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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

No gas & air during labour

88 replies

Catscrat · 26/03/2020 11:17

My midwife has just told me they are currently not allowing gas & air during labour due to Coronavirus Shock Sitting here in floods of tears as I literally don't know how I will cope Sad Last time I relied on that and TENS machine for pain relief before it all got too much, very long labour and ended up with forceps delivery as I couldn't keep going with the amount of pain I was in.
Please talk me down and tell me how you coped without gas & air?

OP posts:
june2007 · 26/03/2020 11:22

TBH no I didn,t have it for labour. But mine were quick and eay. Have a look into using tens again or try hypnobirthing, Can you use a birthing pool even if it,s just for labour?

Seventyone72seventy3 · 26/03/2020 11:23

Hi. I gave birth without gas and air (or anything else) as it wasn't available where I live. I don't think most countries actually have it. Have you tried hypnobirthing? (I couldn't do it but I know some people swear by it!) In any case, you can do it! You're stronger than you think! Flowers

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 26/03/2020 11:28

Tbh I just bit the mouthpiece - it was more of a psychological prop than any real relief.

I think the yoga/breathing exercises and allowing rather than fighting against pain was way more useful to me. I felt I had it within my own control rather than relying on something/one else. I did have to do a number on myself to make it work but it did.

Also, remember no two births are the same, and second births tend to be much much easier.

Worriedmum97 · 26/03/2020 11:28

@Catscrat where about are you? I’m due tomorrow and live in London, what you’re saying is scary, gas and air is the only thing I was planning to use as I did with my first two

Bluebelltulip · 26/03/2020 11:29

I used gas and air in 2 out of 3 births. Each birth was different and I used different levels of pain relief.
1st: gas and air and diamorphine.
2nd: diamorphine only.
3rd: gas and air, pethadine and epidural.
Research your other options and see how it goes.

Original poster
Catscrat · 26/03/2020 11:32

Thanks all, you've made me feel a bit better. Just feels like one more thing that's being taken away with everything else Sad @june2007 @Seventyone72seventy3I did hypnobirthing last time which helped to a point, I will need to re-read everything.

OP posts:
Original poster
Catscrat · 26/03/2020 11:33

@Worriedmum97 Sorry to panic you! I'm in Surrey. It's probably worth asking your midwife as everything seems to be changing day to day. RCOG guidelines still seem to say etonox is ok....

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Original poster
Catscrat · 26/03/2020 11:34

@Ihatemyseleffordoingthis Thank you! I'm crossing everything for a straightforward second birth

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Wifeofbikerviking · 26/03/2020 11:48

Our local hospital is offering all pain relief as normal in childbirth so could it be that they are struggling for supplies?
How long is it until you are due?

Original poster
Catscrat · 26/03/2020 11:51

@wifeofbikerviking due in 3 weeks...I don't think it's a supply issue, it's to do with them not being sure it's safe because of coronavirus. Something to do with the cylinders and contagion?!

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GreenishPurple · 26/03/2020 11:56

Can you have an epidural? I think if gas and air wasn't available, I would go for that

Hairstylisttoboris · 26/03/2020 11:57

I had my first with paracetamol and nothing else, second I had G and Air too but I could have done it without. You’ll be fine, you’ll be better trying to focus on being flexible, each labour is different. If you focus too much on one outcome it can add to your stress if you worry that option isn’t there. Remember that the hospital will have other drugs for you

happymummy12345 · 26/03/2020 11:57

I tried it but it made me feel sick and gave me a bad headache so I didn't have it at all.
At first I just used my tens machine, then a birth ball to try and break my waters. It didn't happen so after the midwife broke them artificially I continued with my tens machine. Then I got in the pool (I was lucky that the birth centre had a built in pool so I could use it no problem). The water really helped and I'd probably have stayed in the pool and given birth in it. But I'd been having contractions for 4 days and nights and by this point I was physically exhausted and struggling to keep my eyes open. So I was given a pethadine injection so I could get some rest before I had to push. It helped and allowed me to rest, I didn't feel sick or anything from it (I know some do).
I knew I wanted as natural a birth as possible with no or minimal drugs (no epidural). And was glad I didn't have gas and air. Will be in my birth plan next time that I don't want it at all.

