best pain relief during labour

[bubbles81]

The countdown begins as we have only 8 more weeks!!! so exited but being a first time mum, i dont know what to expect when labour comes and what sort of pain reliefs are safe and effective. i would love an epidural, as people say you dont feel any pain as all! but people say that you dont recover as quickly as if you only had gas, also does epidurals have any effect on the baby? What is the most safest and effective pain relief that you would reccommend?

[satya]

Epidurals aren't all that easy to get in some hospitals. I told the hossy I wanted one when I arrived but it was never offered to me and I forgot to ask again as I was in so much pain (sounds silly I know). I had been warned by others who'd been to my hossy that they avoid them wherever possible. I think epidurals can lead to longer labours & problems with pushing as you might not be able to feel what you are doing. Because of this I think intervention rates are also higher.

I had gas & peth. Gas only took the edge off & peth worked far better.

All pain relief has it's risks. I think gas is fairly risk free but if you have a lot of it you can feel out of it. Peth can make bub drowsy & make you feel out of it. I was completely out of it after I gave birth as I'd had so much gas & peth.

[suse]

Bubbles, you might find it helpful to read some of the birth articles in the Articles section of the main website.

Here and here are articles on epidurals in birth, which give detail on the possible implications to your labour and to your baby. You might also find the threads and articles on active labour, hypnobirthing and the use of water in labour useful if you wish to investigate alternatives to conventional pain relief. Have a look through the Birth and Labour section of the forum and the website; there are lots of great resources.

No one person can say what the most effective form of pain relief is because it will differ greatly from one person to the next. Whilst useful, each form of pain relief carries with it some risks and potential disadvantages. The best thing that you can do is to arm yourself with as much information as possible on what the effects, advantages and disadvantages of each kind of pain relief are, and then decide if this is something that you think you want to utilise for your labour.

Some say that the best form of pain relief in labour is education - having a good understanding of what happens in labour is one of the best ways to manage it and to deciding what is going to be best for you.

Good luck for your upcoming birth!

[amberj]

I had an epidural during labour and it was a double edged sword. In many ways, it was great. I got to a point where I was no longer handling the pain and it was superb for pain relief. In the end, I also had a baby who was very big and had trouble fitting through my pelvis, so he had to be vacuumed out rather forcefully, and I had to be stiched for ages- so I am very glad I had an epi for all that!

But at the same time, the epidural slowed down my labour, making my contractions less effective at dilating me. Also, because I couldn't stand, I had to birth on my back, which is the worst position and lead to me tearing worse than if I had been able to get into another position.

As far as recovery goes, from the actual epidural, I had no problems. It wore off in a matter of hours and I had no ongoing issues whatsoever. From a broader perspective, though, because I tore very badly because of the posi I was in from the epi, recovery was a very long and painful process indeed.

On the whole, I don't regret having the epi, but it DOES come with a cost. Sometimes it can seem like an epi is a kind of magic cure to labour pain- and it does do a fabulous job of pain relief- but it has very real downsides as well.

[myson]

you might want to check out hospital policy on epidurals at your own hospy. I had one with my first, and it was great, but policy here is to let it wear off at the pushing stage so you can feel more and are less likely to need forceps etc. Sounds good in theory, but after 12 hrs of feeling pretty comfy .... whamo! it all hits at once and you have to push... was a bit of a shock to the system for me. second time round all i had was gas and that was easier.

we all react differently to different things.....

[mrsmac]

I had gas and pethadine with both DDs and only gas with DS and survived all births OK! I agree it depends on you what works best. I was terrified of epidurals as my friend had one and it shut down her whole body and they had to revive her then give her a general and a C/S. I realise that its pretty rare but I decided I didn't want anyone messing around in my spine LOL
I have other friends who swear by epidurals so really you will find supporters for every form of pain relief including none!

[MantaRay]

It is great that you are getting prepared. I really wish I had learnt more before my first labour. The best thing I did before my second labour was to read New Active Birth. That gave me the knowledge about position, breathing etc that helped me birth with just gas.

Quite honestly, having had one birth with an epidural and one without, it is much better IMO to not have one. An epidural increases the risk of further intervention and this is what happened to me. I know you are probably thinking so what, but trust me, you will realise if you end up on that cascade of interventions path, just why it is not advisable. I can also tell you from experience that you will feel a mile better after the birth for not having drugs and also recover quicker, much quicker. I really recommend that you aim for no pain relief as the first option, and if you do have some try to stick with just gas.

I think most women accept drugs readily out of fear and lack of kowledge. I know I did first time. You worry that you won't be able to cope long before it gets to the point of not coping. This is why reading the right books is so important. Check out the reading list from the OP of any Belly Buddies thread and start reading. Best of luck Hun.

[BellyBelly]

A doula! Women who labour with a doula need MUCH less pain relief. Not because of the people who use them, but because they are more supported, continuously supported by someone experienced in birth support.

[visitor1]

A doula! Women who labour with a doula need MUCH less pain relief. Not because of the people who use them, but because they are more supported, continuously supported by someone experienced in birth support.

