Lots of questions about preparation for labour - share your wisdom here please!

[happynappies]

Ok, I'm 29 weeks pregnant with my second baby, dd has just turned two. I feel I should be approaching this like an 'old hand' but feel far from it. I had a difficult 32-hour labour last time, and want to do my utmost to make things go slightly more smoothly this time, so am considering anything, but don't want to waste money, so here goes with the questions, and if you have any views about any of them please share!!

1. Raspberry leaf tea - where's a good place to get it (Holland and Barrat don't seem to sell it?) and is it worth it? and tea or capsules, and when do you start taking it?

1. TENS machine - any particular recommendations? I used one last time and it was a useful distraction in the early stages, am more prepared to stick with it this time

1. Homeopathic remedies - worth it or not? Arnica, for example - worth trying?

1. Water birth - hope to try to get in the pool this time if the forces are with me - what do you wear? or do you just go naked? Do you have to have towels etc at the ready? (I've got my sieve ready!)

1. Can you eat in labour (I didn't last time, and it was 32 hours so I was very weak afterwards, and would like to try to nibble or sip on something, but what?!!)

1. I want to try to avoid Pethidine as it sent me loopy last time and severely affected my memories of the event, and more seriously I am convinced it affected dd - making her more sleepy and more difficult to get breastfeeding. Is there an alternative to it which I could specify in the birth-plan if needed?

1. Last time I had an epidural which I felt was necessary after being put on syntocinon as the contractions were doubling up. I'd like to try to avoid one if I can this time, but if I have to have one I will but... do you have to wait for it to wear off to push? That prospect terrified me so much last time that I'm sure I wasn't actually ready to push, hence long and ineffective 2nd stage. Is it possible to push with an epidural still working?

1. Is there anything else anyone would recommend to help a slightly nervous but enthusiastic pregnant lady who is bordering between slight and outright panic as the 30 week stage approaches??

Thank you!

Here's my twopennies worth

1. Raspberry leaf tea - always been able to get it at H&B sorry, have taken it from 33 weeks with all 3, don't know if it works but I've had short labours, 4h20m, 2h30m, 1h35m.

1. TENS machine - sorry never used one

1. Homeopathic remedies - have used Arnice afterwards with all three again don't know if it helped much

1. Water birth - sorry never had one

1. Can you eat in labour? Don't know as my labours have been fast and furious, not time for eating

1. Pethidine - again sorry never had it G&A with all 3

1. Epidural - never had one (not for want of asking first time around)

1. Your body has been through it once before, theres little chance you will be 32 hours again, chances are it will be faster and easier. Remember that feeling afterwards when you are on a high and cuddling a a beautiful little baby

Goodness - please relax as much as possible .

raspberry leaf - I took the tablets. 2 a day from 36 weeks. My labour was 3 hours long so I'm a firm believer in the power of it to make your uterus more efficient . Got them from H&B

TENS - didn't work for me as the last thing I wanted in labour was an annoying buzzing machine strapped to my back. Personal preference though, so give it a go. Hired mine from an online site - there's loads of them

Homeopathic - didn't try.

Water birth - didn't have one although wanted one. Was quite prepared to have worn just a bikini top.

Eating - was prepared with nice snacks and biscuits but couldn't face them so dh ate them!! I did however drink 4 bottles of energy drink in the final 30 minutes of pushing which I would def recommend!!

Pethadine - not aware of any alternative. Either G&A or epidural. I went for G&A as wanted to be mobile.

Good luck - am sure all will be fine

hi,

can sympathise as am 24 weeks with second and had similar sounding first labour to you, also over 30 hours. I'm going to try homebirth.

First of all the very good news: I have really researched on the net, both scientific stuff and anecdotally, on second labour lengths and the consensus is that they are a LOT shorter. Hopefully you're looking at more like 12 hours. The first time round I really felt my body couldn't grasp the whole process, had to have synotocin, epidural etc, but think the second time round your body has done it before.

definitely have energy drinks and light snacks.

I recommend mobile (low dose) epidural, but must say it didn't take all the pain away, but could push. You can also ask for a classic epidural to be turned down so you can push.

I sank buckets of raspberry leaf tea and had 3 day labour so not sure. I got the real leafy stuff from an independent health food shop.

