Giving birth doesn’t have to be a painful experience. There are medical and natural options to cope with and alleviate pain, and many women use a combination. Before you make any decisions, take time to research and ask your doctor questions.
Medical Pain Relief Options
Epidural anesthesia. This is the most common choice for labor. It’s administered into the epidural space of the spine and numbs the lower half of the body. The epidural starts to take effect within 10 to 20 minutes. Your anesthesiologist may adjust the dose as labor progresses.
This medicine, however, can cause vasal dilation and may lower blood pressure. In some patients, this could reduce blood flow to the placenta, potentially affecting nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. If you have low blood pressure or concerns about this, talk to your anesthesiologist ahead of time.
With an epidural, you have a choice between a walking epidural or a full epidural. The walking epidural allows mobility. Many women like the option to walk around, sit or sway on a birthing ball, enjoying the freedom of not being confined to the bed. A full epidural, also just called an epidural, limits your ability to walk. It greatly reduces pain and numbs the lower half of the body – so much so that walking would be challenging if not dangerous.
Discuss these options with your anesthesiologist to determine which one fits your needs and expectations.
Spinal block. This single injection works within minutes and is effective for about two hours. It’s administered to women scheduled to have a Cesarean delivery.
IV narcotic. This option reduces pain perception but doesn’t eliminate pain. Many women choose this for early labor. If you’re not quite ready for an epidural but are experiencing pain with contractions, this may help.
Nitrous oxide. Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is inhaled through a mask and you will instructed on how to self-administer. Breathe it in during contractions. In between contractions, set the mask aside. This option is fast-acting and gives you the control.
Non-Medical Options To Relieve Pain
Natural options are also an option to manage your birth experience and reach your personal comfort level. You may rely solely on these methods for comfort management during labor, or you may use a combination of natural and medical options. It helps to educate yourself because several of the non-medical options require preplanning.
Breathing and relaxation techniques. This can include deep breathing along with guided imagery or visualization. These practices are taught in childbirth education classes and need to be practiced well ahead of labor. Breathing methods such as Lamaze Breathing or the Bradley Method can lower tension and the perception of pain while instilling calmness. Classes may last about 12 weeks, so plan ahead to have them completed before the third trimester. If choosing this route, you want to know the techniques well enough that you can recall them readily when labor starts.
Movement and position changes. Moving your body between specific positions and postures can help with the labor process and contraction management. Moving around or doing light exercise can keep you mentally focused on something other than the pressure or pain. Upright positions can encourage stronger, more effective contractions and help the baby descend into the birth canal. Changing positions during labor helps facilitate your comfort. Your labor nurse may also suggest positions that will promote the proper descent of your baby into the birth canal while also taking your comfort into consideration.
Water therapy. Some facilities have tubs and showers that can ease pressure and discomfort, reduce swelling, lessen back and pelvic pain, and encourage relaxation. This option needs to be discussed well ahead of labor; not all facilities can accommodate this.
Massage or counterpressure. Massage and counterpressure can help reduce pain, especially in the hips and back, as well as anxiety. This can be performed by your support person, who would need to take classes to learn the techniques. Many doulas are trained in these techniques.
Heat or cold therapy. Warm compresses and ice packs can help numb muscles and alleviate pain and tension. Ask ahead of time to see if these are available at your facility or if this is something that you should pack in your bags.
TENS unit. A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit is a small, battery-powered device that delivers mild electrical pulses through electrodes placed on the lower back or sacrum. This device blocks pain signals and encourages the release of endorphins. You would need to purchase this ahead of time, discuss this with your birth team and pack it with your labor bag.
Hypnobirthing. This is a self-hypnosis practice. You’d have to take classes to learn the techniques. This method involves a lot of practice. There are also books that can help acquaint you with this technique, as well as recordings you’ll become familiar with ahead of time. This method takes work, but it’s possible to rely solely on this technique to have a safe, comfortable labor.
Know your options, and keep in mind that it’s helpful to have a backup plan. That can help you feel more comfortable and confident going in.
Include your preferences for pain management in your birth plan and share that with your nurse and labor team. You may want to have a doula or your support person familiar with your preferences who can advocate for you once labor begins. A lot will be going on, so it helps to have someone else support your plans.
This content is not AI generated.
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