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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

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

40 replies

lucy5 · 23/10/2006 11:08

That's it really!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Sakura · 25/10/2006 03:09

. Is there no option of a smaller hospital\clinic or something, even if it is less high tech than a proper hospital?
Otherwise just prepare your birthing partner really well so he/she knows EXACTLY what you want and so they are willing to defend your territory and take your side over everything during labour. Honestly, the best pain relief for me was being able to relax and know I was safe, with my husband looking out for me.

zachanhar · 25/10/2006 09:55

I gave birth in Madrid 8 months ago. Basically they expect everyone to have an epidural early on, so they dont bother with anything else. When my husband asked for gas and air they looked at him like he was crazy-perhaps they thought he wanted it- in fact, with hindsight he probably did they like to keep you lying down for the whole of labour, hooked up to an IV, then they wheel you into a delivery room for the pushing. stirrups, episiotomy, the works. there is a birthing centre in valencia I have heard about. BUT my obstetrician told me he was involved with building another hospital nearby that takes all the emergency c sections from there, and there are loads. Spain also has a very very high rate of c sections. about half my friends were induced and all of them ended up having c sections in the end.

having said all that..... i was very happy with my birth. a lot went very wrong and if i hadnt been in such a high tech situation i prob wouldnt be writing this to you now- nor would i have my ds so will be going back to same doc and hospital for next one. The nurses were incredibly kind to me and my ob was a total hero.

SenoraPostrophe · 25/10/2006 16:50

zachanhar - they no longer do that in all hospitals in spain and don't do it in the hospital where lucy will give birth (I know as I had dd there)

Original poster

lucy5 · 25/10/2006 20:12

Thanks all! Sp it sounds like Costa is quite progressive in Spanish terms. You may not realise it but you are having a very calming effect on me. Thank you!

OP posts:

Skyler · 25/10/2006 20:26

Just wanted to say good luck. I faced giving birth in Cyprus last year and it sounds very similar regarding enemas, episiotomies, strrups etc ie. just done... I had lots of wonderful advice when I posted. I loved my gas and air first time and was sure I couldn't be without it. As it was I didn't even want it with dd2 despite being induced. Good Luck. Just make sure your dh knows what you want. Cyprus has a high c/s rate and they take the babies away and put them in incubators 'just because' too. There were also tales of glucose and formula being given without consultation. Your hosp sounds good though from what you have said and the best you can do is to be informed. All the best.

Skyler · 25/10/2006 20:42

Lucy5 and Senora you both posted on my thread!! I was Cooperoo here

Skyler · 25/10/2006 20:45

P.S. Mears' link on my thread was great I seem to recall. That thread was my lifeline now I read it back. If it is any consolation it feels a lifetime ago now but my dd2 is a superstar (and I did have to be induced in the end).

Original poster

lucy5 · 25/10/2006 20:45

Ah ha! Now i know who you are!

OP posts:

SenoraPostrophe · 25/10/2006 20:47

glad you did alright!

do you feel part of the special pain-relief-free-childbirth club now? I did. but I am a bit funny like that.

Skyler · 25/10/2006 20:52

That thread saved my life I swear! As it was I was lucky and had access to the G&A but didn't use it....and yes I was quite proud lol. I do know I was lucky though. My dd's helped themselves along.

spanishmummy · 21/01/2009 15:43

I gave birth in Spain and found a birthing ball invaluable. I bought it from an online baby shop in Spain called indybel.com and sat ( bounced ) on it during the last few months ... apparently it moves the baby into the optimum birthing position. Well it seemed to work and I had a really easy birth. The midwife def put it down to the birthing ball, funnily enough though they are not easy to find in Spain.

DorisIsAPinkDragon · 21/01/2009 15:59

Try a hypnobirthing cd before the event, used one prior to dd2 and the difference in births was phenominal, just used tens right up to the last minute...

Also had a birthingball but was just a big fitness ball borrowed from my sis, so most fitness places have them

Good luck

dinkystinky · 23/01/2009 14:37

Try out hypnobirthing - there's a brilliant light touch massage for your partner to do in the book which is fabulous for getting your back to tingle as if you have a tens on.

amitymama · 28/01/2009 17:51

Walking, walking and more walking.

macaco · 01/02/2009 10:38

lucy5 are you in Andalucia? I( had my DS in Sevilla nearly a year ago and things are quite different there now. They have special articulated chair beds so you deliver much nore upright (no more lying back with feet in stirrups). There's a big push to "humanizar el parto" (make it more natural) and lots of midwives who are into all that. They are much better about letting you move around too. Remember that they cannot make you do anything you don't want to.
Birthball a great idea and see if you can get a tens and stay at home as long as poss moving around.
my birth story

HTH

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