Thought My Mind Was Made Up...

[AmarettiEtJus]

I was so sure of the fact that I wanted a medicated birth, with all drugs - inclusive of an epidural, in the labour ward.

That was UNTIL I saw the newly refurbished birthing centre on Saturday, just gone, on a tour....

The rooms were brand new, with a massive birthing pool in the middle of the room, an on suite bathroom, various birthing chairs, bean bags, a birthing ball and a tv. They even have private recovery rooms.

If I were to change my mind, it would be subject to there being a room available and if so, I would have to wave bye bye to the epidural.

Now I am not so sure of what I want to do

 

[tekkitten]

I am also flip flopping! For different reasons though.

Have you ever seen the documentary Pregnant in America? It talks a lot about the mother and child working together during birth, and the release of hormones etc. Gave me something to think about anyways.

I live in a really small town, so water birth isnt an option. I wish it was!

 

[LDC]

I think you should go with what you feel is right, unfortunately it's one of those things where you never know how you'll manage until its happening!

I was sure that I didn't want an epidural and I wanted use of a birthing ball. By the time my waters were broken, I couldn't use the birthing ball because the pressure when I sat on it was too intense. Also I wanted to be up and about to help the labour out but I found the pain too much, I also ended up with an epidural after 4 hours.

It's so difficult to decide, good luck xx

 

[Nela]

Water birthing wasn't an option for me but if you choose to try for it, does it mean that you HAVE to stick to it? I don't think so? How about you take a see-as-you-go approach? That way, you can try it out but if it's too much you can opt for meds as you go? Also, if you go through the first phase at home, you can rest in the tub if you have one, but if the 2nd phase is much more intense, you'll be able to get the meds when you get to the hospital? It's probably wise to try and go as long as you can go without meds as they can slow down progress anyway. I would try and use everything available for as long as I can (though keeping in mind that the epidural might not come immediately when I request it). I think it's great to want the least possible but I don't have an issue with wanting pain relief as I will be requesting it myself. I think the best thing to do is to keep an open mind about it. I'm pretty sure they are flexible and are used to women changing their minds as they progress.

*Edit: Oh I think I understand now. I'm guessing the labor ward doesn't give you many options? Have you toured that? I'm guessing these are two different places now? Sorry, bit confused as to how it all works. For me, the labor & delivery ward at the hospital is equipped with both delivery rooms and maternity rooms. Our birthing rooms are private with an on-suite as well and that's where the actual labor takes place.They are is equipped with the chair, bouncing ball, etc. We don't have the tub though at ours but other places have it so basically, you have all those options available to you whether or not you end up choosing a medicated birth. I'm guessing the birthing centre is under midwife care only and therefore you cannot have the epidural there? What does the hospital offer you as options? Yeah, that's a tough one! I wouldn't know either, I am afraid! Luckily, I didn't have to choose as not giving birth at the hospital wasn't an option. Lol

 

[AmarettiEtJus]

I wrote a response and then pressed the back button -___-

Will respond when I am on the comp later.

Thanks for the responses so far.

 

[knk2011]

I dilated so quickly I didn't have the option of meds. I was 8cm on arrival and 9.5cm after getting to labour ward which was 30 seconds down the corridor. But I wanted a natural birth.

Could not recommend a water birth more highly. It was an instant relief getting into that water , you can get out to push if you want to

 

[AmarettiEtJus]

Thanks ladies.

I had a home water birth with my first, but not sure that I am brave enough to do it again, so the hospital it is. I am thinking of the birthing centre as a happy medium, but hmmm...

A water birth feels right, but the drugs feel right also

I think it's going to be a case of 'we will see when in the situation'.

 

[knk2011]

Don't get me wrong I was more than happy to accept some diamorphine when I arrived but midwives don't like to do it where I am after 8cm. So I had no chance. I think it's impossible to plan for when you've no idea what's going to happen. Whether its your first second or fifth.

Go in with an open mind and see what happens?

