No gas and air in Spain, any tips for early labour?

[lucy5]

That's it really!

hire a tens machine (some Uk companies will ship), breathing exercises , water

no gas and air?

pobrecita

ask them what other drugs they have

reebok ball for rolling backwards and forwards on. walking up & down, keeping busy - cook elaborate meal, cake - anything to distract you but don't expect to be eating it (or indeed for it to be edible!)

I'll deffo be asking for drugs, had an epidural last time My plan is not to go in too early as I'll be plonked in stirups!

No Gas & Air they don't know what they are missing.

lucy they didn't put me in stirrups in the c del sol hosp (only in granada). be careful about that "not going in too early" thing - second babies can come quick!

have you looked into tens machines? they have some on ebay (not that I know anything about them). but best thing by a long way for me was walking around.

good luck!

I know, I loved it, even my mum had a few glugs last time. Oh Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

sherlock - they think it's pre-historic, that's why they don't use it. which is ironic when you consider the stirrups thing really.

Oh sp that's great news about the stirups, I have been having nightmares about them. I used tens last time but it got on my nerves. Can you talk me through what happened when you first went in to CDSH.

How are things going with you and your little one?

Stirrups!

well, they examined me, said I was 2cm dilated and put me in a ward (which is made up of rooms with 2 beds in them so almost private). then I just entertained myself until the contractions started coming harder and I called the nurse.

they did do an enema without asking though - if you don't want one you need to say so when the nurse approaches with a squirty bottle (it turns out they do respond if you say no, you just have to know when to say it. I refused an epesiotomy with this one but they just gave me one last time). then the midwife let me do what I wanted in the birth room.

does that help? dd was born by ventuose in the end so hopefuly the rest of my experience won't tally with yours.

and we're all fine thanks! ds2 is the easiest baby ever.

Oh thanks, I think i have done too much reading. I have been having visions on being strapped to the bed and a doctor coming with a big knife Are you moved to another room to give birth in? just wondering about the two beds!

Glad to hear you are all doing well.

water is a good pain relief if you can get in a bath or a pool

remember to breathe!

don;t fight the pain IFYSWIM- let it come and accept it as it is bringer the baby to you......!

birth ball at home and in hospital if you can

listen to your body and go with it

& TENS is a great idea too...

keep moving and mobile as long as you can

and good luck!!

Thanks Lulumama, i guess I am just nervous about giving birth in another country and i really likes gas and air last time

yes...it is rather good!

hopefully, this being a second baby-- will come so nicely and quickly, you won't even have time to think about pain relief!!

I didn't have gas and air (very disappointed as I thought that it was a right of passage!) but I could not have coped without my tens machine - it was fantastic! I found that a birthing ball helped to ease the pressure on my back and as a distraction. Good luck!

Thanks, perhaps i should give the tens another go!

Here in Belgium it's epidural or nothing but they do have physiotherapists that do massage and get you in the best position - does this exist in spain?

Yikes - shuddering at thought of no gas and air.

I did love my tens machine this last time, I also sat on birthing ball the whole time, had heat pack on lower back that dh held on and when that cooled down he rubbed my lower back hard. Totally agree with other person who said not to fight the pain - I found it was so much better (or less bad) if I totally relaxed. I also visualised the pain as waves (sea waves) that would get bigger then smaller again. Really helped.

Good luck

sorry, yes - the labour suite is separate from the ward.

the other big thing is that they send partners away if they have to get the doc (for vetuose, forceps or c section).

Thanks, I am feeling so much better just knowing about the stirrups.

Don't think we have physios!

I just gave birth a few weeks ago in a country that doesnt do pain relief in labour (Japan). I went for a walk in early labour, had a bath etc. But what REALLY helped me was that I totally trusted my midwife. Id had a few chats with her (while my husband translated- I cant speak Japanese). I realised we were on the same side, and that meant I could let go and accept the pain. I really recommend that you meet the midwife/doctor who will be delivering the baby, and at least have a chat with them. If they dont have time, then its not a good sign. If there is a possibility of going to a smaller midwife clinic, then I would do that if you don`t have the option of pain relief.
Good Luck!

No gas and air here in the Czech Republic, either - just epidurals.

sakura - it doesn't work like that in Spain. the midwives who are on duty take turns or draw straws for each patient.