Gas and air while putting in spinal?

[ODFOkaren]

Posting here for quick traffic rather than childbirth.

I’m having a section tomorrow. It’s my third and I’ve had two horrific experiences with spinals before, lightening bolts down my legs, pain.

They have agreed that I can have gas and air while they are putting it in. Anyone else had this and did it help?

Never had gas and air before, will it help??

I had gas and air because I was begging for Epi during labour so yes, used it when they were putting it in. Tbh I didn’t feel anything when the needle went in.

Not quite sure if it counts but I ended up having a spinal as my baby's head got stuck and needed an episiotomy (and after 5 days of labour they took pity on me!)

I just had gas and air but was told the gas and air in theatre was much better than in the Labour Suites. It defo had more of an 'away with the fairies effect!!'

I really didn't feel the spinal with it but I was also having deep pushing contractions then so probably could have broken my leg and not noticed!

Good luck with it all!

I had gas an air to have a pessary in due to previous trauma...and when I had my waters broken. It absolutely helped and kind of blurred the edges, it made me very relaxed and reduced the pain. I wouldn’t call it a painkiller in itself but it certainly helped!

Only experience I’ve ever had is seeing my 16 year old totally off his face in the back of an ambulance on G&A when he broke his leg. He was singing and telling everyone he loved them.

I’m just so, so scared after my previous experiences. I think I’m going to go to bits.

Not had a section but g&a helped me during my labour. My only advice is (if you're allowed) have water in hand! It gives you an awful dry mouth!

It will be helpful though, right? Ds said it felt like he’d had two or three pints of lager And that he still get the pain but didn’t really care (which then lead me to question him to death on how the hell he’d know what three pints of lager felt like).

It will absolutely be helpful!

The PP is right in that it's not a painkiller but sort of takes you away from the pain and gives you a bit of a high. It lasts for maybe 30-40 secs but that's why it's continuous and you just keep breathing into it.

It does sound like you've had an awful time but I reckon a few sucks of this in the lead up and you won't be worrying about it!!

Presume a local anaesthetic will go into the site first (I can't remember mine at all!!)

I did, I was having a natural birth but had to have emergency forceps so was already having the gas and air. Didn't feel the needle at all.

Just be aware that gas and air can make you feel very nauseous. In my case it makes me vomit - a lot. However many friends of mine used it with no issues during childbirth.

Good luck for tomorrow

I had gas+air for both labours including Foley balloon cath placement for the 2nd. Love it. It takes 5 or 10 minutes breathing deeply and steadily to get right down into the zone but it is fab.

First labour ended in EMCS and I was shaking so badly from exhaustion etc they couldn't get the spinal in so gave me valium IV as a muscle relaxant which was fab too.

I’m so terrified after the last two that they did actually offer me a general if I wanted - but I’m even more scared of that.

This is my last baby. Thank god. Although I’ve just had an argument with Ds about getting his arse out of bed tomorrow before 3pm for his exam results so I’m now wondering why I’m putting myself though this shit again!