Pain Relief - what should I do?
M&S
but when I said about it at the a-natal class the midwife was trying to
explain all the cons (in a good way, I hadn't really looked at them before
so it was useful).
I don't think I will be able to cope with just gas & air and I'd rather not
have to 'cope' I'm so frightened, and I know it's the most natural thing,
but I just don't do pain well so want as much help as possible.
I'm worried that I'll need a c-section (no hints at that but I know a lot of
people that have had them) and I would rather have an epidural from the
beginning so they can use that for the c-section rather than having to have
a general an. as the 2 times I've had a general I've been ill, and the last
thing I want is to be ill and not enjoy the first few days with my new baby.
Side effects of epidural that the midwife said could be severe headache for
a few days & a bad back for a month or so. As I said to her, I've had a bad
back for months so what's new!
Anybody had an epidural and experienced side effects that could possibly
deter me?
Thanks in advance.
S (not so bored this week, my parents are here to entertain me - finishing
the Xmas shopping today!)
Mary Ann Tuli
M&S wrote:
S,
Firstly, well done for getting your Xmas shopping done. I'm doing ALL
mine on Amazon this year :-)
Anyway, back to the question. I had an epidural. It was the right thing
for me at the time, I don't regret it and had no adverse side effects.
However, in hindsight I would not have another one. Of course, I have
the experience of child birth behind me and would be more prepared for a
2nd one, that's why I say I don't regret having one.
The advice I would give to you is to arm yourself with all the knowledge
you can so that when/if you need to make decisions about pain relief
you'll make an informed decision.
The pain of labour is like no other pain, it's more a whole experience
and I don't think its possible to judge how you will cope.
I know people who've been terrified from day one yet go on to not even
realise they were 7cm dilated and end up with only a drop of gas and
air. I know people who appear to be the most calm and mellow people on
earth who fell apart during labour and ended up with loads of
interventions etc. Your nature does not determine what type of labour
you have, although I would imagine that if you are tense and scared it
won't help.
Pain relief should not be a debate. You educate yourself and then make
informed decisions.
As for side effects. I needed pitocin because the epi slowed my labour
down. I was sick a few times after giving birth. I don't know whether
that was the drugs or shock or whatever.
I didn't have the use of my legs for sometime after birth. I didn't
realise my bladder was full. These weren't problems because of course I
was well cared for (I didn't realise I didn't have the use of my legs
until the midwife suggested I go to the loo!). I was certainly not ill,
and would say that after a few hours I was fine again.
I didn't notice any side effects in my son.
Good luck.
Mary Ann
M&S
M
"Mary Ann Tuli" <tu...@ebi.ac.uk> wrote in message
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Dee
"M&S" <M&S...@nospam.com> wrote in message
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> If S doesn't have the diamorphine, can I have it?
>
> M
I had diamorphine with my 2nd. I had no idea I was being given it, the
midwife gave me my pethedine jab and said she'd given me something else to
"help me relax". I was about 4cms dilated and fell asleep for 4 hours. I
woke up in the throes of active/pushing labour and had no idea what was
going on for a couple of minutes but that I was in agony. It was all very
scary.
I have mixed feelings on it. I had a horrendous 1st labour (a 12lb 9oz baby
out of a tiny body) and it put me off having more kids for nearly 10 years.
I was very frightened about labour when having my 2nd and so was grateful
that the diamorphine made me sleep for over half of it but it also meant I
was less mentally prepared for active labour as my mind and body hadn't been
adjusting gradually to the increasing pain leading up to it.
I had no idea that I'd been given diamorphine, I asked my community midwife
what it could have been and she said it was definitely just something to
stop me being sick (most of the midwives where I live are as thick as pig
sh*t - I didn't give birth anywhere near here). I went to a different
health authority when pregnant with my 3rd and they looked up my notes and
told me what it was. I asked for it again (still frightened of labour you
see) but never got it as a) the hospital I managed to get to when in labour
don't offer it and b) the whole labour was 3 hours from start to finish and
I didn't need it. I just went through a lot of gas and air (I love that
stuff) and a shot of pethedine.
Lou
for one but was told that it was too late - I had pethedine and gas and
air. The pethedine made me really sick and out of it.
The second labour I had just gas and air because I couldn't bear the
thought of pethedine again - I again asked for an epidural too late!
The third labour I asked for gas and air too late and had a natural
birth - I was so proud of myself!
The fourth was a homebirth and I was really relaxed and focused - I had
gas and air and it actually felt like it was working for the first time
ever! This was by easiest and most in control birth.
My fifth was in hospital again and I had gas and air for about half an
hour towards the end of the birth - again it worked this time because I
was breathing it properly and really focusing.
As you can see the last three times I didn't even consider an epidural -
but the first two times I would have killed for one!
You will know what you want when you go into labour, so don't worry
about it yet - just consider all your options.
HTH
--
Lou
www.freelollies.co.uk
Leading brand kids clothing at upto 70% off high street prices, with
free delivery (and lollies!)
Kat
(C-section) and she felt the whole thing!
Have you thought about waiting and seeing how you feel when the time comes?
It might not be as bad as you expect :)
Kat
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