Does anybody else have no idea what they want to do about pain relief?

futuremama88 · Apr 3rd, 2012, 13:40 PM

The hospital is asking me to fill out what I want for pain relief on my birth plan sheet!

I seriously feel like I have no idea... I have read that narcotics like morphine can adversely affect breastfeeding (and BFing is very very important to me), read that nitrous oxide doesn't really do anything to help, and the thought of the epidural in my spine just freaks me out and I don't want one!

I wanted to go natural but since I've learned I'm being induced I have wavered on this because I won't get to be as mobile getting out of bed, trying different positions, etc. as I'll be laying down strapped to a fetal monitor. No popping into the birthing pool for me!

I just feel like... why do I have to decide now? I don't know what labour feels like and I feel as though I'd just like to decide on a whim when I'm in hospital in labour.

Anyone else having similar thoughts?

Menelly · Apr 3rd, 2012, 13:43 PM

I think being open is a good plan.

Just thought I'd tell you, I had plenty of morphine due to my c-sec and breastfeeding is hugely important to me. I've had no real problems with breastfeeding her. She lost a bit of weight in the hospital, but most babies do. Otherwise, it's gone great. Don't think narcotics are guaranteed to screw with breastfeeding. Just make sure you put baby to the breast every time they're awake.

kwood · Apr 3rd, 2012, 13:43 PM

I think it would be hard to decide in advance tbh. This is my first so have no idea how I will handle the pain, know what I would like for pain relief but not counting anything out.

RoxyHotSpit · Apr 3rd, 2012, 13:45 PM

I would wait and see how you handle things. I was 17 when i had my son and i did it with nothing. Sure i wasnt induced but i was okay... I plan to do the same this time around. I didnt think it was that bad... Good luck... I'm sorry you have to make this choice right now.... you might even change your mind then.... Maybe they just want to know so they can have it ready for you....

beth_terri · Apr 3rd, 2012, 13:45 PM

Omg that is ridiculous getting you to fill out a form!! Im going into it thinking I want as natural as possible and will try my hardest to cope with gas and air like last time. If things get out of hand and I need something else then so be it but I wouldnt be able to fill anything out to say what medication I want. xx

immie · Apr 3rd, 2012, 13:50 PM

I plan on just having gas and air. I might have something like pethidine but definitely not the epidural. I don't really agree with the epidural, i understand having other drugs to take the edge off the pain or to relax you so you can get a bit of rest inbetween contractions. But i just think that to have ALL the pain taken away and be completely numb just isn't natural. I've got a very short birth plan (only 5 key points) and one of them is do NOT give me an epidural even if i am begging for it, unless it's absolutely vital for mine or LO's health/safety. I know a lot of women reading this will want to shout at me and tell me why an epidural is wonderful but it's just not for me. I'm going to try and get by on as little as possible xxx

futuremama88 · Apr 3rd, 2012, 14:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Menelly

I think being open is a good plan.

Just thought I'd tell you, I had plenty of morphine due to my c-sec and breastfeeding is hugely important to me. I've had no real problems with breastfeeding her. She lost a bit of weight in the hospital, but most babies do. Otherwise, it's gone great. Don't think narcotics are guaranteed to screw with breastfeeding. Just make sure you put baby to the breast every time they're awake.

Thanks a lot for sharing! I had morphine in hospital for other issues and I found it really helped the pain a lot.

futuremama88 · Apr 3rd, 2012, 14:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by immie

I plan on just having gas and air. I might have something like pethidine but definitely not the epidural. I don't really agree with the epidural, i understand having other drugs to take the edge off the pain or to relax you so you can get a bit of rest inbetween contractions. But i just think that to have ALL the pain taken away and be completely numb just isn't natural. I've got a very short birth plan (only 5 key points) and one of them is do NOT give me an epidural even if i am begging for it, unless it's absolutely vital for mine or LO's health/safety. I know a lot of women reading this will want to shout at me and tell me why an epidural is wonderful but it's just not for me. I'm going to try and get by on as little as possible xxx

I feel the same as you. I don't want to be totally numb, I just want something that would take the edge off a bit. What is gas and air? Is that the same thing as nitrous oxide?

immie · Apr 3rd, 2012, 17:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by futuremama88

I feel the same as you. I don't want to be totally numb, I just want something that would take the edge off a bit. What is gas and air? Is that the same thing as nitrous oxide?

