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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Did you give birth without epidural?

162 replies

SunnySideUp2020 · 05/05/2022 14:10

Please tell me about it!!!!

How was it honestly? How was the labor?

Had my first last year and although I had planned a natural birth, when active labor hit I begged for an epidural. It was a low dose one but I felt like I was dying without.

Expecting the second this October. Am I crazy for considering trying without epidural?

The reason is where I want to give birth they don't do epidural. It's not in the UK. It's a birth house in swizterland where I live. The other option is hospital...

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 05/05/2022 14:13

I've had 2 children with no epidurals. I had gas and air and diamorphine injections instead

Applespice2016 · 05/05/2022 14:15

@SunnySideUp2020 i have always been terrifed of getting an epidural (i don't know why as I am not scared of needles) , so I did not get one with my 1st. I know there are some cases where you have to get one, eg if you've been induced

I used has and air, and had 2x pethidine injections

in my opinion the gas and air did nothing but make me feel sick, and the pethidine just made me loopy! although it did take the pain away a bit

yes it was obviously VERY painful, but once it got to the pushing stage I found it much easier to deal with

I am glad I never had the epidural personally, but I can completely understand why people would choose to have one

I am due in 5 weeks and hoping I can cope with the pain this time around again!!

Also wanted to add, I was in the birthing pool for the 1st part of my labour, and this also helped with the pain of the contractions

CoalCraft · 05/05/2022 14:15

I had DC1 with only gas and air and honestly it was fine, but I had a very quick and easy labour and only experienced real pain in the final twenty mins or so. Contractions just weren't very painful for me until right at the very end, when I needed to push.

Now expecting DC2 and planning on doing the same, perhaps even without gas and air as I didn't like how it made me feel lightheaded, though if it is much worse than DC1 for whatever reason then I won't be at all ashamed to use stronger pain relief.

ButFirstTea · 05/05/2022 14:17

I used a TENS machine and gas and air. I was induced and eventually had to have an episiotomy and forceps to deliver my baby. Honestly the induction itself was worse pain than the actual labour and delivery although the whole thing was unpleasant! I had local anaesthetic for the cut itself and for stitches afterwards. Obviously I don't know your pain threshold but I would say it was manageable, but not necessarily desirable!

Hullabaloo31 · 05/05/2022 14:18

I just had gas and air for both of mine. I did hang onto it like my life depended on it for my second (she was back to back) and yes it did hurt, but I never felt like I needed anything more, just like I knew I needed to get it done and over with.

GuppytheCat · 05/05/2022 14:18

Yes, for each child, and it was fine. But it does depend on what they offer instead, I would think. I was fine with gas and air, though the induced labour was very quick and more painful than the natural one.

Bimster · 05/05/2022 14:19

I had my second at home with nothing at all, very fast labour. It did hurt a lot but it was also fine, if that makes any sense- the pain was manageable and I felt happy and safe (all very different from my first labour). I did use a hypnobirthing CD while pregnant which it think was helpful- it didn’t stop it hurting but I think helped me feel calm rather than tensing against the pain.

I think second labours are often easier but in your shoes I’d want to know what happens if someone needs to transfer to hospital, whether for epidural or any other reason.

WithASpider · 05/05/2022 14:19

My 3 DC were born with just Gas and air. The best tip I got was just to keep walking, don't lie down unless you absolutely have to. Do you have the option of a water birth? I had one with DD1 and it was great for pain relief.

whinetime89 · 05/05/2022 14:20

I had one epidural and hated it and then 2 natural home births.... I'm one of those weirdos who loves giving birth so may not be a good reference 🤣

JohannSebastianBach · 05/05/2022 14:22

I did, twice.

I used a tens machine at first then had the pool + gas & air. I never felt I needed one and I am v scared of needles. I think I was just lucky though.

If you think you might need one then maybe go to the hospital? Have you discussed with your doctor what would happen if you needed intervention? Would they transfer you?

Wish you all the best.

sweetgrapes · 05/05/2022 14:22

I had 2 without any pain relief - not by choice. It was just too late to do anything - I arrived at hospital almost in the pushing stage for both (you would think I would have learnt after the first!!).

It was ok, do-able - because it didn't last too long. I had someone massaging my lower back during contractions, and the pushing you can lean into almost and use - so it's different from plain pain, iykwim.

ColdApril · 05/05/2022 14:23

Just gas and air here.

It was painful but I got through it by knowing was meant to be painful and that each contraction was one closer to it being over.

Once I was able to push then I was fine as I could do something about the pain and I really enjoyed the pushing.

I'd not want an epidural as I wouldn't want to miss the pushing sensation.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 05/05/2022 14:24

I didn't have epidural.

Yes it painful but manageable for me. It was a relatively short labour. 6 hours from active to delivery.

