Different experiences of gas and air (second time round)?

[DomesticG0ddess]

I am hoping for a VBAC after a emer c-section last time. When labouring I found I couldn't use the gas and air; it made me feel a bit dizzy and out of control, like a bad drug experience, and I went for hours without anything until I had an epidural when it became obvious things weren't progressing and I wasn't coping well anymore! I was wondering if anyone had felt the same as me with gas and air during one labour, but found it brilliant during another labour?? Or do you think I'll probably find it has the same effect second time round?

Am assuming no one has had a good experience after a bad one then, or just steered clear of it!

Actually, I had a pretty bad time on gas and air the first time, to the point where it was confiscated as it was hindering me and they really needed the baby out. Times 2, 3 and 4 it has been a positive thing; having experienced it once, I knew more about how to work it and how to make it work for me - I put a lot of thought into it before hand and managed it much better (babies 2 and 4 also had morphine but 3 was only g&a). HTH

I had different experience. 2nd time was an easy labour and pain was much more mangeable (probably didnt really need it to be honest). Was great for the pain but my mind was out of control. Thought the baby was born when only half way out - I relaxed, contractions stopped. Not particularly clever. First time I had very painful contractions and the gas and air didn't touch the pain but it didnt affect me mentally. I am really going to have to think about using it again.

made me dizzy but was THE best thing ever invented during my horrendous mcs.

Couldnt have coped without it.

I can't use gas and air as it makes me throw up both times.

Me too, instant vomitting both times. Tens and epidural are good though!

Apart from a brief stoned feeling I didn't find it did much for me. To be fair though I was induced and was having very strong frequent contractions from the drip by the time I got it. I put it back down after a while and gave up on it.

My sister had a bad experience with it first time round - made her sick. Second time it was fine and helped her through the labour. Hope that helps.

Hi - I was exactly the same as you in my first labour-was taken aback at how dizzy and 'drunk' the gas and air made me feel, and I think I got a bit of a fright. As a result I DID use the gas and air but held back using as much as I should have to help me through a contraction, and ended up having a diamorphine injection as the pain just got too much (I was also on a drip to speed up my contractions as they slowed down when I went to the delivery room).
When I went into labour 11 days ago with DD2, my labour was only 3 and a half hours long, and I went to hospital about 1 and a half hours before DD2 was delivered. There was no time for pain relief other than gas and air, and I think because I KNEW how it would make me feel, I embraced it (and the contractions were very strong so I needed SOMETHING to get through it lol). I had such a positive experience of the gas and air this time, and was astounded at the change in my perception of it ! Sorry for the long post, hope this helps?

The key with G&A is to take long, deep breaths. The sickness comes with rapid shallow intakes, I think. Also I found that it made me lose all muscle tone and I sort of passed out each time. Once I knew it would happen, I just went with the flow.

I was sick the first time around with G&A every time I had a puff I was vomitting so in the end I gave up and had no pain relief. However I had it for my stiches after and it was fab - I have a needle phobia so being 'out of it' helped!

Second time I was panicing before labour about having G&A again but it was actually great. My labour was very quick and intense so I really needed it to keep things managable.

First time it didn't seem to do much but I think I started it too late when the pain was really intense and I wasn't using it properly. It was great when I was being stitched up though.Second time (much longer labour)I started it much earlier and was much more controlled using it and it worked really well.
Didn't make me feel sick either time.