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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Mum's who can remember/ have recently had a vaginal birth without pain relief

69 replies

EntropyReversed · 13/01/2021 20:58

I'm due my third in the next few weeks, but my other two are 13 and 11 now so it's been a while.

Any suggestions on what I can do about the pain immediately after birth?
I didn't have any pain relief with my last baby and don't plan to this time either.
But I remember from last time that the vaginal pain was pretty extreme immediately after and I couldn't enjoy new baby at all because it hurt so much.
Not sure if there's anything I can do about this?

OP posts:
CharlieB93 · 14/01/2021 12:27

3rd degree tear with mine - bought some ice pads from Amazon, they were a lifesaver! Also badedas bath stuff - that took the sting away.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 14/01/2021 12:28

I wouldn't dream of having a baby without painkillers and an epidural, I have absolutely no idea why people don't have them.
Would you have your appendix out without anaesthetic?

alphabetti · 14/01/2021 12:34

I’ve just had my 3rd with a 14yr gap. Do not think your body resets itself so will be like a first labour (I was constantly told this by DRs) I had induction and labour was recorded as 48mins although I was experiencing pains when called for midwife to come to me.

I was given paracetamol by midwife but immediately vomited it up so only had gas as air. The afterbirth pains felt like mildish contractions which came on and off mainly while breastfeeding for first 3days then didn’t really feel them anymore. Midwife did say my uterus shrunk right down by day 3 tho so although uncomfortable did the job. I only took paracetamol a couple times so I would query with midwife why you had such pain afterwards and see what they suggest.

jazzibelle · 14/01/2021 13:01

For those who opted for painkillers post-birth, did that affect BF?

LizFlowers · 14/01/2021 13:10

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

I wouldn't dream of having a baby without painkillers and an epidural, I have absolutely no idea why people don't have them. Would you have your appendix out without anaesthetic?
Well, no, and nobody would have a C-section without anaesthetic but it's hardly the same thing; vaginal birth is often easier without pain relief, you can move around as you please and know when to push. I had none and it was all straightforward. I wouldn't have dreamed of having a baby with painkillers and there's nothing particularly stoic about me. If there had been problems then obviously I'd have accepted any help available but most births are not complicated.

People seem more scared of childbirth nowadays than they were years ago. I think it is best to wait and see how it goes.

Pipperleen · 14/01/2021 14:20

@jazzibelle

For those who opted for painkillers post-birth, did that affect BF?
Not at all for me. I was taking all sorts after the birth but they only gave me stuff that was ok for BF - so for example, no cocodamol.
JohnMiddleNameRedactedSwanson · 14/01/2021 14:36

@jazzibelle

For those who opted for painkillers post-birth, did that affect BF?
No.

I was on Oramorph, paracetamol and ibuprofen (not all at once) after my CS and the medical staff were happy for me to feed my SCBU baby.

goldielockdown2 · 14/01/2021 16:11

diamondinthesky

Only one of my children was born with no pain relief because that was what I wanted. For the other two I was denied it. Many women have said their experiences mirror mine: not being admitted to labour ward despite being in active labour until the very last minute, in which case it's far too late for an epidural, or just outright told we couldn't have it (or sometimes promised we could have it but still not providing it).

Helspopje · 14/01/2021 16:14

After pains when feeding were horrific and got worse with each pregnancy

Helspopje · 14/01/2021 16:16

In terms of delivery - nothing at all with 1 and 2, gas & air with 3 and 4
This was not on purpose- I have quick deliveries (range 42 min to 2min 20s)

Mummyme87 · 14/01/2021 16:18

Ask for PR voltorol. Usually only give if you have stitches but it’s a wonder drug, as long as it’s not contraindicated for you

Imiss2019 · 14/01/2021 16:21

Only had gas and air with ds2 during delivery but he was 10 pound 8 ounces with shoulder dystocia. I was in agony immediately after and was given pethadin (so?) straight away.

ByGrabtharsHammerWhatASavings · 14/01/2021 16:27

I had planned a water birth at a MLU but dd came so quickly that she was out before they'd finished running the bath! Pretty much first thing I did after they cut the cord was band her straight to dp and get into the bath. I just sat in there like a hippo in mud until the midwife starting hovering around me and making "time to get out" faces. The difference it made to the pain was amazing, I so wish I'd been able to do the whole thing in the water.

BeautyAndTheBump1 · 14/01/2021 17:34

I just took paracetamol and ibruprofen, then at home i took advil that id picked up prior when i went on holiday to the US.

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 14/01/2021 17:39

Well, no, and nobody would have a C-section without anaesthetic but it's hardly the same thing; vaginal birth is often easier without pain relief, you can move around as you please and know when to push. I had none and it was all straightforward. I wouldn't have dreamed of having a baby with painkillers and there's nothing particularly stoic about me. If there had been problems then obviously I'd have accepted any help available but most births are not complicated.

People seem more scared of childbirth nowadays than they were years ago. I think it is best to wait and see how it goes.

I don't think its easier at all, there seems to be some kind of absolute martyrdom as far as analgesia in birth is concerned. I needed painkillers after the birth as I had a ventouse and had a massive cut that was agony, so I had painkillers.
What on earth is the rationale for not having painkillers if you need them?
We're living in 2021 now we don't HAVE to suffer pain and I very glad indeed I didn't have to suffer a 24 hour labour and ventouse without an epidural, it would have been horrific.

Lockdowndramaqueen · 14/01/2021 17:41

Internal arnica helps it heal more quickly

WalrusWife · 14/01/2021 20:58

Reading this has made me realise I want ALL the drugs. Shock

LizFlowers · 14/01/2021 22:35

Shehasdiamond:
What on earth is the rationale for not having painkillers if you need them?
......
Analgesia is very important and I never hesitate to take them if I am in pain. If I'd had your problems, venthouse etc, I would certainly have had it.

What I am saying is that some people decide in advance that they will need pain killers and they might not.

jazzibelle · 15/01/2021 19:04

@Pipperleen @JohnMiddleNameRedactedSwanson thanks for the reply, that's good to know! I'm hoping to not have to have much more than gas & air, but we're leaving it up to the labour gods with what actually happens on the day.

I never realised after would be such an issue. I obviously thought a vaginal birth would hurt after, but not my uterus shrinking and all that. So knowing I can take pain relief for all of that and still BF without worrying puts my mind at ease.

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