Any tips for when you've had enough of being in labour?

[ncqtime]

Last birth I went into feeling shattered and was doing fine on the gas and air until, well, I wasn't. Just too tired couldn't be bothered with it all. Lost it a bit and just screamed my way through whilst my partner held me up, until curling up on my side and things kind of stopped and I felt some relief - midwives not impressed obviously as keen to keep things moving and get baby out. So basically other than half arsedly doing a mish mash of vaguely remembered hypnobirthing techniques, what 'worked' was just kind of giving up for a bit, though was encouraged to and forced myself to get up and keep going again after my little rest.
Keen to be a little more prepared this time... Anyone else experience anything like this? What did you do in that moment when you just lost it and it was all too much pain, to bring things back to being a little more controlled? Is there a specific technique taught anywhere? Aside from begging for all the drugs?

There's a hypnobirthing book called effective birth preparation that you should read. That rest is a normal part of the labour process and doesn't need to be rushed through.

Under those circumstances, I’d ask for pain relief... it’s not like you get a medal for going without it

I had a epidural after a long painful induction. Always said I wouldn’t have one but I’d had enough and it was a godsend

Take the drugs. I was exhausted after nearly 4 days of contractions. I had 2 shots of pethedine and then an epidural, slept through most of the next 9 hours and when I needed to I was ready to push. Still the hardest thing I've ever done. Had it not been for the drugs and the sleep I dont think I could have done it without intervention. Take the drugs. Every time.

My second labour was so much quicker (about half the time), so by the time I got to the 'fuck this, I can't be bothered' stage ds sort of shot out on his own 👍

@squashpocket I'm really really hoping that happens for me this time round!

I had a epidural right from the start. I knew going in that due to being induced early because of complications I would be monitored throughout, so stuck to the bed... and decided I would rather just be pain free! Best decision ever! You really don't get an award or a better baby or anything other than a whole load of pain. I had very relaxed enjoyable labours.

ALoadOfTwaddle - thanks I'll look into that book. Keen to carry on having drug free births (not for the medals just for the clear heads and lack of having stuff poked into my spine) as long as I'm lucky enough for things to be straightforward. Complications, days long labours and I'll be all over those drugs I'm sure :)

I’ve been listening to a podcast called Birthful. There was an episode with a midwife called Whapio, who talked about a period of time that she called the “quietude” - kind of when you’re fully dilated, but not ready to push yet (even though the midwives might want you to!) and need to have a little rest first. Sounds like maybe that was what you experienced?

Interesting. Will look out for that. But nope this was half way through pushing I'm sure

Labour 1 36 hours, labour 2 36 minutes. It may well not be an issue! Best of luck.

We also had a rest half way through the 36 hr one. Midwives encouraged me and dp to have a snuggle as they said the hormones generated from the happy place it takes you (just cuddling, nothing more!) would help things along.

When I reached that point I requested an epidural and the rest of the labour was pain free and I even managed to have a little sleep and build up some energy for pushing. If I go for number two, and am not induced again I’d like to try without pain relief but wouldn’t hesitate to have another epidural if I was struggling. And I don’t remember feeling the needle go in at all, I think the thought of an injection in your spine is worse than the reality.