[Jenn218]

Okay, thought I would jump in.....

I had "all natural" and my labor (from start to finish) was only an hour and 45minutes. It was no where as bad as people said it would be - honestly!

My doctor went over all the options w/ me and my main concern w/ the spinal tap was that if you have a contraction or a slight movement, it could cause problems, like hit your spinal cord and paralyze you, etc. Now, I don't know if that is true, but when I had my daughter (almsot 13 years ago) that was one of the downsides to it.

Plus, it depends on how far dilated you are too! (I think)....I remember at one time, I asked if I should go ahead and get something and the doctor said it was too late for anything....course, I had really told him to keep me off anything, so I don't know if he was being serious or not.

I watched the whole thing on the big mirror they had.........I have to admit, it was very neat! I even show the needle that they used for stitches, I had to have two (darn), but I won't tell you want it looked like.

I only wish that my DH could have cut the cord and helped more, but he couldn't because my daughter was stuck in the canal too long and had to have oxygen, so we couldn't even hold her for awhile. But that happened because of my bone structure and her being a "big" baby (for then anyway, she was about 8lbs, but it seemed like the average size was 6-7lbs). Or, I guess that is why it happened.

Sorry for rambling and going into details. Just talk to you doctor and family and you will decide what is right for you and your baby and body! Good luck!