Managing Labor Pain Health Article

There are many ways to manage pain during labor. These include relaxation techniques, pain medications, and anesthesia. You may plan to use little or no medication, but you may change your mind as labor progresses. Keep in mind that you can always ask for medication if you need it. Your healthcare provider will discuss with you any risks that medication may have.

Managing Pain Without Medication

Many techniques help manage labor pain without using medication.

They include:

• Breathing and relaxation techniques, often learned before labor during birth preparation classes.

• A warm tub or shower to help you relax between contractions.

• Massage and therapeutic touch by your support person or labor coach.

• Reading something comforting or inspiring.

• Listening to soothing music.

• Hypnosis, which needs to be learned and practiced before you go into labor.

Controlling Your Discomfort with Analgesics

Analgesics (pain relievers) provide some pain relief without total loss of feeling or alertness. They may lessen discomfort during intense contractions. Analgesics may even allow you to relax enough to sleep between contractions. These medications should have little effect on your baby if given early in labor. They may be given by injection or by IV.

Controlling Pain with Regional Anesthesia

Regional anesthetics numb one region of your body, but they leave you awake and aware. These may be used to numb your lower body during either vaginal or cesarean delivery. They don't circulate in your blood, so little if any of the medication reaches your baby. The two kinds of regional anesthesia are epidural and spinal.

Epidural

An epidural supplies anesthetic to the space between the vertebrae and the membrane that covers the spinal cord. While you sit up or lie on your side, a needle holding a small, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into your lower back. The needle is removed. Anesthetic is then given through the catheter. An epidural may be given for either vaginal or cesarean birth. It partially affects muscle control. You can most likely push during a vaginal birth. But once you have an epidural, you may not be able to walk around.

Spinal

A spinal is an injection into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. A spinal is given in one fast-acting dose. You may be sitting up or lying down when it is injected. A spinal affects muscle control in your lower body. It is most often given for cesarean birth.

If You Need General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is used rarely. It may be used when a cesarean needs to be performed quickly. It lets you sleep and keeps you free from pain during surgery. You will also be given oxygen during the procedure. Birth often occurs before the anesthetic has reached the baby.