Distraction technique for labour??

[Doublebubblebubble]

Hi all - I'm in a bit of a panic today - I've got two weeks left and its suddenly occurred to me that I'm going to be having a baby coming out of my vajayjay very very soon. Dd was born at 39+6..

Anyway. I could have had a c section (due to history) but I stupidly declined because I had some stubbornness/pride... "I can do this" etc

I have opted for (well my birthplan says and I know that we can change our minds) just having entinox. And I was reading about the distraction technique... I was thinking I might try to crochet things for as long as I can (I'm fairly quick in labour)... Does that sound crazy... Has anyone tried the technique before?? I kind of want to save face and not have to have pain relief... God I'm just in such a panic about everything!!

Honestly? It might work initially but once it properly starts, you can't distract yourself. It's too intense.

Vajayjay?

There is a book by Juju Sundin called Birth Skills that many on Mumsnet swear by. I've read it. It gives you a variety of coping techniques involving stress balls, feet stamping, sounds, hands etc for various kinds of pain.

It is not my kind of thing, just as different approaches are for different people. But it sounds like you could use it. Have a read.

I knitted all the way brought labour with my first, but then I had a wonderous epidural! Not sure I could trust myself to count properly without pain relief!

And I managed to wash the tank top I knitted too hot and it fleeced, arses.

I also labour quite quickly and I didnt have pain relief with my DD (not through choice, but they didnt realised I was so far along). I was able to get to 9cm before it was too much to distract myself. However, I did use the distraction technique until then and did crosswords with my husband.

I must confess, when i hit 10cm and had a job to do. There was no distracting me. However, this was over in a hour. So, I suppose it depends on your pain threshold? This time I havent decided if I will try no pain relief or go with all the drugs I can.

I think you should bring a few things with you. Judge it minute by minute, or contraction by contraction and dont get stressed if naff all works and just take all the drugs the midwife will offer!!! Lol

aj I'm pretty much the same as you.

My labour time was 4.5 hours total - I went from 2cms to 10 in an hour - the majority was getting to 2 and pushing DD out lol all I had was gas and air for her.. Then when I had my twins who were stillborn my labour total was just under 6 hours. Induced at 3pm dat1 born 8:11pm dat2 born 8:40pm the same day. Given the circumstances of that birth I was allowed to have anything I wanted pain relief wise (and to be fair to me - I tried it all) but nothing worked apart from entinox...

Why didnt I just opt for the c sec this time!!! Curse you pride!!

I was going to bring a puzzle book and I was thinking even if I cant physically hold pen to paper I could dictate shout the answers to dh. I'm also bringing my tablet that I've got Netflix and a few games on and the crocheting... Not sure if I was planning on making anything - just wanted to concentrate on the stitches. I will give that book a good go thank you lovelies xx

Doublebubblebubble I am so sorry to hear about your twins. I cant even imagine how you were able to do that.

Is it too late to op for a C Section? Although you have brought three babies into this world. It sounds like you are made of stern stuff. I have every confidence you could breeze it this time!!!

My DH called out the questions and i answered him when we did the puzzles. No need for a pen at all.

I also have a friend that 'danced' (pretty sure she wiggled) through a contraction. It s supposed to help bring the baby down quicker.

I also know someone who practiced yoga moves in the early part of labour. She said it switched off her mind. (It seems I know a lot of quirky people!!)

Either way, you will be wonderful. Plus, if your partner asks you a hard crossword question, you can pretend you are in the middle of a contraction and can't concentrate

Thank you
Xx

I'm not sure about the csec - seems a bit late in the day to be changing my mind especially seeing how difficult stubborn I've been. I reckon they'd just tell me to f off lol I just want him out now... Getting so stressed worrying (and worrying about worrying). X think I might try the dancing too. X

Doing a crossword got me to 8-9cms with dc1! After that nothing will distract you ??

Isn't it funny that we are all so different. I am waiting to see if I have to have a c-sec and am desperately hoping that I can do it for a second timr naturally instead! The whole c-sec thing terrifies me for some reason.