NO PAIN RELEIF FOR ME!

[maldives]

I Know it's too early to decide but having read a post about epidurals and how frightened most women were i have changed my mind about getting one and thought i'll go natural all the way and take the pain . Mum thinks it's better if i have an epidural at least with my first one as things get a bit difficult and complicated with first baby.
who supports me with my decision??

 

[1sttimemum]

I'm playing it by here and not ruling anything out.
I may feel like i cant cope and need an epidural after 24 hours in labour.

 

[Happybunny]

The decision is entirely yours and you must not feel pressured either way!
Epidurals are not without problems, however, many people on this forum have sworn by their effectiveness.
I would really like a natural birth too, but I am going to remain open minded about pain relief....I have never had a baby before, so I don't realistically know what to expect.

 

[maldives]

I never had a baby too. but thinking about the consequences of an epidural that i know some people who have had it such as back pain and headaches! i think taking the pain even for 2 days is better than suffering from it my whole life.!
the thing is. I don't know what im gonna do if i end up having a section

 

[mrs_tommo22]

I cannot stress enough how indescriably painful contractions are and even more so if you have at back to back labour. Im not trying to put you off going natural all the way, but if its your first baby then your labour could be very long, any time up to 40 hours.

An epidural is not the nicest of pain relief, i had it with my first and it was a life saver as i had a 36 hour labour and back to back. Though it didnt have pleasant after effects.

My second baby was only 4 hours in labour and had her on gas and air only but it was exceotionally painful and dont feel i would of coped without the gas and air as it made me focus on my labour.

Im not saying by any means use every drug available but keep your options open.

(with imogen whn i was pushing her out I was in that much pain I told my husband I wanted to die it hurt that much!!!!). Though i was very smug afterwartds that i did it gas and air only!

 

[daftscotslass]

I've changed my mind a lot recently. Initially wanted a homebirth until two of my close friends gave birth. One needed a section (elective, he was breech) and another needed an assisted delivery as the wee bugger just didn't want to come out. She needed forceps and an episiotomy. That made me chicken out of a homebirth.

I talked it through with the head of my midwife "team" on the phone and in person and she didn't do anything to sway me either way, she was very supportive. I consider myself to have a high pain threshold but I have no idea what I'll be like when it comes to labour - I was a right grump with period pain! I'll do everything before I have an epidural and also want to be encouraged away from it but I've written in the birth plan that I'm open minded - I'll know at the time if I need it! The midwife did tell me that there was someone who gave birth a couple of weeks ago who had almost exactly the same opinion as I did - wanted a homebirth initially and wanted to avoid an epidural if possible. 26 hours later she declared her undying love for the anaesthetist as the epidural took effect and a couple of hours later she delivered a 10lb baby.

The only thing I've ruled out is diamorphine (we're not offered pethidine at our hospital) because I want out as soon as possible and don't want a sleepy baby who won't feed!

Nobody I know has had any after-effects from an epidural or spinal.

 

[Sherlock]

I think you should keep an open mind. Don't rule anything out.

TBH you have no idea how you labour will go. You can hope it'll be straightforward but sometimes things do occur to slow things down or cause more pain. Pain relief might be very welcome if this occurs.

I personally am not frightened of the needle or any such thing, but my personal belief is that I would rather try for natural birth over a medically assisted one. Hence me opting for homebirth where things like an epi are not available to me. However if I should have to be taken to hospital for whatever reason I accept I may well be needing more pain relief by that time. I've not ruled it out. My mantra has been 'I'm not ill, I'm pregnant' throughout and I don't wish to have a medically managed delivery unless it really is needed for either myself or baby. I belive that being in an environment I am happy and comfortable in is half the battle mentally. I feel more relaxed about birthing at home and hope this will benefit me.

If you've read one post about an epi experience I'd suggest to do more reading. Everyone has a different experience and I'd not base any decision on one post. I'd do lots more research and discuss with MW and later a consultant about all pain relief options if you wish to try to manage without an epi.

In hospital you can hopefully use a birthing pool which is a great pain reliever and also a good place to actually give birth in, plus gas and air and things like pethedine (needs to be given early in labour however as it crosses the placenta).

You can also practice breathing techniques to help work through contractions rather than tensing and fighting them. Easier said than done I am sure, but its how I hope to be. Also keeping mobile as long as possible in labour is a good thing I am told. Gravity and all that does its bit, plus it means you can get into positions that are comfortable for you. Lying down puts pressure on your lower spine and coccyx and can make baby delivery slower and possible be more painful as you are compressing your spinal area into an awkward shape for baby to move downward.

