Why do so many European countries not allow G&A as pain relief during childbirth?

[shonaspurtle]

I've read a lot of mnetter's posts saying in their country gas and air isn't used during childbirth. Off the top of my head: Belgium, France, Germany, Spain...

Do they know something we don't know? Are we just experiencing a placebo effect? Are there risks?

Am curious. Does anyone know why this very mainstream form of pain relief (in the UK) seems beyond the pale elsewhere?

My experience in Belgium is that lack of g&a is definitely not to keep women off the bed - you have to fight pretty hard in order to give birth in any position other than on your back with your feet in stirrups! Mobile eipdurals are much more common though. I must say that I have been wondering why g&a is just not on offer, as I've never heard of any side effects, so I've been quite interested to read this thread!

Have to pick up on this though: "Apparently in France it's standard for every woman to get pelvic floor exercise instruction after the birth, and abdominal exercises to get your tummy back in shape! The emphasis is on looking good for your husband."

Pelvic re-education is also standard for all women in Begium, and the emphasis is not at all on looking good for your husband, though I imagine post-war governments might have found that a beneficial side effect of the whole process. It is to make sure that your bits are back in shape whether you want to have more children or not, and most importantly to prevent prolapse. It is also pretty important for a woman's general health to have functioning abdominal muscles, and I must say I have been pretty amazed/shocked to hear friends' stories from the UK about how unimportant this whole area seems to be there.

Also, in Belgium post-natal physio does not generally involve internal fiddling around with machines though I know in some cases this is dones when it's useful. It's just exercises which are gentle but tough, and you have to go regularly to make sure you're doing them. My physiotherapist is totally lovely and my favourite thing about being pregnant here - that and the 5-6 days enforced rest in hospital on my own. I do find it a shame to have to put up a bit of a fight to give birth actively but personally I would say it's worth it given the overall brilliance of the system.

My sis in law is Dutch and says a big proportion of births `over 50% are homebirths - but she has never heard of anyone being offered gas and air - they generally do it without medication - and in general it is only at risk pregnancies that are delivered in hospitals.

This is really interesting. Thanks everyone.

I'm really jealous of the attention some countries give to the pelvic floor issue. Granted I was visited on the ward by a physio and given a leaflet, but in the fog of the postpartum period I definitely didn't give it the attention I should have (and tbh, I'm not sure I've ever really done pf exercises really properly).

Result: I seemed to be fine but recently had a stomach bug and realised I couldn't control my bladder when I'm sick. Not the end of the world (albeit messy) in your own home, but it needs to get sorted in case I ever experience morning sickness again.

I think also the fact that it's not emphasised after birth means that women don't really talk about it and it is embarrassing going to the doctor. Although I will because it'll be a hell of a lot more embarrassing wetting myself in public.

My sister had her DDs in France and it was absolutely assumed that all births are with an epidural. She had to really fight not to have one, and there was no alternative pain relief available. (I am in awe of her!)

It amazes me how many people automatically assume things are better elsewhere .

I had gas and air and found it really helped.

No G&A in Germany.

They really encourage an active birth, with the delivery rooms kitted out with birthing stools, hand supports hanging from the ceiling, big exercise balls and often more than one birthing pool.

The midwives are often qualified in providing homeopathic treatments or acupuncture during labour. An epidural wasn't automatically offered.

I have given birth in 2 different German hospitals, in 2 different cities and this was the case in both.

That's interesting Starlight.

I remember when I was in labour with DS I had got out of the pool for a bit while they adjusted the temperature (I couldn't bear them doing it while I was in there!) and was using the gas and air to cope as the contractions felt harder on dry land, and a midwife said that we had Queen Victoria to thank for it as she started the fashion for (inhalable)* pain relief with her use of chloroform during childbirth!

*I have no idea what word she used but this was roughly what it meant - it's been bugging me actually ever since!

I think the reason for the high home birth rate in Holland is that you have to pay to have your baby in hospital if you have an uncomplicated pregnancy. This is what exsil said and she lives in Holland and had her babies there.

JodieO you have to pay for medical care in most countries, I think, and yet hospital birth is the norm in most Western countries. (Although I don't think home birth is covered by all medical insurance policies which is silly, because it's cheaper!)