The 'rules' of pain relief in childbirth

[GailLondon]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently 6 months pregnant with my second baby and starting to look ahead to the birth. With my first child, I found the whole birth very traumatic and I am trying as many things as possible to keep my anxiety to a manageable level and make it a better experience this time round. One thing I have been thinking about is how confusing it was for me in labour to keep being denied pain relief, with the midwifes saying it was too early/too late/not possible.
So, what, as far as you know are the 'rules' about pain relief in labour?
i.e. - nothing more than gas and air allowed for water birth?
- diamorphine to be given before Xcm dilation etc etc
- when is too early/late for an epidural?
Thanks!

Gas and air - no rules I am aware of.
TENS - use it early on for best effect, not compatible with water!
pool - they want you in established labour as it can slow everything down, though they tell people to take a bath in early labour
Opiates (diamorphine/pethidine) not in the pool in case it makes you drowsy and you drown, not too close to full dilation because it makes baby sleepy.
Epidural - you have to be in active labour (>4cm) and the other factor is time taken to site one and for it to take effect, so if you are ready to push it's too late. If women are induced they often have one sited before they turn on the drip, you could ask if one could be placed straight away then turned on later, so you are not waiting for an anaesthetist?

I recommend Natal Hypnotherapy CDs to help with anxiety and give you some coping strategies. It's good to have lots of options in your arsenal. second births are often shorter and easier, you may have a totally different and more manageable experience this time. Good luck.

Thanks! some good tips there. I only arrived hospital at 8cm last time so was too late for a lot of things, then spent 5hrs plus fully dilated before baby arrived/was dragged out. No wonder it was horrible.