You will hear all this sort of thing at ante natal classes on birthing and labour so be sure to sign up for them. I think it will help you a lot with possible decisions on how you would like to manage your labour.

Prior to labour you can in the last few weeks do some exercises on a birthing ball to help encourage your baby into a good birthing position etc. Lots of pointers on how to do this and other things can be found on this forum or elsewhere on line.

 

[Krystal]

I think the best thing to do is go in with an open mind, I wanted no pain relief apart from gas and air, I ended up begging for an epidural. Didn't get one cos happened too quickly towards the end.

Nothing can prepare you for labour, just go in with an open mind, you don't want pain relief but it is there if you feel you need it

 

[Sherlock]

the thing is. I don't know what im gonna do if i end up having a section

Try not to spend too long dwelling on things that probably won't happen. I tend to look for the positives and not spend too long thinking the worst as it tends to not do me or anyone else much good.

You are 26/27 weeks along so plenty of time yet You can do more reading and research and if and when you need to talk to a consultant about a possible C section then you can cross that bridge. Until then don't look on the negative side of it.

I really have tried to remain positive about things throughout my pregnancy. From when I had bleeding in first and second tri to the cardiac tests and so on I had to have and a few other things. I've never allowed it to really cross my mind that I'll need a C section. I'm keeping positive and planning a homebirth and also making a birthing plan should I require a hospital birth. But I don't dwell on or worry overly about a C section or other things. If they happen they happen. I understand what goes on, what it means and so on and am informed about it all as far as I possibly can be. That for me is enough, so I can then focus on the good things and look for positives.

 

[leighannex]

pethdine is brilliant

 

[Urchin]

It's easy to say you will have a natural "no pain relief" birth but in an ideal world thats what a lot of women want and don't get it.

My first was a 24 hour back to back labour, when you haven't slept for more than a day and are in agony with no prospect of an imminent delivery you do what you need to do.
Keep an open mind then if you do decide you want an epidural about it later you won't feel like you've let yourself down.

 

[purple13]

don't rule anything out!

i was induced but still wanted to try and do things naturally. i really didn't want an epidural or pethidine - but i ended up with both!!!

the epidural was bliss

 

[bobtheunfortunateone]

Are you crazy! If I need drugs then it must be bad. My last one I did'nt even think I was in labour went in at 6cm dilated with no pain, then I had to have a emergency C Section. Sometimes things are out of your control. I won't decide until I'm there. Most mums want as little drugs as possible but when you have a good size baby and your skins ripping, stuff natural! Open mind thats what I say! Don't plan on anything, but be prepared for having anything, at the end of the day I want my baby out safely and not getting stuck or not breathing because I don't want drugs to help speed it up!

 

[maldives]

Definetly i should have an open mind but. if everything goes natural and well. then i will try not to have an epidural. if not i will.
The thing is im not sure about other pain relief options and how effective they r so i guess i have some research to do.
thanks all for ur opinions and yes i will keep my mind open for sure.

 

[bobtheunfortunateone]

Good luck. Bare in mind different things work great for some, and rubbish for others. But certainly don't fell forced to have anything you don't fancy!

Why carn't they pop out? one push POP

 

[loz]

I bet you change your mind!!! I've only heard of one person whose managed that out of everyone I know and my friends/ family know!! There's nothing wrong with accepting pain relief for the most painful thing you'll ever go through!!! Wait and see how you feel at the time!!

 

[Suzie and Faith]

I'm opting for a homebirth but if that's not possible then i'm not ruling out any sort of pain relief. As others have said, no one knows what each labour will be like. If all goes to plan:
I'm going to use a tens machine in the early stages
The pool and gas and air for the rest.

I'm not worried about having a c-section as such, obviously i want to avoid it if possible but if it needs to be done then it needs to be done!

 

[AnnaR2B]

Sorry hun, i wouldn't have my teeth pulled out 'au natural' so i'm not pushing out a massive baby through a tiny space without some help!!!!

Each to their own, but pain relief all the way for me!!!

 

[maldives]

GOD this is getting really scary i've been changing my mind since i have posted this thread. i feel like crying now. don't know what to do I know i should and will talk this through with my GP but thought of discussing it with u all to get an idea of what other pregnant women think and plan and ur experincies if u already have babies.
Im not a big fan of pain but i am worried worried worried things might go wrong with an epidural!!

 

[AnnaR2B]

Don't worry..well easier said than done...but remember, we ALL feel the same way..sh*tting it!!! Just try and do it on your own, but be prepared to change your mind?
There are other things as well as epidurals, i just want one, because needles etc don't bother me, also the risks are very small...then again i would happily accept a c-sec...so i'm probably a freak!!!