What's the bottom line - is giving birth without chemical pain relief manageable? Yes or No!

[Baretoes]

If you could answer either 'yes' or 'no' ONLY - what would your answer be?

[mummyplonk]

Yes - twice

[WideWebWitch]

Bloody hell, I wouldn't have wanted to do it without gas and air. What's the problem with that? (or other pain relief tbh, I don't have a problem with pain relief being used I just don't have experience of anything other than G&A)

Anyway, 2 home births with gas and air and no, I would NOT have wanted to do it without pain relief. After both I swore I'd have an epidural next time (but didn't because the wanting a home birth won over wanting an epidural second time round!)

[mamama]

Yes

but obviously each labour is different. Mine was fine with no pain relief but I wouldn't rule it out in future if I felt I needed it.

[pupuce]

yes

[motherinferior]

Depends what kind of birth you have, too. I personally wouldn't be hog-whimpering wild about a C-section with no pain relief. Call me fussy, and all, but that's just how I feel.

[wrinklytum]

Yes.I was lucky to have 2 very good birth experiences,and good supportive midwives,and I tried to be as calm as is possible to be in labour and listen to the midwives..Gas and air in 2nd stage with no 1,then they took it away for the final pushes.
No 2 I had nowt as she came really quickly,despite being a lb bigger than her bro,9lb 3 to be precise and Im 5ft 3 and size 10!!!Everyones experience differs though so if you feel you need the pain relief ask for it!!!!

[drosophila]

Yes it is with supportive midwives who know what to say and when to say it. I had no pain relief with number 2 and epidural with number 1.

I don't think the pain relief on offer is any good. It is either too invasive with later complications or not strong enough. If someone invented pain relief that allowed you to push without the worst pain then I would deffo go for it.

[puppydavies]

"If someone invented pain relief that allowed you to push without the worst pain"

mobile epidural - lush

[ntsmum]

I would say 'yes!'. Had 1/2 dose of pethidine first time and hated the way it made me feel, 2nd time had nothing just stayed on my feet the whole time and had a fantastic, empowering birth experience.
I would say though that the 1st time I had a gazillion stitches and could have done with an epidural to get through that ordeal!

[belgo]

Yes. If all is going to plan. I had two labours and births - one thirteen hours, the other 7 hours with a baby in OP and I didn't have any pain relief. I'm a total pain wimp in real life ao I don't now how I did this, I just know it was the best way for me and my babies. BUT: if things aren't going to plan, then I would have wanted pain relief.

[GarfieldsGirl]

YES!!

With ds1, the mw kept offering me gas & air but I refused it because there was no pain. With ds2 I only just got to the mw unit in time to push him out, so there was no time for pain relief of any type.

[GarfieldsGirl]

YES!!

With ds1, the mw kept offering me gas & air but I refused it because there was no pain. With ds2 I only just got to the mw unit in time to push him out, so there was no time for pain relief of any type.

[GarfieldsGirl]

sorry

[SenoraPostrophe]

yes (and I've tried both with and without)

[lou33]

yes

had 4 without anything

well with number 4 i managed to get some gas and air for about 5 mins, but apart fomr that i had nothing

[JoshandJamie]

yes

[3andnomore]

Yes, but it depends on you, the support you are having and much more....so, try to go without and make sure you have all the info about the different drugs, etc...and go from there

[mustrunmore]

IME.. no, not if you're induced.

[MKG]

I was induced and it was managable.

[Frizbe]

Yes

[vipersister2]

NO! Have had 3, first with just g+a [ventouse for baby distress] and two with epidural. Mobile epidural wins my vote. You can enjoy rather than endure. Surely the real challenge is in raising them straight, not getting them out without using any of the medical advantages available. You're going to be a parent..get used to taking whatever help is offered!

[cece]

Have donw with and without.

Yes it is possible

No it is not preferable

[Gobbledigook]

Yes of course. I had epidural/induction with first and nothing really with second and third - second and third births are the ones I'd choose every time. Of course hugely painful but....I'd still choose those over the epidural.

[jamboree]

I want to try doing it with nothing, one friend says "yeah do it had 2 all was cool, didnt have anything"
Another says I am mad. I know we are all different, but I just keep feeling G&A will make me feel sick, I dont know where I got this from, has anyonne had a bad reaction from G&A?

[costababe]

Yes, ds1 was induced, epistiotomy(sp?) and forcps delivery..ds2 quick labour, epistiotomy. Think of every contraction as a step closer to your end goal!! Frankly do what feels right for u at the time, be open to all suggestions.