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Pregnancy

Be Informed! Or is ignorance bliss?

57 replies

highlander · 09/03/2004 16:27

As a first timer (well, at 35 I'm an old-timer as well, but that's another story), I've lost count of the number of web sites instructing me to be 'informed' about pregnancy.

However, I find that the information exposure raises my BP and leaves me so terrified and out of control that I immediately make a run for Hula Hoops and Snickers bars!

It particulary gets my goat when the advice proffered is a tad 'you SHOULD do this', or the information is very biased.

Examples:

Breastfeeding - like all new mums, I'd love to give this a go and I've found the web info very helpful for that crucial first 2 weeks when I would be likely to give up- Latching position, the fact that newborns don't need a lot in the first week, importance of professional BF support etc. However, I'm not going to beat myself up and subject myself to months of pain if I hate it/can't do it etc. I hate the way the info available akins bottles to infanticide!
Sections - I WANT a section. Despite the disadvantages,It's for me; it's my CHOICE. And yet I can't find a single bit of info on the web that supports me. All I can get are scary stories!

I could go on ............ but I'm seething again. Now, where's the choccy......

OP posts:

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Cam · 10/03/2004 15:41

Re: pethidine, my own experience is that I had it twice in both labours and both my dd's were born not very long after the second injection. Both my dds fed straightaway and were not sleepy.

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mears · 10/03/2004 16:11

I had pethidine first time and baby didn't feed for 12 hours (liked it but it made me talk rubbish). Next babies I had 'gas and air' and I loved it. Pupuce and I disagree on that one It can be very useful for women who are finding contractions too intense and, if breathed properly, can avoid the need for an injection of Pethidine or Diamorphine.

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pupuce · 10/03/2004 19:00

HMC - if you read my post again you will see that I did say that pethidine should not be administered to close of the delivery - exactly as your Dr and MW have said.... - otherwise you often have to administer an antidote...so we are in agreement - or am I missing something?

Mears - not sure we disagree but I know what you mean,.... all I am saying is that plenty of woman around the world (and I am not talking obscure countries) but Europe and the US do not have gas and air... I also know quite a few women in the UK who didn't need G&A. Often (NOT always) good breathing and support can be enough.... When ever I had women refuse the G&A, MW were pushing them actively "it will take the edge off" but what they failed IMO to understand is that these women can cope with this pain in the rythm they are in at that moment,... constant interruption is not helpful, they feel OK! (BTW - not having a go - you know me )

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pupuce · 10/03/2004 19:01

HMC - if you read my post again you will see that I did say that pethidine should not be administered to close of the delivery - exactly as your Dr and MW have said.... - otherwise you often have to administer an antidote...so we are in agreement - or am I missing something?

Also grunting is quite common in newborns... nothing to do with pethidine ! Mears - can you enlighten us ?

Mears - not sure we disagree but I know what you mean,.... all I am saying is that plenty of woman around the world (and I am not talking obscure countries) but Europe and the US do not have gas and air... I also know quite a few women in the UK who didn't need G&A. Often (NOT always) good breathing and support can be enough.... When ever I had women refuse the G&A, MW were pushing them actively "it will take the edge off" but what they failed IMO to understand is that these women can cope with this pain in the rythm they are in at that moment,... constant interruption is not helpful, they feel OK! (BTW - not having a go - you know me )

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pupuce · 10/03/2004 19:02

Sorry for double post.... this is an additional sebtence in post number 2:

Also grunting is quite common in newborns... nothing to do with pethidine ! Mears - can you enlighten us ?

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spacemonkey · 10/03/2004 19:22

Your observations about G&A are totally correct IME pupuce. I didn't have any pain relief with my 2nd labour, but felt pressganged by the MWs into having G&A right at the end and this resulted in my feeling a loss of control and a sharp increase in pain

I had pethidine with my 1st labour and it was dreadful (administered early though so AFAIK there were no ill effects on dd). I fell asleep between each contraction only to be woken, shocked and unprepared, by the worst pain I've ever known. Bloody awful stuff IMO!

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mears · 10/03/2004 19:30

Grunting can be quite common, especially with babies born by C/S although it can happen to any baby. It is not necessarily connected to Pethidine.
I agree with the point that midwives should not 'force' gas and air on anyone. Pain relief should always be at the woman's request, however sometimes I do suggest it when it is obvious that the woman is not coping i.e. unable to breathe or relax at all.