Positive pain relief stories?

[NewMama2Be]

Hi folks, I'm 37 weeks with my first so waiting on her arrival and wondered if anyone had positive pain relief stories they could share?

I had posted previously about my nervousness around gas and air and how it might make me feel, but the replies were great and really convinced me that I'll hopefully be ok with it. I think the fact it leaves the system quite fast if it didnt agree with me is a big plus 👍

I'm much more hesitant around pethidine and morphine injections atm, I really dont like how stronger PKs make me feel and
dont like the thought of feeling pretty whacked out in labour, plus i dont like the idea of it getting through to the baby and potentially having an impact on her too 🤷‍♀️

Then of course theres an epidural, I think the thought of being confined to my back and loss of sensation is what's making me most anxious - although I appreciate there could come a point where that's exactly what I'll be glad of 🤦‍♀️😂

I'm reading and watching a lot of positive birth stories / hypnobirthing, so just want to add some positive pain relief experiences into the mix if anyone has anything they can share?

TIA!

Agree with several pp, keep a really open mind. I had a very quick first labour so was only allowed gas and air! You just don't know what's going to happen. Personally I thought gas and air was fab, but I know it affects people differently.

Thanks @Babcock, its definitely the Reminfentanil option that I was told was a 50/50 dependent on who was on duty. FTM so no previous experience but i definitely left antenatal knowing this might not be an option for me and from what had been explained, it was the best of the pain relief options available 🤷‍♀️ I'll just need to wait and see I suppose

Thanks @ArkLover - I'm hoping to get my hands on a friends old IPhone as I'm keen to use Freya seeing as I've been following the hypnobirthing programme. I'm on android and it's not supported there until the end of the year!

I was induced by drip and the pain was unbearable
Gas and air didn't touch me and all I remember is the midwives saying don't be afraid to ask for pain relief
They suggested not long after an epidural and it was the best thing I could of asked for and started to wear of by the time I had given birth.
Will deffinately be asking for it again on my next!

I had gas and air ( good for a while but not strong enough ) and diamorphine... Problem with the latter is that you need a top up after five hours ( in my case ) but I couldn't have one because by then fully dilated. Effectively no pain relief for the actual birth. Next time I would have epidural without a seconds hesitation

Water was the best pain relief for me, and I had every form of pain relief available. I was devastated when I had to get out of the water.

@TerribleCustomerCervix