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Original poster

Vomiting in labour

55 replies

Bex2110 · 22/12/2016 16:21

Hi everyone.

I have emetaphobia (a fear of being sick) and I have heard that lots of women vomit during labour. This absolutely petrifies me, and I more scared about thia than the pain of labour. I was just wondering how many of you have/have not been sick during labour.

Thanks in advance x

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YoHoHoandabottleofTequila · 22/12/2016 16:23

Labour didn't make me vomit, but the diamorphine made me vomit horrifically. However I had a drip and the midwives can give anti sickness drugs through it. I would talk to your midwife.

rachyconks · 22/12/2016 16:26

Another emetophobic here. I have had two labours and didn't feel sick or be sick at all during them. The only time i felt slightly iffy was when the midwife forced me to eat a slice of toast so I could take solpadol. I was fine after 5 mins.

I refused the injection to deliver the placenta and all other pain relief (other than g&a) as I was worried about it. As it happened I was fine and didn't need injection and had a water birth second time with no pain relief and only g&a the first time.

You will be totally fine

Pleasemrstweedie · 22/12/2016 16:26

Two labours, never sick, despite having a three course lunch only four hours before the second birth!

Namejustfornappies · 22/12/2016 16:27

I was briefly sick - but only because I had had a snack and juice about 5 minutes before starting to push! (DS came a bit quick as an accidental home birth). It was just the force of pushing emptied my stomach as well.

Bloodybloodyheckers · 22/12/2016 16:29

Three labours, felt very sick on the first but was given anti emetics and wasn't actually sick.

No queasiness at all on the other two. No one I know (and we are a HUGE family) has ever told me about sickness.

thethoughtfox · 22/12/2016 16:30

In labour for several days. Vomited every time I tried to eat or drink anything that wasn't water.

Namejustfornappies · 22/12/2016 16:30

Just to add this was dc3, and I wasn't sick with the previous 2 births.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 22/12/2016 16:33

I vomited throughout, but mainly because the gas and air didn't agree with me and it took long time for me to accept it and have an epidural. My mum had first cuddle and feed because of it. Would phobia counselling be an option?

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 22/12/2016 16:33

I was sick in 2 of my labours but I'd had hideous morning sickness all the way through with them. My 2 pregnancies where I hadn't really had ms/nausea past 12 weeks I wasn't sick & didn't feel it either during the labour.

Talk to your midwife about your concerns if you haven't already, they'll probably be able to have anti sickness meds on hand.

Original poster

Bex2110 · 22/12/2016 16:34

Thank you ladies. It's reassuring to hear your stories. I think I am going to refuse any pain relief as I'm so scared about being sick. I'm currently reading up on hypnobirthing as a form of relief. I'm just so anxious about being sick! It's kind of taking over from the excitement!

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Ilovetorrentialrain · 22/12/2016 16:36

Hi OP I had the same fear and refused all pain relief because of it - I even 'pretended' with G&A - not breathing it in.

I didn't feel sick at any point but I did make a total fool of myself screaming with pain!

Stevemcqueenlikesbeans · 22/12/2016 16:37

I was sick through both labours, the first I had pethadine which I thought was the cause so for second only had gas and air but same result.

I have many friends who weren't sick at all, in fact I may be the only one in my friendship group who was, so I don't know how common it is.

I don't have a phobia but always cry and panic when I vomit and I honestly was so distracted with the actual labour that the vomiting was not as distressing as it usually is, it was weirdly ok!!!

Could you possibly get some help for this beforehand? Hypnotherapy? Talk to your midwife, she will probably reassure you and give you advice.

Good luck.

helensburgh · 22/12/2016 16:39

Emmetophobia here too.
I vomited in labour but it wasn't like a bug or other vomiting . So little nausea.

You can maybe ask for anti sickness

jaffacakesareevil · 22/12/2016 16:41

Peppermint oil is good for stopping the nauseous feeling. Worked for me in labour. The midwife sellotape a ball of cotton wool soaked in it onto my nightie strap.