In summary, try not to worry, as it is more or less guaranteed to be easier and quicker second time.

I am going to try and listen to some positive CDs etc, I also do little 'trainings' which did help a bit last time, like swimming and holding my breath or going under a cold shower blast and imagining it's a contraction and trying to relax, it does help a bit.

don't worry, there are others in the same boat, we will all get through it fine!

you will be fine, try not panic or think about it all too much practise relaxation excercises/breathing one s to calm you adn to help in labour take food and some for you birthing patner I hope all goes well

hired tens machine from mothercare and found it brilliant but i started using it very early and built it up slowly, it worked for me and i didn't use anything else.

My biggest childbirth tip is visualisation as taught by my fantastic midwife.

Be as active as you can and welcome each contraction whilst picturing it opening up your cervix and your baby coming down.

Embrace the pain.

Good luck. Things can go tits up (I had this with DD1's birth) but if you think positive and go for it you have a good chance that things will work out.

DD2's birth was like this (positive) despite things starting off badly.

Ok, I'm 29 weeks pregnant with my second baby, dd has just turned two. I feel I should be approaching this like an 'old hand' but feel far from it. I had a difficult 32-hour labour last time, and want to do my utmost to make things go slightly more smoothly this time, so am considering anything, but don't want to waste money, so here goes with the questions, and if you have any views about any of them please share!!

1. Raspberry leaf tea - where's a good place to get it (Holland and Barrat don't seem to sell it?) and is it worth it? and tea or capsules, and when do you start taking it?

Take IMO only in the last week - I only took from week 40. H & B is where I got mine, try online from a reputable place.

1. TENS machine - any particular recommendations? I used one last time and it was a useful distraction in the early stages, am more prepared to stick with it this time

I used an elle tens, best £70 I have ever spent.

1. Homeopathic remedies - worth it or not? Arnica, for example - worth trying?

I took arnica , no idea if it made a difference.

1. Water birth - hope to try to get in the pool this time if the forces are with me - what do you wear? or do you just go naked? Do you have to have towels etc at the ready? (I've got my sieve ready!)

Wear a BIG t -shirt, or nothing.

1. Can you eat in labour (I didn't last time, and it was 32 hours so I was very weak afterwards, and would like to try to nibble or sip on something, but what?!!)

I did Lucozade tablets are good to take, crackers, high energy and not something 'sickly'. Chew ice if you can, my mouth was soooo dry and I threw up water.

1. I want to try to avoid Pethidine as it sent me loopy last time and severely affected my memories of the event, and more seriously I am convinced it affected dd - making her more sleepy and more difficult to get breastfeeding. Is there an alternative to it which I could specify in the birth-plan if needed?

Not sure, 'cept G & A

1. Last time I had an epidural which I felt was necessary after being put on syntocinon as the contractions were doubling up. I'd like to try to avoid one if I can this time, but if I have to have one I will but... do you have to wait for it to wear off to push? That prospect terrified me so much last time that I'm sure I wasn't actually ready to push, hence long and ineffective 2nd stage. Is it possible to push with an epidural still working?

I had a full epidural with DS1 - pushed with it fully wokring etc., I was just told when to do it.

1. Is there anything else anyone would recommend to help a slightly nervous but enthusiastic pregnant lady who is bordering between slight and outright panic as the 30 week stage approaches??

Keep calm! I found those gel pads you freeze excellent post birth. Thank you!

Don't know if it was just coincidence but snacking on nuts and raisins really seemed to move my labour on quite quickly, the midwife pointed this out to me at the time...

I took raspberry leaf tablets from about 32 weeks I think - had good births with no pain relief (other than water) and no tearing but who knows if the tablets helped at all or if I was just lucky.

Water birth - you are unlikely to care about getting naked at the point you need to get in the water BUT a muslin cloth kindly provided by the midwives to cradle DD in the water at my 2nd water birth came in very handy for making the photos suitable for a wider audience than those of my DS!

try and relax...you have done this before, your body knows what to do!

