Pain relief/water births - what are you having?

[Jenbob]

Hi ladies

Hope everyone is doing well!

So has anyone got any ideas on what kind of pain relief they are wanting for their birth? Or if they want water births or home births?? Curious to see what others are doing.

I thought I just wanted quite a vanilla birth with just a bed and gas and air but starting to like the idea of water birth... From anyone who has done one previously what are your experiences with it?

Thanks xxx

 

[H16]

I wanted a water birth last time but wasn't allowed due to having very mild asthma! Go figure?!

I am probably going down the same route as last time, gas and air and pethidine, just helped to take the edge off so I was calmer rather than stopping the pain. Last time I spent most of time layed on my back as was in too much pain to want to move but I am hoping to move around a bit more this time if possible and let gravity do its thing x

 

[Jenbob]

Haha how does that even make sense!?
Yea I guess I just feel a little lost in this world of birth! I really had in my head that yea it may hurt etc but should be fine on gas and air and just lying down and relaxing, but after doing my NCT course I'm realising actually it might not be easy as I think lol.

I like the idea of water birth as can hopefully move a little more and like you say let gravity work! Xxxx

 

[Bubbles22]

I'm starting at the bottom of the pain relief scale and working my way up. I am not even writing a birthing plan, just starting with water, then drugs, then epi, then section. Baba will come and although I want it as natural as possible, I don't intend to go through hell or put bubs at risk either...

That's my plan anyway lol

 

[becky85]

I didn’t think you were allowed pethadine for a water birth as it makes you drowsy. I thought you could only have gas and air but when I went to look round midwife led unit last week they said you could also have Meptid which apparently is like pethadine but without the sedative so you can still use the pool. That’s what I’m hoping to do if all goes to plan anyways.

 

[AmeliaM27]

I had a water birth at home with my first - I had some gas & air near the end but to be honest the best pain relief was the water - it was amazing!
I had planned on the same with my second but ended up having to be induced as my waters went and didn't go in to labour within 24hrs. I wasn't allowed to use the pool and the induction caused my contractions to come on very suddenly and I was in excruciating pain unlike anything is had with my first so ended up having an epidural. I was gutted that I didn't have the natural birth at home that I'd planned but all that matters is that I had a healthy baby. Just go with the flow and do what feels right at the time but definitely worth trying water if you get the chance x

 

[papella]

I'm having a home birth with a pool which we've got, midwife said she will bring gas and air if I want it at any point

 

[xjdx]

I had a water birth with my daughter, she was 3 days over due. I used gas and air to on occasions but the water is amazing pain relief it's self.

My daughter was 9lb 6.5oz and I had no problem delivering her in the pool. The pool is defiantly my first choice this time to xx

 

[violet13]

I've decided on water birth if I can, as our hospital has 1 birthing pool. I know 100% no epidural as it's just the thought of I can't walk or feel contractions that scare me, I know it's a very good pain relief but I can manage pain so probably gas and air and paracetamol for me.
Don't get me wrong I know it's gonna hurt like hell! But I just don't want to lose control which could happen anyway. Xxx

 

[ShowingPromise]

Water birth if I can and a pool is free. I'm aiming to have as little intervention as possible but won't rule out pain relief of all kinds as I'm a ftm and just have no idea how bad it will be!

 

[Rooster30]

Epidural first time, water birth second time... I preferred the epi!

 

[Jenbob]

Oh wow a lot of water births! Thanks for all the replies. I didn't think they were This popular until recently.

Bubbles I think I like that plan, I might just say I'm open to anything depending on the situation however would like to try for a water birth ideally. Don't want to get my heart set on water and then there's no pools free! I think I will put water birth on my plan though. Xxx

 

[littlemonkey]

Going in with an open mind is definitely the best option. Definitely research and find out whats available and possible at your hospital too. Because they all have different guidelines on what they recommend regards to water births etc and what drugs they offer. Don't be afraid to ask for pain relief, there's no one handing out medals at the end of it all.

As someone who's elective c-section didnt even quite go to plan due to complications at the end of my second pregnancy, I can't stressed enough how important it is to be flexible and accept the birth you want and get can be two very different things!

 

[Bubbles22]

Jenbob I'm usually a planner. I plan everything and I am such a control freak so I know if I start to overthink it or overplan it, I might get disappointed or even worse, feel like a failure to do it with just gas and air. It has taken me months to be so relaxed about it and try to 'roll with it' though lol. X

 

[Jenbob]

I'm a planner too! But yea I'm really trying to just do the whole go with the flow which is why I think I've not really thought about it much until now. Thanks for advice ladies xxx

 

[dairygirl]

I used the pool when I was in labour with my first but it relaxed me so much it slowed my contractions right down! The midwife got me out of the pool a few times to try and get things moving but eventually I delivered on the bed with just gas and air. I did find that gravity really helped and when I was on my feet my contractions came thick and fast! I really hope im lucky enough to have another birth experience as straight forward as my first this time and I'm hoping to try the pool again too xx

 

[MrsS143]

I want a water birth but theres only 1 or 2 pools at the hospital
So its down to luck whether they're free really

In my head i figure we're built to do this
the thought of being on my back seems unnatural
Plus baby comes out pre washed haha

I'm open to the idea of all pain relief but will start off as close to natural as I can manage x

 

[Charliebump3]

I had two water births in the past with gas and air! I didn't use the gas and air for the pushing.

I am hhoping for a water birth this time and again I will have gas and air! I am hoping for a nice quick labout as my others were 9 hours and 4 hours!

 

[doll_eyes]

Im also hoping for a water birth if i get released from consultant care this week. Not ruling anything out and will just start with gas and air and work my way up if i need to. Xx

 

[Bunny432]

I'm also hoping for a water birth, if not possible I'm going to try stay upwards for as long as possible because I don't like the thought of lying on my back but being a FTM I know I don't know what to expect really and will just have to go with it. I would love to have as little pain relief as possible but as long as baby comes out healthy and safe I'll do whatever needs be xxxx