I had the spinal block with my first labour which was almost 5 hrs. Had lots of pethadine, gas & anything I could (no time for spinal block during second labour) which was 4 hrs, & nothing at all with my third labour. My third labour was 2 hrs & 20 mins. The pain was the same. THE PAIN WAS THE SAME!! None of the drugs helped. My youngest even got stuck on the way out. The drugs dont help with fast labour, but friends with really long labours said that drugs helped, but only with contractions, not the actual birth. Hope this helps. Take care Sherrie81

I'm not going to lie, labour hurts, but the pain can be managed without medications.  I use my aches pains and braxton hicks contractions to practice my breathing.  It helps to lessen the pains I'm feeling, and because of that, my pain tolerance for labour will be higher, meaning I shouldn't need pain relief at all.

Don't get all tense about it and during labour, keep as physically relaxed as well as mentally and emotionally, so that the pain doesn't seem as bad.

Keeping moving around during labour.  Be up out of bed as much as you can.  This helps to bring bubs down quicker which should mean a quicker labour and birth.  When you are resting, try different positions, the midwives should have info sheets on what is helpful for this.

You waters will break when they are ready, or your midwife will break them when you are fully dilated, or before if you ask her to.

Hi! It's only natural to be nervous as the birth approaches - it's such a big thing.

Remember - fear heightens your perception of pain, so do what you can to reduce it - relaxation, informing yourself, feeling in control, etc. I think this is often why first births are often worse than subsequent ones - it's all new and it's easy to panic. Also, focus on the end result - the pain will help you to keep going and meet your baby sooner - I certainly would have given up pushing too early if the pain had let me!

If you dont like medication, have you considered water birth? Water is supposed to be a natural pain relief. I also got on well with a TENS machine - small electrical pulses which may have stimulated the endorphins but certainly distracted me from the pain a bit! You can hire them online if your hospital doesnt have enough.

Another thing you may want to consider if you have the option is a home birth. Many women feel safer in their own homes, while others feel safer in hospital. If your midwife agrees you are having a normal healthy pregnancy with no risk factors, and you are in the former group (like me), you may find that staying at home will help you handle the pain much better.

Like you, my waters had to be broken with DD1. With DD2 my waters gushed all over my exercise ball (which was my main pain relief til the later stages) and DD1s car mat at the end of the first stage of labour. I read that anything repetitive helps with pain - bouncing on an exercise ball was my saving, but also drumming my fingers, tapping my legs, anything like that!

One final thing, my MIL told me which helped me with DD2 - every time she felt like she couldnt cope with the pain of a contraction a moment longer it subsided. It was certainly true with my second labour. So you WILL cope, and you WILL soon meet your baby!

I had all three different pain relievers also but it was because I needed them as it was a very long and exhausting labour. I wa sscared and just kept asking for more pain relief.

With my second the labour was very quick (4 hours) and because I knew what to expect I didn't panic and stayed at home for as long as possible as I was comfortable. I didn't have any pain relief for the labour and found it much easier and quicker.

My waters had to be broken foe me both time too....it's no big deal and very common.

Just try not to expect anything.....all labours are different and the majority of the time each one gets easier. If you need pain relief then go for it, if you don't want it then do some research on what your options are.

Amanda xxxx

Hello,

With my first I had gas, pethadine and epidural (sorry about spelling) and at the end I was so "not-with-it" that I didnt really enjoy the experience. But with my second and third I had nothing, not even gas. I suppose because I knew what to expect it made it easier. With all 3 of my boys I was induced, had my waters broken for me and my contractions were fast and hard. I found if I stayed calm and breathed properly then it all went smoother. I also tried soft music in the back ground and I walk around my hospital room all the way through labour cause gravity helps push the baby down, also if you can use one of those big exercise balls, that may help. Actually with my third they had to lift me on the bed because he had started to crown. It comes down to what was already said...do what you need to do at the time, there is no wrong or right.

Never regret a thing. 

Goodluck with it all and enjoy the experience XXX

Hey,

I feel the same way.Im 36 weeks pregnant with my first and i really dont know what to expect or how things are going to go, and i guess i wont until they happen. Ive had bad pains, like ive never experienced for nearly a week, my bubs is very low and ive been told he will come around 37weeks, so im VERY nervous!!

I dont like drugs either, i hate to even take panadol, but, if im in excrutiating pain and can no longer handle it i will ask for an epidural, i rather be able to stay calm so the baby doesnt stress.

You will be fine, Of course its going to hurt, but look what we get in the end, its all worth the pain!! The way i see it is if people can keep going back for more children, i cant really be that bad, its something only us girls can experience and im sure its the best experience we will have in our lifes. Im not a real religious type, but i do believe god will give us what we can handle.

Dannii xxo

Hi.

I've added an internal link to a great advice article from Kseers called Birth Preferences which also has some additional links about choosing the birth you want.

I am sure that once your labour starts that you will remember how you coped last time, Please remember that like every child born every labour is different and this time being your second you may be more relaxed.

I am going to try and find some relaxation techniques and will endeavour to add them to the external link. I would research alternative pain relief that is available in your area/hospital and see if there is something that you would prefer to do rather then drugs, maybe you could contact your midwife to see if she can put you in touch with practitioners of natural pain relief.

I hope some of this helps you and remember nature made us able to have children naturally so natural instinct will kick in when the time comes.

Hi!  There are some great books on active birthing, which give you tips on movement & positions to minimise the pain.  If you don't panic, but stay calm & sure that you can do this, it will also help minimise any pain.  If you do need pain relief it is not the end of the world - you do what you can live with at the time and what gets you to your goal - that beautiful baby!