I have a few questions from women who gave birth in UK.
Q1. I am inclined towards epidural but people tell me the hospitals dont give them to u that conveniently and u have to go through most part naturally. I am a big pain freak and i know i will be needing an epidural. What should i do to ensure i will get it for sure? How can i ensure there will be an aneasthiologist at my time of delivery?
Q2. Did they tell you the gender of the baby? I have heard that since many desis wanted to abort on knowing its a baby girl they stopped telling the gender. Is that true?
Q3. I am a lay person in using terms but is getting a natural tear better or one should opt to get vaginal cut themselves? What are the situations?
I have no experience with the UK system, so can’t really answer all of the questions, but will say that data shows that vaginal cut/ episiotomies are not recommended anymore (on a routine basis)
In the UK they do give you something called “gas” that they give to reduce the pain. They will give you an epidural if you insist upon it but you have to do your homework and find out which hospital is better for this kind of a thing.
Hi,first of all congratulations..
1-you can request an epidural.u can inform your midwife that that is what you want.You can write in down in your birthplan which you write around 28 weeks..If your midwife has a problem with it you can ask her to refer you the antenatal clinic at the hospital
2-episiotomies are not given routinely,and as far as I am aware you cant really request them either.
3-at your 20 week scan they will ask you if you want to know the gender of the baby..if the sonographer doesnt ask you just let her know you would like to know.
4-its not a bad experience..midwives everywhere are the same,a bit rude but trust me they do try to make u comfortable.If its a normal straight forward delivery,ull b home most likely the same day.your midwife will follow u up at home,then she’l hand over the babys care to the health visitor
above all,enjoy ur pregnancy..just relax n take it easy..xx
1- Yes you can ask your MW to put it in your birth plan when she comes to visit you to discuss birth of your baby in 3rd trimster and yes they do encourage woman to go with minimum pain relief e.g. gas and air. My MW explained to me about all the pain relief methods, One thing that stick to my mind was she said You should go step by step for example hot shower, pain killer, gas and air, injection and if all else fails go for epidural. I gave birth 3 weeks ago and I just had gas and air, yes it was painful but I was so high on gas that I didnt ask about the epidural Just be aware gas makes you say some real crazy stuff and if your hubby is anything like mine he will record it :).
2- Yes they normally ask you at 20 weeks scan if you want to know, if you do tell them but sometimes they cant based on how baby is lying.
3- I had 2nd degree tear but I didnt feel no pain well no extra pain, MW told me I had a tear and stitching was painful even after they numbed me but I just got high on gas and I was out of it, Afterwards It felt quite sore and tight? but I am ok now I think I need to have my 8 week check with my doctor to get all clear but I dont feel the stictches anymore. One thing to remember is your MW will tell you to stop pushing and start panting when baby’s head is out listen to them it will help to avoid any tearing. I was told to do that but my baby just came out flying after his head was out so didnt have a chance.
4- Overall my pregnancy was problem free Alhamdulillah we did have some minor issues. One thing the majorly got wrong was my baby’s weight, Based on their scan/my weekly tummy measurements I was expected to have a 7 and half pound baby but my little man was 6 pound just goes to show they dont know everything. If you are unsure about something just ask or tell them to refer you to specialist.
Good luck and dont worry InshAllah it will be fine.