Anyone given birth in Europe with gas+air and then in US with nothing

[bubbamummy]

?

I had my 1st son in a UK hospital where 'gas and air' aka 'entonox' is the 1st method of pain relief. I managed a natural, IV free birth with gas and air with him.


Now I live in the US and obviously, sadly do not have the gas and air option, so in april I have a natural birth planned with only the TENS machine for relief, im nervous that I wont be able to do it and will end up wanting to be taken to the hospital for an epidural.

Anyone done a 'gas and air' birth and then a 'nothing' birth? I need some positive stories.

[Mrs.aLifeofReilly]

Not exactly what you asked, but I gave birth to my second using a TENS and HypnoBabies and had an almost completely pain-free birth (had an epidural with my first). I loved the TENS.

[bubbamummy]

Im planning on using some of my 'Christmas money' to buy the Hypnobabies self study kit, so hopefully that will help too.

[*MamaJen*]

I've never understood why gas and air and tens machines aren't available in the US.

[NewDirections]

Originally Posted by *MamaJen*

I've never understood why gas and air and tens machines aren't available in the US.

I was wondering the same thing

[bubbamummy]

I wonder too. Its soooo common in England. Maybe cause the NHS wants to save money and gas and air is MUCH cheaper than an epidural

I loved it, it made me throw up but I didnt care, as I was...ermmm...'high'

[miriam]

Is gas ether and/or nitrous oxide?

If so, it is not used here because it can affect the attendants who stand around five or six deliveries a day. As with all interventions, it is not without its attendant risks.

But it is better for the mother and baby as far as pain relieve is concerned. I believe I have read about it used at some home births.

[bubbamummy]

Originally Posted by miriam

Is gas ether and/or nitrous oxide?

If so, it is not used here because it can affect the attendants who stand around five or six deliveries a day. As with all interventions, it is not without its attendant risks.

But it is better for the mother and baby as far as pain relieve is concerned. I believe I have read about it used at some home births.

Thats weird as UK midwives are around it daily, maybe its in the way its delivered. In the hospital I was in it came from a wall mounted unit and had a mouth piece, it only came out when you sucked on the mouth piece.

[JamieB]

I used Entonox for my first birth and nothing for my second. I'm not gonna say it was easy but it was doable. The gas takes the edge off I found but I was still in quite a bit of pain with it. I had back labor and was begging DH to rub my back harder and he told me he was already pushing as hard as he could, and he is not a weak/small man. That was with the gas. So my first birth was a less painful, but not that much.

[mntnmom]

Never had entonox, but something to remember: barring complications, #2 is usually easier! It sounds like you're getting yourself prepared. Don't rely on the TENS though. Make sure you get yourself educated about the options you have in the states. I've heard great things about both Bradley and Hypnobabies. Good Luck!

[bubbamummy]

Originally Posted by JamieB

I used Entonox for my first birth and nothing for my second. I'm not gonna say it was easy but it was doable. The gas takes the edge off I found but I was still in quite a bit of pain with it. I had back labor and was begging DH to rub my back harder and he told me he was already pushing as hard as he could, and he is not a weak/small man. That was with the gas. So my first birth was a less painful, but not that much.

I did the same thing, I was screaming 'push harder' and he was saying 'im bruising you' sure enough over the days after the birth my lower back was covered in bruises where id made him 'push harder'

[kittyhead]

i had nitrous with my second, here in the US (california) at a hospital... i guess its not that common here? anyways, it did help quite a bit. with my first i had no gas, but i did have a shot of something in the middle (fentynl?) but it wore off fast and the hard part (transition etc) was all me. i didnt have an epi either time.

[at_the_hip]

I haven't had a hospital birth here (2 homebirths) but in Canada they do the nitrous as well. My Mom had it when she gave birth to me and she says she laughed me out! LOL

[miriam]

Originally Posted by bubbamummy

Thats weird as UK midwives are around it daily, maybe its in the way its delivered. In the hospital I was in it came from a wall mounted unit and had a mouth piece, it only came out when you sucked on the mouth piece.

That is the reason that American birth attendants give for not using nitrous oxide/ether, AFAIK.

Personally, I would go for whatever works the best in the interest of the mother and child.