You are a brave women, Ive never had a baby and already know that I couldnt handle that pain. I dont understand the part where you said that with an epidural you miss the best part??? You are completely aware of whats going on you just have no felling from your waist down. It doesnt keep you from knowing whats going on. And if you are saying that the pain is the best part then you are crazy girl ;)

Thanks for scarry me more girls LOL. My mom slept through me and my brothers birthing. She woke up when it was "time". AND that was WITH OUT one... I SOOO HOPE TO GOD I can do the same. lol

I will be having my baby here in Germany and I think we have to go to a german hospital.. not sure how the Army works it but yeah I guess I will know if I am going to get one, if I can hadle the pain.

Which by the way every one is tell me is hurts like He!! lol, I think I might go with it.. but not 100% sure on it, till I have to go through it.. I guess..

The adrenaline rush that blocks the pain. I believe that people get the epidural cause they have no idea that adrenaline will block the pain naturally.

It's probably the same as for athletes who push themselves so hard. they do it for the rush.

Both my babies came so quickly that there was no time for the drugs. I wanted them bad though. But when it was all over, I got right up and and had no drugs to recover from. If I have another, I'm getting to the hospital early for the drugs! LOL I will admit that I would rather go through labor than be pregnant. Experiencing labor and delivery is an amazing thing. I can tell you right now, compared to the labor pains you probably won't even feel the needle in your spine. LOL
Another thought, I was told the reason I was able to push my kids out in like 2-3 pushes was because I could still feel my muscles down there and could use them correctly to push the baby out. My girlfriend pushed for an aganizing hour and then they had to put her on pitocin because the drugs actually slowed her labor down. So there are reasons to have no epidural. But what I would do is go in with an open mind and do whatever you need to do. Do not feel guilty to ask for drugs.

OMG! :eek: DEFINATELY get one...get two at once if they'll let you.:thumbup:

[QUOTE=OLIVIA_KARHIS]I will be having my baby here in Germany and I think we have to go to a german hospital.. not sure how the Army works it but yeah I guess I will know if I am going to get one, if I can hadle the pain. /QUOTE]

My daughter was born in Germany via US Army, back in 1989. I know they've closed a lot of the Casernes (spelling?) now so I'm not sure how it works. At the time they told me that when I went into labor if the Army hospital was full they'd send me out on the economy to a Krankenhouse (again spelling?). That made me really nervous. I also didn't like how through the Army I never got to see the same doctor every time and half of them didn't speak english!! I remember one visit where I swear the guy told me to take me clothes off. When he came back he was like "What are you doing?!?" :eek: I was so embarrassed. Rumor back then was that the German Hospital spoiled you rotten if it's any conciliation.

I had an epi with both girls, who were 2 weeks late. It was great, because for me personally it hurt. My second one was upside down and pushing on my ribs.... :( I was ready for some relief. Bad part is that by the time I was ready to push it had worn off.

Heads up. For me the afterbirth hurt worse then the labor and delivery. The nurse kept mashing on my stomach to make sure everything was out...

[/QUOTE]
My daughter was born in Germany via US Army, back in 1989. I know they've closed a lot of the Casernes (spelling?) now so I'm not sure how it works. At the time they told me that when I went into labor if the Army hospital was full they'd send me out on the economy to a Krankenhouse (again spelling?). That made me really nervous. I also didn't like how through the Army I never got to see the same doctor every time and half of them didn't speak english!! I remember one visit where I swear the guy told me to take me clothes off. When he came back he was like "What are you doing?!?" :eek: I was so embarrassed. Rumor back then was that the German Hospital spoiled you rotten if it's any conciliation.

I had an epi with both girls, who were 2 weeks late. It was great, because for me personally it hurt. My second one was upside down and pushing on my ribs.... :( I was ready for some relief. Bad part is that by the time I was ready to push it had worn off.

Heads up. For me the afterbirth hurt worse then the labor and delivery. The nurse kept mashing on my stomach to make sure everything was out...[/QUOTE]

Well I am on a small post by frankfurt... I dont know how its done here... I think the lady who had her baby two weeks go (she is my hubbys coworks wife) had to go to a german hospital. Ares on post close after 5pm...anything after that, we have to go to a german one... But on the up side.. I have in my medical records I have to stick to one Dr. I was born with heart problems, so I know during my whole preg. the hospital will be my 2nd home. But I will be sure to ask where I have to go when its "time"

I had my first son natural by choice -- went to all the Lamaze classes and was hyped for doing it drug free. After 24 hours in labor I said screw the natural stuff, I want drugs. Of course it was too late and they could not give me any. Second and third time I made sure the doc and anyone who would listen knew I wanted an epidural. My sisters told me how great they were -- they actually got to be more attentive to the actual birth because they were not fighting the pain as much. But 2nd and 3rd time they told me -- too late again. I think it was a trick. Sure after everything is over, you feel great. the arenaline rush kept me shaking for over an hour. I would not trade the childbirth experience for anything in the world, but see no reason to do it completely drug free when they have the right stuff and it does not harm the baby.

We were stationed in Frankfurt. Drake cascerne I think. It's the one where Elvis was stationed. LOL

How long have you been there? I hated that everything, and I mean everything, was closed on Sunday. During Christmas it's really cool to go downtown. There's like an outdoor market thing. It's really pretty. When I was there though, the mark rate sucked and we were always broke, so we didn't get to buy much. But if you can go you should. It's a great place to pick up some Christmas ornaments and stuff to remind you of your time there. Keepsakes. Oh yeah and in Germany you can get some really cool things for the baby that you don't see here, or at least didn't back then. I had gotten my daughter this little gunny sack thing for outside when she was in the stroller. It was cool.

The only resteraunt at the PX was Burger King too. It took me about 7 years after we got back to eat at one. LOL

i've had 4 epidurals and 1 spinal and you dont feel the needle!

That adrenaline wasn't doing a good job blocking the pain from those contractions I was having! Once they hit that 20-something range, that was it for me!:(

I believe there is something the body creates naturally that sorta numbs the area (don't know if it's adrenaline ??) down there when the baby comes out but those darn shoulders hurt like hell. Thank god they usually just slip right out at that point.

If you do go natural, it is nice to have a rocking chair. I rocked through my contractions and it did help.

I live like 10 min from frankfurt but my hubby works in darmstadt. We have been here a yr a a month.we have BK, A pizza place, baskin robbins, taco bell and a phil chesses thing in the bowling/game/bar place. There is also a Micky d;s, KFC, Pizza hutt, subway, and a walmarts offpost :p

I went to the xmas market last yr like EVERY DAY lol. I love the hot wine... Looks like this yr I cant have it :p Also the dickermans are oh so GOOD! I love there candy here :p I got all my presents for my parents last yr there too. And yeah they do have a lot of cute things for babys here, that they dont have back home. I cant wait to find out if its a boy or girl, so I can go shopping :p

Pain
 

I admire any woman who can go through child birth naturally...I feel the same way about the "natural" pain of birthing as I do about the "natural" pain of dentistry...numb everything!

LOL :thumbup: :thumbup: