Can you have all three pain reliefs for labour? Pethadine, Epidural and Gas/Air?

[Fairy Dust :*:*:]

I hate pain, I do not understand these dilussional women who say - 'I want no drugs! I want to feel the pain of my baby!" What tosh!

[smudge]

Yes - I had all three. I started with gas & air, then had a pethadine injection and then an epidural. I was in labour for 36 hours ('established labour' for 12 hours) so the drugs really do help. Each one works a bit better than the last. My baby wasn't drugged at all - she came out fine & started feeding straight away. I am pregnant again and if I need to I intend to use all three again. Childbirth is horrendous which is the reason that they offer you these wonderful drugs. Good luck xx

To Mouse - some births are a lot harder and more painful than others so I don't appreciate being called a big baby thank you very much!! People used to die in childbirth so don't try to imply that it is a piece of cake. 'A bit of pain' is the biggest understatement I have ever heard!!

[museofsatie]

It's kind of rude to call women who want to try natural childbirth "delusional". I mean, it's the same as those women calling those of us who use pain medication "lazy" or "weak"; it's rude and uncalled for.

I know you can get gas/air and an epidural, and you can get gas/air and IV drugs; however, I'm not sure about all three. An epidural was enough for me, and I'm a total wuss when it comes to pain.

I liked the epidural because it stopped the pain without numbing me completely, and it also didn't affect the baby at all.

[Mouse]

I am one of those so called delusional women who had no drugs. I am not delusional I am a woman ! not a big baby my self who can't handle a bit of pain, stop whining if you don't like it don't get pregnant.

[Lucille Luna]

no i wish! i asked the same question, im not sure about the pethadine but the gas...well whatever you breathe in goes straight to the baby so they wouldnt let me take it, so I had to have the epidural. but the epidural didnt really hurt that bad, it was just scary

[val f1 nutter]

If you have an epidural you won't need the others. downside is you can't get up and about so quickly as you won't be able to move your legs properly!!!

[Danyelle 10wks!]

haha! I admire woman who can give birth without anything! that takes courage!! I'd love to know what that feels like...I may never know! lol.

Gotta love this site...its all about people opinions but as soon as someone gives one they get a thumbs down. So stupid if you ask me!

[My3Boys]

Ha! Yes. Done it.

24 hours of back labour with #1. Tried shower therapy first...helped until the pain was unbearable...had a Demerol shot (Canadian/US version of Pethadine) - that did nothing but make me feel woozy. Then I was pretty much blacking out from the pain until the wondrous anesthetist with his magical epidural arrived...the gas came later on...during transition...the bum pressure was coming through the epi. (that bum pressure's a real party...yee-ouch)

And you don't wind up with a 'drugged baby'...good grief. My epidural babies were just as alert and APGAR happy as my natural one...silliness.