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.

[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.

[Mumma2three]

I had an epi with number one, I also had episiotomy, and I recovered quicker than with my second birth no pain relief. I would have considered it for number 2 except I had her in less than 2 hours. Dont' dismiss anything, just read up on it. I also tried gas and it did make me sick. Disgusting!
I would like to go drug free this time as well, but again, I will go in with open mind, because if I do need pain relief, I dont' want to feel bad that I have it. xo