Home> Advice> ChildBirth> Pain Relief During Labour

What are my Pain Relief Options during Labour?

What are my Pain Relief Options during Labour?

There are many ways of relieving pain in labour. Some involve using your body 's own coping mechanisms, such as breathing and relaxation, to encourage the production of substances called endorphins. These are the body 's natural painkillers, and are released in response to pain.

Many women find that relaxation can be encouraged by using the warmth and buoyancy of water in a bath or birthing pool, effective breathing techniques, massage, visualisation techniques (focusing on a series of pictures or calming thoughts during contractions), or complementary therapies such as aromatherapy or homeopathy. What you find relaxes you will be personal to you.
 
Article continues below advertisement
 

Other methods use medicines to stop or reduce the pain messages before they reach the brain. These methods may be given by various means:

as a gas breathed through a mouthpiece,

by injection,

through a tiny tube (catheter) which is fed into the lower back, and which carries local anaesthetic to provide a numb sensation.


A TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine may both block pain signals and stimulate the production of endorphins. A TENS machine delivers small amounts of electrical current through a pad placed on the womans back. The woman controls the strength of the electric current using a hand-held device, ensuring that it is safe. TENS machines can be used in hospital or can be hired out before the expected delivery date for use at home.

Where medicines are used to reduce pain during labour, there is no method that is 100% free of side effects for mother and baby. Some painkilling drugs, such as pethidine, pass through the placenta to the baby, who may be less responsive immediately after birth. These medicines may be avoided close to the time of delivery to ensure that their effects have worn off by the time the baby is born.

The experience of childbirth and the ability to cope with pain varies greatly. Its important to learn which options are available beforehand and discuss them with your birth partner and midwife.




© Crown Copyright  
(www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk 25/09/2007)


 
 
Latest Forum Discussions
Did any of you ladies try anything to...
Water Birth
CONGRATULATIONS Jodiep
Has anyone had a home birth
C SECTION HELP PLEASE
Have you recently given birth?
Baby Crib Safety - Frequently Asked Questions
 Labour Pain Fear Results In More Caesareans
 My Son - Callum Thomas
 What is a Baby Shower?
 Giving Birth Features
 Who's Given Birth recently?
 
 





Woolworths Toys