Good luck

First labour 28 hours - v unpleasant despite TENS, gas and air and pethidine.
2nd labour 3 1/2 hours and still smarted a bit (!) but was so so so much better easier and more relaxed and I would even say I enjoyed it!!
I personally think raspberry tea is all placebo effect but try it if you fancy (tastes foul), TENS works for some people not for others - I found it brilliant! try babycare Tens website www.babycaretens.com and get the Elle one with the boost button.I am a bit squeamish about water births (who cleans those pools?! How?! What about GBS etc), but some people swear by them and I think they would be fine unless you have a long time labouring after your water goes, but maybe better to stay at home in your own warm bath as long as possible...
Homoeopathy may work, nothing to lose. Pethidine and all its equivalents do have side effects, although drug companies say some less than others, but if you need them then you need them and just let the midwife know what heppen last time.
"Walking epidurals" are probably a good compromise if you need them - can still push.
And for goodness sake eat - best stuff has lots of salt and sugar - e.g.pretzels/crisps and mini jaffa cakes! And drink plenty but slowly - just keep sipping.
I would swear by Birthing Hypnotherapy CD. I did this relatively regularly (maybe 10 times) before both labours and despite being a bit of a sceptic it definitely definitely definitely helps. Try www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk. HTH.P.s. No medical evidence for any of this - just my humble opinion!

1. Available from Holland & Barratt here, but I don't know if it does any good. I quite like the taste though.
2. I hired my tens from boots this time. With my first labour the hospital tens machine was a godsend. It was a long induced labour and I was grateful for it. It got me through until my waters broke then all hell broke loose . There was no time to use my hired one this time but I was glad it was there just in case and I had really bad back ache in late pregnancy that I used it for.
3. I bought the Neals Yard childbirth kit. I used Caulophilium? I think when I went overdue. WHo knows if it worked but my labour was 3.5 hours so it certainly did no harm! Used arnica both times and swear by it.
4. Induced first time and too quick second time but would have loved to try waterborth.
5. Yes to eating in labour. Again, no time with ds but I was soooo grateful of my Lucozade (straws a definate must as there's no way I could have got that bottle to my lips otherwise!)
6. Pethedine made me really sick with dd. DIdn't need any pain relief with ds.
7. I had an epidural with dd as she was induced and it bloody hurt! I didn't really feel to push, but it had certainly worn off when I delivered the placenta which I found very strange. With ds I was actually glad of no epidural as I felt the conractions change to ones that were actually doing the pushing iyswim.
8. Stand and Deliver! That's what my midwife told me at the start of labour and she was sooo right. I stood up the entire time and it was a lovely easy birth, so different from dd. I would also recommend reading some Ina May Gaskin. Really enpowering books and really helped me when I started to lose it a bit in transition. ALso, choose your birth partner wisely. Obviously your dp, but I also had a goo friend with me who had had a natural birth 6 months before and she knew exactly what to say (I think also looking me straight in the eye and with a smile made a big big difference and helped keep me calm)

Good luck!

1. Raspberry leaf tea - where's a good place to get it (Holland and Barrat don't seem to sell it?) and is it worth it? and tea or capsules, and when do you start taking it?

I got mine from a little health shop this time but go it from H&B before. Anytime after 35 weeks is what it says on the box.

1. TENS machine - any particular recommendations? I used one last time and it was a useful distraction in the early stages, am more prepared to stick with it this time

I had one and I loved it. It was so good and it really helped me to concentrate.

1. Homeopathic remedies - worth it or not? Arnica, for example - worth trying?

I didn't try these sorry.

1. Water birth - hope to try to get in the pool this time if the forces are with me - what do you wear? or do you just go naked? Do you have to have towels etc at the ready? (I've got my sieve ready!)

I didn't get to use the pool as someone else was using it. I had my bikini top with me but was also happy to go completely naked.

1. Can you eat in labour (I didn't last time, and it was 32 hours so I was very weak afterwards, and would like to try to nibble or sip on something, but what?!!)

You can eat or drink during labour. Something full of sugar and energy. I had Lucozade to drink and Kendal Mint Cake to nibble on and it really helped my energy.

1. I want to try to avoid Pethidine as it sent me loopy last time and severely affected my memories of the event, and more seriously I am convinced it affected dd - making her more sleepy and more difficult to get breastfeeding. Is there an alternative to it which I could specify in the birth-plan if needed?

