Did you go through transition without pain relief?....

[eggontoast]

Tell me if you begged for an epidural/lost it/screamed/became panic stricken having been perfectly in control seconds before!

By transmission, I mean the transition period just before your body begins to 'push'. For me, the contractions are supremely strong and feel unbearable....

I went from breathing through the pain to screaming and wailing, head back in anguish, just 'going with it' rather than controlling it. It only lasted about 30 mins for me, and pushing was such a relief and not painful by comparison.

What happened to you in transition, how did you 'change' and what did you end up doing?

I said to the midwife, 'I bet this is when lots beg for an epidural but it's too late?' she replied with a knowing smile!

I had g&a and pethedine but it was wearing off at that point. I think I was in transition for a couple of hours as I had a 'lip' of cervix that wouldn't shift. I then just started to loose it, and no matter what the midwifes said I just couldn't stop myself pushing at the height of each contraction but was getting nowhere (and mooing too I think!). It was the worse part of the whole labour and I was really shocked afterwards about how unbearable it all was, until it suddenly clicked that I probably was in transition and these feelings were totally normal. I agree - would be good if midwife had told me that rather than leave me to get on with it!

Am currently pg with number 2 and am going to put something in my birthplan like 'if I get to 9cm and start wailing like a banshee please tell me that I'm in transition and everything will be fine!'

Just had DD on monday - 10lb 10 1/2oz on G&A - thank god I didn't know beforehand how big she was going to be.
With DS I felt so disheartened during labour as it went on forever and I never knew that I was making progress.
Put in my plan this time that wanted to be told regularly how well I was doing and that the baby was getting closer etc. Midwives didn't seem to have read it as were very hands off, but DP was amazing and kept encouraging me and telling me how close I was getting. Had taken a homeopathic remedy called Camomillia with me for transition, its meant to help with feelings of not being able to cope, (last time started crying for my mummy!! )so when DP realised we were in transition he quietly told me he was going to get the remedy for me - through the "fog" I realised that it must mean that I was going through transition, and just to know that I was there and had reached a landmark of sorts was massively reassuring. Was violently sick a few times and also remember feeling that the contractions felt different. About half hour later DD appeared, am still reeling over the size of her!

Congrats to MummyMellie! (Ten pounds plus - goodness!)

Congratulations and well done MummyMellie. It does appear that it is helpful to know what to expect and to be prepared to feel like you end up feeling in transition.

It also appears to help if those around you know what to expect and really offer the correct amount/type of support at that time.

I don't have any recollections of anything significant at transition - I just went from being upright and mobile, to my waters going and then an overwhelming urge to push. Second labour was complex and I'm not sure I even got to the transition stage before I ended up with a very fast and furious section. My best mate describes the transition bit as feeling euphoric!

Nothing with DS1, now know was in transition when arrived at hosp, was hopelessly out of control and screaming.....

DS2+3 had g&a, was calm but did say with DS3 can't do this anymore, midwife had a look said oh you can push, so I did and he arrived.

DS4 nothing, homebirth delivered by DP before anyone arrived. No contractions (that I felt) in first stage just woke up had a show started shivering uncontrollably realised was probably transition, then had pushy sensation, called midwife then ambulance managed to get off the loo and downstairs to sofa 6 pushing contractions later he was born!

No story to add (with DS1 I think I was probably having the CS by the time I was at transition), but from my birthing course I was told that transition involves huge surges of adrenaline - hence the 'fight or flight' feelings of wanting to go home, or acting irrationally. I'll remember to put in my birth plan for DS2 about someone telling me when I'm in transition - good idea

That't interesting about the surges of adrenaline; it explains a lot!

It's comforting to know that there is an actual process that quickly ramps up labour and involves adrenaline surges. I can now rest assured knowing that I am not alone and the process is totally natural!

With DS1 I pushed for ages - more than 2 hours IIRC.

With DS2 I pushed for just under two hours.

With DD the midwife told me that there is no way you should push for that long. She encouraged me to listen a little more carefully to my body's pushing sensation. Once I was fully dilated, I didn't do anything until my body took over with the uncontrollable urge to push. My transition - just before pushing was amazing. I knew exactly what was happening, I could feel DD moving down, but I wasn't contracting. I just squatted quietly on the floor. DH and the midwife were chatting and telling me to get off the floor. I was just totally zoned out.

When it came to it, there was no real effort required, my body was going to push that baby out, come hell or high water. DD was born after three pushes.

I only had G&A in all three labours.

Got really panicky around transition and worried that I couldn't do it. Just had gas and air though. Fortunately I had a v. short pushing phase.

None with any of mine, each time I was sick, went a little bit crazy telling everyone "Im going home", "I need a bath/epidural/c-section" etc!

With my 3rd child I had got to this stage, asked Dh to get the midwife as I needed some help, she walked in took one look at me and said "I'll just grab the delivery trolley"!

Ds2 was born about 15 mins later (10lb 10oz)
Im feeling your shock Mellie!

This is fascinating.

I realise now how much of what I felt towards the end of the labour with DD2 was actually transition. I was in the bath and suddenly felt I couldn't do it. I remember saying to DP "you're going to have to explain to her [the midwife] that I just can't do it" and then saying to her that they would just have to knock me out and get the baby out while I slept I definitely felt I couldn't do it. I was not logical at all and asking for an epidural but DD2 was born within 15 mins of that.

Who was it who said about being sick without actually being sick? I had that too, like the pushes were going both up and down at the same time. I think she was out in about 5 pushes with no pain relief and I was ecstatic right after - I said to DP I could do it all again! Hormones

Must remember all this if we go ahead and have another one.

Not in pain but felt very cold & shivery with my legs shaking when on route to the hospital - just made it there! I felt cold even in the warm delivery room