What pain relief do you recommend?

[abitsqueamish]

I had gas and air last time and it was very painful so I'm considering an epidural this time but I'm not sure of the pros and cons.
Although my labour was painful it was very quick and I went straight home.
So my questions really are does an epidural take away all the pain?
Does it take longer to be over and is it worth it?
How long do have to stay in getting the catheter out etc and if you had one would you have it again?

If you haven't already found it there's a website called labourpains.org which is run by the obstetric anaesthetists association and gives loads of objective info about the different pain relief options for labour. Some of the options aren't available in every labour ward though so it is worth finding out from wherever you are planning to deliver what your choices are. HTH.

I had an epidural first birth. Completely took pain away but still had enough sensation to feel my legs. Catheter in place when the epidural was given and removed when time to push. A risk is that it can slow down Labour - hard to know whether it did or not. Would have one again next time :)

That sounds tempting if it takes all the pain away.
I am 40 so I am terrified of being induced and having contractions out of this world and just gas and air.
I just don't tolerate pain well at all.

I didn't know about this. I will take a look.
Thank you

My idea was to just get the baby out as quickly as possible.

Really didn't like the thought if anything that might prolong that process

I can't comment on the epidural, but I had my second at 41 and was induced, my first labour was spontaneous and quite quick, the induction was fast once my waters had gone, I was offered the epidural before they broke my waters and said no, I did regret it when the syntocin drip really kicked in and I asked for one (demanded one) at 3cm, but five mins later I was fully dilated, so I couldn't. The plus was that she was born at 6.30pm and I was home by 11, but I do wish I could have had a calmer experience. Most of the other women on my induction ward on their 2nd, 3rd babies etc went into labour just from having the pessaries.

I think the best thing is to know what's out there, then play it by ear. Everything has it's downsides as well as upsides. And the pain level depends on baby position etc.

I had a birth with pethidine, epidural, eventually a c section - felt drugged and spaced out, was shaky, sick, disorientated, out of control. Painkillers after made me feel spaced out too.

Second birth was vaginal with just gas and air. Insane pain but for a short time and then was immediately fine, which felt euphoric. So much better than taking a lot of drugs.

I think with birth you think of avoiding the downsides you experienced first time, without knowing there were downsides you missed out on - if you see what I mean! Grass is always greener. I preferred the brief agony of my second birth to feeling absolutely messed with in my first.

Would you consider a water birth? My second was in water and it was amazing.

Yes I had an epidural for my first birth but it was long and induced and I started with gas and air. Yes it took away the pain fully and was wonderful at the time and I could be stitched up easily while enjoying bonding with my baby. The catheter wasn't nice though and my biggest factor for not wanting an epidural second time round. I slowly got feeling back in my legs then felt uncomfortable with the catheter. I had to stay lying down for 12 hours, I don't think this is standard.i had to wee twice but couldn't go home as baby was not well enough.

It's hard to know if it made it take longer. I decided I would choose an epidural second time round if it got too painful. But I never asked for it, just a vague pain relief request, strange state of mind, I knew options but just said, give me pain relief. They got me codine and just gas and air for pushing. It actually worked better for my second time round. Was a Fantastic feeling walking straight after birth though.

I had epidural and was ok for the pain but you have to be flat on your back so not actually good for birthing position. Going to try pethidine this time but just half a shot incase I don't get on with it have read mixed feelings some people say it's amazing and could doze with it during contractions and others seems to make them very sick and out of it

I was induced with the drip and was struggling with it, after hours of very little progression but 3-4 contractions in every 10 mins I was advised a c section might be needed due to the length of time since waters breaking, or an epidural as I was panicking, I'd had gas and air but it didn't really help the pain. I said yes to the epidural and it worked very quickly, I was able to feel and move my legs but almost all pain went away, enough for me to sleep through
I didn't have a catheter in my bladder was just drained with one but not left in
I felt the need to push and the midwife said it'll still be a while yet so left but I couldn't help but push and felt a huge feeling of pressure, I moved to a more upright position and was pushing babies head out when the midwife came back, so I was able to move myself and get up and about and use the toilet as soon as I felt I needed to (about 3-4 hours after birth), home the next day as had to stay for baby to be observed as GBS positive and for breastfeeding help so didn't stay longer due to epidural
I don't think it slowed my labour down as I then went from 2-3cm to 10cm in 3 hours once it was in, and I got lucky to have no interventions despite having increased chance with the drip and epidural, which is why I was trying without

1st - induced and drip, had epidural 4 hours in, gas and air didn't touch the sides and I was sick from the pain.
I was home 24 hours after birth but this is normal in my hosp.

2nd - induced and drip, had epidural before any pain started, the best birth and experience.
I was home 7 hours later.

Didn't slow labour down, I wasn't fully on my back,

I've had two epidurals and found them wonderful and actually had a nap both times. Gas and air just made me puke.

Pethidine all the way for me, had with both and just took the edge off. Also biting down on the gas and air thing was even better than the actual gas and air.

I think it depends so much on your labour tbh so it's difficult to recommend something in particular.

First one I couldn't use gas and air, it made me vomit. Like I literally would inhale it and then vomit afterwards each time! So that stopped after a few mins. Had asked for epidural but they told me no as I wouldn't be able to sit still enough to site it safely (bollocks and they didn't even note my request for one in my notes, which they should have, along with the reason it wasn't given...). So I had diamorphine instead, which did really help and I had a nap then. Which I needed as very long labour. Downside is it had completely worn off by the time I was pushing, so then I ended up having a ventouse delivery and my episiotomy stitched without adequate pain relief. I did have locals but they didn't really work as the pain was excruciating. Also, DC didn't breastfeed well for the first 24hrs as was very sleepy so I had to hand express and syringe feed colostrum in the middle of the night which I found difficult and stressful.

Second one I was 9.5cm dilated when I went in so they told me I couldn't have anything that late except for gas and air. Thankfully it did help somewhat and it didn't make me sick that time, I don't know why. Again though I had another ventouse and episiotomy stitching without that good pain relief but the local anaesthetic definitely worked better this time and it wasn't that painful all in all. Also it was good that DC2 was not sleepy and fed great straight away and I went home after 8hrs even despite having a minor PPH.

It does depend on the labour. I had an epidural for my first and it was great - took away all the pain and I don't believe it prolonged labour as it seemed to move along pretty quickly after that. But for my second labour (which was much shorter) gas and air was enough.

Both my labours I got to the point where I said “ok it’s too much I need an epidural now” but both times I was minutes away from giving birth so it was too late! I’m grateful I didn’t end up having one but I definitely would have done if I still had ages with that level of pain.

Had all of it - literally ALL of it with DC1 over 2.5 days and then a CS for failure to progress. Lots of post surgery drugs, forget what now.

Gas and air and an unplanned vbac with second. Some local anesthesia for stitches. Maybe some paracetamol thereafter

For pain mgmt and post recovery I recommend the first, for speed of execution but a looong recovery period the second.

Not very helpful sorry. What I have learned is to not be rigid in your plans. The baby won't have gotten the memo. Read up and most importantly make sure your partner if you have one at the birth knows the options and can help you advocate/make a decision if given choices.