What is the best pain relief

[teenmum]

Hi, it's me again!

If you don't know me, I am seventeen, my baby is due next year in April.
I am, excuse the french, **** scared of the birth.
I have a really low pain thresh hold, please help!

In you opinion what are the best forms of pain relief?

Thanks

teenmum

[angcaltam]

Hi there,
I'm also due in April next year. This will be my 3rd child. I have a very low pain thresh hold as well but found that I handled the labours fine. I love the gas, I had this with my first and used it on the second day of labout with my second. I'm hoping to go drug free this time round.
Good luck and keep us posted on how you are going.
You will be fine!!!

[jamb]

For me the gas was horrible and made me feel nauseous. The pethidine did not take away any pain but put me to sleep between contractions, for a whole 3 minutes each time!

The epidural was heaven, so much so that next time I will have it a lot earlier. But everyone is different and you may find that you just pop em out with not much drama, wait and see and keep an open mind- good luck!

[Ryensmum]

hi there, I like you have a very low pain threshold (I get woozy at the sight of my own blood!) and was worried about how I would cope with the birth of my daughter. I opted for gas only with the option of an epidural if it all got too much. Basically, for the last few months of my pregnancy I told myself over and over "it's going to be the worst pain i've ever experienced but it won't last forever and at the end of it i'll see my baby" I won't say it wasn't painful because to be honest, it was, but because you have that break between contractions and I had kind of conditioned myself to expect the pain I got through it only needing the gas. My beautiful daughter was 9 pound 8 oz after 8 hours of active labour. You will be surprised by what your body can take. This worked for me but there are other options which your midwife/doctor can go through with you. Remember, focus on the end result - it's all worth it.

[aardvark]

If you've never had pethidine, be very cautious of saying yes if it is offered.

I had pethidine when I had #1, and I had what could only be described as an extremely bad trip. I was convinced I was laying on something only 6 inches wide, and I can remember begging my husband hysterically for about 20 minutes not to let me fall off the bed. I remember very little else about it.

I had it written on my chart when I was in labour with #2 that under no circumstances was I to be given pethidine, and I used just the gas, and it was so much better.

[3cherubs]

hello,

For my first, i tried gas but it made be feel really sick and i did not have pethididne i went straight to the Epidural. I was in heaven.
But, my second baby i had no pain relief, i have a really low pain threshold too.
Labour was painful, but somehow i got through it and my recovery was 100% faster and better than my first.

Do whatever feel right at the time.

sandra

arwen 2/2/04
rosie 12/6/05

[BJelly]

Congrats on your pregnancy!

I have a low pain threshold - I take panadol at the drop of a hat! But I managed to go drug free.

Everyone's experience of labour is different, but there are definitely things you can do besides drugs to decrease the pain, I found being in the shower very helpful - the warm water is very soothing for labour pains.

Also labour is very much influenced by our hormones. One of the best things you can do to help decrease your pain and length of labour is to be surrounded by people you trust (preferably also someone who has been through labour before), I had my husband and a close female friend who had had 3 children with me at the hospital. This made me feel safer, helped me focus on the job of giving birth - these all helped me get through the labour.

Saying things like "my body was made for this", "women have been doing this for thousands of years, I can do it too", "each contraction is bringing my baby closer to me" These sorts of thoughts can help give you the confidence you need.

Going drug free for me was great because I was on a natural high for several days after - the body makes lots of natural endorphins. Like someone else said, the pain isn't constant - you get breaks, and also the pain gradually increases, so your body gets time to get used to it.

But it is good to know that if you need them, the drugs are there - however I don't think you can get them (apart from the gas) if the baby is already in the birth canal (in the second stage of labour) - so let them know early if you want them.

[TwoBlue]

Dont be scared of birth... i know its cliche but our bodies are designed to do it...you will be amazed at how well you handle the situation.

I used gas and peth. The Peth did nothing for me at all, the gas was ok and mainly used at a low dose and the deep breathing helped me to focus.

I found the best for me was hot showers and walking around in circles !!

Just go with what feels right for you at the time and before you know it you will be holding your little bub in your arms and will have forgotten all about the pain of labour.....

Good luck

[Supermum]

Hi there

I was also to quote your term ... 'sh1t scared' of the pain! The thought of it used to invade my head in the middle of the night.

My promise to myself was this - I will go 100% natural until I absolutely, positively couldn't cope any more. I had an awesome midwife with no. 1 who gave me heatpacks ... which I think is grossly underestimated as a form of pain relief. It helped me alot. I had heat packs also with number 2 ... and sucked on the gas for focus.

Put it this way, if it was that bad - I wouldn't have gone back for number 2.

Besides which, babies are the reason we have boobs and bits ... that's what they're there for!

Good luck - you'll do great.

[nemosmum]

Your bound to get all kinds of advice, tips, ideas and stories but to tell you honestly every labour experience is 100% unique....

No matter how much you know about labour and all that you can never be prepared for what happens....it never turns out the way you plan, hope or pray it will

with that said GO FOR THE DRUGS, THE MORE THE BETTER THATS WHAT I DID!!!!

GOOD LUCK

p.s whatever happens be proud of yourself your doing something really amazing