Non judgemental discussion about pain relief

[Heirhelp]

I am due my first baby in May and I am concerned about the birth but also worried about the proven side effects of some pain medications. In an ideal world I would love a water birth, if a pool is available, but I know that some pain relief methods prevent the use of a pool.

[Shesinfashion]

I opted for an epidural at the first opportunity. I was a wimp. Had no wishes to go natural at all. Unfortunately the epidural was turned off when I had to start pushing. I felt agonising pain but was unable to push as I couldn't feel the contractions. Had a long drawn out labour resulting in the need for a ventouse delivery.

I wouldn't have one ever again. Second labour was swift and fast. Yes, it hurt but I could feel my body knowing what to do and it was all over so much faster.

[AnotherCider]

Gas and air didn't work for me because my contractions were 5-10 minutes long, and you can't use it for such long contractions effectively.

My epidural was connected to a self administering pump so i was able to press for small amounts frequently.

The spinal felt scary because you are warned to not move -while having contractions, but actually they are experts in timing it.

[goodnightdarthvader1]

Gas and air didn't work for me because my contractions were 5-10 minutes long, and you can't use it for such long contractions effectively.

Was your baby back-to-back?

[captainproton]

Heirhelp I've just had my 3rd baby. Each of my children I gave birth with gas and air. But I had

[goodnightdarthvader1]

I always demand an epidural is put in as soon as I walk through the hospital doors as they can not give you one AFTER your waters have broken or are broken for you.

Wait, what? Where on earth did you hear that?

[shutupandshop]

Congratulations

I had fully medicated births with dc1/2. Dc3 I wanted to have at home only so I didn't leave my others.

After much research, I did hypno birthing. I gave birth at home, in a pool using hb techniques and gas/air. I had a lovely birth.

I then had dc4 at hospital due to diabetes. I has gas and air. It wasn't as nice due to being in hospital and lack of prep.

Good luck

[AnotherCider]

No goodnight, the baby started kicking and punching every time a contraction happened which caused the contraction to continue. They continued like that for over 12 hours......

DH was sent to 'Find the fucking anaesthetist and drag her here by the fucking hair if you have to!' after 5 hours of waiting for her. (She heard it as she was just walking in, luckily she felt sorry for me and not at all offended!)

[Tribblewithoutacause]

I think it's good to keep an open mind about pain relief.

But ultimately the main thing you should try and aim to do is not to panic and try and keep calm. Labour may or may not hurt for you, your pain won't be another's experience of it all. You could feel like you've sneezed and that's it, on the other hand you could feel like it's hell on earth.

Whatever you do, make the decisions that's best for you under the circumstances. If that's a water birth or an epidural then fill your boots. No one else is giving birth to your baby but you.

[AnotherCider]

Well i had an epidural after my waters were broken for me and a spinal after they broke themselves.... but thats because labour dragged on.

[Ughnotagain]

Junosmum that's horrible

If I have another baby I'd like a home birth I think. And although I did the last one with just G&A I'd want the midwives to come prepared with diamorphine just in case!

[goodnightdarthvader1]

Cider ouch!

Alas I've never heard of that, wonder if it's hospital policy. Most women are given it when they're dilated beyond a certain point, with or without waters breaking.

[DinoSnores]

"I always demand an epidural is put in as soon as I walk through the hospital doors as they can not give you one AFTER your waters have broken or are broken for you."

This is not the case, so I'm assuming you've misunderstood something along the way.

This is an excellent website from obstetric anaesthetists on pain relief in labour:

www.labourpains.com/ui/content/content.aspx?id=45

[ShesGotLionsInHerHeart]

Anyone who judges is an unconscionable asshat.

Nobody judges you for getting a tooth out using local anaesthetic. Why is birth considered so different to other procedures that really fucking hurt? Makes no sense to me.

[goodnightdarthvader1]

Some bollocks about how birth is a natural process we've learned to medicalise and fear over time. I'm reading a hypnobirthing book that implies that if we were completely relaxed, contractions wouldn't hurt at all.

It's a muscle in your body involuntarily going into spasm. Like a giant foot cramp. Of course it's going to fucking hurt.

[ByThePrickingOfMyThumbs]

God, who would judge you for having pain relief? Giving birth can really fucking hurt. Anyone who does so is worth neither your time or attention.

As it happens, I've had 2 births without drugs. The first one really, truly didn't hurt that much. I managed fine with TENS.

The second one was unfortunately too fast for drugs. Which was a shame because I would have had any and all that were on offer. The pain was appalling.

Which just goes to show that every labour is different. Go into in with an open mind and if you need something stronger than gas and air, make sure you say so. Personally, if I ever have DC3, I think I'll go the epidural route if I can. I really can't risk another birth like DD2s.

[Mummyme87]

I had TENs and codyramol for early labour during induction. Pethidine at 4-5cm, then gas & air whilst waiting and having epidural sited. Epidural worked well and had an EMCS at 9cm. I have no intention of having an epidural again

[Lurkedforever1]

Research all the drugs and their effects, but keep your options open. And if anyone tries to tell you their opinion/ experience is the only correct one, then bear in mind they are probably talking bollocks.

[MooPointCowsOpinion]

I have had two births, both with gas and air, and the first was absolute agony. Stuck on my back, with a drip and monitoring, and I really thought it was the end for me.

Second was at home, in a crouching position, and the final half hour or so hurt but I got to 9cm while eating toast and chatting happily and watching tv.

It has been proven that there is a chain reaction of intervention, e.g. The more monitoring, the more likely an episiotomy, more drugs/epidural, more likely a c-section/episiotomy. Basically the more medicalised the birth, statistically speaking, there is a greater risk of intervention.

Clearly that's just one thing to consider. As pp have said, there are no medals given out at the end. I wish I had been aware with my first that the more I said 'yes' to (induction, monitoring, sytocin drip) the more likely I was to have problems. I'd have considered things in a different light I think.

[Tfoot75]

I had tens, gas and air and water, very painful back to back birth. I know there's no medals but not sure how you can feel and follow your instincts with an epidural. Seems to me that flat on your back is not a great position for birthing.

I had a spinal for stitches afterwards and it did not work, so I had to have a general anaesthetic. I could still feel a horrible heavy tingly feeling in my legs. The thought of being trapped on the bed with that going on during labour is much worse to me that the (agonising) contractions.

[goodnightdarthvader1]

Flat on your back is well-known in the UK to be the worst position for birthing. It's only in the US where they tend to still do the whole lie on the bed, feet in stirrups thing. In the UK some midwives will try and keep you on the bed if you need to be monitored, but it's not necessary and you can sit upright on a chair or ball, particularly if you're not a... ahem... large lady.