11 things mums who’ve had gas and air know

Gas and air is pretty heavenly stuff given it makes you feel rather, er, tipsy (but without the hangover). Here are 11 things mums who’ve had gas and air during labour know about it ... which may (or may not!) convince you to include it in YOUR birth plan.

Some mums think it's almost worth going through labour to try gas and air. It’s a mix of feeling like you’re floating and being veeeery far away.

Which is just as well given that where you *actually* are (the delivery suite, in full labour) is pretty blinking painful.

After nine months of no booze, you’d almost forgotten that heady feeling you get after a few glasses of wine.

And the best part? No hangover – woo hoo.

The moment he sees you all giggly (it's not known as 'laughing gas' for nothing), your partner will be determined to try gas and air.

Which is fine … until he refuses to hand it back as he ‘hasn’t had this much fun since college’. Hmmm.

Thank goodness for the midwife who catches him in the act and tells him off.

What is it about gas and air that makes you say things you’d NEVER dare utter out loud normally?

And you can guarantee your partner will whip out his phone to film you as you ramble on to the doctor about his beautiful eyes. Eek.

You know they’ve seen and heard it all before.

But you’re pretty sure you remember the midwife trying not to laugh while you were chatting away, high on gas and air.

And once again, your helpful partner has it all on video. Oh, the shame.

A few gulps and the gas and air takes the edge right off the pain.

But unfortunately, it wears off just as fast. Which is probably why you’ll go through a fair bit before you know it …

Especially if you’re anything like Netmums member Sara who says, ‘I thought I was on X Factor and I could see Simon Cowell sat on the medicine cabinet and heard him say, 'you're doing really well'.

Now there’s an idea for a new TV series ...

Too much gas and air and you can start feeling seriously nauseous. Hmmm, might be time for that epidural after all …

Woe betide the midwife who tries to take the gas and air away from you before you’re ready.

In fact, you've clamped down on the mouthpiece so hard, you've nearly bitten it in two.

There’s no way you’re letting go of the gas and air anytime soon … even if it is stopping you concentrating on pushing. Oops.

The last thing you fancy doing during labour is eating and drinking.

But after a while of sucking on the gas and air, you’ll be gasping for some liquid. Shame the thought of ANYTHING makes you want to throw up.

Seriously, why isn't this stuff on sale at the supermarket?

In fact, if the only place you can get it is on the labour ward, maybe giving birth isn't so bad after all ...