1st Time Birth Stories - NO EPIDURAL?????

[AwwABaby]

Hi,

I'm hoping to have some not so horrific 1st time birth stories. I am 28 weeks due 19th July with my first DS.

I have chronic ITP (a very low platelet count, my blood does not clot), I have been told that an epidural is out of the question and pethadine may not be available to me either. Peth will depend on my platelet count on the day. Hospital (Pinderfields, Wakefield) don't do diomorphine but that's administered same as peth so can't have that either.

I do not want a C-Sec as they would have to knock me out and it's a bit risky with my condition - but I guess all I can do on that one is hope against hope.

Any stories appreciated or even better anyone out there who's an ITP sufferer who's pregnant I would love to talk to you.

I am totally terrified and have not slept properly in a very long time. I will have to manage on G&A.

Hoping to hear some relevant story's :)

Thanks :)

My first baby I used a bit of gas and air, but only really during transition. I've just given birth to twin boys with no drugs at all. They were both around 6lbs 7oz so over 13lbs of baby and then two placentas! And two lots of pushing...

What helped me both times was:
-always just thinking one contraction at a time so as not to get overwhelmed
-breathing through the contractions, and then blowing a raspberry at the end (I don't know why, but it really helped get rid of any tension)
-constantly thinking 'down' and 'open'
-being focused and positive

According to my husband I was mooing like a cow and was naked in front of practically the entire obstetric unit, but I was so focused I wasn't aware at all. It is hard bloody work, but can be amazing. Good luck!

No epidural or pethedine here either.
In the early stages at home I was in and out of a hot bath and had a tens machine while not in the water (spent that time wandering around the house and going up and down the stairs).
Got to the hospital at 6cm. Just had time to get the birthing pool ready and the gas and air started when I needed to push. DS was born shortly after I got into the pool.
I felt pretty 'in control' throughout and at no point felt that the pain was 'too much'.
What also helped was a supportive DH - we'd talked beforehand a out what he could do to help, questions to ask me (did I want massage, a drink etc) and the kinds of positions I liked for him to help me into.
Good luck OP!

I know nothing about your condition either but had 2 home births so no epidural or pethadine. Both times forgot to get a tens machine and gas and air did NOTHING for me but steady my breathing!

• second affirmations. I think I spent so long telling other people I hoped I'd be ok because at least there was a point to the pain that it bled into my subconscious and the positive mental attitude really helped

• yoga breathing, concentrating on your out breath, second labour especially this really helped (was much more painful) and I stopped using g&a because it stopped me concentrating on my outbreath

• massage: I found a local pregnancy masseuse who ran a session with DH to show him a variety of pain relieving techniques which really really worked for me

• I couldn't bear being low down, lying in the bath was agony but standing under a power shower (I guess similar to a massage) was amazing so even if they won't let you have a water birth they might let you shower

Good luck OP, don't be scared, you can do this xx

Hiya,

Lots of very positive things on here. I have Von Willebrands so also can't have an epidural but apparently a spinal is less risky if you need one.

I was told I could labour in water but would have to get out sharpish for the birth to prevent any blood loss issues.

I had DD naturally on a couple of paracetemol - tried one lug on the gas and air, hated it cos it tastes so plastic and threw the thing across the room. My advice for your labour is to go in knowing it will hurt, but your body can cope with it and you have to get through it for the baby so you will. For me it felt like being out of your depth in the ocean, with each wave picking you up and you have no choice but to just go with it.

Your rational brain will go out the window and your primal instincts will get you through, if you let them. and a lot of swearing.

And get some arnica pills to start taking immediately afterwards!

Good luck - will try to follow this thread as am now 33wks with my second....

I have had all 3 DS' without epidural and the only pain relief I had was gas & air with all 3 and a TENS machine.

DS1 20 hours, and yes more difficult (ventouse in the end) than the others, but at no point did I feel like I needed an epidural or other pain relief. I was in the water pool for a few hours and it made a big difference.

I think the TENS machine made a massive difference - it did help with the pain, it gave me something to do and to control, and distracted me! I also find it is a lot more bearable if you don't just sit/lie down. If I have some freedom to move then I can cope!

