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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Induction - hormone drip - has anybody done it just with G&A?

46 replies

Fran919 · 16/08/2021 12:40

Just as above really, has anybody done with just gas and air or is an epidural definitely needed? Thanks!

OP posts:

Tablow · 16/08/2021 15:40

I've had two inductions. Both times I've had a hypersensitivity to the induction resulting in high level contractions every 10 seconds for hours. The epidural was the only way I could cope after a day of it - and they wouldn't allow g&a for most of it because the hypersensitivity actually meant that nothing was opening up and my whole body and baby were in panic mode and distress (I've since learnt that hypersensitivity during induction is a leading cause of cerebral palsy). The epidural provided calmness and relatively straight forward births after they were administered. I honestly think it saved me and DC.

MaverickDanger · 16/08/2021 15:43

I did, although I asked for an epidural and was refused because they didn’t think I was contracting.

Turns out he was back to back so it was just a constant pain rather than waves.

I didn’t get gas and air actually until I was 10cm, again as they didn’t believe I was that far advanced, so basically did most of my labour on a couple of paracetamol and some oramorph in the pre-labour ward!

BurningBenches · 16/08/2021 22:07

I had no break between contractions, thats bearable for a couple of hours but not for 13 or 6 (length of my drip births)

That said my last birth was just an ARM induction, 2hrs long and no break between contractions again so maybe its just me.

sparklyblue81 · 18/08/2021 15:35

I had the hormone drip with DS2 with only my tens machine 😬 I tried G&A but it made me sick & I did ask for an epidural but there was no anaesthetist available as it was bank holiday!! It was pretty intense 🤣 I’m glad I didn’t have the epidural though as I hated it with my first.

Foxglovesandlilacs86 · 18/08/2021 15:56

Indidnitnwith just had and air, I’ve had 8 babies some with nothing and some with gas and air, only one with the drip.

I have a high pain threshold (with birth anyway) and even I found it tough on the drip. It was definitely my worst birth pain wise. Luckily it was only an hour and a half start to finish.

countrytown · 18/08/2021 15:58

I was induced but didn't need the drip. It happened very quickly & didn't even get on the gas & air until baby was crowning.

elliejjtiny · 18/08/2021 22:30

I did but I had an emcs at 5cms after being on the drip for 5 hours. Pain was horrific but I couldn't bear the thought of not being able to move/feel my legs.

Iampicklerick · 18/08/2021 22:33

The first time the drip over stimulated me and I was getting contractions with no gaps. I had about 3 hrs of what I can only describe as lightening, I remember seeing nothing but white and wondering if I had passed out, and then they put the epidural in and it was fine after that.

The second time I had the epidural in before the drip and knew no different. I’d take the second experience over the first any day!!!

whatever1980 · 18/08/2021 22:43

Had pessary with baby number two and labour very quick so mainly gas and air. Asked for pethidine literally 5 mins before she was born and wish I'd waited as made me sleepy.

Baby no.3 drip and again mainly gas and air but pethidine at end which just made me sleepy

Was very very clear with midwives on both though that wanted to know all pain options in advance - what could take, when, dose, could it be staggered and last possible time for drugs and epidural. They had to keep me updated too. With baby number 1 was told I was too late for epidural and had had all drugs I could - no one let me know. Knowledge is power!

Went home same day with both.

Thirtyrock39 · 18/08/2021 22:52

I had two pessary inductions and only had gas and air. In fact with my third the midwife made me stop with the gas and air as it was sending me a bit off my head and I needed to concentrate more on the pushing !! It was painful but I did it and I'm not mega brave- I read a lot of hypnobirth stuff and thinking of the contractions as 'surges' helped or waves- they don't last long and they come and go ...for me it was I would say tough for the last half an hour after my waters had gone - before that it was just like strong period pains- so the painful bit means your baby is nearly out in my experience !

Thirtyrock39 · 18/08/2021 22:55

I was home six hours after my third and a bit longer with dd2 (overnight)but that was more to do with busy hospital and needing newborn checks I'd have been fine to go ASAP !

