I am in the final weeks of my second pregnancy, and am unsure about what I want to do when it comes to the birth.
For some background I had an extremely difficult first labour... over 48 hours, unknown to me the baby was back to back and stuck at 9cm dilated for most of that time. I was in a birth centre and labouring in the water for the first 36 hours. I did find the water a huge help with the pain but gas and air did nothing but make me sick. Anyway it all became too much and I was taken up to the labour ward, where it was discovered there was a problem. I was given an epidural, syntocinon and prepped for a c section when nothing seemed to be working. At the last minute I reached 10cm dilation and was able to avoid a csection. But because of the amount of pain relief administered i ended up with an episiotomy, ventouse and forceps birth.
I have recovered well from my first birth experience. My dilemma now though, is whether to try for another natural, water birth or go straight for an epidural this time. The epidural really was amazing and the relief after so much pain for such a long time was incredible. But I definitely found the water beneficial and wonder if it is a shorter labour this time, then maybe I could actually manage a natural labour. I guess I feel a bit confused as whilst I definitely know what 9cm dilated feels like (horrendous!), I don't know what it's like to actually push as I couldn't feel anything at this stage last time. Maybe the pain would be too much again but it might be too late to have an epidural? Or perhaps I could cope and could avoid another instrumental birth and the horrendous post labour pain i experienced last time.
Would love to hear your experiences and advice on whether to try for a natural birth or go for pain relief for second birth. (Obviously I am making assumptions it will be a straightforward start to the labour and that there are no other factors to be considered in the meantime). Thanks!
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Childbirth
Epidural or water?
17 replies
itshappened · 03/12/2019 19:49
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