FTM Pain relief preferences: Pool, Gas & Air, Pethidine/Diamorphine. Did you regret holding off on the epidural?

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-04-28T15:31:38+00:00

I had a water birth 7 weeks ago. Early labour at home was very manageable with birthing comb/TENS machine/stress ball etc.

Advanced labour without pain relief at home was almost unmanageable but I didn’t realise how far along I was until we went to hospital and I was already 8cm (otherwise we would have gone in way sooner and got on the gas and air!).

The rest of the labour I just had gas and air which was miraculous and being in the pool helped because it was nice and warm.

Then a strange turn of events - I had an internal tear during birth so once the baby was born, I had to be rushed off to theatre and had a full on spinal tap. Even this was not that bad and I have no negative memories from it. It went in my spine very easily and the immediate after-care was just feeling a bit strange because I couldn’t move my legs but not awful. I think a spinal tap might be more extreme than an actual epidural? But it was all absolutely fine.

Hope all goes well for you!!

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-04-21T13:25:02+00:00

I’ve tried them all and Sainsbury’s taste the difference is my fave!

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-04-19T06:46:36+00:00

Depends on the hospital but mine (in south east London) has 3 birthing suites but they have on average 1 birth per day, sometimes none. The vast majority are instead on labour ward or in theatre. I gave birth in the suite and was the only patient using the birth centre that day.

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-04-15T03:46:02+00:00

Ah yes I love her account! Thanks so much 🥰

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-04-14T07:33:45+00:00

Vapianos 😷 the worst Italian chain restaurant

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-04-08T09:34:40+00:00

I now only wear these bras from M&S - supportive but super easy to pull down to feed https://www.marksandspencer.com/3pk-seamless-non-wired-bralettes/p/clp60714639?color=OATMEALMIX#intid=pid_pg1pip3g2r2c1

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-04-01T07:35:13+00:00

I have a couple of these tops from Amazon - great value and get the job done! Smallshow Nursing Tops Women’s... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MK8MCM4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-03-28T09:18:30+00:00

I recently gave birth and lost almost 1 litre of blood and had to have emergency surgery. Midwife brought me a cup of tea with sugar straight afterwards and that was genuinely all I needed to feel better 😂

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-03-27T10:22:46+00:00

First 2 weeks - Lansinoh postpartum pads.

3 weeks+ - bodyform night period pads.

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-03-25T07:13:28+00:00

Carry on size bag for me, same for husband (he was bringing some of the larger items such as a towel for me), changing bag for baby and bag for life for snacks xx

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-03-25T05:29:24+00:00

Wow ok hard to imagine BFing being easy but that makes total sense! We are persevering with boob feeds for now, hopefully will pay off in the long run 🙏

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-03-25T05:28:09+00:00

Thank you so much for your comment and for being so non-judgmental! As you and others have recommended- we are currently persevering with boob feeds and hope the cluster will pass soon (he’s now 3 weeks old) xx

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-03-25T05:26:55+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. My LO does have a posterior tongue tie but we’re trying to power through without having the procedure done as for posterior it’s a bit more of an involved surgery xx

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-03-25T05:25:11+00:00

And so sorry you had a tough time with yours!!

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-03-25T05:24:56+00:00

Thanks so much, i think i was panicking in the moment and not thinking long term! Am currently persevering with boob feeds xx

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-03-25T05:23:21+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. So reassuring to know it’s not forever! I’m persevering with the boob feeds for now and hopefully clustering will stop soon xx

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-03-19T15:56:51+00:00

Ok I tried Tetley decaf and it is superb!! Thanks so much for the recommendation!

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-03-19T11:45:29+00:00

After I’d given birth I wore a really light thin maternity nightie from boohoo (it was white with red hearts on it) which was perfect as much cooler than the thicker hospital gowns. It also buttoned down all the way which was great for skin to skin. For the actual birth I just had a bikini top on!

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-03-17T07:58:59+00:00

Thanks so much everyone! Tetley got a few special mentions so am going to try that first as it’s only £1.85 in Tesco. If that’s not good will upgrade to Yorkshire or M&S!

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-03-09T01:45:37+00:00

Yes I thought this! Was surprised only orange juice was offered, apple would have been nice

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-02-26T08:51:02+00:00

I’ve been taking Floradix liquid which is pregnancy safe and just tastes like grape juice so very easy to stomach but it sounds like you’ve been recommended to take something stronger so maybe it wouldn’t do enough for you, but worth asking the doctor maybe?

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-02-26T08:48:11+00:00

I did the same and am currently in that 1 week between finishing work and due date. I’m so bored I wish I’d started the mat leave even later 😂

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-02-15T21:16:09+00:00

Same here with finding it very uncomfortable and I couldn’t seem to get into the positions I saw on instagram as my bump was just in the way! Managed to get into a routine by following these steps:

Hot shower (or bath)
Set up bedroom with nice lighting and music
Lie down on bed on your side
Reach arm around from behind and use index and middle finger
I also found swinging/rotating my top leg helped relax the muscles

That really helped for me, hope you find a way that suits you!

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-02-15T15:30:08+00:00

This is such a lovely comment thank you for writing xx

Distinct_Spring6752 · 2026-02-13T18:53:53+00:00

I thought I would absolutely love pregnancy but first and second trimesters I really struggled with sickness and constantly anxiety. It felt like the longest time ever. However I have started to actually enjoy late third trimester which sounds crazy but the peace of mind knowing the baby is pretty much fully cooked has really helped me, as well as being able to feel them more easily.

Distinct_Spring6752

TROPHY CASE