giving birth!!!

[darlingnc]

Hi everyone,
i am due to give birth to my first child in June and i am a total wuss when it comes to pain and am actually quite scared of when the big moment arrives, what if the pain is too unbearable and i cant handle it i am really worried, has anyone got any advise like how does the gas and air benefit and the other drugs they might offer me, what ones are best?? please any advise will be really appreciated. nicola

[Velvetee]

Hey Darilngnc, I'm due June 13th with my first. What day is your baby due?

I think I'm still in denial about how intense the pain will be, so haven't been thinking about it. I did think I might like an Epidural, but everyone says there is more need for a Forceps or Ventouse delivery with an Epi.

I've heard Tens machines are quite good and can be hired from places like Boots. Everyone is different, so take your time to consider your best option for pain relief and get as much advice as possible from your care team.

[darlingnc]

hi velvetee, im due on the 3rd june, will let you know what its like lol,

[natalie_1982]

I had a tens machine (bet that surprises you lol), and I found them to be really good. Mine was provided by the hospital but I had the last one, it is probably worth hiring one in case your hospital doesn't have many.

[darlingnc]

where could i hire one from? is that the same one you can use for back pain?

[natalie_1982]

I think you can hire them from Lloyds pharmacy, probably best to ask your midwife. Also, I think you can hire them through Tesco.

Don't know if they are same ones used for back pain.

[darlingnc]

ok, i will ask my midwife, thanks natalie

[Velvetee]

Thanks Darlingnc, I will wait with baited breath for your full commentary on childbirth. Mind you, if you're late and I'm on time, then we could be going through it at the same time.

You can also hire TENS machines from Boots. I joined their baby club online and they have lots of offers and information, including hire of TENS and also various Pelvic Floor exercisers. (I keep forgetting to do my exercises)

Regarding the TENS machine. Does it have to be used prior to giving birth or just during labour?

Thanks

[redcrx]

a tens machine is only to be used when contractions start. Get it on as early as possibly and increase it as needed. It takes a while to work but is good.

Nicola, Im not sure if this will help, you may find it interesting to read others experiences of birth here http://messageboards.ivillage.co.uk/iv-ukpbbor n you may even find my birth story on there.

[sara3]

bless! educate yourself on all these different methods of pain relied but don't have a solid plan. go with the flow, see how you feel at the time, see what advice you're given. please don't spend the next 6 months worrying about it!

and if anyone tells you a "horror story".. do they go on to do it again? mostly... yes! so we all get over it and the end result always makes it worthwhile :o)

[natalie_1982]

Oooh Sara, those people do annoy me! As has already been said... labour s not a tickling contest, you already know that, but women have done it (and will contine to do it) for millions of years. You will honestly look back and wonder what you worried about. Enjoy every moment of your pregnancy,it's wonderful and I loved it, and I am so jealous because I can't wait to do it again (my little one is only 8months so I wont be doing it just yet lol)! It goes way too fast, I miss my belly :-(

[carron81]

hi

i had a tens machine.... found it to be my little life machine throughout the day and night. they practically had to pull it off me when i got taken to theatre and i still had it on in theatre until they noticed!!!

i cant really describe how it works but it helped

i had gas and air, it didn't work for me but everyone is different. my boyfriend had more fun having a few shots of it!!!

i also was given diamorphein. that didn't agree with me. it took the pain away for a few hours but for those few hours i was sick over the whole delivery room

i paced about a lot. they put a few pilates mat down for me so i could just crawl on the floor. i found being in the bed very uncomfortable

i prepared myself for a bad birth, just had a funny feeling and i was right.

i avoided all videos of births, bookes etc. which i found helpfull. i think if i'd have known how the day was going to progress and what was happening i would pass out. i just went with the flow of things and stayed calm even when i was getting prepared for a cesarean

i ended up with forceps and ventous.

one thing i would say is prepare for after the birth. i know its not what you want to hear but you don't hear much of how your body will be after the birth. try and get meals prepared and freeze and get frozen food in. get any help you can and one thing i learned if the baby sleeps you sleep. i ran around like a dafty cleaning and making the house nice when i should've put my feet up. take it easy and get into a routine in you rown time

its now 6 months and thats me been out today for the first time without a sanitary pad, been able to wear tight clothes and not need to find a toilet!!!

[Psychick]

I cant really add much to what the others have said but I can strongly recommend hiring a TENS machine. I hired mine from Tesco as they had a stock kept instore and Boots didnt. I used mine from when labour started at home, right through til about a week after the birth! Most women get mild pains after birth as their womb contracts back. II think I found it more beneficial after than during labour but that was mainly due to the fact that I didnt turn it up a notch during labour as I was waiting for the 2nd stage to start, With me though, 2nd stage started as baby came out!! lol

My youngest is still only 10 months old but I would go throug labour again:)

red, I think what you mentioned about going over from not being relaxed could be true. I wasnt relaxing during labour at home and I wasnt dialating, I my midwife said I needed to relax. When I went into hospital and had a shot of pethidine, I did relax and baby was born an hour later! Ah the memories! lol