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Pregnancy

natural pain relief for labour

17 replies

Krythia · 27/09/2006 20:00

Hi there. Am pregnant with 3rd, but in Germany as DH is in the army, so will have baby here. Have just found out they don't use gas and air here, which was all I had (+ TENS) with the others, and loved and relied on it, so am panicking a bit. Does anyone have any suggestions for any other pain relief? I am clueless about aromatherapy/homeopathy so would love to know if anyone has any experience.

OP posts:

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Miaou · 27/09/2006 20:08

What about a water birth? Excellent pain relief in water.

Spidermama · 27/09/2006 20:17

I had nothing. The body produces endorphins which go some way to dealing with it. It still cops a bit, for sure, but I liked being able to feel everything.

I'm not trying to be smug, just letting you know that it is a real option for some people, but not one we hear about all that often because women seem to be actively discouraged from doing it this way.

Actually I made a lot of controlled mooing noises and danced around which really did help with the pain. I was at home though, and I think perhaps in hospital they might be less tolerant of my mooing which is one of the reasons they prefer women to be sedated or at least quietened. Understandable.

Spidermama · 27/09/2006 20:18

Otherwise I've heard great things about hypno birthing and about acupuncture in labour, though Ihaven't tried either.

Mercy · 27/09/2006 20:29

Spidermama, lol at mooing, excellent description I did lots of OTT grunting, moaning, chanting and swearing. And lots and lots of punching the bed. But all in a very rhythmic(sp) way, I found that really useful.

2nd time around I was able to control things a bit more. Loads of deep breathing (and chanting fuck, fuck, fuck !)

Good luck Krythia!

Spidermama · 27/09/2006 20:31

An excellent suggestion for a repetitive affirmation mercy. ('fuck! fuck! fuck!) I was always told to say things like, 'I am opening, I am a flower blooming etc' but it isn't quite so effective somehow.

acnebride · 27/09/2006 20:35

I would have liked g&a but it didn't work (I think the mouthpiece was broken). TENS, water, movement and noise did a lot for me but i was lucky to have a short labour.

What's the system in Germany? Could you ask your midwife or doctor whether it's possible for them to prescribe Entonox even if it's unlicensed for labour in Germany? Is it ever used for other procedures there?

Krythia · 27/09/2006 21:08

The germans class entonox as an anaesthetic so will not use it as an anaesthetist would have to be present throughout the labour, so no luck with the prescription idea, sadly. Spidermama - 'cops a lot' - words fail me! With DS1 I was very blase in terms of 'all a question of mind over matter' but 12 hours into it I had to admit it bloody hurt, and then after another 6 was delighted with gas and air. With DS2 the first stage was even longer, which beggars belief, and just as painful (and I am no wimp) so I am resigned to another long slow and painful one now

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acnebride · 27/09/2006 21:10

oh blimey. i would schedule a long holiday in the UK tbh

Krythia · 27/09/2006 21:12

would love to - bit long for the school run though! One thing's for sure - DH is DEFINIETELY going for the snip now!!!!!

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acnebride · 27/09/2006 21:17

Yup - with TENS only

Krythia · 27/09/2006 21:18

lol! I don't feel that kind.....! I asked him tonight if I could watch while it was being done as he didn't want to - his face was a picture.....

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MKG · 28/09/2006 15:08

I did hypnobirthing and it was great. I slept through most of two hours of pushing.

Rumpel · 01/10/2006 18:37

Try getting a Helios homeopathic birthing kit - google it and the website will come up.
Also read up on essential oils - jasmine, lavender and rose or clary-sage in a base oil.

Krythia · 03/10/2006 19:43

Hi Rumpel - I saw this Helios kitin a magazine - can you recommend it personally?

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squishy · 03/10/2006 19:51

And if you're getting in touch with Helios, their sales advisors are also homeopaths and one had some really good ideas for me for arnica, too. Have taken Rumpel's advice and got jasmine, clary sage, lavender, geranium and am thinking will probably blend the first 3 together as they seem to be a good combination of top, middle and base notes (have I got it right?! ). Although I've since read that if you don't like the smell of clary sage, it may not help - Rumpel, can you advise? (I think it smells awful, but lavender seems to make many things smell better!)

I've also gone for hypnobirthing and water as well (I need as many odds as possible stacked in my favour!).

Good luck Krythia, haven't checked up on your other thread for a while, hope things still going well on that front.

Rumpel, aren't you due very soon?!

squishy · 03/10/2006 19:53

ooh, I don't know if anyone's tried Rescue remedy as well, but that couldn't hurt, I don't think!

3andnomore · 03/10/2006 20:32

Bach Rescue Remedy is brill

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