I had no pain relief at all with either of my babies!

With Sean I was induced rapidly due to very high BP and the contractions were really intense but as it was my first time I kept thinking that "it's going to get a lot worse so I had better not have anything for the pain yet!" Then it was all over!

With Kate things were so much easier and relaxed and I coped really well with the contractions, which were much less painfull than the first time around. Because I knew I could do it without pain felief, I just did it!

I think the most important thing to remember is that everyone is different and you have to keep an open mind! If you really need something, ask for it!!!