So if you have a VB with gas and air as the only form of pain relief...

[ColumboWearsControlPants]

...does that mean you can honestly say you had a drug free birth, or say that you had no pain relief?

Also, another question: I had gas and air until the point of transitioning and was fully dilated when I had to have an epidural and had a forceps delivery - having got to that point, had I been able to have a non assisted birth, would the pain have increased by loads? Several people have said that once you get to that stage you can focus on the pushing etc and the pain is manageable or at least feels "productive".

Just curious as thinking of TTC again and these things do pop into ones mind.

I had g&a only. Pushing was v painful, not so bad with ds1 when i had a birthing stool.
I do remember thinking with ds2 "i never have to do this again" which was a huge comfort.
However I also rememer thinking exactly the same thing 6 years later when i pushed out ds3.

Columbo - totally agree with others that you may well find your second birth quite different to your first - I think the rule of thumb is 1/3 of the length of your first in terms of time in labour (or is it 2/3s?!?) - and just knowing you've done it before and you DIDN'T actually die of pain makes a big difference imho.
Good luck

I had G and A with 2 births but not with first (too quick)
I found it did sweet FA for pain BUT gave me focus for breathing and calming and took my mind off contractions esp great at transition.
I don't think I ever got a proper hit per se but seeing it there and holding it to my face really helped.

gas and air is for wimps!

I've had 3 fast births with just G&A I agree it doesn't do much for the pain just takes the edge off by making you woozy, fantastic stuff though.

I had a little bit of gas and air but didn't like it. After 6 hours of pushing I transferred in for a whole host of interventions and eventual em cs. The second stage was fine while I was at home and whilst pushing the pain disappeared. Much less painful than the first stage (but I had no waters as a cushion which I believe makes a difference).