Vomiting in labour

[Daffodilly]

With DD1 I started vomiting (with most contractions) once labour was established. Most unpleasant as I hate being sick under any circumstances and it left me feeling weak and dehydrated. I was eventually given anti-sickness drugs at hospital that seemed to stop it.

So question is IF I have same problem with DC2 (due in 3 weeks) would it be worth going for the drugs straight away? Are there any know side-effects/down-sides?

I want to ideally stay at home as long as possible this time - is there anything I can take/do at home?

[LadyOfWaffle]

I am not sure what can be done to avoid it - I was the same in both labours, the MW said it was the pain. Don't be scared to eat/drink though, at least you'll bring up something instead of gagging. Definatly ask about the drugs straight away - I didn't realise you could get them, but then mine subsided after a while...

[themoon66]

Second time around I asked for the anti sickness drug (Maxilon) hours before I thought I'd need it. It worked too.

[psychomum5]

I was sick with each labour......by DC4 we realised that it was proof of transition!!

you can ask for an injection at the start of labour if it worries you. ask for an anti-emettic (sp?....sounds like that tho!).

[foxinsocks]

I got given an injection the second time - worth asking for imo. Is a pain vomiting - as if you don't have enough cramps anyway!

[ThumbBurns]

I didn't know that there were drugs available for it either until I got onto the labour ward itself - down on maternity they never offered it, despite knowing that I had thrown up at least 3 times through the day and not been able to really eat much because of the nausea.

Although they said it was the pain, I think for me it was the hormones (I am susceptible to hormonal sickness) as I wasn't actually in pain when the nausea and the first bout of vomiting happened.

the thing is, ask - if you don't ask, you don't get - the worst they can do is say no.

[Daffodilly]

Thanks for the replies. I don't think it was pain per se. More my body having a good clear out in preparation - or perhaps force of contraction pushing up stomache contents.

I got the anti- emetic (thingy) last time, will see if I can get it earlier this time. I guess if I had to I could try and go to hospital for it and then come home again if I wanted to.....

It certainly did nothing to add to the fun of labour!

[HeathersMummy]

Daffodilly, you may not get sick this time around at all. I was terribly sick for the whole 17 hours of my first labour and it was truly hideous..I got given Zantac to try and settle my stomach, I couldn't even keep water down. With DC2 I was sick at the start of labour, but that was it. I decided not to drink any water (as it made me worse first time round) and instead I sucked on some ice cubes which seemed to do the trick. Don't take it as a given that you will be sick with your second labour, every labour is different and you may miss out this time