There are a number of different ways to relieve pain during labour.
Some involve encouraging the production of endorphins using your body's own coping mechanisms, like breathing and relaxation. Endorphins are the body's natural painkillers, and are released in response to pain.
Many women find water to be relaxing so prefer to go through labour in a bath or birthing pool. Other ways of relaxing include breathing techniques, visualisation techniques (focusing on a series of pictures or calming thoughts during contractions), or complementary therapies such as aromatherapy, massage or homeopathy. Each woman is different so what works for one person won't necessarily work for someone else.
Pain can also be reduced using medicines in the following ways:
 A gas breathed through a mouthpiece
An injection,
Through a catheter - a tiny tube which is inserted into the lower back, and carries local anaesthetic to create a numb sensation.
A TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine is used to block pain signals and stimulate the production of endorphins. A pad is placed on the woman's back which delivers small amounts of electrical current. The woman is able to control the strength of the electric current using a hand-held device. TENS machines are very safe to use and can be used in hospital or you can hire them to use at home.
When thinking about using medicines to reduce pain during labour, you must take into account any side effects to you and the baby. Some painkillers, such as pethidine, pass through the placenta to the baby, who may be less responsive immediately after birth. These medicines should 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 methods of coping with pain vary greatly from woman to woman. To make the birth of your baby as comfortable as possible it is important to learn which options are available to you and discuss them with your birth partner and midwife.
May 2011
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Hypnotherapy