It is not all horror stories!!! Go in with a positive state of the mind that you CAN do it without an epidural and you might surprise yourself!

Certainly having had no pain relief, I have recovered very quickly. DS1 after long tiring labour I stayed in a whole 24 hours. DS2 was born at 12.26pm, I went home 12 hours later. DS3 I was only in hospital for a total of 4 hours. After DS2 and DS2 I was off for a walk and play in the park with the older kids with baby in pram within 1 day!

My first was 9lb and back-to-back. Managed on gas and air alone. You'll be fine! Positive thinking, lots of slow deep breathing and resist the urge to panic! Good luck!

and just to add all of mine were over 8lbs.... do think of hiring/buying a TENS machine

DS1: TENS then pool plus G&A, hospital
DS2: TENS only, home
Look on ebay for TENS machines

First birth. Tens great until about 2 1/2 hours before birth. Bit of gas and air and then in the pool. Bliss. Nearly 9lbs. Pethadine never appealed. Wanted to avoid c section because of recovery time. Never felt need for epidural. Here's hoping for similar birth for you!

My friend had no pain relief for her first child and she lived to tell the tale :)

Good luck and try to have faith in your body. DC1 was born at home when I was 38. Waterbirth - this saved my life. 6 hours of basically keeping still on all fours in the birthpool and breathing, breathing, breathing (plus drinking gallons of water and rescue remedy). Midwife arrived when baby was crowning (I was rather annoyed by the interruption tbh!); DS born an hour later. Hypnobirthing was a great help. You can do it and it is a fab experience. If you don't manage it as perfectly as you would like at least you will have given it your all. xxx

Good idea to ask for nice birth stories. You get inundated with horrible ones all the time when pregnant

I kept fit throughout and am convinced it helped.

1st dc -

My entire labour was 6 hours from first teeny tiny twinge to arrival.

TENS machine was great for contractions and gas and air for actually pushing out.

No problemo.

Also it is worth bearing in mind that whilst contractions may hurt in a strong cramp kind of way, in between contractions you feel completely normal!

Of course this isn't everyones story but it is always good to know that birth doesn't have to be awful.

Relax and go with the flow.

Don't lose sleep over it.

Good luck I hope it all goes well for you and baby. :)

walking / crawling about helped me a lot. Worried the dog though

Sounds ridiculous, but i slept through most of my labour. After ds turned from back to back to normal it was almost pain free, i had a 6hour nap, and woke up needing to push. The first bit where he was back to back was painful, but i didn't go to hospital, infact only there 20for pushing before ds born.

I've had two very positive birth experiences, one in hospital and one at home and can heartily recommend:

Ju Ju Sundin's 'Birth Skills'
Drinking gallons of raspberry leaf tea in the last 3-4 weeks before due date
Using a TENS machine

Please don't be frightened, you can do it.

Ooh.. I took raspberry leaf tea too, for about 4 weeks, at least 1 litre a day (think I overdid it, but no complaints after v. easy labour lol)

This website is wonderful for positive affirmation.

I didn't have any pain relief at all and it was manageable. I did hypnobirthing which teaches you how to manage the pain through breathing. Have you investigated whether there are any trainers in your area? I'm expecting number 2 in a couple of months and will hypnobirth again. Good luck!

maples I read your comment "I agree with gin" and thought someone had recommended drinking lots of gin!!!!!!! Yeah, well, I thought, that would work!!!

Hey! My story, 1st i knew of labour waters broke at 5.20am thought i was wetting myself so ran to the loo, went for a wee got up and stuff still came out so i thought hmm this is not wetting myself. Told oh not to panic and that my waters had broken, said i was gonna have a shower cos i felt all horrid and sticky. Got out of shower oh called my dad as he was taking us to the hospital as he did not drive at the time. Got tens machine on yes it really helps! Only cost 40 quid as well. Dad came and we went to the hospital my contractions started being 5 mins apart but were getting stronger by now. Got to the hospital at 7.20 according to my notes lol! Midwives said they would not examine me yet as too much risk of infection with broken waters but my dad could go home as they were not sending me home. Midwives stayed in the room for about an hour doing checks etc. Were just about to leave us alone for a little bit after letting me try the gas and air but said for some reason ok we'll just examine you - they did i was fully dialated!! They said i would have to start pushing i booed cos i said i wasn't ready! Told them labour for 1st baby was supposed to take 24hrs! they told me not to be silly and calmed me down! Pushed baby out with the aid of gas and air lucozade sport and water. Had taken tens off by this point as was getting in the way. Baby was out by 10.06AM This was my 1st baby! only 2 tiny tears just wanted to say not all 1st labours are slow and painful some are quick and a bit shocking but good for the speed really. Good luck and don't worry that you can't have an epidural.