MyBreadIsEggy · 22/12/2016 16:41

Gas and air made me vomit in my first labour - but I think that was more the drunk, dizzy feeling rather than the gas itself as I'm always sick when I'm drunk
I felt sick during transition in second labour, but wasn't actually sick

DoorKnee · 22/12/2016 16:42

I'm also emetophobic and had the same concerns. I had it on my notes that I didn't want any injections of any opiates in case they made me sick and I made it clear to the midwife on arrival at the hospital too. Gas and air was fine. I didn't have any injections but labour is an experience in which I don't think I'd have been upset if I had vomited. I had an elective c section with my second baby and didn't want morphine. My midwife convinced me to take a half dose to see if I'd get nauseous and I was fine.

ElspethFlashman · 22/12/2016 16:42

Can't you ask for an anti emetic?

I vomited in both labours but only at the end. And in both cases I blame food. Or lucozade very late on in the first one and a cereal bar very late on in the second. I should have stuck to water.

However I had a decent breakfast during latent labour and despite contractions I didn't feel sick. So my advice is no food once you're 4cm.

Gas and air has a peculiar taste which made me feel a bit queasy so I only had about 5 puffs the first time and refused it outright the second time. I favoured an epidural instead which doesn't make people sick I don't think, so don't rule that out.

Penguina · 22/12/2016 16:42

No pain relief but I had the dry heaves. Probably would have had some substance had I eaten anything !

Batteriesallgone · 22/12/2016 16:44

I vomited but only in the build up stage at home. I was told in antenatal that that is quite common. If I'd been phobic I imagine it would have been the 'best' scenario for being sick - at home, no need for contact with medical staff or anyone else.

I stopped vomiting (and running from the other end...) when labour stepped up a bit to the more serious stages. I think I was vomiting and on the toilet off and on for about 4 hours. Then the pains got more serious and I stopped and got to pushing stage about 4 or 6 hours after that (ish). Wasn't nauseous at all in hospital.

So even if you are sick in labour it's not necessarily in front of everyone when you're naked if that is worrying you. I think it's more common to be sick in the early stages than at the end.

OohNoDooEy · 22/12/2016 16:45

I wasn't sick. I did have a clear out from the other end in the early stages of labour. I had a drug free labour but no idea how this impacts you.

You're not quite yourself in labour so hopefully even if it does happen you probably wouldn't care. It's not the most dignified moment for most of us

Themysteryoftheoverbedtrolley · 22/12/2016 16:47

I vomited but I got really thirsty drank loads of water and then vomited it all back up so I think if I hadn't of drunk all that water I might not have vomited at all.

IRegretNothing · 22/12/2016 16:47

I have a mild vomiting phobia and was worried like you. But I didn't feel nauseous once in any of my three labours. I read about the possibility of being sick in books but no one I've spoken to about their births has mentioned it happening to them. I didn't want to have pethidine due to the risk of vomiting (although it is.oftdn given with anti emetics) but I used gas and air and had diamorphine in one labour and never had nausea. Everyone is different though i guess.
I would try not to rule out gas and air as it's an effective pain relief that doesn't stay in your system for long. My understanding is that using lots and lots of it can bring on nausea but i should think before you get to the point you'll be feeling slightly queasy through use and theoretically, you can just stop using it and it should subside. Do speak to your midwife about your concerns and get them written in the relevant section of your notes. You might be able to request anti emetics to ease your worrying. Depending on how.your labour progresses, keeping hydrated and avoiding your sugar levels dropping too low might help. Also, counselling might be a good idea as being worried isn't going to do you any favours (although that's easier said than done!)

PotteringAlong · 22/12/2016 16:48

Dc1 gas and air made me sick.
Dc2 gas and air was the most beautiful thing I had ever had.

SittingAround1 · 22/12/2016 16:53

I wasn't sick at all and didn't feel sick either, before or after the epidural.
I didn't eat during labour though, just had some sweets and apple juice.

Original poster

Bex2110 · 22/12/2016 16:55

Thanks everyone. I have told my midwife who has written it in my notes. Hopefully everything will be fine but I'm just so petrified!! I'm hoping I get lucky and I'm not sick!! Only 17 weeks left to worry!!

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