hi there everyone

i am very fearful of epidurals don't get me wrong i believe they can be wonderful its just i have heard some not very nice stories about them over the years and they have just scared the ....... out of me lol

however i believe in the best way to approach the labour is all about keeping yourself and your baby healthy and happy and to trust what the midwives or obs say and go with that.

so with my first i opted for gas - yuck made me puke not nice
had pethidene shot with anti nausea drug thought it would make me pain free but nope i still felt everything

with my second - i said i didn't want gas or pethidene so i was dreading i might have to have an epidural but i coped really well with a hot shower and holding the shower hose thingy onto my belly with each contraction i was in there for around 2hrs sitting on the seat and standing, also had relaxation music on and aromatherapy oils clary sage and lavender i think (4 1/2 yrs ago - memory is shot lol)

with the lovely lani - i had nothing at all no time whatsover lol i really wanted to try a bath but she was born before the bath was full, my labour was so quick with her (1hr) i really only had 12 bad contractions and was on my side hanging on for dear life on the headboard of the bed lol but it was great and i was on such a high - although i did ask for an epidual as her head was being born lol

i really think after 3 births 2 with no drugs there was an amazing difference in the way i recovered after, with my 1st i had the drip for induction and an episitomy (sp?) and the pethidene and gas really just did not do it for me, having said that i do plan for another and i sincerely hope i have a similar experience as with lani but hey if i don't doesn't matter as long as bubs arrives i just don't mind

good luck - just remember each contraction passed is one step closer to meeting bubs.

see ya