First time mum at Royal Free (London): Thinking of going from gas and air to c-section (thinking of not bothering with epidural after hearing negative things).

[LOVEMYMUM]

I'm 26 weeks pregnant with no. 1, giving birth at Royal Free (London) end Feb 08 (approx).

I'm thinking about birth plan (but flexible about not sticking to plan!). Wondering if to jump straight from gas and air to c-section if in a lot of pain and not bothering with epidural as i've heard negative things about it, including losing the ability to push.

I know that a c-section is a major operation (my mum had three) but am really uneasy about epidural - the main thing being in case it doesn't work.

What do you think?

I had an epidural and it was fantastic. Sometimes they don't work but they can have a second go. It wasn't a big deal having it put in - much less painful than being in labour. It doesn't necessarily slow down the labour. I still dilated a cm an hour as per the textbooks. It is fine if you don't want one but I would much rather that than to have major surgery and not be able to get about for 6 weeks because of the c-section.

I didn't have anything second time around and it was fine. I could cope. Don't be too tied to a birth plan and go with what you feel like at the time. Have faith in yourself and you will be fine too.

I hope it all goes well for you.

I loved my epi! And yes, if it doesn't work you can have another go and if there's not enough pain relief you can ask for more.

I had my second drug free because I got to hospital too late and G&A made me sick.

I thought it sucked and I got panic attacks from the pain and my BP shot up.

I would go epidural right away if I have to do it again. I want one from the earliest I can get it.

Camillathechicken's post was excellent at outlining the types of pain relief. I don't think there's anything strange about not wanting an epidural - I felt the same because I didn't want to feel numbed up and out of control. But there's a huge spectrum inbetween gas and air and epidural. From your post, it sounds as though you're not afraid of the pain, it's more a case of wanting to stay in control and not have interventions which might adversely affect labour. So you'll probably be fine.

My birth plan for my first said I wanted all types of pain relief (and preferably all at once). In the end I had TENS, gas and air and birthing pool... Not sure how that happened!

With my second it was much quicker and I had TENS, gas and air and pethidine. Which was fabulous.

I am not allowed n epidural due to prolapsed disc, so knew in advance that it wasn't an option...

Sorry I have to take issue with the comment that a first time labour with just gas and air automatically means a lot of pain.

I found my pain was very well managed with just gas and air (started on it at 7 cms dilated, used nothing until then).

What really helped me was that my MW at ante natal classes brought one of the portable cannisters with her to a class and those who wanted to practice using it - so when I got to the delivery suite I already felt confident in using it.

Yes, labour hurts. Quite a lot - as my mum kept helpfully pointing out to me, they don't call it labour for nothing. But you may well surprise yourself, and as other posters have suggested there are many other options between gas and C section!

With my second baby, which was my first natural labour, I got by with just TENS. My next baby I had TENS and gas and air but it was more painful and I had the pain of my scar too which I hadn't had with the previous one.

georgiemama - I agree that it a labour with gas and air doesn't necessarily have to be awful. I think these days there is a tendency to make a really simplistic connection between pain relief = good birth. Not necessarily so. Feeling confident, supported and in control were the most important factors in my first birth, even though it was a long and painful labour. I managed with gas and air, and did the second stage without as the g and a made me too laid back to push!! My second birth (Csection under epidural) was painless by comparison yet I wouldn't call it 'better'.
Try to keep an open mind and remember that any intervention is going to have a consequence. Some people swear by epidurals but the statistics show that they do increase the likelihood of forceps/ventouse and they certainly make the birth a more 'medical' experience.
I found staying in water as long as possible a real help, also massage from partner and midwife (a good reason to opt for midwife unit not big hospital - you'll get bags more attention from the midwife!).