 

[AmarettiEtJus]

Don't get me wrong I was more than happy to accept some diamorphine when I arrived but midwives don't like to do it where I am after 8cm. So I had no chance. I think it's impossible to plan for when you've no idea what's going to happen. Whether its your first second or fifth.

Go in with an open mind and see what happens?

So true! I feel like it's my first time all over again, given the age gap.

Yes - I think that's the best course of action. Just going to go with the flow.

Thanks & congrats once again xx

 

[tristansmum]

Don't get me wrong I was more than happy to accept some diamorphine when I arrived but midwives don't like to do it where I am after 8cm. So I had no chance. I think it's impossible to plan for when you've no idea what's going to happen. Whether its your first second or fifth.

Go in with an open mind and see what happens?

So true! I feel like it's my first time all over again, given the age gap.

Yes - I think that's the best course of action. Just going to go with the flow.

Thanks & congrats once again xx

Remember second labours tend to be shorter! My first was 14 hours from 3cm to delivery by emcs. Second was 3 hours from 4cm to delivery (vbac). You might find if it's quicker you can cope on less pain relief. Good luck

 

[AmarettiEtJus]

Don't get me wrong I was more than happy to accept some diamorphine when I arrived but midwives don't like to do it where I am after 8cm. So I had no chance. I think it's impossible to plan for when you've no idea what's going to happen. Whether its your first second or fifth.

Go in with an open mind and see what happens?

So true! I feel like it's my first time all over again, given the age gap.

Yes - I think that's the best course of action. Just going to go with the flow.

Thanks & congrats once again xx

Remember second labours tend to be shorter! My first was 14 hours from 3cm to delivery by emcs. Second was 3 hours from 4cm to delivery (vbac). You might find if it's quicker you can cope on less pain relief. Good luck

I hope this is true for me! I was told by a consultant that after 8 years, your body forgets that it has laboured previously. There is a 13 year gap between big bub and little bub, so I am sure that my body must have forgotten by now. I do hope that this information is incorrect though!!!

 

[BunnyN]

I had a great labour without epidural. The best bit was being on my feet right away after the birth. So many people commented on how allert LO was in her 1st days too. I'm convinced that was because of a drug free labour. I'd never go with an epidural as first choice after my experience but everyone is different.

 

[AmarettiEtJus]

I had a great labour without epidural. The best bit was being on my feet right away after the birth. So many people commented on how allert LO was in her 1st days too. I'm convinced that was because of a drug free labour. I'd never go with an epidural as first choice after my experience but everyone is different.

Yes my first was a textbook natural labour. I too was on my feet 10 minutes after giving birth which was quite surreal but rewarding I guess.

I am not ruling out the epidural, I am open to all eventualities, be they natural or medicated. The issue was more of a labour ward v birthing centre thing.

 

[knk2011]

I had a great labour without epidural. The best bit was being on my feet right away after the birth. So many people commented on how allert LO was in her 1st days too. I'm convinced that was because of a drug free labour. I'd never go with an epidural as first choice after my experience but everyone is different.

I agree. My LB is 4 days old now and everyone has commented on how alert he is, especially straight after birth. I had a drug free labour too. X

 

[counting]

I planned a natural, drug free labor but ended up getting an epidural because things don't always go as planned(Epi's help with PIH too, which I had). My son was very alert and was able to make eye contact directly after birth, even with him being early. I had to have morphine in hospital a few days beforehand though and it really affected LO, they had me on a monitor for his movements for hours, as he repeatedly failed the NST's due to the effects of morphine. So I would never have that during labor, and since epi's don't interfere with alertness that was the only choice for me. I was also able to stand very shortly after birth, by the time we left the birthing suite. I was able to move my legs and feel touch the whole time, just no pain. Natural birth is an amazing thing though, and sometimes I'm really sad I didn't get to experience it, as I had planned for it. I think if you have any inclination I would try for natural, know your choices and then if you feel you would like some pain relief during your labor, that is always an option! But don't feel bad if you want an epi or some pain relief, you can still have a great labor and an alert baby. It also doesn't mean you can't be mobile after birth. DO what is right for you

 

[BunnyN]

I agree every one should do whats right for them but its good to have all the facts so you can decide whats right for you and epidurals CAN have side effects for mother and baby, although different people will have different experiences.

