not sure I can do it without an epidural

[cappy1]

Hi Mamas

I had my first baby 3 years ago in hospital but had a horrible experience of it all. After coping relatively well up until 4 cm the midwife decided to give me a membrane sweep to 'hurry me up' which resulted in unbearable pain. I had an epdural and about 12 hours later had a forceps and episiotomy.

I am now 37 weeks pregnant with number two and have been planning a home birth because I am scared of being 'interfered' with again in hospital (and think the hospital experience is so horribly clinical and public) but am also worried about whether I will really be able to cope with the pain with only gas and air and a birthing pool.

I was wondering if anyone else has had a natural delivery after having had a delivery with lots of intervention and how they coped with the pain?

I am worried too.

I had an epidural with my first, it was on my birth plan as I have M.E. and the consultant thought it would minimise the amount of time I was in pain. I liked the epidural and it was a good experience, until I got to the forceps and third degree tear bit.

This time I can choose a c section if I want due to the tear but I want a natural birth without an epidural but I too am worried about whether or not I can handle it. I am not having a home birth though as I am classed as higher risk because of the tear.

I dont' want pethadine as I have read horrible stories about it making you sick and spaced out and it only works 50% of the time. I liked the gas and air but I'm not sure whether that is going to be enough. I am hoping that as my first one was only 11.5 hours, this one will be quicker anyway and it won't matter as it won't be a long labour. Hoping the birth pool will be available too.

Will be watching the thread with interest!

Yes I went to an active birthing class the Janet Balaskas active birth centre whcih was really good - thanks for the advice will read up about it

I too have heard that your second birth is usually shorter so the pain will be for less time. Although I remember that pain - a minute of that pain can feel like an hour

My plan is to try and cope for as long as possible with breathing and movement then use the gas and air/pool when I can no longer cope and hope to god that that gets me through. Although birth never really goes to any set plan!

That sounds about my plan too, although I can't guarantee the pool bit unfortunately.

CrazyPlateLady if you want to use a birthing pool then you won't be able to have an epidural, at least that was the case when I had my dd 2 years ago.

I have only experienced giving birth the once, but am ttc no.2, from what I have heard from friends, second labour is a lot quicker and easier than the first.

Have a birthing plan written out, and make sure that it is written in a simple way, as your midwife probably won't have time to read an essay.

Good luck with it all anyway :)

I know I can't have an epidural if I have a water birth. Its why I want one, so I am not 'tempted' by the pain.

Good luck ttc.

My first had her hand up cupping her head over her ear.

24 hour labour, epi and forceps.

2nd baby - woke up at 6AM with contractions I could cope with, had a bath, toast and tea.

Finally started to get painful. DH drove me to hospital at around 9.30AM.

We arrived about 10AM.

She was born at 10.26AM with no pain relief at all (one puff of G&A made me sick).

Similar to expat - long induced 1st labour, epidural (well 3 actually as the first 2 failed!) so 2nd time around I went to a birthing centre and had DS2 without ANY pain relief (not intentional just forgot to ask & they didn't offer!). Fuck me it hurt but I'd do it again

My advice: stay active, stay mobile, stay upright

First was 24 hrs, had epidural for last 5 hrs. Lots of intervention/complications & ended with forceps...ouch !
Second (twins) was 5 hrs just with gas & air. Did have to be cut but no forceps.
I think you are more in tune with your body the second time & realise how important it is to keep moving etc rather than giving up & getting on the bad ( which I did the first time)
I know its not always true but most women seem to have a better second labour.
Good luck.

First birth - pethidine, epidural, forceps. Was 6cm when I arrived at hospital at 1am, but didn't give birth until following afternoon.

Second labour 7 hours at home. Gave birth to 11lb baby with just gas and air.

Third labour was like first, but longer. Managed fine without epidural because I was at home for almost all of it. Had a cracking midwife and freedom to do what I wanted. Fantastic - coped fine (well - whinged loads but managed without epidural).

Here's wishing you a straightforward labour!

Hi i wanted to finish this thread for anyone who searches for this topic.

I did manage without an epidural. in fact my labour was really short about 2 hours in total. i did not even have time to get into the pool! I focussed on staying mobile and that got me through the pain.

I now have a georgous 4 week old ds!

Good luck to others reading this

xx

Well done cappy, so glad it worked out for you x

Well done to you, this gives me hope!!

Congratulations!!

Brilliant and congratulations.

Hope for us all then.

That's super Cappy1 - well done and many congratulations

hi

I had intervention with first - drip which did not work then powerful on an off contractions which meant I asked for an epidural
then being bed bound could not get baby out as could not move so forceps and 3 C tear with first and epis

second I was worried what a contraction feels like
like yourself I was worried about being in hospital and being treated like a special case so I stubbornly stayed at home until I could not bear the contractions any longer
when I got into hosp 1/2 hour later I was nearly fully dilated
holding or squeezing mw's hand and swearing helped as did keeping upright until I had to sit down

have to say things went faster and had no tear or tear down the old epis
just a small epis second time round
listen to what the mw tells you

as it is hard to concentrate on things when the baby is coming down and out
make any noise you want - it helps
feel free to ask me any queries
I was very worried about things but after having second baby like I did then I feel great and cant tell you how different things can go

I had a fantastic birth with my second. Completely intervention-free.

My first had be begging for 6 hours for an epidural.

I learnt from that experience that epidurals don't come for the asking and I'd better find a way to cope epidural-less.

I did and it was ace.

Congratulations !

Just want to reassure you.

First - 19 hrs - 11 of established labour. TENS for 12 hours then when I wasn't progressing beyond 3cm had an epidural (convinced I was having a cs). Had a ventouse approx 6 hrs after the epidural.

Second - terrified during the whole time that I wouldn't be able to push/manage etc. When the time came had a 4 hr labour no pain relief and baby was 2 pounds bigger! Amazing normal delivery which made me feel so empowered and shocked that it was so wonderful. I still chuckle when I look back and remember saying to my oh at the pushing stage how wonderful it was to feel my body taking over and that it didn't hurt!