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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Why would you not want pain relief?

107 replies

handlemecarefully · 28/10/2003 09:06

Okay, don't get hot under the collar with me for asking this question. I'm not being judgemental, but I really am mystified why some mothers want to avoid all pain relief when giving birth. If you have decided to avoid all pain relief during your birth, please would you mind sharing with me your reasons why? I genuinely do want to understand....

I'm on baby no 2 by the way (due next spring) so I have been through childbirth myself already...

OP posts:
Enid · 28/10/2003 09:12

Because I suffer from very low blood pressure while pg and an epidural can lower it further, I genuinely HATE the idea of an injection in my spine, pethidine is an opiate and I don't like the idea of it and it can make the baby drowsy, gas and air doesn't really work for me.

Also I found it a massive confidence boost - if I could give birth with no drugs I can do anything!

I had pethidine with my first birth which was useless and just made me feel scarily out of it. No time for anything with my second and it was fine.

If I had a third I would ideally love to have a birth like my second (but without the retained placenta!) - quick, no drugs, amazing recovery time. But like everything I think its best to be open minded and I certainly wouldn't think I had failed if I had an epidural (although I really think that is unlikely now).

WideWebWitch · 28/10/2003 09:19

Hi HMC, I do want some pain relief but not certain things so I'll happily explain. I don't want an epidural since the whole needle in my spine thing - i.e. the fact that it's a lumbar puncture scares me. I know it's not particularly rational and that loads of people have them but I just can't face the idea. I quite liked the idea of pethedine but have spoken to a few people and have done some reading and I don't think that's for me either. Mainly because it's a powerful opiate and I don't like the idea of hallucinating etc. I know not everyone does but I can't face the possibility so I'd rather do without. I had gas and air when ds was born and it really helped. It felt slightly like being drunk to me and although I could still feel the pain, IIRC I didn't care as much as I had before the gas and air! So although I have nothing against pain relief per se and would take a painkiller if I had a headache or something, the options for childbirth aren't for me. I don't blame anyone for having them, not at all and if there was something I could take that would NOT involve a needle in my spine or narcotics then maybe I'd go for it. I am slightly scared of a lack of feeling in childbirth too (I know, weirdo or what) since last time my body gave me very loud, clear and powerful signals about what to do and I don't really want to drown those out with pain relief which is what I think would happen with an epidural. Maybe somewhere deep down I believe that I need to feel my body telling me what to do in childbirth in order to be able to follow my instincts but maybe I'm just a wuss about needles. I certainly don't blame anyone for going for all the pain relief available - it's just not been for me so far (no 2 due in 3 and a bit weeks). Immediately after ds I said I wanted an epidural if I ever did it again but 6 years later here I am, having decided it's not for me this time either.

Enid · 28/10/2003 09:22

Agree with www that I like to be able to listen to what my body is telling me (ok, I know that sounds like hippy crap but I do!)

dinosaur · 28/10/2003 09:44

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Tinker · 28/10/2003 09:49

HMC - didn't want to avoid all pain relief (had pethidine) but the idea of a needle in my spine was a big no-no for me. May be an irrational fear out of proportion to the risks but, for me, didn't want to take the chance. Can't say I felt exactly the same towards the end of the labour but would certianly feel the same way if I should ever get pregnant again.

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 28/10/2003 09:52

Gosh Dinosaur,

You've got me thinking. My dd had breathing difficulties when she was born and spent 36 hours in SCBU (she wasn't nearly as poorly as you ds1 though). She too was tested for infection but they found nothing on the cultures. I wonder if it could have been anything to do with the 2 shots of pethidine that I had....

Must talk to my obstetrician about it!

OP posts:
elliott · 28/10/2003 09:56

Well, I don't really come under the category of 'not wanting pain relief' either, but I've become more anti certain options since going through childbirth. With ds, I was fairly open minded although I knew I would prefer not to have an epidural - seemed very invasive, I didn't like the thought of being confined to bed and monitored, and I had read and heard anecdotally of a higher risk of assisted delivery. I think my birth plan said something like 'start at the bottom and work my way up as necessary'. I would definitely have had diamorphine if the labour hadn't progressed quickly - in the event there was no time. And having experienced how 'with it' both ds and myself were after delivery, I'm really glad I didn't have it and would definitely aim to avoid it next time - Ireally don't like the idea of being 'knocked off' and sleepy. Gas and air is a different matter though.....bring it on!!

dinosaur · 28/10/2003 10:11

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

zebra · 28/10/2003 10:17

I can't think of a single form of pain relief on offer that doesn't have some controversary associated with it. Epidurals/Spinals/Caudals can cause life long back pain and they involve a big needle in the spine. Pethidine/Narcotics can cause breathing problems in the baby and pethidine didn't help me with pain relief, at all. Gas and Air makes some women very nauseaus, and the Americans were unconvinced of its safety until very recently. Acupuncture? Involves needles! TENS? Didn't work for me just felt like someone was kicking me in the back. General? All sorts of risks that offers. Hypnosis? Maybe, but who would want to rely on it?... Alcohol probably works, but only in doses that are definitely bad for baby if prolonged.

I would still use Gas & Air myself, but fully understand any woman who doesn't want to face all these choices & risks. Mere pain is pretty simple, by comparison.

ThomCat · 28/10/2003 10:27

Because why go in there thinking 'I'm taking all the drugs I can' before you know if you'll need them or not?

I would have taken them if I felt I really needed to but I didn't. I felt in control and I wanted to experience the birth of my daughter not be lying on a bed doped up to the eyeballs and unable to move properly, which is how I saw it, personally, at the time. Not having a go at women who do want that - each to his own - I just really didn't want it to be like that for me, not if I could help it.

