how good is the pethedine and gas n air?

Question

im going to be a first time mum im already 4 days late and im worried because i dont know what to expect

Answer 1

The gas is great if you use it properly and the best way to do that its watch the foetal monitor - it will detect the start of contractions before you feel them, and that is when to take the gas. I did this with my second (8 lbs 3 oz) and it worked a charm.

Try and avoid the pethedine if you can - if the baby is born too soon after the injection the baby can still have pethedine in their system - that happened to me with my first.

For most people it really isn't as bad as you may have heard. Yes, some people have problems, but generally speaking, it isn't so bad.

Your body was designed by nature for this purpose. If you are fit and healthy it helps too. Fit women generally have far easier labours.

Answer 2

Gas and air first - its like all the good bits about being drunk without the room spinning or being sick. Add pethidine, and I was having random conversations with anyone who would listen. I apparently told my midwife that I didn't want any children as they were not to my taste! It doesn't stop the pain, but it sure as hell helps you cope with it. But it isn't for everyone, and it should be avoided later in labour.

I had an epidural as well, which has its pros and cons. I couldn't feel any contractions at all afterwards - but this became a problem when I couldn't feel where to push. I ended up with a forceps delivery, and a forth degree tear - ouch! If you want an epidural, ask your midwife to take control for you, you'll need all the help you can get to be able to psh youlittle bundle of joy out.

But gas and air and pethidine - fantastic.

Answer 3

I'm a first time mum, my little girl Ashley is 7 weeks now. I was 4 days late, and getting very frustrated. I hated being pregnant, i just wanted her out. How people enjoy it i don't know. It wasn't till i was about 6 months that i even felt any different. But it hit me like a ton of bricks. I suddenly had really bad pains in my legs, and bad back pains. Being rushed off you're feet working in a kitchen isn't exactly called TAKING IT EASY!
At first i didn't want to have any kind of pain-relief, but but later on in my pregnancy i just had an open mind. And that's how everyone should look at it. Because u just don't know whats going to happen. Anything can go wrong.
I ended up having pethidine and gas & air,i thought it was great. made me very, very sleepy though. I was totaly monged out!
And it isnt as bad as everyone makes out at all. The only thing i was worrying about was having stitchs. Thank god i didn't need them. I was in labour for 12 hours, thats from my waters breaking to holding her.
All the best to you, it's an amazing experiance. And all worth while, even if u dont feel like it is at times. You'll have lots of up's and down's, i just take every day as it comes.
Good luck x x x

Answer 4

Best of luck with the impending birth.

Try not to get yourself worked up about what will happen, I just recently had my first baby and found the midwife was great, I had no idea what would be happening but she talked me through things as they happened. I had the gas and air first and felt drunk it also made me a bit sick but it was a great relief from the contractions.

I didn't have the pethidine as my contractions were so strong the midwife suggested an epidural. I had this and everything went well thankfully.

When I was doing the classes they midwifes said that the pethidine can put the baby to sleep and stop labour so you may not want to go down this route.

I think once you try and relax and realise the midwife is there to make sure you and your baby get through this safely. Trust her and listen to what she says, prepare to be flexible in your birth plan, mine went totally out of the window, wasn't aware of anything outside that room and of course time doesn't exist.

Hope it all goes well for you, just remind yourself what a wonderful thing you are about to experience.

Answer 5

Pethidine is good but can affect the baby. Gas and air is great lol. You know what's going on but seem to be watching from a distance. As far as I know the gas and air doesn't affect the baby.
The hardest part is actually giving birth but this will probably only last 30 mins. The rest is contractions and pushing till the baby arrives. Afterwards the placenta is delivered ( easy after the baby) then you might need a few stitches then enjoy being a mum!! Good luck!!

Answer 6

the pethidine took the edge of the pain but made me feel very ill. Gas and air was ok, i couldn't time it properly as my contractions were peaking early on then tailing off slowly - it only took effect after the worst of the pain was over. My contractions were so close together at 4.5cm dilated that i was overdosing on gas and air - i ended up having an epidural cos my labour was slow and i was allowed the gas and air while they put the epidural in - didn't feel that at all though!!!

Answer 7

Gas and air is amazing! It gives you a buzz so even though you feel the pain you don't care so much about it. It does dry your mouth out tho so make sure your birthing partner has some ice chips for you, or a cup of water at least so you can sip on it. Pethidine can make you feel drowsy - I had both with my first birth and fell asleep between contractions lol - my second birth I was too far on for Pethidine so I had to make do with gas and air alone. I was far more awake for that and to be honest I preferred that because I felt more 'there' as opposed to feeling really spaced out.

Every birth is different - but the main thing to focus on is the gorgeous baby you'll have at the end of it. Good luck........ and breathe deep on that gas and air!!

Answer 8

that's the best way to be because everyone different take all the help you can ,and go with the flow, don't panic do all your breathing when they tell you, it will all be over with in a flash ,and when you hold your baby for the first time it will all be forgotten ,good luck don't stress what will be will be. have as much rest as possible because the little darling will be waking you soon enough, good luck don't be afraid and let everyone know what you have and how it went....

Answer 9

Gas and air made me sick
Pethidine calmed me down in between contractions (as I'd not slept for 2 days!), although the pain was still there
Don't worry too much - you WILL cope. I was a wimp before and I was just fine.

Answer 10

i was 18 days past my due date..i really wanted a natural birth and held out for nearly 3 days..pushing and contracting...the thing i found was no one tells you what to expect..when i was in hospital with my newborn son i kept wondering why no one had ever writen a book about all the little things you only find out during and after labor...now i know...it is because as soon as you have pushed (or in my case an emergency c section) the stubborn little so and so out you forget all the little things..they become so unimportant..a new born takes up so much time...then they start to crawl..then talk and the dreaded words come out...'I WANT'....SO ENJOY THE PEACE EVEN IF YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN WHAT YOUR TOES LOOK LIKE!!!!! all women and babies are different...do not listen to horror stories..simple fact of life...that baby has to come out one way or the other and the joy you feel afterwards eliminates all these worries...no one delivery is the same but gas and air does help...depends on many factors...too many to list here...just do not worry...the little one will arrive safely...and it does not hurt as much as you are probably thiking...so what anyhow...the end result is so so worth it...happy parenting...you will be fine babes...