Preparation for third labour

[tilder]

I am currently 35 weeks with our third and just (slightly late I know) getting my head around labour. Its been a while since I have done classes and I know my memory is a little hazy on the pros and cons of pain relief/intervention etc.

Can anyone recommend a good place to read up on the options during labour? For info, I will be going for a hospital birth again and have previously had an induction, small amount of pethidine (not my favourite but it did the job) and G&A. I also have a real issue with episiotomy (sp?) - not had one so far and desperate to avoid.

Hi, I'm the same. 36 weeks and have only just thought about labour, think I'm more scared than the previous 2 though with my second I was also induced. I've been doing my research on various websites such as Bounty, Baby Centre and patient.co.uk. All provide a good description of the pros and cons of pain relief but I like patient.co.uk as it's more descriptive in medical terms. Suppose it depends on how long your previous labours were, mine were both very quick and so when I was screaming EPIDURAL!! The baby was ready to come out so I only had gas and air. I just hope this time it isn't too quick that I don't get to the hospital on time! I hope that's helped anyway and good luck!! :)

Thanks for that BellaLEL and glad that am not the only one getting round to thinking about labour at this point.

Will check some of the websites you recommended out. My previous labours were quick - the first following an induction early for IUGR took around 5-6hrs in total, the second when it finally kicked off propery took around 4 hrs. So will get to hospital quickly once things start this time round - may not have much choice in pain relief if this one is any faster. I guess its more going through the various complications again so I get my head around things that may happen so it won't be too much of a shock if they do.

I also want to check out stuff like the vitamin K injection (presuming they still do this) to see if there are extras being offered this time around. My MW did say that babies in breech up to I think around 32 weeks now routinely get offered a scan to check the pelvis as well as the physical exam.

Same here! 36 + 2 weeks pregnant with my third. Number two was 8 years ago so it's been a very long time! I managed to join an NHS all day seminar which refreshed my memory and now I feel much more prepared. All the other girls were first time mums though, so ever so slightly embarrassing
Why don't you try to find out if you can join the antenatal class at your local hospital even if it's not your first? I explained I was anxious and could not/did not want to go on a full NCT course (and pay £150 for it!). If anything I think I'm by far the person who benefited most from the class because I could relate to a lot of what the midwife said while everybody else was almost falling asleep!
In terms of pain relief I think I'll try to go with gas and air too but will probably scream EPiDURAL too when I'm transitioning like I did with DS2!
And I'm also worried I'm not going to make it to the hospital!

Well, my youngest is only 19 months so I should really know what to expect but I had so much complications with that pregnancy it's hard to determine what will happen this time round, especially as it's been a great pregnancy and I've not got an induction date to look forward to. Just the anticipation of when it'll happen, where I'll be etc, scary with two small children too!

My baby was in breech at 32 weeks but my MW didn't say anything about having a scan. I suppose there's now a lot more room for him to shuffle around in. He is now well and truly ready and engaged, MW said I'm measuring up 2 weeks ahead of what I actually am so he's either a big baby or I'll be rushing to the hospital sooner than expected! :/

Would've thought the vitamin K injection is still given.

Glad I'm not the only one that has short labours, the looks I get from some mums when I say that my last labour lasted just an hour from when my waters broke haha

BellaLEL the scan the MW mentioned was after birth when the baby is a few weeks old - sort of an addition to the physical exam when they manipulate the babies pelvis (or whatever it is they are doing). I can't remember exactly how many weeks I was at that point she just said to be aware that it will/may be offered.

I know, people seem to think a short labour is easy - both mine have been pretty painful. I had minor contractions for 2weeks with our second before things finally kicked off, it was just short when things started to move properly.

I hadn't thought about an antenatal class - will ask if they are still running them.