DaxtheDestroyer · 18/08/2021 22:55

My first was a drip induction and I had just g&a , it was fine. Didn't feel any need for anything more. HOWEVER, it was a very speedy labour, from no contractions at all to delivery was less than 2 1/2 hours.

Itsbeen84yearss · 18/08/2021 23:01

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

I wouldn't recommend it, unless you are a masochist. It makes contractions 10 times worse, I was screaming the place down and wanting to die. There is nothing natural about being induced.

What she said. I am no stranger to pain, did my first ( not induced) with zero pain relief not even gas and air and I can tell you contractions on a drip are NOTHING like natural contractions. I reacted very badly to the drip and was screaming for a C section. I went almost immediately to ten cm so couldn’t have any help at all and couldn’t stay still enough to hold gas and air. Horrible. I would never let anyone put me on one of those drips again. If you absolutely must get an epidural.

Ohhelppp · 18/08/2021 23:03

Baby #1 I lasted 4 hours on the drip with just TENS & hypnobirthing breathing. For some reason I refused G&A.
In the end I asked for an epidural although I think I was transitioning just before I got it as my body was starting to push. Epidural immediately calmed me down and I delivered in 2 pushes a couple of hours later! Total time of 7.5 hours from start to finish and generally a good experience.

CherryMaple · 18/08/2021 23:35

Ok. So I laboured for 18 hours on the drip with just gas and air. I then had an EMCS for failure to progress. I found it doable on gas and air. I had no breaks between contractions for the last few hours. I have to say I sat up on a birthing ball leaning forward onto DH for the whole time - and I think this made all the difference. When I had to lie on my back to be examined, the pain was absolutely unbearable. Maybe it was just how DD was lying, but sitting up made a huge difference to me in a long labour.

Dyra · 19/08/2021 16:46

I had a happy medium. Gas and air wasn't quite enough, but I didn't want the additional risks of intervention an epidural brings. So I had diamorphine at 5cm when I couldn't cope any more. I was asleep between contractions, and it was wearing off just as I got to 10cm. Best choice for me.

ThePlantsitter · 19/08/2021 16:53

I had two drip inductions with just gas and air. I was terrified of the idea of an epidural and I didn't want diamorphine because I had GD and wanted to make sure I could breastfeed (I couldn't anyway but different story). It hurt like buggery but was manageable for me, but everyone's different aren't they? I think if you want to try without other pain relief you should but don't rule anything out for no good reason.

Ps my labours were a while ago. I have forgotten the pain mostly and it might've been worse than I'm saying.

Foxglovesandlilacs86 · 20/08/2021 12:49

For me, the worst part of it was that I had to stay in the same position. The monitor kept slipping when I tried to move so I basically gave birth on my back and couldn’t move. My other were water births and I was very active (couldn’t keep still during a contraction) so that was hell for me.

ReallyHardToPickAUserzname · 20/08/2021 13:00

I was induced with my 3rd and they offered me an epidural before they even induced me. I said no and tried it with just gas and air. I assumed it being my 3rd I'd cope

I was wrong. In a natural labour the pain goes from 0 to 10 very slowly. In an induced labour it goes from 0 to 10 straight away. I was vomiting the pain was so bad. I ended up asking for the epidural as I couldn't cope with the pain.

My DS is nearly 5 now and I still remember how horrible it was. I dont remember the pain of my 1st 2 like I do with DS. I'd recommend an epidural all day long for a drip induced labour, in my experience it was horrific

Bennetgirl · 20/08/2021 15:52

Yep! I didn't do any research so didn't know most people did!

I was 16 days late, had my waters broken and went on the drip 8 hours later. It was no different then natural labour for me.

Gas and air is amazing. It works really well for me though.

Is this your first? I'd maybe go for an epidural if it is. I'd done it twice already so knew I could handle the pain with the gas x

whatever1980 · 21/08/2021 12:17

When I had drip they were fine for me to be over the gym ball on all 4s didn't need to be on back.

Had my earphones in listening to hynobirthing recording on iPhone about how once you've gone through a contraction that is that one gone and visualise baby moving down the canal. Also flipped to music at times as a distraction.

Good luck!

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