I loved being pregnant, loved everything it did to my body and how it made me feel and wanted the same with the birth, if possible. From 1st contraction to babe in arms was 6 hours and I never felt exhausted or out of control or unable to cope so why would I have taken pain relief? I think gas and air or anything else would have just interfered with the job I was perfectly able to get on with on my own. I was lucky in that respect. Next time might not be so easy and I may need help, I hope not but I wouldn't be a martyr, the most important thing is the safe delivery of your child.

So that's why I didn't do it.

M2T · 28/10/2003 10:32

HMC - I had diamorphine and G & A with my ds. But next time I hope to avoid the diamorphine. It made me sleepy, spaced-out and I felt so out of control. I also blame that for the fact that ds had no interest in latching onto the breast when he was born. AND after the birth I was still so woozy I didn't want to hold ds.

I'd really like to be more aware next time.

.... hopefully there is going to be a next time!

Batters · 28/10/2003 10:33

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WideWebWitch · 28/10/2003 10:33

Zebra, your post make me laugh

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 28/10/2003 10:43

Zebra's post made me laugh too and I'm tempted by the alcohol.

However after an acutely painful spine to spine labour last time lasting >30 hours I'm not totally convinced that pain is simple by comparison!

OP posts:
Batters · 28/10/2003 10:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 28/10/2003 10:45

That's okay Batters

I knew what you meant!

OP posts:
Blu · 28/10/2003 10:55

I used lots of pain relief which was effective for me...TENS, yoga style breathing, pool, consumption of entire cherry cake (not yet taught in NCT classes, but it will be, just wait and see), spending 28 hours on all fours or kneeling fowards, and didn't actually need anything else. Well, until the last minute when I demended an epidural as there was a Gladiator-style ventouse delivery going on as a last ditch attempt to avoid CS. Just wanted to avoid the inconvenience of an epidural afterwards, wanted to avoid drugs passing to DS...but took what I needed when I felt that I needed it. Feel very strongly that pain-relief should be a judgementalist-free zone.(BTW, I think I am right in saying Pethidine is banned, or at least not prescribed, at Kings's in London, and possible the whole of that NHS Trust, because of effect on baby)

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 28/10/2003 11:00

I've been influenced by Blu and dinosaur to be a 'pethidine free zone' for baby no 2 - but I'm still keeping an epidural up my sleeve.

OP posts:
FairyMum · 28/10/2003 11:03

I think that regardless of what you wish for, the kind of labour you have will determine what kind of pain relief you will go for. I had "decided" to try without pain relief for my first labour because I had read all about how you would be more in control of your body without epidural etc.
I have had 2 very dfferent labours and therefore very different needs for pain relief. IMO it is not necessarily how painful your contractions are, but how long your labour lasts for that determines your need for relief. Inmy first labour I managed without much pain relief and I suppose I was in control. However, in my second labour I had to have the pain relief to regain some control......
IMO, the best thing is to expect nothing and be open-minded.

motherinferior · 28/10/2003 11:16

Pethedine was certainly available at King's when I had dd1 in Feb 2001, Blu. Not that I went for it (I was epiduralled).

For me, having decided on a home birth the second time, it wasn't so much about pain relief as what would relieve pain without necessitating all the other hassle. I came out of my first labour saying 'god, how does anyone do that without drugs' and felt the same way for the next year or so; when I was about 6 months pregnant this time round I started thinking about other pain relieving options. Which doesn't, obviously, answer your question as I'm quite curious too!

aloha · 28/10/2003 11:16

No pain relief I can just about get my head around (sort of...) but the lack of sleep! My god! 28 hours with no sleep! That sounds even worse than the pain. Even in the darkest days of having a non-sleeping baby it was never that bad.

Twinkie · 28/10/2003 11:21

Message withdrawn

Blu · 28/10/2003 11:26

Fairymum, that about sums it up! I do think common sense and women having confidence in what they want / need is more important than campaigning.
Aloha: ABSOLUTELY RIGHT re lack of sleep!

LIZS · 28/10/2003 12:10

Hi HMC

I'd had gas and air for ds' delivery which was with a ventouse - his heart rate was slowing with each contraction as he had cord around his neck. Also used a Tens machine for early labour until reached the point towards the end where it fell off and I didn't notice. With dd my options were different - Entinox is simply not readily available in Swiss Hospitals, it is either injected drugs or natural. I wanted to avoid an epidural due to my overwhelming feeling that restricting my mobility last time (continous monitoring) had hindered progress and possibly partly caused my subsequent coccyx pain, although I had it as a back up plan. There was a birthing pool available and props such as birthing ball, stool etc. However what made the biggest difference was the confidence I had in the OB Gyn who I knew would be there to deliver her. We had discussed the problems of ds' birth and he knew what I would tolerate. I cannot recommend the benefits of continuity of care highly enough.

In the end my contractions went from manageable for a long time (6+ hours) to excruciating very suddenly, so I missed out the pool and tens machine and went straight to delivery. I did have an injection of a muscle relaxant. Have to say I surprised myself with coping with it but was glad when it was all over.

Not sure what this adds to the debate but hope it helps,

outofpractice · 28/10/2003 13:06

HMC, I think whether or not you want a "natural" drug-free labour or an "all mod cons" labour depends on your personal views and politics. If you are the type of person who likes organic food rather than processed food, exercise rather than cosmetic surgery, meditation rather than expressos, then you are probably the sort of person that is very concerned if at all possible to avoid drugs getting into your newborn baby's system.