Comparing Gas&Air to Epidural?

MUM0FTW0 · Mar 24th, 2012, 14:38 PM

So I am from the U.S,and I don't even know if they offer gas and air here,but I am going to ask about it if its worth a shot. Who has some experiences with Gas&Air compared to an epidural?? My epidural with my DS was a nightmare with effect only in my legs so I'd like to hear your stories!

chuck · Mar 24th, 2012, 15:57 PM

It a completely different ball park, GnA will only take the edge of the height of contractions, you still feel everything and on top of that can feel a little light headed and woozy. Its more of a distraction that anything which for some is great. You have to take deep breaths through your mouth so that helps a lot with managing (the deep breathing) and gives you something to focus on.

Also the feeling of it disappears within a couple of breaths.

I liked the epi I had with DS1 up to apoint, i'd had a very long slow labour and I relished the rest I had BUT I am certina I would have avoided the EMCS had I not had the epi nad after labouring again on gas and air only and having a great vaginal birth I know full well that a labour on gas and air only is so much more powerful it was amazing to be able to feel everything.

Mummy2B21 · Mar 24th, 2012, 18:36 PM

HUGE difference. I had both at first when they gave me g&a I thought it was amazing really good THEN the contractions started to get more and more intense and the g&a wasn't doing anything for the pain atall I was beggining them to turn. the strengh of the g&a up I dont evan know of thats possible lol but it didn't have an effect any longer.
I had to wait hours for my epi I was stuck at 9cm for 8hrs till i got my epi which was bliss from then on.

I also had pethidine whilst waiting for the epi which was good to an extent but again no where near as. good as the epi, pethidine for me made me drowsy so inbetween each contraction I was all drowsy and sleepy till I got a contraction then of breath through it then when the contraction eased off I'd feel a big relief and go drowsy again so it was. good in a way as it.let me rest between contractions onstead of worrying for the next ect xx

Blah11 · Mar 25th, 2012, 03:46 AM

I've never had an epidural but from seeing women with an epi, id say they werent comparible at all

i had g&a with my first baby. didnt do anything for the pain but helped me control my breathing. 2nd baby i went natural and I preferred it.

Shylo · Mar 25th, 2012, 22:52 PM

I don't think g&a is used in the USA. At least not in my state.

emilyjade · Mar 26th, 2012, 03:15 AM

I havent had an EPI but i agree i dont think they can be compared. G&A dosnt take way the pain, its still there all the time just disguises it. G&A made me feel light headed so i was focusing on that and not the pain x

Kage76 · Mar 26th, 2012, 07:52 AM

i really liked both- G&A enabled me to cope with the pain- i felt very lightheaded because by the time the effects of the G&A was wearing off another contraction would start. The epidural was great too- after so much pain (she was back to back) the sudden absence of pain was lovely- I would recommend both. I couldn't have done it without it.

rockabillymom · Mar 26th, 2012, 12:38 PM

im from AZ as well. Im pretty positive they dont offer it here. The most they gave me with my first DD was a drip that made me tired and helped me sleep before my contractions got to strong but it definetly didnt take away the pain. It took them 2 hours to get my Epidural and it was pure heaven! Some people are scared of it but by the time thy brought it in I was in so much pain i didnt give a fly F about any other pain.

MUM0FTW0 · Mar 27th, 2012, 17:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockabillymom

im from AZ as well. Im pretty positive they dont offer it here. The most they gave me with my first DD was a drip that made me tired and helped me sleep before my contractions got to strong but it definetly didnt take away the pain. It took them 2 hours to get my Epidural and it was pure heaven! Some people are scared of it but by the time thy brought it in I was in so much pain i didnt give a fly F about any other pain.

I was just coming back on here to write that I dont even have an option for g&a lol. Oh well,there really is no planning for labor until it happens anyways

Blah11 · Mar 28th, 2012, 15:45 PM

its really odd that they dont offer it in the US

would give you guys some middle ground as it seems to be either all or nothing for pain relief in the US.

