The pain releif debate! Anyone else scared about what to do? also anyone used an Epi-no Delphine Plus?

[diva_lorri]

Hi all -
As all impending mothers (im 27.5weeks) Im really starting to worry about labour and what pain relief to use if i need it (im sure i will!). Too be honest I know very little about any of the pain relief on offer. My dh and i do have our birthing call day class/ hospital tour etc at the end of the month so Im sure theyl go through it all then but...
I was wondering if you ladies can give me the heads up and maybe share some stories/ knowledge on what works or even just whats available and what it does.
Also has anyone used an Epi-no Delphine Plus? Im thinking of buying one.  
Thanks ladies xx

[mami1323]

I wanted an epi but guess what...the thing didn't work.  It numbed only one side of my body.  I was 9 cm dilated when my doc asked me if I wanted the anesthesologist to come back and redo it or I can begin to push soon.  She said if I got the epi redone I would have to wait to push because I wouldn't feel the urge to push.  I chose to push.  It was rough but my labor wasn't that bad and it was quick.  Play it by ear.  If the pain is too much get it.  You really never know how labor is going to go.  I got lucky and had a quick one but if it had been longer then I would have opted to have my epi fixed so I could get some rest.  Good luck.

[diva_lorri]

Thanks to all! I certainly do realise its gonna hurt no matter what lol and I dont wanna be drugged up either lol... Id hate to harm my boy in any way.
Im certainly going in with an open mind and will take what is necessary. The thing that scares me the most is my perineum tearing (frightens me!!!!!) as my ob doesnt cut it unless necessary. Ive heard the gas makes you feel 'stoned' which i couldnt stand and that the morhpine makes you nauseas. I think (even though it sounds scary) Ill try the Epi if necessary. Does an epidural hurt? I have a very low pain tolerance and have panic attacks. Ive come ahead in leaps and bounds with the mind over matter thing but its still a case of you cant help when a panic attack comes on.
I was thinking of buying an EPI-NO DELPHINE PLUS does or has has anyone use one? Its meant to be great but they are expensive and probably not something id be too keen on buying second hand.
thanks xx

[michelle148]

If i reach the point of giving birth im sure i will want pain releif as my pain relief barrier isnt exactly strong and i used to moan and be in pain with period pains so god knows how im going to cope with labour! I think im going to have and epi as i can not see me doing it naturally mind you this will be my first labour so i dont even know what to expect except i have been told it hurts like hell!

[misslollipop]

when labour starts just go in with an open mind cause i did want to have a pain med free birth but ended up having a epi as i as so exhausted,

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

I'm totally scared and as of now plan on having a natural birth med free.....unless c-section is something I have to go with

[joshuawatkin]

Even though i dint have any pain relief with my first child and i had a bad labour, i am still determained not to have any with this little one. Everyones pain barriers are different.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

as BTS said, labor was meant to be painful....if you are too numb you can't feel when you need to push, and you can't tell how hard to push becuase you have no idea where the baby is...

I've had morphine and epidurals...morphine didn't do squat.  My epi I got so late as in minutes before i delivered that it didn't do much.  I have had natural childbirth and while it DOES hurt...it's by far worth it.  The funny thing is...immediately afterwards i felt like i'd never gone through any of it.  It was my easiest/fastest recovery.  I've had 4 kids so far.  This time I'm aiming for another natural birth, but will keep my options open for an epidural IF I get to a point that I no longer think I can handle it.  

[BTS1022]

There are a lot of pain killers the doc can offer, granted most of them are non narcotic and do little to settle the bad contractions. I had tried everything from demerol to morphine and nothing suited me better then a good ol' epidural. Most of my epidurals didnt allow me to feel anything which i disliked, but my last pregnancy i got a high epidural which only killed the pain of the contractions, I felt the pressure and the notorious ring of fire.

Despite the several choices you have for pain relief during labor, not much will do the trick, labor is made to be painful and therefore its going to be reguardless, even after delivery your uterus will go through small contractions for a day or 2, and they can get pretty painful.

In my opinion the pain is worth it, and once you have that little angel in your arms it makes it all worthwhile.

GL to all mommies to be! And tons of baby dust to those TTC