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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Experiences with Water Birth, Gas and Air, and Pethidine – Seeking Advice

24 replies

Parenting92 · 12/12/2023 12:08

Has anyone here opted for a water birth? I've been exploring labour options like gas and air for both water birth and a traditional bed birth, along with Pethidine. If anyone has experience with all three methods, I'd love to hear about your experiences. Watching labour stories on YouTube, some mentioned that water birth was comfortable, but the baby faced breathing issues after coming out. I understand every birth story is unique, but being my first pregnancy, I'm looking to get a general sense of what to expect.

OP posts:

Boymummyofone · 12/12/2023 12:32

I had a water birth and it was great. It was my first so don't have any comparisons other than other people's horror stories but mine was honestly a dream. 4 hours in the pool with just gas and air (and a coffee the midwife made me!) and he was out, went home the same day. No complications, two stitches and I was up and about the next day.

Boymummyofone · 12/12/2023 12:35

Sorry it wasn't 4 hours in the pool, 4 hours from when I got to the hospital! Forgot about the obs bit, was in the pool for about 2 and half hours

W0tnow · 12/12/2023 12:38

Water birth for my first. It’s much more comfortable labouring in water. I had no pain relief so can’t comment on that. I think I was 3 or so hours in the pool, total? No breathing issues. 2nd pregnancy was twins, so sadly water birth not an option available.

I will say that even though both births were fairly quick and ‘easy’ I felt like I’d been hit by a truck after, for at least a week.

OopsieeDaisy · 12/12/2023 13:53

Very similar to Boymummy, only had one so far - water birth with gas and air and it was amazing. So much more comfortable once in the water, and no breathing issues with baby. I needed one stitch but went home within a few hours and was also up and about the next day.

mummyh2016 · 12/12/2023 13:57

Water birth with gas and air with my second and it was a breeze.
I did try my first in the water as well but she was back to back, they made me get out as apparently I wasn't pushing very effectively in the water.

Strawberryfieldsforeverrr · 12/12/2023 14:20

I had a bed birth with my first, 2 hour labour, gas and air, easy.
Second one I tried a water birth and hated it. The water was chilly (apparently it must be a certain temperature) and I was miserable. The midwife wouldn't support me to get out as I'd gotten in (maybe I was just unlucky), but I hated it. Had gas and air, 2 hours in there, longest two hours of my life!

Fifthtimelucky · 12/12/2023 14:21

Traditional birth first time round with just gas and air, though I wasn't in bed. I had a fear of being made to lie down with my legs in stirrups so insisted on staying upright throughout. I had wanted a water birth but it didn't work out, not for the same reasons as a PP (though mine was back to back too) but because the pool wasn't ready. I had hired one and taken it in. Once the midwives realised that things were moving quickly there wasn't time to assemble it.

Second birth was a water birth at home. I was told if I wanted pethidine I'd need to get a prescription for it in advance. I hadn't had it the first time, so assumed I'd be ok without.

That birth was much better. I loved being in the water and the baby had no breathing issues. I highly recommend it.

Tryingtoconceivenumber2 · 12/12/2023 17:04

I've had 2 water births with just gas and air.

Both times I went home about 4-5 hours later. First baby I had a 2nd degree tear, 2nd baby no tears at all.

I wouldn't hesitate to have another water birth x

BlueBrush · 12/12/2023 17:14

My second birth I laboured in water with gas and air. (I was on a bed for the actual birth, but I was ok with that.)

Labouring in water is really nice - it doesn't help with the pain as such, but the water supports your weight and the weight of your bump and baby, so it's much easier to find a comfortable position. (I had pelvic girdle pain, so that was important to me.)

FizzyStream · 12/12/2023 17:17

First birth was on land with gas and air and was hard work. Second was a water birth with gas and air and was amazing! I don't have any experience of pethidine so can't comment on that. I loved the gas and air though!!

Sirrah · 12/12/2023 17:35

Traditional birth, no pain relief at all first baby, although I was about to have an epidural when the midwife checked and I was fully dilated (very quick labour).

Traditional birth, PROM then drip, managed with gas and air even with the very intense contractions.

Traditional birth with my third, again gas and air only, but I could have done with something stronger as baby was big and suffered shoulder dystocia.

I always wanted a water birth but there was always a reason I couldn't.

oop · 12/12/2023 17:36

Haven't had a water birth but I ended up with pethidine in my first birth. I was really resistant to the idea of it but I couldn't get on with gas and air and had been contracting every couple of minutes for a very long time so needed it. It was actually great for me. I felt a bit spacey but not "out of it" and most importantly it seemed to spread out my contractions slightly which made a massive difference for me at that point. I wouldn't rule it out again next time if I needed it.

Pooheadbumbum · 12/12/2023 17:39

I have had 3 water births. No pain relief needed at all. Perfect births, I’m so lucky. The relief in the water is really great.

I have had one non water birth, and it was my least nice birth (but still great!)

WoolyMammoth55 · 12/12/2023 17:55

Hi OP, I had my first in water with gas and air. I love being in water, take long showers (and baths whenever I can!) and love to swim, so for me it was a lovely "happy place" and it definitely helped with pain relief, I was so relaxed in there. Water temp was great!

