text: I just plan to starting gas and air and if needed get stronger stuff. Some of mine I’ve needed a epidural others I did with nothing at all. But I know I’ll be getting heat packs and strong pain killers for the after pains omg with the last few they have been worse than labour
  Last time I had pethidine and ended up with episiotomy and ventouse. I really want a completely different birth this time so although obviously birth is completely unpredictable, I’ve looked at all the factors which could have influenced the way my birth went and I am planning doing the exact opposite basically. This time I really really really want to have a water birth so that would just be gas and air and I want to be much more active during labour. The pethidine completely wiped me out (and the baby) and I literally lay in the hospital bed for 12 hours without getting up. I definitely think these play a huge factor in my bad birth experience
  I’m more worried about it this time round too! Think it can be harder to be open minded when you’ve done it before. I’m hoping to have a similar experience - TENS, gas & air and water birth. I think if it doesn’t look like that will be possible I’ll go straight for an epidural, as it has less of an impact on you mentally. My body just took over completely with my first so I don’t really feel like I had to ‘do’ anything!
  I was in the water for labour - had gas and air available but was rubbish at using it - until got out for episiotomy as baby was back to back and had pooed so needed to be out ASAP- had no issue using gas and air for being sewn up though! I'm aiming for natural waterbirth again this time with optional gas and air xx
  I’ve just been looking into this and Remifentanil or an Epidural seem to be the best options for effective pain relief that doesn’t make you feel out of it. Remifentanil is an opioid but it’s short acting and wears of after each contraction.
  
  Ahhhh how hard is it x I just don’t believe people will still ask and pressure x I really don’t see a way around letting close family come and see the baby or how we could do that safely ! Anyone else who has given birth already having the same issue ? X of course we want immediate family like grandparents to see bubba but it’s just not possible 😩😩xx
  Mine has just turned 4 weeks and I only had first visitors (grandparent support bubble on the weekend). My MIL works in a school and is getting tested twice a week. My FIL is working from home. I basically just said, we can have a support bubble, if you’d like to see the grandkids you’re welcome to come over for a visit providing you aren’t unwell etc.
  I think it depends on your situation, how far away people live, if you've other kids etc. I have 4 kids, home-schooling 2 of them, then have a 3 year old who's playgroup shut at Christmas & hasn't reopened due to covid restrictions, and then the baby. My in-laws live 5 min walk from my house, my mum & stepdad live 5 min drive. We have a support bubble with my mum & step dad, and childcare bubble with in-laws. We occasionally have in-laws in for a cuppa though too. We've visited friends on our walks & have let them meet the baby outdoors/ on their doorsteps. However it has been 0-5 degrees all January & has rained constantly for the last week or so, so I have allowed a couple of friends (separately) in the house to meet the baby - they've also brought dinner and groceries for us. It is difficult, we are a very social, family and really miss having people round. I really miss all the baby groups / toddler groups, and having all 4 at home and home-schooling was very overwhelming. My baby is now 3.5 weeks old & we're starting to get into a routine xx
  We’ve had immediate family round because it’s their first grandchild and I’m not having this pandemic rob them and me of the experience. One set get tested weekly for jobs and my parents WFH and get their shopping delivered so we knew they were pretty safe. Others and friends have visited at the window
  We’ve got a support bubble with my parents, brother & his girlfriend (all living together). I’ve been going once a week as I need the support for me, not just baby (there’s nothing better than cuddles with my mum and a cuppa whilst one of the others cuddle the baby!). My FIL is tested regularly and has had the first vaccine dose so we let him come in and meet the baby. So far that’s it, aside from a walk outside with my friend. We’re playing it by ear with everyone else but as someone as above, it’s a balance between being safe and not being robbed of the experience which can be so damaging mentally!