Mar 24th, 2012, 14:38 PM	#1
MUM0FTW0 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: U.S.A Posts: 1,505	Comparing Gas&Air to Epidural? So I am from the U.S,and I don't even know if they offer gas and air here,but I am going to ask about it if its worth a shot. Who has some experiences with Gas&Air compared to an epidural?? My epidural with my DS was a nightmare with effect only in my legs so I'd like to hear your stories!

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Mar 24th, 2012, 15:57 PM	#2
chuck Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kent Posts: 7,685	It a completely different ball park, GnA will only take the edge of the height of contractions, you still feel everything and on top of that can feel a little light headed and woozy. Its more of a distraction that anything which for some is great. You have to take deep breaths through your mouth so that helps a lot with managing (the deep breathing) and gives you something to focus on. Also the feeling of it disappears within a couple of breaths. I liked the epi I had with DS1 up to apoint, i'd had a very long slow labour and I relished the rest I had BUT I am certina I would have avoided the EMCS had I not had the epi nad after labouring again on gas and air only and having a great vaginal birth I know full well that a labour on gas and air only is so much more powerful it was amazing to be able to feel everything.

Status: Offline

Mar 24th, 2012, 18:36 PM	#3
Mummy2B21 Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 10,033	HUGE difference. I had both at first when they gave me g&a I thought it was amazing really good THEN the contractions started to get more and more intense and the g&a wasn't doing anything for the pain atall I was beggining them to turn. the strengh of the g&a up I dont evan know of thats possible lol but it didn't have an effect any longer. I had to wait hours for my epi I was stuck at 9cm for 8hrs till i got my epi which was bliss from then on. I also had pethidine whilst waiting for the epi which was good to an extent but again no where near as. good as the epi, pethidine for me made me drowsy so inbetween each contraction I was all drowsy and sleepy till I got a contraction then of breath through it then when the contraction eased off I'd feel a big relief and go drowsy again so it was. good in a way as it.let me rest between contractions onstead of worrying for the next ect xx

Status: Online

Mar 25th, 2012, 03:46 AM	#4
Blah11 Mum (Mom) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 38,174	I've never had an epidural but from seeing women with an epi, id say they werent comparible at all i had g&a with my first baby. didnt do anything for the pain but helped me control my breathing. 2nd baby i went natural and I preferred it.

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Mar 25th, 2012, 22:52 PM	#5
Shylo Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 34	I don't think g&a is used in the USA. At least not in my state.

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Mar 26th, 2012, 03:15 AM	#6
emilyjade Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: notts uk Posts: 8,996	I havent had an EPI but i agree i dont think they can be compared. G&A dosnt take way the pain, its still there all the time just disguises it. G&A made me feel light headed so i was focusing on that and not the pain x

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Mar 26th, 2012, 07:52 AM	#7
Kage76 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,104	i really liked both- G&A enabled me to cope with the pain- i felt very lightheaded because by the time the effects of the G&A was wearing off another contraction would start. The epidural was great too- after so much pain (she was back to back) the sudden absence of pain was lovely- I would recommend both. I couldn't have done it without it.

Status: Offline

Mar 26th, 2012, 12:38 PM	#8
rockabillymom Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,639	im from AZ as well. Im pretty positive they dont offer it here. The most they gave me with my first DD was a drip that made me tired and helped me sleep before my contractions got to strong but it definetly didnt take away the pain. It took them 2 hours to get my Epidural and it was pure heaven! Some people are scared of it but by the time thy brought it in I was in so much pain i didnt give a fly F about any other pain.

Status: Offline

Mar 28th, 2012, 15:45 PM	#10
Blah11 Mum (Mom) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 38,174	its really odd that they dont offer it in the US would give you guys some middle ground as it seems to be either all or nothing for pain relief in the US.

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