2nd stage (pushing) and pain relief

[Thankyouandgoodnight]

Am I right in thinking that you only really need pain relief for the dilation phase and that once you've got to the pushing bit, things are more manageable?

Also - this panic at transition - what's that all about? Why does it happen?

I didn't think the water did anything for my pain either belgo - you're not alone there. However, I decided quite soon after getting in that I was more comfortable in the pool than out of it so I think it must have done something for me. And I would go for a water birth if there was a next time.

I found the transition and then the pushing stage by far the worst part! The dilation isnt a walk in the park either, but I found that bearable with gas and air. When I got to the transition, I felt I that death would be preferable to carrying on (having talked to others who labour without epidural I gather this is fairly common!)The pushing is hard going, and I found crowning excruciating, though it doesnt last long. I agree that for many people it's hard to coordinate gas and air with the second stage. Also, the midwife took the g and a off me for the last hour as it was making me woozy, and the biggest difference between first and second stage are that for the first stage you are trying to relax and go with the flow of contractions, whereas in the second stage you have to work with the contractions, IYSWIM. I think the only way to get a pain free or relatively ain free birth is to go the epidural route, which I didnt want to do because of the associated risks of interventions.

iwas off my face on gas and air during the whole thing, pushing stage too.

lulumama, when i look back I know i was totally out of contro and scared, yet determined, but do you think it was overuse of gas and air that made it so bad.?