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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Paracetamol in Early Labour

41 replies

KoalaPineapple · 06/07/2022 12:32

Hi,

I'm trying to write a birth preference sheet and plan/intentions for my upcoming birth. I've only read about paracetamol in early labour being either:

a) useless and the mother didn't find it helped, or
b) potentially prolonging labour due to inhibition of progesterone

Can you advise if you used/plan to use paracetamol during labour and what are your reasons either way?

Just want to be as informed as possible on all matters. I'm mostly planning hypnobirthing but with an open mind as it's my first baby and I have trust in those around me (husband and the professionals!)

Thank you x

OP posts:
trevthecat · 06/07/2022 12:37

I had paracetamol with all of mine and the lengths of labour were 12 hours, 22 hours and 4 hours. So I can't see if made any difference to length. I also don't know if it helped.

fairgame84 · 06/07/2022 12:38

I had paracetamol after the broke my waters at 8.30am and he was born at 11am.

Original poster
KoalaPineapple · 06/07/2022 12:40

fairgame84 · 06/07/2022 12:38

I had paracetamol after the broke my waters at 8.30am and he was born at 11am.

Wow, so quick! Did you find that it helped with the intensity?

OP posts:
Squashpocket · 06/07/2022 12:42

Even early labour pain laughs in the face of paracetamol. I wouldn't overthink this.

Perfect28 · 06/07/2022 12:42

It's impossible for people to compare really as every Labour is different and you either do or don't take it.

GreenIsle · 06/07/2022 12:42

I had paracetamol with both my labours and had quick normal deliveries.

Did I think the paracetamol helped NO it did nothing.

Original poster
KoalaPineapple · 06/07/2022 12:43

Squashpocket · 06/07/2022 12:42

Even early labour pain laughs in the face of paracetamol. I wouldn't overthink this.

Well exactly, that's my thinking, surely it's so intense anyway it's not going to touch the sides.... I just want to decide if I'll go against the midwives presumed initial advice or not that's all.

OP posts:
flippetygibbety · 06/07/2022 12:43

Once I was actually in early labour my strong instinct was that paracetamol would do absolutely nothing so I never tried

Original poster
KoalaPineapple · 06/07/2022 12:44

GreenIsle · 06/07/2022 12:42

I had paracetamol with both my labours and had quick normal deliveries.

Did I think the paracetamol helped NO it did nothing.

Good to know, thanks!

OP posts:
bridgetjonesmassivepants · 06/07/2022 12:49

When I phoned the hospital because I had been in labour a while and was in pain they told me to come in. They also asked if I had taken any paracetamol for the pain. WTF!!! Paracetamol is for a minor headache NOT for labour pains. Paracetamol will do nothing for you when you are at 4cm and crying with the pain.
Hard core drugs are what you need.

fairgame84 · 06/07/2022 12:49

KoalaPineapple · 06/07/2022 12:40

Wow, so quick! Did you find that it helped with the intensity?

Show quote history

No idea. I had my 2 paracetamol, 3 puffs of gas and air then I was pushing. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
In fact I've got no plans for pain relief when I go into labour with this baby because it wasn't that bad.
I think I've just got a high pain threshold.

tealandteal · 06/07/2022 12:50

I took 2 paracetamol at home as they like you to start at the bottom of the pain medication ladder. I didn’t feel it did anything but my reasoning was at least I could say I’d tried it if I wanted something stronger in hospital. Both labours were 8 hours from start to finish and I never had any other meds, just the Tens machine.

Ridingthegravytrain · 06/07/2022 12:51

Paracetamol for labour is like a plaster for a gunshot wound 😂

Twizbe · 06/07/2022 12:52

Tbh, when it comes to birth plans focus on what is actually in your control.

Mine literally just had consent for a managed third stage and that DH was to tell me the sex.

Original poster
KoalaPineapple · 06/07/2022 12:52

Thank you for all your replies guys, it's sounding like the consensus so far is that it really didn't impact/make a difference to anyone either positive or negative!

