - every labour is different, there's no reason to expect a 'nice' natural labour even if you're as optimistic and positive as you can be.
Not to put down how the achievements of everyone who had a nice labour but I'm sure they'll agree not ALL of it was down to their bravery and hard work. It's the luck of the draw.

started trying to induce me - 4 days of that ruddy gel and the world and his wife with their hands up me nethers (almost got to the point where anyone walking past my bed could have had a go and i wouldnt have cared!!) i finally get going with the aid of a crochet hook - well, thats what it looked like! and then i was stoned out of my head on g&a!! it wasnt that it didnt hurt, it was that i didnt CARE!! gooooooooooooooooood stuff (keep looking on ebay see if i can get a tankful!!!)

i never go into actual birth details cos mine were both gruesome in the end, but leading up to first birth i enjoyed myself! stoned and totally away with the fairies!

i had as much pain relief as i wanted and needed, same as everyone else!!!

mogwai, it was a joke!

emma, it's ok you've not offended me

Cor, this thread has gone mad!
I'm really glad so many others are also "wimps"!
I have decided, that if I am in hospital early on enough in labour this time, I am having an epidural again.
Although my whole birth experience wasn't what I expected it to be, I wouldn't change it.

I just wish people were less competitive and more down to earth in general. Parenting esp!

Prolapsed disc whilst pregnant is no fun much more painful than normal especially when you consider the only drugs allowed are paracetamol and guess what i am allergic to it!!!!!! So when i go into labour bring on the drugs please even though my pain threshold is quite high i live in constant pain with the disc and the slightest increase at the moment has me crying. Can't comment on kidney stones as i've not been that unlucky!!