I'm not sure really, i just know pretty much all women here in the UK use it while in labour. A lot of people say it makes them feel really high and just eases things a little bit. Sorry, not a very helpful answer

newaddition · Apr 3rd, 2012, 19:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by immie

I plan on just having gas and air. I might have something like pethidine but definitely not the epidural. I don't really agree with the epidural, i understand having other drugs to take the edge off the pain or to relax you so you can get a bit of rest inbetween contractions. But i just think that to have ALL the pain taken away and be completely numb just isn't natural. I've got a very short birth plan (only 5 key points) and one of them is do NOT give me an epidural even if i am begging for it, unless it's absolutely vital for mine or LO's health/safety. I know a lot of women reading this will want to shout at me and tell me why an epidural is wonderful but it's just not for me. I'm going to try and get by on as little as possible xxx

I won't do the epidural either, didn't last time as it wasn't offered. I agree that it isn't for everyone but like you wouldn't judge anyone else for choosing it, as you said just not for me. Last time I had the gas and air I guess...they called it laughing gas.... Which I assume is the same.

Apr 3rd, 2012, 13:40 PM	#1
futuremama88 Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 490	Does anybody else have no idea what they want to do about pain relief? The hospital is asking me to fill out what I want for pain relief on my birth plan sheet! I seriously feel like I have no idea... I have read that narcotics like morphine can adversely affect breastfeeding (and BFing is very very important to me), read that nitrous oxide doesn't really do anything to help, and the thought of the epidural in my spine just freaks me out and I don't want one! I wanted to go natural but since I've learned I'm being induced I have wavered on this because I won't get to be as mobile getting out of bed, trying different positions, etc. as I'll be laying down strapped to a fetal monitor. No popping into the birthing pool for me! I just feel like... why do I have to decide now? I don't know what labour feels like and I feel as though I'd just like to decide on a whim when I'm in hospital in labour. Anyone else having similar thoughts?

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Apr 3rd, 2012, 13:43 PM	#2
Menelly Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 3,490	I think being open is a good plan. Just thought I'd tell you, I had plenty of morphine due to my c-sec and breastfeeding is hugely important to me. I've had no real problems with breastfeeding her. She lost a bit of weight in the hospital, but most babies do. Otherwise, it's gone great. Don't think narcotics are guaranteed to screw with breastfeeding. Just make sure you put baby to the breast every time they're awake.

Status: Offline

Apr 3rd, 2012, 13:43 PM	#3
kwood Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Crawley Down, England Posts: 942	I think it would be hard to decide in advance tbh. This is my first so have no idea how I will handle the pain, know what I would like for pain relief but not counting anything out.

Status: Offline

Apr 3rd, 2012, 13:45 PM	#4
RoxyHotSpit Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Monterey, Ca Posts: 136	I would wait and see how you handle things. I was 17 when i had my son and i did it with nothing. Sure i wasnt induced but i was okay... I plan to do the same this time around. I didnt think it was that bad... Good luck... I'm sorry you have to make this choice right now.... you might even change your mind then.... Maybe they just want to know so they can have it ready for you....

Status: Offline

Apr 3rd, 2012, 13:45 PM	#5
beth_terri Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Scarborough Posts: 7,312	Omg that is ridiculous getting you to fill out a form!! Im going into it thinking I want as natural as possible and will try my hardest to cope with gas and air like last time. If things get out of hand and I need something else then so be it but I wouldnt be able to fill anything out to say what medication I want. xx

Status: Offline

Apr 3rd, 2012, 13:50 PM	#6
immie Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Warwickshire, UK Posts: 642	I plan on just having gas and air. I might have something like pethidine but definitely not the epidural. I don't really agree with the epidural, i understand having other drugs to take the edge off the pain or to relax you so you can get a bit of rest inbetween contractions. But i just think that to have ALL the pain taken away and be completely numb just isn't natural. I've got a very short birth plan (only 5 key points) and one of them is do NOT give me an epidural even if i am begging for it, unless it's absolutely vital for mine or LO's health/safety. I know a lot of women reading this will want to shout at me and tell me why an epidural is wonderful but it's just not for me. I'm going to try and get by on as little as possible xxx

Status: Offline

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