Ask the Expert
Tina Perridge, Director of Neighbourhood Midwives Ltd shares her thoughts on managing pain during labour.
What are the main pain relief options for a vaginal delivery?
OU'VE GOT THIS
It is probably worth saying before we review the conventional pain relief options for a vaginal birth, that there are a whole host of self help coping strategies that women have which are of enormous benefit in labour. Breathing, visualization, hypnobirthing techniques, water, massage, movement, etc. Feeling confident with these will be helpful whatever you decide.
TEADY YOUR
NERVES Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation is popular and can be hired easily. It works much like the effect of rubbing your knee if you bang it, the rubbing message travels faster that the pain message, and it also increases your endorphins, just as a massage would.
LD FASHIONED GAS
& AIR
It is inhaled through the mouth via a mouthpiece during each contraction and creates a sense of well being which can help you cope. Some women feel a bit nauseous but many women like it as they can stop/start when they choose. It has no known side effects on the baby
TRONG NARCOTIC
OPTIONS.
Both do the same thing and are used in the same way but not together.
The drug is injected into the muscle. It can make you feel sick so usually given with an anti sickness medication too. It can make you feel drowsy and woozy which may not be ideal in established labour.
It also crosses the placenta and if the baby is born with the drug in his bloodstream he may be floppy and unresponsive or have breathing difficulties and need an antidote.
It can be effective in early labour if you are struggling with extreme tiredness and unable to rest as they may help relax you and allow the uterus to work effectively.
Y
SELF HELP
TENS
SY
ENTONOX
O
PETHEDINE OR DIAMORPHINE
SY
IS DELIVERING WITHOUT ANY PAIN RELIEF THE BEST OPTION?
Less intervention is generally safer but you need to make an individual decision based on your own circumstances. Labour is a deeply challenging, personal experience and there is no shame in having pain relief to support you through it