Some labour questions from a first timer!

[Rainbow1234]

Hello I'm starting to write up my birth plan and had a few questions, I know that things happen and sometimes the plan is out the window so I'm just thinking of it as my ideals and if they happen then great and if not that's ok too but...
I'm really scared of the pain at the pushing stage of labour, I think it'll make me scared to push. I'm not at all against an epidural but am I right in saying I won't feel it with this? Some people have told me differently which concerned me.
How long generally does the pushing part take?
Has anyone tried a TENS machine and found it useful for the early stages?

Thanks! X

 

[El1en]

I had an epidural but I don't think it worked properly, people say they can't feel their legs properly but I could and could walk fine almost straight after. I couldn't feel contraction pain as such but I got a lot of pressure 'pain'. It wasn't real pain but there was so much pressure it did hurt, if that makes sense. My baby was back to back and pressing on a nerve to. Because of this pressing on a nerve my cervix started to swell and rather than dilate to 10cm I got to 9cm then started to shrink again.

Trying to push with an epidural is weird, you just have to try and go through the motions of pushing

My pushing stage was 20mins including a ventouse and episiotomy. After I first had the epidural they said they'd leave me for a while thinking the baby would move itself down but that must have happened quickly as all of a sudden I felt like I was pooing myself, they checked me and her head was there albeit twisted the wrong way

I probably make it sound awful but tbh I did have an awful experience although for most people this isn't the case.

 

[Baker_Baby]

I'd really recommend a tens machine for early labour it helped me a lot x

 

[H16]

There is no time limit to pushing stage, it depends on if you have a problematic labour etc. my pushing stage took 3 hours as I was in labour for 23 hours, hadn't slept in 2 days and just didn't have energy at the end! However I actually found contractions far more horrendous than pushing! X

 

[petchy]

I never got to the pushing stage (emergency section) so can't answer that one, but as for the tens I think it's a matter of either loving it or hating it. I HATED it, and ended up literally ripping it off in rage in the middle of a contraction It really was just annoying, in my opinion. I know others who have loved it though! No harm in trying it to see if it works for you

 

[Rainbow1234]

Thanks everyone

 

[Birdie]

As a ftm the whole thing is so unknown & scary. Obviously giving birth is different for everyone but from my experience the pain doesn't make you scared to push as such. The contractions get gradually stronger as your baby makes its way down and the pushing they get you to do should in theory work alongside that - it doesn't in itself make things more painful. It's an unusual experience in that generally contractions come and go, so you do get a little respite in between the painful bits (unlike other pain we normally experience like a broken leg etc) ..... and it's a productive pain - you know there is an amazing end goal and that can help get you through it. Please try not to be afraid (easier said than done I know! ) .....

Have you looked into natal hypnotherapy or hypnobirthing at all? I found it incredibly useful in helping me deal with everything on the day. There are plenty of tutorials free on YouTube & various books and CDs are available. I really recommend giving it a go if you nervous about how you will cope. I think all the experts agree the more relaxed you can be the better & it gives you some tools and coping mechanisms for that.

 

[Kiagirl]

Don't be scared, you will be fine. I was induced and they said I needed an epidural as they were running out if time as my waters had gone 48 hours before so they really accelerated the drip. This caused contractions really strong and quickly and I had my epidural after 4 hours. I had a couple of top ups and then could feel contractions again, they checked me before they topped me up and she was there. I could feel everything by then!! I pushed for 10 mins and it would have been quicker but the midwife kept popping out to get stuff ready. So it's all diff, the midwife said they always pain relief as they don't want you to suffer xx

 

[Rainbow1234]

Thanks Kia and birdie, I think it is the unknown that's scary. Ive started some daisy birthing classes where they go through different parts of labour and teach you how to relax etc. Only been to 1 so far but I do think it'll help. I'll look into hypnobirthing also. Thanks x

 

[hayes]

Didn't feel any contractions at all they told me I was having them by I never felt them. Waters were broken n Stoll felt nothing just started to get backache n then I went from 6-10cm dilated in seconds n then it did hurt but wasn't awful u just kinda do it. Fir me the pushing was tough bit then he was here n perfect n nothing else mattered anymore.

U will b fine n whatever happens u will cope.

