Tell me about your pain relief plans

[kiki22]

I'm hoping to have a home birth using the pool and gas and air, my first labour I had g&a pethidine an epidural and a spinal hated the pethidine it made me loopy and sick and my epidural didn't work fully so would like to avoid them this time.

I'm looking at other options hypnobirthing, essential oils, yoga etc does anyone have any good advice on natural pain relief that worked for them?

I used hypnobirthing techniques and used the Maggie Howell book and CD, although mainly the cd.I went in with a completely open mind, happy to accept any pain relief going, except for pethadine (my Mum didn't react well, so didn't want to risk it). I had a water birth and midway through pushing got out onto a mat because I was hot and bothered, that was the only reason and I managed the labour and birth with no pain relief, apart from two puffs on gas and air before I decided it wasn't for me.

I found that the hypnobirthing really helped me focus on my breathing and I kept telling myself that each contraction was bringing me closer to meeting my DD, I had two phases where I thought 'I can't do this' but somehow I did, I am usually a massive wimp, so I would definitely recommend hypnobirthing, It didn't take away the pain, but it kept me calm.

The honest truth?
My first birth was a nightmare - back to back baby, failure to progress, drip, episiotomy etc.
Second birth, I'd already decided I was going for an epidural if the pain really ramped up (my dsis who is a midwife had advised me I really should have had this with the first, if not a cs), but I got to the hospital at 7cm, no epidural, had pethidine and a lovely birth.
It's completely unpredictable. The only certainty is that your body had done it once, so may be more cooperative the second time!
My births were very different - yours may be too.