I 2nd Kelly on this one. For my latest birth (my DS) i had a doula and she was the best. I ended up with a drug free labour and it was by far the best out of the 3.

For both my DD's i had gas, whilst it took the edge off the pain, it wasnt really pain relief as such. It helped for the small amount of time, but if you dont start sucking at the right moment, it doesnt kick in, in time for the peak of the contraction where all the pain is!

As silly as it sounds....chants in your mind are a good pain relief. For my DS i repeated in my head: I can do this, i can do this....and it really did help!

[bubbles81]

thanks so much for the useful information! I sure will be reading up on some more info- at first i was thinking of epi. Now im hoping to use nothing at all if possible. I think maybe thats the best way for recovery and for the baby. I must read up on that new active birth book

[Nelle]

For me, water. Soothing water, a shower trickling on my back while on all fours, or a bath. Helps you relax, which helps you breathe through contractions, the warmth soothes muscles and pain, and if you're in a bath, the weightlessness takes any external pressure out of contractions.

[tutmae]

I had an epidural and it was FANTASTIC! A lot of people are very quick to dismiss them due to the possibility of further intevention, but honestly, that doesn't bother me and if it's offered to me again I'll be taking it. If you're not so keen on feeling the pain (as I am) then I'd go for whatever makes you feel the most comfortable, be it epidural, gas, shower (which was also amazingly helpful- almost as good as the epi for me) or doula (which I'm not so keen on, but different strokes and all that). At the end of the day, no matter which method of pain relief you choose or how much intervention there is you'll get to hold you're beautiful bundle at the end of it all, and that's what's most important.
Good luck with the birth and with meeting you're new little person!!

[Nelle]

Like I said before, I'll totally agree with Tutmae about the shower being brilliant. (I had my second child in a shower/bath!)

I suppose that's okay that you don't mind unplanned intervention Tutmae, but I'd say you're in the minority there!

[BellyBelly]

An epidural may remove pain but if you end up with episiotomy and / or forceps vacuum to go with it, the pain can go on for weeks - and for some last a lifetime. Not all of course, but statistically you are more likely to end up with those things if you opt for an epi. Makes much more sense to try and avoid that so you can avoid the rest, especially if it means you cope and are supported well and dont feel the need for the epi in the first place, i.e. with a doula, or continuity of care as you would get with an independent midwife.

[Cyathea]

Your own endorphins! Nature has you equipped with your own pain relief which kicks in during labour if you are in the right state of mind, and labouring actively.

A wonderful book to read is "Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering" Dr Sarah Buckley. It goes into the complx interplay of hormones our bodies utilise during birth in a lot of detail, but it is really easy to understand, and shows how using synthetic drugs can be detrimantal not only to ourselves, but to our babies as well, and can have effects on them after the birth is over, in the form of difficulty breathing, not establishing breastfeeding very well, etc.

I really recommend you read it

Also a very interesting book is "Childbirth Without Fear" Grantly D!ck Read, he was one of the first people to identify the fear = tension = pain relationship when giving birth, and talks about how if we work to eliminate all fear, we take away the tension, and minimise pain, and part of that is being relaxed so our bodies can get on with manufacturing and using its own pain relief.

Also some people find calmbirth or hypnobirth techniches really helpful as well...

And yes, a great support team is invaluable as well!


All the best, keep researching into it

[tutmae]

I think the most obvious fact here is that there are so many options and so many opinions that you've just got to research and work out what sounds most appropriate for you. The best advice I was given was not shut down any of your options beforehand and to have all the information possible. You may get in there and realise that you're fine and can cope without anything (that's what I'm hoping for myself the second time around ) or you may find that something you thought you wouldn't want is exactly what you need. Preparation and information are your best friend!

Nelle: I think you're right about the unplanned intervention! Heehee, I just know my weaknesses too darn well and it makes that needle so very tempting . But here's hoping it wont be needed this time round!

[Olive]

i regret pain relief bigtime! the peth knocked me out for most of my labour, im talking hours, i then had an epi which lead to an episotomy which as kelly said can have longterm effects! it took ages to recover from, probably longer than those who had c/s, sex was painfull for almost a year, i could feel where i had the epi in my back for about 12 months. not to mention things were foggy after the birth from the peth- my biggest regret, not having clear mind, forgetting those preciuos moments after the birth.
this time im having a doula, reading, informing myself of best postions, positive thinking will be using different pain relief such as massage, sterile water injections etc.
i understand that the epidural is the way for some but your lucky if you get away without further intervention. just remember that 'cascade of intervention' that associated with things such as epis.

[Visitor8]

I got an epi with all 3 of my labours. I demanded it with Chase because they weren't gonna give one to me because I was already 7cm dilated, so they called the doc who came and said I was 8cm, too far along, so I said "well I ain't pushing this bub out without one" and I won lol It was bliss!!

Epidural are safe for bubs I had gas and HATED it. It made me want to vomit. I wouldn't touch pethidine because it's not safe for bubs.

I didn't have any unnecessary intervention, I wasn't cut and I could feel the urge to push fine, it was just painless.