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Pain Relief Options in Labour
Women have many choices regarding pain relief during childbirth. Before birth a woman’s opinion to pain relief may be very different to when she is actually in labour! Therefore, it is important to be open minded when thinking about the options available. It is useful however, to have a bit of knowledge about both natural techniques and the most common forms of pharmacological methods (drugs).
Natural Methods
These include relaxation and breathing techniques, positioning, and water.
I call these methods ‘Your self help tool kit’. These methods can be very effective if you are considering a ‘natural’ birth. They do not take the pain away, however they may help you to cope with contractions. The benefits of relaxation in labour are numerous. Combined with breathing and positioning techniques, which can act as a distraction from the pain, may be all that some women need throughout labour. If you enjoy relaxing in water then a water birth may be an option. You are able to use gas & air whilst in the water.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is a natural state, which we all experience many times a day. It is a time when your conscious, (analytical, rational mind) takes a step back and your subconscious (feelings, memories, emotions) comes more to the forefront. With intended Hypnosis, you purposefully take yourself into a daydream like state using music, soothing images and guided visualisation. Once the critical and analytical part of your mind also relaxes, you become more receptive to positive suggestions and affirmations. As the mind does not know the difference between imagination and reality, the more times you give yourself positive suggestions, the more real they become.
Natal Hypnotherapy™ uses the natural state of hypnosis, deep relaxation and the power of suggestion to enhance your pregnancy and birth experience. Using hypnosis, you tap into the subconscious (the part of your mind that is responsible for all your bodily functions including your heart rate, hormone production and elimination system, as well as the part which stores your emotions, fears and anxiety) to deal with, and overcome fear and anxiety associated with pregnancy and labour, and to increase self confidence and trust in your bodies natural ability to give birth. Using and applying hypnosis techniques can therefore greatly reduce, if not eliminate the fear and tension which leads to severe pain during the birthing process
Pharmacological / Other Methods
Epidural – Aninjection into the epidural space that delivers local anaesthetic at waist level.
Pros – Takes pain away completely. Avoids the need for general anaesthetic if having a caesarean and is helpful for women with high blood pressure as it lowers blood pressure.
Cons – You are bed bound as you are numb from the waist down. There’s no guarantee that you can have one as it depends if there is an anaesthetist to administer one. It can be difficult to feel and work with contractions during the pushing stage thus making this stage longer. It increases the likelihood of an assisted delivery.
Pethidine – A synthetic, narcotic drug similar to morphine.
Pros – Can make you feel sleepy. It may be easier to relax - reduced stress has advantages. The dose can be tailored to the mothers needs.
Cons – Nausea. You have to remain in one place. Disorientation by the narcotic effect of the drug. May feel out of control. About 5% of women experience lowered blood pressure. As the drug passes through the placenta, baby may have breathing difficulties therefore baby may need another drug (Naxolone) to counteract this. Baby may be sleepy and unresponsive effecting baby’s suckling reflex and the ability to latch on to the breast, which can cause problems when trying to get breastfeeding established.
Meptid - Asimilar type of drug to pethidine.
Pros – A reasonable effective form of pain relief, which affects the baby less than pethidine does.
Cons – You need to remain in one place to use it and it can make you feel drowsy, dizzy or nauseas.
Etonox (Gas & Air) - A mixture of nitrous oxide and Oxygen. When breathed in it dulls the pain.
Pros – You are totally in control and it is widely available. It dulls the pain and can be used at any stage of labour. It is available for home births.
Cons – Some women hate the smell of the gas and it can cause nausea.
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a safe and easy to use pain relief method. At the first signs of labour, four electrodes (self adhering pads) are placed on the back and the machine is turned on to generate the comfortable electrical impulses. These electrical pulses travel through the skin to interfere with the transmissions of pain signals to the brain and stimulate the body to produce natural pain killing hormones called endorphins. During a contraction the Mother uses the hand held boost button to change the machine from the standard pulse to a much stronger continuous pulse. Once the contraction is over the machine is returned once again to the standard mode. The machine is fully portable and this allows the Mother to walk through her contractions if she wishes. TENS can also be used post birth for the after pains caused by the uterus contracting back to its original shape
Don’t feel guilty about any of your decisions. You are the only one who knows how you are feeling during contractions. Every woman gets through labour the best she can. Remember no one fails during labour!
Tammy Breuer
Antenatal Teacher – Birth Matters
www.birth-matters.co.uk
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