 

[beetroot]

Don't get me wrong I was more than happy to accept some diamorphine when I arrived but midwives don't like to do it where I am after 8cm. So I had no chance. I think it's impossible to plan for when you've no idea what's going to happen. Whether its your first second or fifth.

Go in with an open mind and see what happens?

So true! I feel like it's my first time all over again, given the age gap.

Yes - I think that's the best course of action. Just going to go with the flow.

Thanks & congrats once again xx

Remember second labours tend to be shorter! My first was 14 hours from 3cm to delivery by emcs. Second was 3 hours from 4cm to delivery (vbac). You might find if it's quicker you can cope on less pain relief. Good luck

I hope this is true for me! I was told by a consultant that after 8 years, your body forgets that it has laboured previously. There is a 13 year gap between big bub and little bub, so I am sure that my body must have forgotten by now. I do hope that this information is incorrect though!!!

I had a 7 yr gap between my kiddies and my body def remembered what to do! I had slow labour for about a week, but active labour and delivery was 2 hrs! I did have g&a second time round but overall it was easier because it was so much quicker. I had 2 water births at home. GL xx

 

[AmarettiEtJus]

Don't get me wrong I was more than happy to accept some diamorphine when I arrived but midwives don't like to do it where I am after 8cm. So I had no chance. I think it's impossible to plan for when you've no idea what's going to happen. Whether its your first second or fifth.

Go in with an open mind and see what happens?

So true! I feel like it's my first time all over again, given the age gap.

Yes - I think that's the best course of action. Just going to go with the flow.

Thanks & congrats once again xx

Remember second labours tend to be shorter! My first was 14 hours from 3cm to delivery by emcs. Second was 3 hours from 4cm to delivery (vbac). You might find if it's quicker you can cope on less pain relief. Good luck

I hope this is true for me! I was told by a consultant that after 8 years, your body forgets that it has laboured previously. There is a 13 year gap between big bub and little bub, so I am sure that my body must have forgotten by now. I do hope that this information is incorrect though!!!

I had a 7 yr gap between my kiddies and my body def remembered what to do! I had slow labour for about a week, but active labour and delivery was 2 hrs! I did have g&a second time round but overall it was easier because it was so much quicker. I had 2 water births at home. GL xx

I am dreading the slow labour. I had that for two days drove me insane. I do hope my active labour is that short though. Sounds fab!

Time draws near & I have to do it all over again.... lol

 

[fatandlumpy]

I (or rather my son!) had a natural water birth too - with just a TENS machine and Gas and Air. My first stage was 1 and a half hours and the second stage was just 30 mins. whoever saying subsequent pregnancies are faster - well... cheers! eek! I may have to invest in some stretchy tights to catch my second (if I'm so lucky to have another!).

I was in a midwife led birth centre (the Rosie in Cambridge) and I have to say I had the BEST experience and I'm so glad the birth went the way it did. If there were any problems, Addenbrookes hospital is just a trolley ride away so I felt perfectly safe throughout.

Anyway - One of the midwives said to me that it's easier to change your mind and go 'up' the medication cascade i.e. start out 'natural', but if you need to be induced, or it gets too much and you want an epidural, then they can just whisk you to the Hospital part. The Birth unit is more than used to women who start their labours there, but then transfer (voluntarily or emergency) to a labour ward.

I totally recommend starting out as naturally as you can, then you have the option to 'go up' the intervention cascade. If you start out being induced and having an epidural etc, then you can't 'go back down' if you get my meaning...

All the best - whatever you decide!

 

[lozzy21]

You can always go from the birth centre to the hospital but you can't go from the hospital to the birth centre ;-)