I had Pethedine and exactly the same thing happened to me. Also DS wouldn't BF. I don't think there are any alternatives. I have put on my birth plan that I will not be having it this time round.

1. Last time I had an epidural which I felt was necessary after being put on syntocinon as the contractions were doubling up. I'd like to try to avoid one if I can this time, but if I have to have one I will but... do you have to wait for it to wear off to push? That prospect terrified me so much last time that I'm sure I wasn't actually ready to push, hence long and ineffective 2nd stage. Is it possible to push with an epidural still working?

Not sure I'm afraid.

1. Is there anything else anyone would recommend to help a slightly nervous but enthusiastic pregnant lady who is bordering between slight and outright panic as the 30 week stage approaches??

Try to relax if at all possible. Talk to your MW and tell her your fears. She will be able to help you.

RLT - I took capsules from 32 weeks, bought off the internet, the drank TONS of the tea once I went overdue and ran out of tablets - I had a 3hr 16min labour so no harm in trying!

TENS - I used mine way too late, it was rubbish. Can highly recommend massage for effective pain relief though, I took DH to be taught techniques by a lady who did pregnancy massags

Arnica - I took it for 10 days after the birth (and during when I could remember), but only had a garze which is still healing 4 weeks later so not sure whether it did anything

Water birth -I was on dry land, sorry

Food - you can eat in labour, I personally threw everything up except water but simple foods like toast and energy inducing stuff like polos, energy sweets, my SIL swore by kendal int cake!

Pethadine - my hospital doesn't let anone take it, you ahve evry right to ask not to have it, stick to your guns and hold on tight to the gas and air!

Epidural - sorry I didn't have one

Other tips - stay at home as long as poss. I had a home birth (but open minded that I might have to transfer) and I'm sure that being relaxed in my own surroundings really helped. Can't say enough about the massage!! also, at home watch something not too taxing on tv to take your mind off early contractions (we watched the princess bride, brilliant!), alo if you can learn some breathing techniques and teach them DH - whenever I lost it and started panicking, DH would be able to bring me back with the breathing

good luck!

Thanks everyone - lots of ideas to read through here. I don't know why I thought H&B didn't sell raspberry leaf tea any more, i think I've looked and not been able to find it in my local store but will try online.

If anyone thinks of any other ideas do let me know. Off to do more research and to try to calm down!!

Hi - I got Rasberry Leaf Tea from Neal's Yard last time I was pg.

As for water birth - was only in for the last hour and by that stage was absolutely happy to strip naked infront of strangers. (Had already pooed on the floor so what further indignity could there be? )Thoroughly recommend the water. Helped enormously.

Food - I had cartons of juice which I sipped. Gas & Air is very drying and you need something to lubricate. The sugar helped too.

Arnica -forgot to take it after DD but have taken it for other bruises including a tonsillectomy and a nasty fall off a horse and it seemed to help.

1. Raspberry leaf tea - personally I wouldn't. Never personally wanted an efficient toned uterus. Preferred a weak one that wouldn't hurt so much.

1. TENS machine - doen't do a friggin thing BUT it is a useful distraction. Then again so is breathing which actually DOES do something.

1. Homeopathic remedies - Clary Sage if contractions are dying down. Lavender to help you relax.

1. Water birth - I wore a long t-shirt and knickers. Whipped knickers off at crowning nd whipped top of to bf in pool.

1. Can you eat in labour? Yes and you should. Slow energy release during early labour and fast energy release during active labour.

1. Pethidine - meptid is available in lots of hospitals now. Supposed to be kinder to mother and baby (but it may still make baby sleepy)

1. Epidural - you don't have to wait for it to wear off to push, but it will make pushing more effective if you do and reduce the need to assisted delivery and tearing/cutting.

1. Hire a doula or trainee doula. Have a homebirth or at least a mlu.

Can only answer a couple of your questions and sorry if already ahd the same answers!!!!