OP posts:
Caspianberg · 06/07/2022 12:54

I didn’t take any pain relief. Not that I was against it, just went in with the thought I would have some when needed, but I never actually felt the need. Started around 8am, baby born by 4pm. So I wouldn’t worry so much about what to have or not have

troppibambini6 · 06/07/2022 12:59

I had paracetamol and a bath in the early stages of my labours. Paracetamol is not for labour pains as pp said it doesn't even work on period pain for me but it was almost a box you had to tick.

The bath was nice for 3 of my labours but for 1 I couldn't stand it. Felt horrible just needed to get out as soon as I got in which was weird...

Not sure about it delaying labour.

With my fourth baby I was adamant I would not be giving birth without an epidural. When I was admitted to the labour ward I told the midwife between contractions that if she examined me and told me I was 9cm I would be really annoyed Blush and that I would absolutely not be pushing without an epidural. I stayed at 5cm until the epidural went in I went from 5cm to baby in 40 minutes. It was almost like I was holding him in until it was in.
He was pretty shocked so wouldn't recommend it!!

Original poster
KoalaPineapple · 06/07/2022 13:02

troppibambini6 · 06/07/2022 12:59

I had paracetamol and a bath in the early stages of my labours. Paracetamol is not for labour pains as pp said it doesn't even work on period pain for me but it was almost a box you had to tick.

The bath was nice for 3 of my labours but for 1 I couldn't stand it. Felt horrible just needed to get out as soon as I got in which was weird...

Not sure about it delaying labour.

With my fourth baby I was adamant I would not be giving birth without an epidural. When I was admitted to the labour ward I told the midwife between contractions that if she examined me and told me I was 9cm I would be really annoyed Blush and that I would absolutely not be pushing without an epidural. I stayed at 5cm until the epidural went in I went from 5cm to baby in 40 minutes. It was almost like I was holding him in until it was in.
He was pretty shocked so wouldn't recommend it!!

Thanks for your views on the paras! I agree about period pains, so I don't get why it's the standard early advice really.

Can I ask why you were so adamant on the epidural? Had you had it with your other babes?

OP posts:
Geranium1984 · 06/07/2022 13:21

I can't remember whether I took it or not. I think I probably would have done but as everyone says, it's not going to touch the sides!
I did use a tenns machine and that was excellent in early labour. Will be doing it again for no. 2 due later this year.
Keep an open mind, I was all for hypnobirthing and I do think it helped me cope for a long time but after the second night of no sleep approaching and relentless contractions I opted for the epidural and it was bliss! Will do the same again this time.

whoruntheworldgirls · 06/07/2022 13:24

Didn't help the pain at all

tobi21 · 06/07/2022 13:27

Ridingthegravytrain · 06/07/2022 12:51

Paracetamol for labour is like a plaster for a gunshot wound 😂

this ^^

IwaswhoIam · 06/07/2022 13:28

I was asked for both my labours if I wanted paracetamol! I literally laughed 😂 wtf is that going to do ?!!

Whoatealltheminieggs · 06/07/2022 13:32

I asked for pain relief when I was 5cm dilated. I was horrified when the nurse came back with two paracetamol. I chucked it back anyway but it was Useless. Ten mins later baby was crowning so I doubt it would slow anything down.
I would get some proper pain relief. I’ve had both of mine with zilch ( apart from those 2 paracetamol with my second) and it was pretty vile. Still waiting for my medal . Women put too
much pressure on themselves.

Phlewf · 06/07/2022 13:37

paracetamol broke me out of my weird head space. I was beginning to freak out that there was going to be another person in the room soon and I was goi g to be it’s mum, then a nurse handed me 2 paracetamol totally straight faced and I laughed. Took it 2 step at a time after that.

NandoLorris · 06/07/2022 13:41

Some of these replies! 😂 I had paracetamol and gas and air in both of my labours. Both were around 2.5 hours long, both babies were over 9lbs. It was plenty for me. It is so dependent on the person and the labour and whatever other techniques are being used. YOU know you best, listen to what people say but make a choice based on YOUR feelings.