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 :)

Oh yes, and I did yoga during first pregnancy to keep fit and drank lots of raspberry leaf tea before the birth. Forgot all that second time around and was still fine though.

Just noticed that CD is out of stock at the NCT, but it is available from Amazon here.

Natal hypnotherapy (UK version to hypnobirthing) - get the book by Maggie Howell

First child - slow labour for 5 days: tens machine, natal hypno' breathing and techniques, g & a when I got to 7cm, pushed dd out with 90 min (total of 10 hours "hard" labour)

Tiredness got me more than the pain. Learning to breathe & relax between contractions will definitely help.

Good luck

When did this assumption come in that every woman is going to need an epidural? Absolutely - I don't like the concept and intend to avoid having one if I can - but if a woman during her labour feels she needs one, then fair do's, you do what you need to.

But it's this idea, this assumption, going into the labour, that a woman can't cope without one - where did that come from? It seems to sad :( There's every possibility a woman wants/needs one and I am absolutely not discounting that, but if you go into it thinking you need one, and panicking if it's not a foregone conclusion of a guarantee of getting one....Is it the way birthing is written in films, do you think, with women screaming and writhing in agony, that led us down this path?

I'm definitely not advocating my approach to my first birth - because it's very much wrapped up in having the space to follow my instincts and be very active, very pro hypnobirthing. And who is to say I don't end up begging for one :) I completely recognise that approach is not for everyone and would never say my way is right for every single woman in the world. But surely...just give it a chance, see how you get on? See if you do actually need an epidural?

I feel so bad for women who go into it with such fear. Absolutely I am apprehensive of the pain and how things will play out. But I'm also weirdly looking forward to it - I am under no illusion it will be all flowers and fairies, and a few breaths and poof - out pops my gorgeous little baby. But when I think about the physical and mental mess state I will be in, it's that that I weirdly look forward to, if that makes sense? And all I know is - fear makes you physically tense, and more than any other time in your life, your body needs you relaxed. And I could absolutely reign down a storm on whoever it was that starting putting the fear of god into women going into labour - doctors, the media, who/whatever it was, they have a lot to answer for!

Since reading all the posts I have become a lot more relaxed knowing that it's just about mindset and trying to have a positive attitude.

From friends and family I have had nothing but horrible 1st time birth stories and they always ended with 'but don't worry just have an epidural' that's when I have to launch into I CAN'T BLOODY HAVE ONE.

bettybat - I totally agree I think that the fear has just got bigger and bigger in women as generations evolve. My nan had 7 kids back in the day without anything who would have 7 kids if it was truly not bearable. That's my train of thought and I'm sticking with it. Although I would prefer to still have the epidural as an option/last resort as I think it may have kept me a bit calmer, but such is life. I just want my baby boy now - Cannot wait :)

Loving all the stories - Just ordered my Tenns Machine and Juju book.

Recommend reading Sheila Kitzinger on natural birth too... I also spent a lot of time on the internet reading positive birth stories. Wasn't this site but something like it www.positivebirthstories.com/ It's akin to positive visulisation really (another technique I used).

Totally agree with Bettybat. When I was 38 and about to give birth and telling people that I had a homebirth planned, they mostly just laughed in disbelief. I always added the disclaimer that of course I would get myself to hospital (luckily very nearby) if the baby's well-being was in any way compromised. Still, no one believed I'd do it. It was a truly wonderful experience and one of my greatest achievements. Sorry to be smug if that's how it seems - my intention is to encourage.

You'll do it AwwbABaby - you'll discover this incredible power and determination and your body will know what to do.

I had a very long 68 hour labour and had a tens machine from the start. I don't honestly know if the tens helped but I think it did, it was distracting anyway.
I had a few warm baths which made me feel more comfortable. Then was allowed to stay in hospital when I got to 7cm. I had G&A from about half an hour later until I started pushing, so about 2 hours of G&A in total. By the time I was pushing I just found it annoying and in the way. I also turned off the tens as that was annoying me too!

Some might say my labour was easy and not as painful because it was so long, and I can't be sure I'll cope as easily this time. But I'm hoping I can go for a combination of warm baths, careful breathing, a tens machine, G&A and hopefully a birth pool and all will be manageable! I definitely hate the idea of an epidural or pethidine so I will be avoiding those if possible.

I used a Mama-tens machine for about 3 days solidly, listened to relaxing music, tried to deep breathe and had gas and air. Have had a tummy bug the last few days and that was much worse. I don't remember there being unbearable pain - I've had severe period pains in the past which I also found much worse. I'm actually a bit of a wimp when it comes to feeling out of control so im more scared of having an epidural. Now I'm pregnant with my second I'm hoping to use the same techniques!

AwwbABaby , absolutely you can do it. Since your own birth, in evolutionary terms, your body has been gearing up for this moment :) I do believe our bodies know what to do, and if medicine just backed off a little bit, and we are given the space to, we would get on with things. Of course, there may be complications, or you may feel you do need support (which is perfectly OK!) and it's wonderful to have modern medicine there to step in at that point.

I'm only four months along, but in the beginning I had a lot of fear. And like clickingtock, I also read the stories on the positive births site. And reading them, this feeling came over me of just such pride to be a woman. These women talked about their labours, approached their labours in such a wonderfully fierce-mama way, I just felt such awe at what we're capable of. I used to hear women say they felt sorry for men for not getting to experience it - and in my youth I would think "God, lucky men!". But now I am getting it. I do feel sorry for them because I feel such an immense sense of pride with what my body can do.

I read in the Good Birth Companion that contractions are a finite number...each one that comes is one down...each one down is one closer to your baby. And god, that made me feel so much better! And more than that - every single person you come into contact with - someone gave birth to them. A woman did that.