Baby came out fine, no breathing issues - obviously they're in fluid in utero and it's the air that's a shock to them, not water, IYSWIM? So I'm surprised to hear you've been warned about that. I'm sure there's very little risk.

BUT I had elcs for my second due to PF damage from my natural birth. I manage mostly ok with pelvic floor physio but I think there's a 75% chance I'll need some sort of PF repair surgery eventually, which is rubbish.

My sister had 2 kids by CS (for medical reasons) and her PF is 100% perfect! If I could have a do-over I'd go for ELCS every time because the moment of loveliness (and relief!) from birthing your baby vaginally just isn't worth it for me - when the pay-off is years of peeing every time you sneeze!

The vast majority of mums I know who had vaginal deliveries will admit they all have similar issues with compromised PF and stress incontinence, and it's a conspiracy of silence that it's not more discussed (and not mentioned in NCT classes!!)

Wish you all the best with whatever birth you choose xxx

Bundeena · 12/12/2023 17:57

I spent approx 90 mins in the pool but came out to actually give birth (my choice). I used gas and air while in the pool. Before getting in I was also using a TENS machine - I obviously had to remove before getting in the water. Overall a positive experience for me.

LairyMaclary · 12/12/2023 18:05

I had pethidine with my second baby, a VBAC delivery. My contractions were two minutes apart as soon as my waters broke, and they were making me throw up. The pethidine helped me to rest and relax, and I had an anti-emetic at the same time. The pethidine did distort my perception of time. I’d have guessed about 45 minutes later it felt like the effects of the pethidine were wearing off. I felt like I needed to push, and I was sure that couldn’t be right as I’d not been very dilated when I arrived. It had actually been two and a half hours, I was fully dilated, and baby was born 40 minutes later with gas and air for the pushing stage.

Galiana · 12/12/2023 18:10

It doesn't have to be water or bed. TBH water births sound like a total faff, I gave birth to both of my children whilst standing up and was mobile through both labours. It's difficult to know how you'll feel whilst labouring though, so give yourself options!

Igmum · 12/12/2023 18:10

I had pethidine. Apparently I'm one of the people it doesn't help. Loved the gas and air though! I'd hoped for a water birth so regret agreeing to the pethdeine because it ruled that out, but I got a gorgeous healthy baby so can't complain too much

MyrtleTree1 · 12/12/2023 18:41

Had my first baby recently with gas and air, on a hospital bed (I wanted a water birth but the pool was occupied). I started the gas & air at 5cm and it really took the edge off the contractions. I wouldn't say G&A is pain "relief" (in my opinion!) as you can still feel pain but it makes you feel a lot more relaxed, which in turn helps with your breathing and makes you feel more in control. It also gives you something to concentrate on as you have to hold it/ use it properly. Reflecting on it now, I'd consider asking for pethidine when nearer to pushing, as I found the "transition" stage of baby dropping down ready to be born very painful (/awful pressure) and quite overwhelming emotionally, even with the G&A. Best of luck whatever you decide OP and congratulations on your pregnancy. X

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 12/12/2023 23:15

Pethidine did very little for me and wore off long before I was ready to push. Gas and air worked fairly well but really requires technique (and an anti-emetic in my case). You need to time the contractions and start using gas and air before they start, then stop just before the contraction peaks (or at least, that's what I had to do). Water birth would be my preference, but I wasn't allowed the first two times. Third time lucky!

Originalusername89 · 13/12/2023 08:41

If you're the type of person who finds hot water bottles, baths etc soothing for period pain then a water birth is amazing for pain relief. I can't even describe it.

I laboured for 10 hours on land, and was in the pool with gas and air for the last hour or so (started filling it a bit late!) It was absolutely fine and honestly there's nothing in the world like catching your baby yourself and bringing them up out of the water.

I did tear but my baby was 9lb10oz and the midwife said had I not been in the water it could have been a lot worse so I'm grateful for that.

What really helped me get through the labour was a comb (Google wave comb for labour) similar to a TENs machine you squeeze it hard in your hand at the height of a contracting and the 'pain' sort of distracts from the contraction. Unlike a tens you don't have to remember to press the button all the time and you can have it in the water. Sounds a bit 'woo' I know but it's great!

Lem0nie · 13/12/2023 19:59

I had a water birth 2 weeks ago, gas and air for pain relief and a 2nd degree tear which is fully healed already. No breathing issues with baby.
In comparison my first birth was lying in a bed, feet in stirrups and an episiotomy, much longer recovery time.

annlee3817 · 14/12/2023 06:09

DD1 was a water birth and I got out half way through the pushing phase as was hot and bothered in the water, was nice to float around between contractions as the water supported the bump. I didn't like the gas and air so only tried a few puffs, instead gave birth on all fours hugging a giant beanbag with a fan on me which was much better.

Second on the bed with gas and air, which I used right up to the pushing phase and then stopped, induction so more intense, didn't mind the gas and air that time

gentlemum · 14/12/2023 17:00

I'd read that third and fourth degree tears were more likely if having a water birth and discussed with my midwife prior to giving birth and was advised I was low risk and to go for it so I did. I got a third degree tear. Active stage of labour was really quick and that makes more severe tearing more likely. Currently pregnant with my second and planning to use the pool again for labour as I did like being in there, but to get out for birth so that midwives can be hands on and support the head and perineum to hopefully prevent severe tearing again.

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