1. Can you eat in labour (I didn't last time, and it was 32 hours so I was very weak afterwards, and would like to try to nibble or sip on something, but what?!!)I ate some cheerios, whilst Dh was running me a bath and just before we left for hospital less than half an hour later I threw them up!!! MInd you was 9cms when got to hospital so maybe just too close to the action stage

1. I want to try to avoid Pethidine as it sent me loopy last time and severely affected my memories of the event, and more seriously I am convinced it affected dd - making her more sleepy and more difficult to get breastfeeding. Is there an alternative to it which I could specify in the birth-plan if needed? had the same issue with gas and air re me don;t think it effect dd though

1. Is there anything else anyone would recommend to help a slightly nervous but enthusiastic pregnant lady who is bordering between slight and outright panic as the 30 week stage approaches??

Hypnobirthing is a good one, although I didn't get far as only heard about it just ebfore birth but calms you down and reminds you your body is made to get a baby out!!!!

hth x

Raspberry Leaf tea- I took the tablets with all 3 of mine, from 34 wks, and had short and effective labours (4h 40 was the longest). Not sure if was down to the tablets, but can't do any harm to try.

Never used a TENS machine- sorry, just never fancied it.

I laboured in the water with all 3 and found it absolutely fantastic. The MWs even added some essential oils to speed things up (?) I'm normally quite a private person, but for soem reason in labour can't bear to have clothes touching me, so went naked, but you could keep a T-shirt on if you are more modest! I also loved the fact I could switch position and move around really easily in the water, but felt the need to get out to actually deliver. With no 3, I realised just how much the water was helping: My contractions felt a bit weak (I actually complained that they weren't sore enough!) Then I stood up to get out the pool, and within seconds the pain had me diving back under!

Didn't have time to eat in labour, but I think it's advisable in longer labours nowadays?

RE pethidine: One of the best bits of info I got from a couple of different people was that they wished they had known how close they were to the end before accepting pethidine. For this reason, with dd1 when I felt I just couldn't do it any more and they were trying to push the pethidine on me, I insisted on "a number between 1 and 10". I had decided if I was 7+ I would soldier on. I was 9 3/4- I believe if I'd had the pethidine it might well have slowed things down and/or made dd sleepy, so i'm glad I checked before I had it- just knowing I was so close to the end gave me the strength and encouragement to carry on without it.

Didn't have an epidural- mainly because the thought of people sticking needles in my spine scares me more than birth itself, and also because I wanted to retain the option of running away

Recommendations? Try to trust your body, and listen to it. It knows what it is doing, go with it. As I said, the MWs tried to tell me I had hours to go (my first labour was 4hrs from first contraction to delivery, so they refused to believe me), but I KNEW and insisted on that examination. Don't overthink it- it amazes me what a primitive thing giving birth is, and how you seem to revert to animal instinct, and I think if you just let that happen things go more smoothly, rather than trying to stick to a plan or position that just doesn't feel right at the time.

Good luck!

Raspberry leaf tea. Not sure if it helps tbh and it tastes vile.

TENS machine is good for a long 1st stage or pre-labour. I would get one if I were you.

Arnica is essential to prevent excessive bruising and I swear by it. You MUST follow the instructions for dosage though.

Water birth I wore a tankini top and nothing on the bottom obv. Have also gone naked but prefer the top on.

If in hospital they maybe funny with you eating/drinking. If you're at home then do whatever you like I say. Fancy a ham sandwich, you have one. Dried fruit is good and a bottle of water.

If you're having a water birth or using the pool at any stage they will not give you Pethidine. G&A is just as effective when used properly.

An epidural will slow your labour and make you more likely to have the same experience again...sorry.

Anything else....
Taking caullophyllum can result in a shockingly fast labour, be warned.
Take Bach flower Rescue Remedy when labour starts, it def helps me stay calm.
Use a birthing ball for the 1st stage. I found this the most effective way for managing contractions and releasing the tension in my shoulders.
Don't get in the pool before 7cm it can slow your labour down.
Trust your body to do what will come naturally, if you don't fight it. Go with the flow and be prepared to change your plans.

You're one week behind me so I would imagine we'll be chatting again before we see our babies x

Raspberry leaf tea is the answer to a swift birth! Was 2 weeks early and all over in less than 4 hrs! The first thing the second midwife said to me after she arrived (missing the birth completely and only getting to see the delivery of the placenta!) was "Rasberry Leaf tes???" Drink the tea it's not so bad.