Did you suprise yourself in childbirth?

[NoobyNoob]

OK, I'll try and keep this short!

When my son was born in 2010, I had an epidural and a forcep delivery. I was induced as I had OC, and I didn't give my body a chance IYSWIM - as soon as I got to 5cm I had an epidural. I've never been good at pain, so from the off it's always been lots of drugs or not at all type of thinking.

This time round, I'm 29 weeks and I'm starting to think about it all over again, and this time I want to see if I can do it with no epidural and preferably in water. So far, I've had no sign of OC returning and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it keeps away so I can go into labour naturally.

The thing is, what if I get so far and decide that it's too painful, but too late for an epidural? What if I totally freak out (which I'm very prone to doing) and loose control of the situation?

I'm torn between what to do. I desperately want to do it on gas and air, but does it really work? I mean, pushig a baby out of a small hole? The most painful thing on the whole planet?

First time I got epidural at 4cm after 48 hours-back to back and couldn't go on. 2nd time I got pethadine about 8cm and it was very painful but more of labour in waiting room with no help so not great memories.

The last 2 were done with tens and g@a to about 6cm then pool and g@a. Minimal tearing and left 6 hours later with both - very positive experiences.

Pool is good for pain as is tens (I lived the tens). Also in both the last 2 I did tree maggie Howells hypnotherapy which I also found helpful and calmed me' down.

I think 2nd time you will find it easier as your cervix knows what to do.

The not tree- sorry

First time, epidural and 30 hours of labour, with ventouse delivery.
Second time, 6 hours of labour, just pethidine.

Every labour is totally different. Second time, I felt a lot more in control (although it did help with my mum there saying 'give it 1 more hour' when I started asking for an epidural). I took it in smaller chunks, counted down the hours (it's a control thing for me). It won't be the same. It won't take the same time. Expect it to be different.
Good luck

With DC1 I had an epidural and ventouse in hospital.
DC2 I had TENS and pethadine in hospital.
DC3 I had a water birth at home with a couple of minutes gas and air. Still shocked that I did that as I have a crap pain threshold. But it was my choice & I have to say for me personally having a water birth made all the difference. It was amazing.
I understand the worry of freaking out. I did with DC2. I had a complete panic attack. I think it was becasue my first labour was with an epidural and with my second the Doctor came in, took one look and said I was too late for an epidural despite me begging for one. I freaked big time. But it was fine - not great but fine.
kNowing I could give birth without an epidural gave me the confidence to have DC3 at home in a birthing pool - I actually enjoyed it as much as you can enjoy giving birth It was amazing.
Bottom line has always got to be though, do what is best for you and your baby.
Good luck!x

I totally surprised myself in childbirth. Did it with just gas and air and when it got more painful than before I just kept telling myself that if it gets any worse then I'll ask for an epidural. Do you know what? It never got so bad I was screaming the place down for an epidural. I think I imagined the pain getting worse and worse and gas and air and controlled breathing got me through it. Before I knew it DC1 was out and I wondered why on earth I had been so scared. However, I am now pregnant with DC2 and no doubt I will go through the same fears and trepidations again.

Oh and the most painful thing on the whole planet for me was running the London marathon!!

Induced due to early broken waters, had epidural.

Second time around no time for anything! I dilated very quickly from 4cm and out popped DD2. There is no doubt in my mind that was the easier experience even though I was having contractions for much longer, that were more painful.

I found the bath a godsend and would love a waterbirth if there is a next time. I actually enjoyed it and I NEVER thought I would say that!

First time was very medically managed induction due to high BP. Epidural from the start to reduce BP, ended 17 hours later with ventouse, forceps, pph and 2 hours in theatre. Was my nightmare scenario for the birth and it upset me right up until my next delivery if I'm honest. So, second time around I opted for a waterbirth, asked to be examined only the minimum and basically to be left alone to get on with it, obviously provided that everything was ok and progressing well. Ended up with no pain relief other than deep breathing until 6cms, then got in the pool and within minutes my waters broke and I needed to push. Had a little gas and air to help with pushing and a few mins later DD was born and I lifted her out of the water. To be honest at the back of my mind I doubted that I could do it and probably expected it to turn into a repeat of my first birth, so yes in the end I guess I did surprise myself and DD was 9lb5ozs, which in itself was a surprise! Plus my first horrid birth is a more distant memory which is great!

I surprised myself first time round but not in a good way. I'm a v in control, together, stubborn, resilient person and considered myself well prepared. I was on my knees begging them to kill me. I did have a baby in a stupid position (undiagnosed), no waters and a 31hr labour with 8hrs of pushing before they cut me, tried to pull her out, then push her back up, then an emcs. I was utterly ashamed of myself for having sobbed, weeped and wailed through the entire thing.

DS was a similar story but I was much better behaved. Longer labour at 38hrs but still an emcs though I was more aware of what was happening and sort of expecting it iyswim. I made no noise throughout bar complaining that I wanted custard like the other women on the ward but the bloody nil by mouth police wouldn't let me.

Wow, thanks for your experiences! I have a hypnobirthing CD gathering dust, I might dig that out and see if that helps with anything.

I surprised myself and the midwives apparently; had DD in birthing pool with no pain relief whatsoever after 36 hours contractions and 1 hideous hour of pushing. I was totally ready to ask for all manner of pain relief but in the end just couldn't get my head around what it would involve, or something...
Oh and I was surprisingly good humoured about pooping in the pool

DC2 due in May and hoping for a similar thing but still very open to the idea of pain relief should I need it.

I guess just go with what your body tells you rather than what you think you should do IYSWIM. Body over brain!

Yeah - DS1 with TENS then pool + gas & air.

DS2 I delivered myself, alone in the bathroom at home with only TENS, while DH and DS1 were downstairs, DH on the phone to ambulance control room as midwife didn't answer her phone! Ambulance arrived about 5 min after he did! Luckily no complications (not bad for 40 yo!) so we didn't even have to go to hospital. Glad it didn't happen that way the first time tho'.