My DSis had all four of her DC with no pain relief stronger than paracetamol (and a bath, although I realise that's not an option for you).

She said it hurt, but it was bearable pain.

It's a bit New Age, but Ina May Gaskin's book has some useful suggestions for natural pain relief approaches. Janet Balaskas is someone else who has lots of good stuff on labouring positions and preparation involving yoga.

Good luck, you can do it!!

I am expecting my 4th. I was totally terrified at the idea of being injectedd in the spine and being paralysed from the waist down!! Also,I worried about the other options pethidine etc crossing the placenta and effecting the baby.
So, fro number one I planned a water birth. That lasted a few hours until I got bored and went very wrinkly and decided the pain was no less...so got out and had her about 7 hours later on the bed!
Number 2 came very quickly. First time I was checked they said I wasn't in active labour and sent me to walk about.
I had to go back after about an hour as I was in such pain.
I said "You're going to have to give me an epidural or something because if this is just the start,I can't cope!!!" and the midwife replied "No time for that love...PUUUUSH!"
Number 3 came within a few hours (have to say this was the most painful,but each baby has got bigger so maybe that's why) again I had nothing but gas and air. I find that it's great at first. I remember giggling and saying to dh "Am I melting??!I feel like I'm melting!!" If i'm honest,it doesn't help so much when the pain gets intense,but I always like to have the tube just to bite down on,and the sucking gives you something to focus on too.

I really wouldn't focus too much on the pain relief. It's incredibly daunting the first time,I know. But you will get through it,and then you will forget! Otherwise we would only have the one!
Lots of luck xx

No epidural. I literally walked in about 15 minutes after my first contraction (we lived 5 minutes away from the hospital, and DH freaked out at my first contraction) and ended up being 9 cm, so too late. I gave birth to a 9 pound bowling ball about 3 hours later. Not the most fun thing, but I ended up doing it again with no epidural, and I don't imagine that even with an epidural birth is fun.

No pain relief for DS1 or DS2. I did go for some hypnobirthing sessions with an NCT counsellor before the birth of DS1, but I forgot everything during the birth . Listening to a relaxation CD about giving birth easily did help me cope with my fears about labour though (my mum had helpfully told me it was the worst pain ever ). Also, I made sure that both babies were in the right position before birth as the baby's position affects the type of birth you have (first baby was potentially a back to back labour, but I used a rocking chair from Jean Sutton and he turned; second baby was breech, but was turned in the hospital before birth).

I know everyone has widely varying experiences, but, in my case, both births were absolutely manageable without any pain relief at all. I had intended to have a water birth and use gas and air the first time, but in the intensity of the birth (it was relatively quick - four hours), I couldn't concentrate on the instructions and threw the mask away. I never made it to the pool. So long as nobody touched me or told me what to do, I was fine being left to myself to get through it. The contractions were incredibly powerful and took my breath away, but I wouldn't call them painful exactly.

My second birth was what a midwife termed a 'silent labour', which means that I didn't have painful contractions. Again, I was in a lot of what I would call discomfort, rather than pain (was unable to sit down because that hurt, so did a lot of walking round), but it was entirely manageable. Eventually went into hospital because I was bleeding and the midwives found that I was fully dilated and ready to push . I had no idea.

Neither of my births was anything like what you see on TV and in films. It makes me cross when you see childbirth portrayed so dramatically and painfully because it terrifies all the young women who've never given birth. I spent all my youth terrified of childbirth because of what my mother had told me and what I had seen on television. However, my personal experience was overwhelmingly positive, for which I am very grateful.

If I were you, I would do a hypnobirthing course or try this relaxation CD from the NCT to help you feel more relaxed now and give you some coping skills for the birth itself.