Happy non-epidural stories please!

[beansprout]

I'm due on 5th October and have chosen to be at a birth centre rather than a hospital for a number of reasons. That said, I've been getting very anxious about managing the pain (it's my first) and havng an epidural isn't an option (midwife care so no medics).

I've had lots of people say "oooh, are you sure about this?" which is just making me feel worse. I still stand by my decision, but this aspect of it is becoming very hard. Can someone tell me they were fine without an epidural please and that it is entirely possible without one?!! A bit of reassurance would go a long way at the moment!! Many thanks in advance.

Haven't read whole thread beansprout but I have had 3 with no epidural - I was advised not to have one as I have had lower back disc problems as a teenager and they said this could be affected by an epidural.

Dd1 was a 37 hour labour, back to back, and when she was born she was face up - I had diamorphine once and gas and air, as well as a drip to augment labour and I won't pretend it was easy, but her birth (she was 9lb12oz) was one of the crowning acheivments of my life!

Ds was a 'textbook' - 10 hour labour from waters breaking to delivery, gas and air at the end and that was all. He was 9lb3oz

Dd2 was induced 3 weeks early due to a kidney complaint (mine) and the induction was sorer than either of the other births. But I had a 12 hour labour and she was 7lb13oz, and I hardly felt the birth.

It is a myth that you need an epidural first time, though one that many, many people beleive. Good midwifery is the key, real support, and you should get that in a birthing centre (I had my kids in a hospital ward but in a very remote area with few births, therefore had 1:1 midwife care throughout). I really credit the midwife the first time round with keeping me going, she was a gem and stayed 3 hours or so past the end of her shift, to deliver dd1 (who then had to be delivered by ventouse, by the doctor), and I was so glad that she saw my dd1 born.

HTH,and all the best!

Never had an epidural, never wanted one either, scared to death of them!

Everything was fine both times. 2nd time around I came straight home from the hospital (on the community ward, run by midwives so epidural wasn't an option without me being moved anyway) as I felt so good.

Do things your way!

beansprout - we have a midwifery unit and many first time mums have babies without epidurals. I cannot recommend the pool highly enough and the birthing centre sounds great. The midwives there will be attuned to helping women labour without epidurals.
I have had 4 babies without an epidural and I really enjoyed my labours. I had pethidine with the first which I regret but was talked into it by a midwife would you believe. For me gas and air was brilliant and I used that the next 3 times. No pool in my day

Beansprout I wanted to add that one reason why giving birth was so profond an experience (for me) was that it was like a biological imperative, yuor body just takes over and says, let's get this baby out.

I found that I just went with it and this was easier without an epidural (I wd say, tho of course I haven't had one!).

S/one said to me, when you need to push (which I understand you don't feel with the epidural), if someone offered you £1,000 not to, you would still have to push and refuse the money! That's so true, it's just this most basic urge to obey your body's demands (sorry to sound so evangelistic).

I hope it goes well for you, I really do.

Message withdrawn

Hello beansprout.
I didn't have an epidural with dd. I haven't a phobia of needles but the thought of a needle in my back makes me feel queezy!!
I was already 7 cm's dilated when i went in so fortunately didn't have to endure too many hours of pain. I only had gas and air, NEARLY had pethidine but the midwife talked me out of it as i was so close.
I think i had a lovely birth and i hope the next one is as quick!!

BEST OF LUCK ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Not read all of these (and I love birth stories) but just wanted to say don't be afraid to say if the gas and air isn't working. With my ds1, I couldn't really say that it had much effect and I quickly moved on to pethidine and epidural. With ds2, I had a really lovely midwife who helped me understand about the timing of the gas and air - crucial that you start early enough in each contraction. I needed this help all the way through the first stage, but so pleased that I didn't need any other pain relief.
Best wishes for the big day.
(also highly rate birthing ball. And get onto your hands and knees for the next few weeks - at least five minutes a day I think - might be too late but great for getting baby into best position)

Just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has posted on this thread. You have all helped me loads, and I really, really appreciate it.

Will let you know how I get on!!