Will I require anesthesia for normal labor?

Normal labor can be a different experience for each woman. Some women need no anesthesia for labor. Women differ, however, in their ability to tolerate pain and anxiety when labor is long and contractions are stronger than expected. Even if you plan for a "natural" childbirth, the unexpected may sometimes occur, thereby making anesthesia desirable or necessary. Remember, the decision to have anesthesia for labor is yours.