Pain Relief During Labor

Baby 1:  Gas &  Air and then epidural when I couldn't take it anymore.  Fully dilated fine, but wound up with H-F forceps and baby found to be face up and with her hand up cupping her head above her ear.

Baby 2:  Nothing.  Had no idea how fast I was progressing as had had epi first time round.  So got to hospital near full dilation.  Had a puff of G&A and it gave me a panic attack and made me sick.  Had meant to go in the pool but didn't get there in time.

Baby 3:  G&A.  Diamorphine.  Neither touched the pain.  Had to wait hours for epi.  Baby born via ventouse, well over 2lbs. heavier than my previously heavier baby and with cord wrapped round his neck. 

Kathleen, I'm just curious why you didn't go with an epidural for your last two pregnancies if you had such a good experience with the first one?

Well, a mixture of reasons.  The not being able to pee caused a bit of bother and pain after the delivery, and the midwives encouraged less invasive methods of pain control.  Hot compresses felt really, really nice for a while, as did a low back massage/pressure during contractions.  For me it wasn't so much the pain from the contractions (not that they weren't sore, but I got to a place I got to a place that I could deal with them) but the baby moving down into the pelvis that was not so nice.  By then, it was too late for an epidural, though I do remember begging for one right before my last one was born, and I do mean begging.  However, it didn't last long and once I could push it felt a bit better, and then it was over!  I was surprised at how fast the pain goes away once they are born. 

Well, a mixture of reasons.  The not being able to pee caused a bit of bother and pain after the delivery, and the midwives encouraged less invasive methods of pain control.  Hot compresses felt really, really nice for a while, as did a low back massage/pressure during contractions.  For me it wasn't so much the pain from the contractions (not that they weren't sore, but I got to a place I got to a place that I could deal with them) but the baby moving down into the pelvis that was not so nice.  By then, it was too late for an epidural, though I do remember begging for one right before my last one was born, and I do mean begging.  However, it didn't last long and once I could push it felt a bit better, and then it was over!  I was surprised at how fast the pain goes away once they are born. 

I'm assuming you had a traditional epidural (can't move, etc) not a mobile one with your first child?  Out of curiosity does anyone know how the 2 compare in action / recovery?

Well, a mixture of reasons.  The not being able to pee caused a bit of bother and pain after the delivery, and the midwives encouraged less invasive methods of pain control.  Hot compresses felt really, really nice for a while, as did a low back massage/pressure during contractions.  For me it wasn't so much the pain from the contractions (not that they weren't sore, but I got to a place I got to a place that I could deal with them) but the baby moving down into the pelvis that was not so nice.  By then, it was too late for an epidural, though I do remember begging for one right before my last one was born, and I do mean begging.  However, it didn't last long and once I could push it felt a bit better, and then it was over!  I was surprised at how fast the pain goes away once they are born. 

I see. It's interesting how you describe the different type of pain that you experienced (i.e. contraction vs movement of the baby). Thanks for that!

I hated, hated, HATED gas & air. It was awful. It made me throw up every time I tried it and the midwives kept telling me to 'fight through it'. I refused. So then I was med free, I went in water and it was really great, it helped a lot. I didn't want pethidine since it transfers to the baby. I ended up not having anything and am glad I went that way, but I know it isn't for everyone! I had a TENS but in the midst of everything didn't use it, go figure!

Wow ,all these pain meds are new to me. I had my kids over 20 years ago.

The first one ,I had an epidural. (sweet heaven!)

The second ,I was vomiting too much to get an epidural. Had nothing except local pain shots at birth canal (exterior)


The thrid son, my doctor was an old man who was convinced the baby had kidney problems because I had so much amniotic fluid. He refused to give me any pain meds. I was delerious from the pain. I remember saying "why do you keep calling me Pat?"
(that's not my name) I also thought he dropped the baby on the floor.


If I had a choice ,I would have taken an epidural every time!


Laughing gas may not be too bad either

I was loopy on gas & air 

Other than a momentary panic when the mouthpiece came apart, LOL, no problems with it at all. 

I'm assuming you had a traditional epidural (can't move, etc) not a mobile one with your first child?  Out of curiosity does anyone know how the 2 compare in action / recovery?

My legs were a bit heavy, but I could still move them.  The epidural was out about 15 min. post delivery and I was standing in the shower less than an hour after that. 

I was loopy on gas & air 

Other than a momentary panic when the mouthpiece came apart, LOL, no problems with it at all. 

That happened to me with DD, except I accidentally hit the midwife in the face with it as I was loopy (and I didn't have my glasses on) and didn't realise the midwife moved from the doorway to my bedside so quickly.   

My legs were a bit heavy, but I could still move them.  The epidural was out about 15 min. post delivery and I was standing in the shower less than an hour after that. 

Awesome Kathleen!

Personally, I just can't do epidurals.  I had one for a herniated disk when I was back in the states and after having to sign stupid amounts of paperwork just to authorise them to inject me for fear of litigation and possible paralysis if the needle slipped I was scared off epidurals.