Tootletum · 26/03/2020 11:58

I only had a tens machine, found gas and air annoying. It was honestly an absolutely amazing experience and very bearable.

Tootletum · 26/03/2020 12:04

Also OP I had really very little pain with both my drug free births (the first one a difft story) but as they were all substantial 2nd degree tears I asked for a Diclofenac suppository afterwards, that really lasted and made sitting so much more comfortable. They can give you that on prescription as well, it is anti inflammatory.

fedupandlookingforchange · 26/03/2020 12:05

I stood under a hot shower for hours that was amazing for pain relief.

Original poster
Catscrat · 26/03/2020 12:11

@GreenishPurple Yes, the midwife said epidurals would be available earlier. Definitely something to consider.

@Hairstylisttoboris Thank you. I'm in awe you coped with just paracetamol, that is amazing! Shock

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BeHereNowx32 · 26/03/2020 12:11

@Catscrat

Gas and air was taken off me to help speed up my labour. I used the birthing pool for a while. Which didn’t help, but then I was given diamorphine, and it helped me cope so much better!
I hope everything goes smoothly. It is such a stressful time.

Original poster
Catscrat · 26/03/2020 12:12

@happymummy12345 So interesting how we are all different. I found TENS brilliant but the birth pool did nothing for me. I will definitely go for the pethidine if I can.

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Original poster
Catscrat · 26/03/2020 12:20

@BeHereNowx32 Thank you! Ahh that's interesting, why would that speed up your labour?

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Troels · 26/03/2020 12:23

I got through labour using Lamars breathing, worked well, then I ended up with two c-sections (both unexpected breech)
There was no gas and air where I was, only epidurals, or injectable pain relief. I had some injectable towards the end not sure what it was.

walkwalk · 26/03/2020 12:39

I got through the first 30 hours (!) without gas and air due to health reason before transferring to hospital and getting epidural for forceps. Birth pool at home was awesome, with breathing and supportive people around - is your birthing partner able to be with you? Form a plan with them taking account of your worries so you can start off with more confidence. breathe, count, breath, count have a cry if you need, try to have a laugh wherever possible too! Many people do cope without gas and air, you can do it!! :) and if you have a difficult time you are more likely to need something stronger in the end in any case so accepting this as a potential option ahead of time might help your mindset. Best of luck xx

ThePlantsitter · 26/03/2020 12:42

My sister had a home birth with gas and air but the midwife didn't tell her... There was none in the canister! It had run out. The breathing it makes you do was what helped so can you think of a way to emulate that kind of breathing?

Really don't blame you for being upset though!!!

Doyoumind · 26/03/2020 12:47

I gave birth without any or anything else to relieve the pain. It wasn't a choice. It was just the way it went and it was ok. This birth could be completely different from your last so try not to panic or get too stressed about it. At least you know in advance and can prepare yourself mentally. I can see why it could be an issue to use across multiple patients at the moment even with whatever hygiene measures they are able to put in place.

holidayhuntress · 26/03/2020 12:51

This can not keep happening. No birth partners, local hospitals are closing birth centres, letters about epidurals being limited as anaesthetists are in such high demand, no partners at appointments or scans.. I know people gave birth without those things before but infant mortality was higher, mother mortality and significant after damage was higher. This is a breach of human rights to be denied a basic level of care. My friend is due tomorrow and told she can't have her husband with her due to risk. I've had all my remaining face to face midwife appointments cancelled. I'm terrified and do not want this baby anymore

During my first labour I didn't see a midwife for hours at a time as they ignored me and there are fewer of them now as so many are isolating or ill.
This is not ok

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