Birth videos... do you think it's worth seeing them?

[MrsMar]

I missed an antenatal class last week, where the midwife showed a video of someone giving birth. This week when I went quite a few people were still reeling from it, a couple said they couldn't get the images out of their heads.

My question is, do you think there's any value in showing these videos in ante natal classes? Do you think it's more likely to make a first timer like me scared? I've always been told by lots of people who've had children, they think it's worse for the person watching than for the person giving birth. You're either so out of it in pain and on gas and air, or you're coping with the assistance of pain relief drugs that either way you're not as aware of what's going on as everyone else in the room. I know plenty of people who didn't realised they'd pooed themselves until after the birth, and plenty who ended up naked but have no recollection of taking their clothes off.

I know that the fear of pain can make it worse, so do you think seeing these videos is more likely to scare someone and possibly make their experience of labour worse, or is it better to have your eyes fully opened as to what it's going to be like? I'm under no illusions as to how painful it's going to be, I'm just debating whether to borrow the video from the midwife as she's offered it to me. Any opinions/experiences gratefully received!

That Fight for Life thing on BBC1 a couple of weeks ago gave a good range (natural birth, CS) but it was pretty sensationalist. I didn't get a cup of tea after mine, but I did get a cheese sarnie. Don't really know why, tbh. Took my mind off two ladies in overalls laughing at my pathetically small paper pants I couldn't put on. The things they don't tell you... Had an epidural 2 weeks ago for an operation, and I wouldn't worry about relaxing for the needle bit - they freeze the area, you can't see anything, the tricky bit is bending over your bump, so your mind will be v. busy - also deep, slow breathing is a good thing to concentrate on (I could actually hear my heartbeat slowing down as I did it, and that was v reassuring).

MrsMar - my midwife point blank said no to epidural but when i started screaming and swearing for the only time in labour she quickly relented.

This worked for me, but of course we are all different and all our births are different.

I opted to start off in the birthing unit, where no epidurals are available but you can get in the birthing pool, have G&A or pethidine / morphine. The hospital of course had a labour ward too and if i needed an epidural i could move over there (it was only across the corridor). As it happens I screamed for the epidural when I went into the transition stage so had managed without up till this point - a good 10 hours!! And, I cry when i fall over and have a miniscule pain threshhold. In any event i transfered and when i got to labour ward it was time to push.

So you could always try to put yourself in a low intervention environment with the option of changing at any time.

I understand what you mean about being calm and the epidural giving you pain relief in order to be able to do this.

My biggest piece of advice that i ignored and susequently everyone that i have told it to has also ignored is stay at home as long as possible. You are much more likely to manage your pain effectively in your own environment and by the time you go to hospital it may be a case of pushing, sometimes just all that time in the hospital is what pushes people to think that they perhaps need the pain relief, I know that it was the length of time that it all went on for that pushed me over the edge.

Sorry for the essay.

Hi everyone, thanks for great responses!

Whomovedmychocolate - LOL, I love your summary of the average birth!! Much more informative than any crummy video of someone with an 80s haircut giving birth imo!!!

Mixedmama - I took my sister back and forwards to the hospital soooo many times when she was in labour with her first. I'm not sure I'd cope with doing all that toing and froing if it was me in labour, so I'm definitely going to take your advice and stay at home as long as possible. There are too many speed bumps on the way to the hospital for me to do it more than once!

Muminbrum - I know what you mean about endorphines and your own pain inhibiting hormones. I have heard that's true, I can't say I've ever experienced it. When I was talking about previous experiences with pain I meant breaking bones and such like. When I had my dislocated shoulder resited it was so painful I went hysterical (as per ) and passed out, so maybe I missed the endorphine hit. The same thing happened when I broke my leg. I think I just miss that bit out!!

Blimey Scampy - I'm sure you'll be brilliant. I barely get period pain at all, which is why I'm sure I'm so pathetic about things like that!

Pistachio - the community midwife I've been seeing has said that all the epidurals they do at the hospital are to some extent mobile, so you aren't numb and can still feel the contraction partially and still get the urge to push. You can even squat or kneel or get on all fours, so the numbness below the waist concept doesn't really worry me. I'm much more concerned about the Pink Floyd effect of G&A (!) I hate even being drunk, but as you say, I won't knock it until I try it!

Thanks for all the great advice