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Childbirth

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

Sickness in labour - any way to avoid it

37 replies

needahand · 26/02/2008 11:00

Hi Mners

I was sick during my labour with DD and was wondering whether any of you would have any tips to avoid being sick or minimise sickness next time round

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needahand · 26/02/2008 11:42

No tips at all? Surely one of you must have words of wisdom for me?

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SixSpotBurnet · 26/02/2008 11:43

I wasn't sick during any of my labours, but perhaps if you avoid eating?

dinny · 26/02/2008 11:45

hello, I've been told by a midwife and doula it's a really good sign for a safe delivery....

not sure if that's true.

did you have gas and air that can make you sick...

dinny · 26/02/2008 11:45

I was sick the first time but not the second...

dizzydixies · 26/02/2008 11:46

nope, puked both times sorry. am no doubt going to do the same again this time round but at least I'll know its meant to happen - apparently your body just trying to purge everything so it can focus on childbirth.

I was told not to avoid eating as you need all your strength but how about making sure you get lots of water so its at least a little easier

sorry I don't have a magic cure

MrsTittleMouse · 26/02/2008 11:47

I have sympathy, will that do? I was as sick as a dog throughout DD's labour and I'm now 6 weeks with DB2. Were you offered anti-emetic drugs? They didn't help me, but they obviously must work for some people. IIRC they tried 2 different types on me, so if one didn't work for you last time, there is another option.

6spot - drinking causes vomiting too if you're susceptible and not eating or drinking isn't really an option for a long labour.

hanaflower · 26/02/2008 11:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

needahand · 26/02/2008 11:51

Hmm I suspected the consensus would be "nothing". I was sick for about 17 hours even without eating, was also throwing up water and then when they put me on a drip, the content of the drip. I would really like to avoid this if at all possible this time round (although I suspect it might not be possible).

Is there any herbal/homeopathy remedy that would work?

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needahand · 26/02/2008 11:52

dinny at least there is hope. Was you Dc back to back first time?

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MrsTittleMouse · 26/02/2008 11:55

Ooo, needahand that's interesting. My DD was OP, so I'm guessing that yours was too. Yet another wonderful consequence of her inability to face the right way.

dizzydixies · 26/02/2008 11:58

I know nuxvom helps with nausea but not sure about sickness?

needahand · 26/02/2008 12:03

MrsTittleMouse, yes I am asking because she was back to back and it might have come into play.

Will definitely look into the anti-emetic drugs and the nuxvom.

Also to put this baby in the right position I keep bouncing on my birthing ball. Boing, boing

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dizzydixies · 26/02/2008 12:05

oohh I never knew that about the OP thing, dd1 def was but can't remember dd2, now where did I put that birthing ball?!

good luck needahand

LadyOfWaffle · 26/02/2008 12:07

I was sick last time - i'd rather eat and throw up something than not eat and be gagging and throwing up bile. I dunno if they can give anti sickness drugs, I had so many things last time I am not sure if they gave me some or not, but I will definatly ask before I am sick this time. I guess whatever eases it during pregnancy may help ease it in labour, but if you're going to be sick, you're going to be sick. Pants, isn't it?

needahand · 26/02/2008 12:17

Thanks Dizzy LadyofWaffle I think you are right, I will eat too this time even if it means being sick, and will try lucozade too just to have a quick release of energy.

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dizzydixies · 26/02/2008 12:22

what about sucking on energy sweets too, have heard that has helped some people

be careful the lucozade doesn't make your energy go up and down or the bubbles make you feel more sick

they might prefer you just to have water for rehydration purposes?

needahand · 26/02/2008 12:27

Thanks dixie, I will try the sweets, I didn't realise Lucozade was fizzy (never had the stuff yet)

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TheWiltedRose · 26/02/2008 12:29

hehe i decided to throw up just the once on the last pusk of ds2 so officially i did Puke my son out! Was a strange moment

TheWiltedRose · 26/02/2008 12:30

*last push i meant!

MrsTittleMouse · 26/02/2008 12:39

I used glucose tablets and Ribena during labour to get some energy and fluids into me. I was still sick, but I'm sure that they must have helped me keep going. It was DH's job to keep pushing the Ribena, as I wasn't really in the mood.

Miaou · 26/02/2008 13:03

I have found the only way to avoid being sick is to avoid any kind of pain relief - seriously, every type of pain relief made me sick! So I had a waterbirth with no. 3 then gritted my teeth for no. 4 (no pool )

T2M · 26/02/2008 13:15

Shame I know its not pleasant being sick but it is a positive sign that your body is producing the hormones Oxytocin which are needed to keep the contractions going. When the hormone levels increase this can cause the 'icky' feeling. Sucking on a peppermint can help and just know that the moment will pass if its brought on by nature and not as Miaou says by all the pain reliefs.

Niecie · 26/02/2008 13:24

As I have a particular phobia about that kind of thing with DS1 the MW gave me anti-acids, Gaviscon, I think. Don't know if it helped but I didn't puke although I came close once.

I didn't have gas and air either though which seems to make some people sick, particularly is there is a mask rather than one of the mouthpieces you suck on.

I did have an epidural and felt pretty much normal, although I didn't eat and the MW didn't make me, just kept pushing the water.

pedilia · 26/02/2008 13:26

I was sick in all my labours even when I had no sickness during the pregnancy, I have no doubt that I will be sick with this one as well!

Not sure there is anything that can be done about it, guess it's just one of those things.

meebles · 26/02/2008 13:27

I had some IM prochlorperazine during labour which helped.