I had gas and air and diamorphine once

Ihatethenewlook · 05/05/2022 14:24

I’ve never had one with 3 children. Like a pp has said, I’d have been more scared of them sticking a needle into my spine than giving birth

Luckystar1 · 05/05/2022 14:24

I had 3 with no pain relief at all. In all honesty I found the pain intense, but I could deal with it and work with it.

cupofdecaf · 05/05/2022 14:26

I had an epidural the first time as after 20 hours I was begging for one. 26 hours in total. Second time round it happened much quicker. Wasn't pain free but wasn't as long, only contracting for about 3 hours. I think second labours are more likely to be faster and easier.

erikbloodaxe · 05/05/2022 14:26

1st baby I had entinox and pethidine. Pethidine given too close to baby being born and he had to be given Narcan and be revived.

2nd baby I had entinox.

3rd baby I had entinox.

Pethidine also made me hallucinate. Not good.

PinkPlantCase · 05/05/2022 14:27

My DS was born at home and I used a tens machine and might of had some paracetamol but that was it! Baby was born in the pool but I didn’t labour in there, I got in for the last 30 minutes or so.

I struggled around transition but I think everyone does! I focused on breathing properly and staying as calm as I could. I had affirmations like ‘I am loved’ and ‘I am safe’ that I’d say I’m my head over and over. Sounds very silly but it really helped get me through the worst of it.

The pushing stage I found absolutely fine, I’d go as far to say that I don’t think it hurt (at the time) I had a second degree tear but didn’t feel it happen. I do think being in the water really made a difference there.

I didn’t want an epidural, I wanted my body to be able to react to what it was feeling, I wanted to stay mobile and have very minimal monitoring. I also really didn’t like the idea of big needles in my back or the catheter!

I was on such an amazing high after the birth too 😊

Forestdweller11 · 05/05/2022 14:27

Totally expected to have an epidural. As my pain threshold is extremely low. In the end I had two paracetamol because I went into labour too late for anything proper - I'd been in hospital 2 days by that point being induced.

Lilbunnyfufu · 05/05/2022 14:28

3 births with no pain relief at all.
1st was a very fast birth didn't even know I was in labour had no pains at all. I was on labour ward 10 minutes before she was born.
2nd was another fast labour by the time I got to hospital I was ready to push within 20 minutes he was born.
3rd was taken into be induced and was already 3cm again no pains 6 hours later he was born.

I don't know why I don't feel contractions but I'm glad I don't.

RinklyRomaine · 05/05/2022 14:30

I had nothing with my first, which was 6 hours first twinge to delivery. Very long pushing stage but it was manageable. Gas and air helps but I hate how it feels. Each wave was okay because I knew it was a wave.

Second was 20 hours of back to back hell on a public ward. Epidural at 3cm, eventually given a delivery room, calm, dignified, happy birth 40 minutes later after going from 3-10cm in 30 minutes.

Third was an induction, failed epidurals, transverse oblique with cervical lip. 4 hours of begging to die until a third block was sited and worked.

So I say depends on labour circs and baby position. Try, but be open to change is my advice.

Sodie · 05/05/2022 14:31

First child (I was a teen) I had no pain relief at all not even paracetamol. I was completely unprepared and felt sort of embarrassed to ask and also wanted to prove a point. Baby was only 7lb 9 and not even a graze.

Second child just gas and air again no tears or graze. Baby slightly bigger 8lb. I did have a retained ruptured placenta and had that manually removed in the delivery room with just gas and air.

Third child again just gas and air and no stitches etc. 9lb 6.

Fourth child emergency csection.

JaninaDuszejko · 05/05/2022 14:31

DC1 was induced. Loved the TENS machine and nitrous oxide (gas and air, or laughing gas), hated the pethidine, made me feel (bad) drunk and out of control.
DC2. TENS machine and gas and air.
DC3. Premature, waters broke and so I was induced. Came so quickly (5cm to birth in 10 minutes) that there wasn't much time for pain relief.

In the UK we love gas and air but I know it's not an option everywhere. Do you have the option of a waterbirth?

MintMe · 05/05/2022 14:32

Only gas and air here. Arrived at MLU 7cm and had him three hours later. With every contraction I kept thinking "if this is as bad as it gets, I can handle it".

When she told me she could see the head and I could start pushing, I actually said "what, so I don't need an epidural??" I was amazed I did it. And like a PP, I was on an absolute high after the birth.

JungleRed · 05/05/2022 14:33

For my first I had diamorphine but that seemed to stop working as soon as they started the dreaded drip (that's how it felt anyway!)
For second and third I just had gas and air but found being in the water also helped immensely.
Now that I'm done I'm wondering if I missed a trick with not trying an epidural!

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