How common is it to ask for gas and air for an internal examination?

[haloflo]

I hated internals during my last birth. Hated the sweep, the internals, the breaking of my waters. They seemed to get no easier even as labour progressed. I think even the last was uncomfortable and that was when my (mobile) epidural was in place.

I am just wondering whether gas and air would help me cope as i'm starting to feel very tense just thinking about them.

I know that childbirth and contrations hurt a lot more but they can't be helped. Are these rational thoughts?

Absolutely ask for gas and air!!! I had it when they broke my waters.

Ime the midwives will be quite happy to give you gas and air as you being relaxed makes the exams much easier.

Say to them.that you want it and put it in your birth plan.

I found internals extremely painful during my first labour.

But I was really surprised to find they didn't hurt at all when I was having DCs 2 & 3. I have no idea why but they weren't even uncomfortable.

If G&A would help and it's available, why not?

I understand you don't have to have internals btw.

Oh i'm glad its not unusual to find them painful. The mw's just said they might be a bit uncomfortable which wasn't what I found at all.

G&A wasn't my favourite last time but I found it worked during stitches so am hoping that it will be a good distraction.

I don't think i'll agree to a sweep again and may ask why they want to do each internal and ask for the minimum. Oblio Thats good that they didn't hurt for your 2nd (and 3rd) DC - I really hope they are easier this time although its a vicious circle when you can't relax.

Yes agony, have the gas and air

I found exams excruciating with dd1 but not that bad at all with dd2, so hopefully it won't be too bad for you this time. I can't imagine a mw would have any objection unto you having g&a though.

Ooh someone else finding it easier for DC2. That is positive news.

Glad its seen as ok to have G&A - the thought of them really does make me shudder.

my mw automatically handed me the g&a for my after examination (it wasn't available for my pre birth examination but i was a bit preoccupied anyway!)

I used g&a for internals. Mw asked me it it hurt me that much, and when I said yes, she told me to use it before the next one - no question or comment, bless her.

I found them v painful for my first birth but didn't even notice for my second! Hope that's the same for you.

I found internals horrendous with dc1 and not so bad with dc2 but I told mw that I wanted them kept to an absolute minimum and left my waters to break naturally.

I also loved the g&a first time round and didn't like it with dc2 (I'd been looking forward to getting my hands on it too!) so you might find you react to it differently this time. Definitely worth giving it a go during internals anyway, even if only to distract yourself a bit!

Agree with all the previous posters - internal exams horrible. Gas and air made breaking my waters bearable - I think I went into a breathing trance! It was the only thing g&a did work for!