birthstools

[Novella]

this may be at the bottom of your list but if you do chose an epidural does your hospital offer ambulatory epidurals? My gf had one with her ds and was able to move around her room freely

for me moving and standing were good options for pain relief as was firm pressure on my lower back which DH oblidged with and with dd3 a birth pool was great. Im someone who likes to birth kneeling and labour on all fours and or leaning over a bean bag. I also found making circular motions with my hipe helped, a bit like a slow hoola hoop motion

I think familiarising yourself with a number of different pain relief techniques/options is a great idea then you can see what options appeal to you at the time

good luck with your birth

[Maruschke]

this may be at the bottom of your list but if you do chose an epidural does your hospital offer ambulatory epidurals? My gf had one with her ds and was able to move around her room freely

for me moving and standing were good options for pain relief as was firm pressure on my lower back which DH oblidged with and with dd3 a birth pool was great. Im someone who likes to birth kneeling and labour on all fours and or leaning over a bean bag. I also found making circular motions with my hipe helped, a bit like a slow hoola hoop motion

I think familiarising yourself with a number of different pain relief techniques/options is a great idea then you can see what options appeal to you at the time

good luck with your birth

Yes I'd love one! That's what I meant by low dose epi. I don't know if my hossy offers it, and I know only certain anesthesiologists can perform them, but I will certainly be asking.

[Novella]

my girlfriend said she was able to walk to the toilet and didn't need a catheter (I had never heard this could happen before). Im seeing her for lunch wednesday and Ill quiz her

My gf did end up with a forceps delivery for her ds who was her first, how much the epidural contributed to the further intervention as obviuosly I dont know all the details of her birth

[Shanti]

I used a birth stool with DD1 for the pushing stage of labour but as she was posterior it was the wrong position and I had to move her so had to get off and try a new position!

DD2 I never used one. I didn't feel I needed too, I found the toilet seat more comfy that time, lol

I was always reassured by mw that if baby came out while on stool that it would be ok and they would catch it

[Cricket]

If there's any possibility of having a waterbirth or at least the use of a birth pool in labour at your hospital, I'd definitely recommend keeping that option open. The relaxation that water provides is wonderful both for coping and progressing, if you're past 5cm when you get in. And, water birth reduces tearing. I've heard of a few women who feel "lost" in the water, and want to get out and feel grounded again, but the vast majority that I've heard from have loved it, and some even compare it to an epidural!
Getting through 48 hours of labour is an incredible accomplishment! I really hope you're not feeling like we're suggesting that having the epidural last time was a poor choice. But don't assume that you'll labour like that necessarily this time. And when it starts, do your best to think ONLY of one contraction at a time - don't think "it hurts now, and I have HOURS and HOURS of this ahead...." You'll have a very hard time coping if you get into that mind set. Ride each wave as it comes, and have someone there who will encourage you when you're getting down.
Personally, I find reading through Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin really encouraging and reassuring and informative. I've reread it before each of my births for the last three babies. Wish I had it when I had my first two!
All the best for a wonderful birth experience this time around!

[HotI]

I loved the gas in my first birth. It's worth keeping it as an option.

I have used TENS before and found it effective

Water is awesome.

Epidural wasn't an option for me, but i have heard positive reports of the 'walking epi'. Definitely see if this is available to you.

[Maruschke]

If there's any possibility of having a waterbirth or at least the use of a birth pool in labour at your hospital, I'd definitely recommend keeping that option open. The relaxation that water provides is wonderful both for coping and progressing, if you're past 5cm when you get in. And, water birth reduces tearing. I've heard of a few women who feel "lost" in the water, and want to get out and feel grounded again, but the vast majority that I've heard from have loved it, and some even compare it to an epidural!
Getting through 48 hours of labour is an incredible accomplishment! I really hope you're not feeling like we're suggesting that having the epidural last time was a poor choice. But don't assume that you'll labour like that necessarily this time. And when it starts, do your best to think ONLY of one contraction at a time - don't think "it hurts now, and I have HOURS and HOURS of this ahead...." You'll have a very hard time coping if you get into that mind set. Ride each wave as it comes, and have someone there who will encourage you when you're getting down.
Personally, I find reading through Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin really encouraging and reassuring and informative. I've reread it before each of my births for the last three babies. Wish I had it when I had my first two!
All the best for a wonderful birth experience this time around!

Nah I don't feel like anyone was suggesting it was a poor choice. Thanks for your well wishes and I hope your HB goes well too. I'm sure it will!

[Sagres]

my girlfriend said she was able to walk to the toilet and didn't need a catheter (I had never heard this could happen before).

TBH I had no idea what kind of epi I was getting but I was able to move around and didn't need a catheter (I didn't actually realise catheters where normal with epi's until I read this - derr). So it is certainly possible.

Also with the gas, it does take a bit of experimenting to get it to work well so sticking with it for a bit might help. I have heard lots of people say they try it once and throw it away cause they don't like it. With my first labour I used it and breathed way too deeply and threw up everywhere, but kept using it and found the right 'amount' of breathing to make it work.