Pain relief

[sterlingpink295]

At what stage of pain will they give you gas and air??

[WorldsBiggestGrotbag]

I was given gas and air as soon as I was admitted to hospital, which was at 5cms dilated. I had been in labour for 40 hours prior to that though, with contractions every 2 mins and in considerable pain for the previous 12 hours.
Most labours aren't that long though. I think they will give you gas and air as soon as you are in established labour (from 4cms dilated) but it's impossible to say what stage of pain that will be as all labours are different. My friend has just had her first and she just felt like she needed a poo until she was 7cms dilated.

[sterlingpink295]

The pain is horrid. Must be about 2cm but already struggling with the pain

[WorldsBiggestGrotbag]

Are you still at home or in hospital?

[sterlingpink295]

Home still

[KittyandTeal]

My experience is they'll give it to you when you think you need it.

If you're struggling with the pain call the hospital (or ask someone else to on your behalf) and tell them. They may well get you in.

You might be further along. With dd1 I woke up, waters went, got bags in the car, drove 25 mins to hospital and was 6cm by the time they examined me (10min or so after arriving)

[Runningupthathill82]

Justv when you need it, in my experience. I was about 12 hours in when I gave up on my "no pain relief" mantra and started really needing it, IIRC. But it didn't really touch the sides!

[Roseybee10]

They wouldn't give me it until I'm established labour first time. It took me a while to get into established labour but once I got it then it was magic and I was able to manage with just that.

Have you been in to get assessed and sent home?

If it helps I found getting past 4cm the worst part of labour both times. X

[Athenaviolet]

Have you got a tens machine?

Being in water will also help.

You can take paracetamol too!

[ChickenLaVidaLoca]

Presuming OP has had her baby already, but being in water doesn't necessarily help. I find contractions more painful in water than on land! Not sure how, but the MW told me it's not abnormal and everyone is different.

[EssexMummy123]

My midwife told me that taking paracetamol was as much use as taking a smartie in labour - hope all went well OP.

[Purpleboa]

Having just given birth on 23rd, I can confirm that paracetamol is a joke to take during labour (smarties prob would have had more effect) and they gave me gas n air when I arrived at hospital at 8cm dilated but no waters broken. As someone said, it didn't touch the sides but it made me care less in a stoned way about how much pain I was in!

[FastWindow]

When you shout for it. Start shouting! Don't wait for them to assess you - any pain is too much pain ime.
'entonox now please'
If you're feeling polite still. :)

[Caillou]

It depends, sometime there isn't time for gas and air or any pain relief (as it happened last week).

Even though I asked for it (contractions went from being every 4 mins to constant in the space of 2 mins). I was begging for g&a but I was told it was too late and not possible, she was right, dd was born 3mins later.

I did get it when they stitched me up though (and I can see why she didn't give it to me at the time I asked for it)

So I think it all depends on how the labour progresses

[FastWindow]

Caillou you must be one in a million!

[VashtaNerada]

Yes, my experience is that you have to fight for any form of pain relief. With DC2 I wasn't allowed pain relief as they decided I'd probably have a slow labour (despite being my second). Didn't matter how much I begged, they just kept saying "later". I finally got some G&A just before pushing him out though!
Sorry... not very reassuring for anyone about to give birth. It's worth knowing that depending on the hospital you may need to fight though.

[FastWindow]

Slough are very accommodating :) lovely people altogether

[lordsandladies]

fast nope me too. Had DD2 before getting into the hospital as I wasn't convinced I was in enough pain to be ready.

Had G&A in the hospital after having her because I wanted some I was stitched/bad after pains.

With DD1 I was "allowed" it after 5cm before then it was the useless paracetamol!

[FastWindow]

Paracetamol Schmaracetamol

[Caillou]

I was just sharing my experience fast,

The op was asking at what stage pain relief is given, at least she knows that it is a possibility too that it may not be possible.

[LibrariesGaveUsPower]

Presumably too late for the OP, but I was denied until in established labour. After roughly 48 hours of contractions.

I felt very let down as I'd been led to believe I would get it when I needed it. Really damaged my trust in that hospital (and like another poster, I found early labour hardest 2/3 times. Third was quick so not really any 'early ')

[BlueberryWafer]

Ds I got gas and air after being examined at 4cm, dd I got gas and air at 8cm, very fast labour and delivery. Depends on the birth really.

[soloula]

I read a blog article the other day suggesting paracetamol can slow labour. Worth bearing in mind. undercovermidwife.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/paracetamol-and-labour.html

[BlueberryWafer]

If paracetamol slows labour then God knows how quick my second baby would have got here - I had 2 paracetamol when I was 4cm dilated, 45 minutes later I was pushing!