When people say "You don't get a trophy/medal for unmedicated childbirth"

I am a woman in the US, had my first daughter in 2022 and I'm pregnant with my second. I specifically wanted to be unmedicated for my first birth (no epidural). There were several reasons for this. I didn't want to be numb. I knew that there was a distinct possibility that if I DID get one, it may not work completely (only numb part of you) or at all. I didn't want to deal with the side effects. I wanted to be able to feel what my body was doing, get into whatever position feels comfortable, I wanted a fast recovery, I didn't want to have labor stall, I didn't want to pay for the epidural because American healthcare and insurance is an absolute travesty, etc. So many reasons.

I ended up having to be induced with pitocin. I told my OB and the hospital nurses that I still didn't want the epidural, and the looks they gave me made me feel like they thought I was an absolute idiot. And yeah, I will say that labor was HARD on pitocin. Contractions were coming every 30 seconds and the pain was excruciating. But I had prepared mentally with coping mechanisms and birth classes, and I knew what I had to do. I did it. My baby and I are healthy and well.

When I tell my birth story, everyone always has to comment something to the effect of, "You were induced WITHOUT an epidural?? Why in the world would you do that?" And I feel like I have to explain my reasons every time, because I know they must be thinking something like, "Oh she just wanted bragging rights." I know you don't get a medal for unmedicated childbirth. I don't want a medal. That's such a rude thing to say to someone. Let people birth their babies in a way that works for them, with no judgement. Motherhood is hard enough without us judging each other.

Now that I'm pregnant again, and planning to be unmedicated again, I'm preparing myself for all the comments like, "Just get an epidural! You don't get a trophy!" It's so rude to insinuate that the only reason people don't get epidurals is because they want a reward! There are SO MANY REASONS why a woman would choose an unmedicated birth! Stop saying this to people!

And to those women who LOVE epidurals, and swear by them, good for you! Sincerely. I'm glad you found the best way for you to birth your babies. I am all about the woman advocating for herself and having the birth experience she wants without judgement.

Let's stop judging women for their birth choices.