So AwwbABaby it is likely to hurt, there might be complications, you might feel you need support...But none of those things are a foregone conclusion. Read all the books on hypnobirthing, block out the horrible birth stories, watch videos on Youtube of home births or natural births - I don't know what it is about but they are so calm and lovely, surround yourself not just with positivity but a "I can do this" attitude...Give yourself a chance and approach it with pride, approach it without fear and you might just surprise yourself with what you're capable of :)

clickingtock I'm so in awe of your first time, home birth! You're my hero! It's exactly what I want to do, but can feel myself caving from all the when I mention it to people.

I had epidural with dc 1 and 2. One was fab two didn't really work. So when I had ds3 I had gas and air only. It was a back to back labour as well. It is so doable. I was sure I wanted and epi but I was fine. I found the recovery easier the 3rd time as well.

I had a pretty pain free (home) birth using natal hypnotherapy...

ok i had pethidine in the house, and midwifes bought G&A with them but i didnt use or need any of them

TENS machine was ample, though i did use level 4 and boos for the actual birth

I didnt have time to get in my pool... i wasnt sure if i was in labour as it didnt hurt... when midwife arrived i was 7cm, and 20mins later i was a mummy. Pool was too hot so i gave birth kneeling on the sofa

i had drunk gallons of raspberry leaf tea and used homeopathy in preparation, and honestly it was fine. the following week or so learning to breastfeed was far more painful then having a baby

Gas and air, and a pool.
12 hours in and out of the birthing unit. The key is to breathe breathe breathe and not get worked up. You've got to try and stay relaxed as best you can!
I had no problems whatsoever, and I couldn't recommend a pool enough, it helped so much.
I'm now pregnant with my second and hoping for a natural birth this time round too.

People tend to forget that us women are made to get through labour and birth without any drugs anyway!

Wishing you the best of luck :)

I haven't read all the other posts as have just dipped in but I only had gas and air but most importantly the birthing pool. Was totally manageable. Lots of friends have done hypno birthing for second and I will do same. Good luck, every labour is different and chances are you will manage.

I don't have your condition, but I'm here to tell you YOU CAN DO IT. I had DS in a 24 hour labour (induced on a drip) with no epidural. I didn't like the idea of it for some reason . I had pethedine early on in the labour (before the drip went in) to get some rest before they started everything up. It was quite weird, so I can see why some people don't like it. You won't be missing much there. In the end, DS arrived after 2 hours of pushing - he was back to back, face up, with his arm raised over his head, superman style. They were prepping me for an emergency CS (pretty much unheard of in Holland - they're really into natural childbirth there) but we got there in the end.

Moral of the story: if i can do that, anyone can! My first thoughts when I held DS were literally that I'd do it all again for him if I could. I'm 7 weeks pregnant again now so maybe I will, who knows.

Stop worrying. You'll be absolutely fine. You'll feel like an Amazon when you've done it as well, promise. Personally, I think childbirth is a rite of passage and it prepares you for all that's to come... It's painful but brilliant, really.

No epidural for me and no gas and air either, just a relaxation natal hypnotherapy CD to listen to and the use of birthing pool. I did have some pain, but I found I could control it with the use of relaxation techniques. I also had alot of tearing and had to be cut to get DS out, but all without any drugs for pain relief. I would start doing relaxation techniques now so that by the time you are due you will be prepared.

I am 34+4 and will be doing the natal hypnotherapy again with this LO, so hope to not need anything this time .

Good luck

"the following week or so learning to breastfeed was far more painful then having a baby"

Now aint that the truth!!

Ooh yes. Birth was a breeze compared to b-fing... but don't let us put you orf!!

Hi, my 1st baby now 5 months old. Still totally in love ...

Birth = brilliant. Water birth. No pain relief. Very Manageable IMHO as long as no complications. I prepared myself well mentally to cope with the pain (it does hurt, but it can be managed and you know it will end and also the end result is amazing)

Breastfeeding. No problem. Still doing so after 5 months and have had Mastitis and a huge breast abcess. I'm not a martyr but what kept me going was that I enjoy the closeness with my daughter. If it made memiserable, then maybe that would be different.

There have been moments, but all is forgiven when I look at my amazing little girl.

Maybe I've been lucky or maybe my glass is always half full...

Good Luck!

Pethidine and diamorphine, or any other opiate for that matter, are not contraindicated for mothers with ITP. Dependent on your platelet count on admission (usually >100) you could also have an epidural. Worth asking for an antenatal anaesthetic review to discuss your options, although as the very many reassuring messages show, you probably won't need it. Best be prepared though IMHO.

hi I had my first with no pain relief at all, and not even gas and air, ( i kept telling the MW that the G&A was not working,was ignored and told to breathe, it was not until they got a man in to do the stitches that he announced the G&A thing was broken, the MWs listened to him but not to me!)It was a very long labour with over 2 hours of pushing, and he was born with his fist next to his head. It was awful but i got through it and a year later had another baby, this time with G&A!! in the run up to it i just kept thinking 'its just a few hours of pain'
hope this helps and good luck to you

I had no pain relief (not even g&a as not offered where I live) except tens machine for early stages at home. I used breathing and hypnobirthing techniques plus lots of different positions, walking, bath, massage thanks to my husband and doula and I can honestly say I didn't ever feel pain - intense pressure like nothing else on earth but not pain. And I felt amazing afterwards. It was just 3 weeks ago and DD is fast asleep on me at the moment .

Just to second the juju sundin active birth book an also try hypnobirthing CDs or classes if there is one run near you.
I had a difficult first labour and did have an epidural but lots don't need it, particularly if baby is in a good position.

OP you might want to look at the MN thread reviewing the Natal Hypnotherapy CDs (you don't need to pay for classes if it's a bit steep) - some very positive natural birth stories there, really encouraging.