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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Severe emetophobia - worrying about birth

39 replies

Twiggywinkle13 · 30/01/2023 20:49

Just looking for some advice.

I’m due in April, there’s nothing to say not to at least try for a natural labour/birth. The problem is I have really quite severe emetophobia and I’m terrified that I’ll spend my labour being sick. I know this doesn’t sound like a huge problem but it is to me. This is my first baby! Is it best to speak to my midwife about this beforehand? Can you get anything to help with feeling sick in labour? It makes me worry about taking any pain medication because I know a lot of it can make you sick.

OP posts:

BluesandClues · 30/01/2023 20:52

You know you can ask for antiemetics? That can be a specific part of your birth plan if you so wish it to be. You can also request to have different ones at the same time. I don’t think it’s that unreasonable of a request to be honest, I’ve heard of more out there ones

Verbena87 · 30/01/2023 20:53

You can let your midwife know and put it in bold at the top of your birth preferences but I am fairly emetophobic usually and was very sick throughout my labour (as well as very nearly shitting actually on my sister 😳🤣) and I honestly didn’t care - was too busy having a baby to worry about it. It’s not like other physical experiences where you can think - you’re swept up by the immensity of it all and there’s little space for brain stuff: you’re sort of all body, really.

BluesandClues · 30/01/2023 20:53

Why don’t you email the consultant midwife or matron at your hospital, or request a consultant appointment to get something put in place for yourself so you’re not worrying over it?

Ell95 · 30/01/2023 20:54

They can give you anti sickness medicine . I had some a few days ago when I was in labour

Temporaryname158 · 30/01/2023 20:56

Also just as reassurance to you I never felt or was sick during labour, so it probably won’t happen. Also you won’t necessarily need pain killers. I didn’t so go into it with a really positive attitude! You might also cope well and be fine.

but yes you can put this in your birth plan and discuss it with midwives when you arrive at hospital if you choose a hospital birth

8DPWoah · 30/01/2023 21:01

I was sick once during my first labour but I was very poorly at the time, I had an anti emetic injection and all was well on that front pretty soon after. I also had one when I was admitted with severe D&V during my second pregnancy and it worked really well again then.

My second labour I wasn't sick or nauseous even remotely, which surprised me especially with all the gas and air I was chugging on.

Definitely mention it in advance, then if you do need a jab you won't be having to explain why whilst you're worrying about needing one.

Timetochangetheoil · 30/01/2023 21:02

I am the same, OP and I have had two vomit free labours and births. Trying to explain to people how crippling this fear is, when it’s all you’re thinking about really before giving birth, is really difficult if they have no understanding of it. It’s traumatising to be sick for us.

Due to this I wouldn’t even take a codeine. The midwife gave me one and I hid it under my mattress in hospital lol. I didn’t even try gas and air as was too terrified it would make me sick. I had antiemetics, and was not sick or even felt sick during labour. The only resemblance to it was when I was pushing, the physical feeling is almost like retching but it’s not coming out of your mouth. Sorry weird feeling impossible to explain until you experience it. My waters breaking was like vomiting uncontrollably from my vagina 😂😂

My second was born at home, my midwife had a strong antiemetic especially prescribed and ready in my bathroom for when I needed it during labour. I had it about half an hour before she was born when things were kicking up a gear (I have very short pushing stages).

Best of luck and be totally honest and clear with the midwife looking after you. Even if the worst happens and you end up being sick, you want someone to be gentle with you. I’ll cross everything it doesn’t happen and you have a smooth delivery ❤️

Timetochangetheoil · 30/01/2023 21:03

Ps mine too was an injection in my leg!

BloodAndFire · 30/01/2023 21:07

I had 2 very different births - 1 with gas and air, vaginal birth in the water, 1 planned c section with spinal and epidural- and I wasn't sick or close to it either time.

You're probably best off avoiding opiates (pethidine etc), they don't make me sick personally but some people have that reaction.

I didn't poo either fwiw!

Also.. You may find that your phobia reduces when you have kids. This was the case for my friends and relatives who were phobic about vomiting before they became mothers. I was pretty phobic about poo (history of anorexia etc) and had to get over that one...

Swingingonastar77 · 30/01/2023 21:18

I feel your pain! I wasn’t sick or felt sick with either of my births.Sometimes it can be the pain relief or the gas and air that can make you feel a bit sick - maybe get your midwife to talk you through any side effects of pain relief. I agree that there is just so much going on at the time you probably won’t even think about this happening and you will be so focused on seeing you little one. Good luck, I’m sure you will be fine - and congratulations!

