What are your pain relief options?

There are many different types of pain relief options for your labor experience. From medications to relaxation techniques there are many different ways to make the birth experience exactly what you want it to be.

A few options mothers have are:

-Self-Help and Relaxation Techniques

The techniques could be breathing techniques learned through birthing class before birth, or constantly staying in motion to distract from labor pains. Other relaxation techniques are taking a shower or a bath, and having a partner who supports you by standing by your side, or massaging your back through contractions.

-Hydrotherapy (Water Births)

I talked about water births in a previous post but one reason that water births are a good relaxation and pain relief option is that the water can help you relax more and can help the contractions seem less painful.

-Gas and Air (Entonox)

This is a mixture of gas and air that you breathe through a mask. This will not remove all of the pain but can help it become more bearable. It does not have any side effects for the baby but can sometimes make mothers feel light-headed, sleepy, or unable to concentrate.

-Pethidine Injections

This is a type of drug injection that is usually administered through the thigh or buttocks that helps you relax which can lessen the pain. The effects last between two and four hours but if it is given to close to delivery it can make it harder to push.

-Epidural Anesthesia

Epidurals area mix of local anesthetics and opioids are put in the back through an IV. This numbs the nerves that carry pain impulses from the birth canal to the brain. When given an epidural most women must stay in bed because it numbs from the waist down. The baby must also be monitored after an epidural is given. Epidurals can sometimes prolong labor, make it hard to go to the bathroom (meaning you need a catheter), cause soreness in the back, or sometimes sever headaches after birth.

These are some of the most well known pain relief options mothers are given but there are also many homeopathic options like acupuncture, aromatherapy, hypnosis, massage and reflexology.

Sources:
-http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/pain-relief-labour.aspx#close
-http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/labor-and-delivery/labor-pain.aspx