Michelle.x

 

[Glitter2707]

It is hard when you don't know what to expect as a ftm. For me, pushing almost came with a sense of relief that it would soon be over! It was also deeply frustrating when contraction went & baby was almost 'sucked' back in again, feeling like its undoing all of the work you just did! I will never forget that feeling haha.

it really does vary for everyone and is hard to say, but I don't think you will feel scared to push, it's just what your body naturally wants to do. I am going to try a tens machine next time, although I arrived at hospital with my little girl when 10cm dilated and ready to push so contractions were not that awful I don't think. And I don't think I have a very high pain threshold...
It really is a case of whatever will be will be, but you will cope with whatever is thrown at you & end up with a beautiful baby x

 

[CARNAT22]

I enjoyed the pushing stage - I knew it was nearly over then!!! It was almost as though my body just took over.... second time it was all very quick and the pushing stage was involuntary - I couldn't control it if I tried. First time pushing was more managed by the MW'S as I was dead tired (didn't have an EPI though and could feel everything)

Second time I managed my whole labour with a TENS (and G&A)

X

 

[Pin badge]

Hi Hun,

Have to say I found the pushing stage a relief! Like Carnatt says it means it's nearly over pushing for me lasted bout 20 minutes, my whole labour was 6 hours.
I had a water birth and gas and air so can't comment on epidural or tens machine, I can say that I found the water amazing as pain relief...I think back now and can remember the contractions before I got in the pool but none once I was in!

Try not to be afraid of the pain, trust your body, it knows what to do try to focus on your breathing and keep in control, you will manage the pain better. My husband made me laugh during one contraction and I can remember myself getting out of control momentarily...didn't like it one bit! Poor husband got a dig in the ribs and sworn at lol.

Good luck.xx

 

[Rainbow1234]

Thanks ladies. If a pools available ive decided to try the water for pain relief, I might not stay in there but I'll see how I go. I'm still scared of the pushing stage but hearing positive stories like yours does make me feel better. Ive got no option but to get through it so hopefully I'll cope ok x

 

[Cakey]

I was actually really calm with the pushing stage. The midwives were really supportive and I only pushed for 10 minutes. It really is so natural at that point, you just know you have to do it and your body really knows what to do, even though you have to help it along. I don't actually remember being in pain when I was pushing either, it was just pressure. You'll really be okay it's not that bad because I wouldn't be considering a second baby if it was! Xxx

 

[BunnyN]

I loved pushing. I found it less painful than established labour and it was hard work but felt like I was really getting some where.

 

[hellywelly]

I had a very quick first labour (5 hours start to finish) and I found pushing the least painful part - it wasn't painful at all, just hard work! Getting from 3cm to 10cm in 2 hours was the ouchy part for me, plus the tears when I begged for an epidural and then when they came to do it they found I was too far gone - that was emotionally painful!! Lol. But I'm glad I didn't have the epi in the end as once I got pushing the pain died down and after an hour and 20 mins of pushing she was here. I think also she would have been here sooner had I tried a few different positions for pushing.

 

[Kaylip29]

I found the pushing part the easiest, and I don't have the best pain threshold. My labour was over 40hrs and I was pushing for 1 hour. Your body kind of forces you to push tbh, you don't have much choice 😌 the urge to push is uncontrollable! Obviously it's painful, I won't lie, but I found it seemed to go by quickly.

For my birth plan, I decided to start from the bottom and work my way up with pain relief. I started with paracetamol and codeine. I then started using gas and air at 5cm dilated. That for me was enough xx

 

[Gillyboos]

Pushing was the easiest but for me too, I really didn't feel any pain. If I did it didn't register and was far less than contractions. Totally agree about your body forcing you to push, if my mw hadn't seen my having a contraction and almost doubling up she wouldn't have checked me as they said there was no way I could be at that stage so quickly. Your body sort of just takes over.
Contractions were painful and I would have liked pain relief but gas and air made me feel sick and there wasn't time for anything else. Whilst painful they weren't unbearable.
I only pushed for 10 mins and only had a graze, I like to think that was the kegels and the raspberry leaf tea, but who knows. Xx

 

[Rainbow1234]

Thanks everyone. It really does make me feel better to read your stories. I find some days I feel really anxious and others im ready to just face it and get it over with...pity we don't get to choose when it happens!! On another note...sweeps...what's your experience there? X