Bubblemonkey · 30/01/2023 21:21

I only felt sick very briefly during transition

WeWereInParis · 30/01/2023 21:27

I also have severe emetophobia to the extent I refused all pain relief in labour because I worried it would cause sickness. For me it absolutely wasn't a case of "oh once you're in labour, you won't care about nausea!" which is what one midwife said.
With my first, I had a homebirth but was sent to hospital to be checked for potential meconium in early labour and while I was there I started feeling extremely sick. Thankfully they gave me some anti sickness tablets and I was then totally fine.
With my second, I had to be induced at 37 weeks (because my waters broke at 35), and I insisted they give me an antisickness injection before having any induction medication. And I requested they give me another as soon as enough time had passed. I didn't even feel slightly nauseated that time.

The only thing I'd say is, for me, the severe nausea in my first labour came on very quickly (and I was retching - if I didn't have emetophobia I would 100% have vomited). So my advice would be to get the anti sickness medication early, which is what I did with my second.

AceofPentacles · 30/01/2023 21:31

I requested and had a c section. When I was on the table and they put the IV in thru were making light of my phobia, until they ran the drugs through, I felt sick and fainted through fear. They were more understanding after that.

rampila · 30/01/2023 21:33

Ask for anti emetics for labour as you're right you don't know how you'll react tho the drugs. Maybe see if you can book a couple of cbt sessions before your labour too to talk it out with someone. I can understand how this is something you'd dread.

Original poster

Twiggywinkle13 · 30/01/2023 21:38

Thank you so so much for responding everyone! I had no idea they could even give you anti sickness medication in labour! This is amazing. I will absolutely be talking about this to my midwife next week.

To fellow sufferers, I’m with you - I know people will say ‘you won’t think about it in labour’ let me tell you, I’ll think about it and it’s all I’ll think about! I honestly am not worried one bit about pooping in labour, I hadn’t really though about it maybe I should be!!

OP posts:

Greybeardy · 30/01/2023 21:43

There are quite a few different mechanisms that can cause nausea/vomiting in labour (and during a section too) by all means ask tho (most won’t cause any problems) but there isn’t a drug that really covers all the possible mechanisms. If there’s a while to go before your due date and you’ve not already tried some sort of phobia management it might be a good time to try?

Original poster

Twiggywinkle13 · 30/01/2023 21:47

I get what you mean @Greybeardy i think just psychologically knowing I’ve had some kind of medication to try and stop it will really calm me. I absolutely know I’ll panic if I feel nauseas so even if it’s a bit of a placebo effect, I think it would make a big difference.

I did have hypnotherapy years ago and it did make quite a big difference. Not so much to how I feel about the situation for myself but I don’t panic so much if it’s others around me now.

OP posts:

Orangesare · 30/01/2023 21:47

I had pethedine in both labours and they gave me an anti sickness injection at the same time and wasn’t sick so I’d just ask. I don’t have a problem with being sick but I really didn’t want to be sick in labour

LucyWhipple · 30/01/2023 21:48

I also asked for anti emetics & was given them no questions asked, especially in my second labour (in my first the midwife helpfully said on giving me the gas and air you know this will probably make you sick - knowing how I felt about it - which just meant I didn’t use the gas & air at all).

Hopefully your midwife will reassure you and you can get anti emetics written into your birth plan.

NameChange329435 · 30/01/2023 21:50

I was sick during all 3 of my labours. I'm sure it was the morphine that caused it. So I wouldn't recommend it as pain relief, but definitely ask for anti sickness medication.

coverp · 30/01/2023 21:52

I was horribly sick in my first labour, vomiting with every contraction. Midwife gave some kind of magical anti sickness injection and it stopped immediately. Wish I'd had it for morning sickness!

Watto1 · 30/01/2023 21:52

I’m afraid a C-section doesn’t mean you won’t be sick. I vomited all over the operating theatre floor with dd and then with ds 3 years later I was sick on the trolley on the way back to the ward . Think it’s all the rummaging around they do. An anti-emetic soon did the trick though, so I will echo the advice to ask for it early. Good luck!

sunseaandme · 30/01/2023 21:59

Sorry to say OP I had the anti sickness injection along with one of the meds they give to induce you (it was all a big blur so I don't know what if was called) that other posters have mentioned but it didn't work and I still vomited. I have my fingers crossed you don't though and I hope your labour goes smoothly!

Nodney · 30/01/2023 22:08

I have had 3 children, OP and I am also emetophobic. I told my midwife, the consultant, in fact, pretty much anyone who dealt with me. With one child I was induced and I had the anti emetic in a drip before they put the drug in (can't remember the name of the drug, the one you have to induce labour!).

I found everyone, without fail, 100% reassuring. I was even given a top up anti emetic in the hours after giving birth.

I didn't have gas and air, I had an epidural for two and for my third I had no pain relief at all.

I tell no one in real life, other than my DH. But when it came to my birth plan and when I was in hospital, I told everyone. They were great (as you would expect!)

Taxdummy · 30/01/2023 22:23

Just out of curiosity how did you manage the idea (or reality?!) of morning sickness?

fwiw I was very sick after trying gas and air in my first labour but tried it again the next time with no ill effects.

good luck

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