1. Pain Relief

2. Everybody’s labour is different and women labour differently within each pregnancy.
It is difficult to predict beforehand what & how much (if any) pain relief will be needed before the women goes into labour.
It is therefore important that both she, her birth partner & the midwife spend time discussing the various options available.
Birth plans should always have written down what (if any) pain relief the woman wishes to have BUT always remember she could change her mind and have everything OR nothing
Some expectant mothers wish to labour with very little help or intervention whilst others are happy to have everything going.
All the evidence available states that if a women is relaxed and active, is well supported (partner or good midwife) then her labour will progress more easily since tension causes greater pain.
JCO

3. Pain Relief Options
A wide variety is available but they generally fall into 2 categories
Those that use drugs
Those that are drug free
There are a number of advantages & disadvantages that need to be considered.
Some drugs will affect either the labour, the mother or the baby in either a positive or negative way
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4. Pethidine
This is an opiate drug that is given by injection into the thigh. It makes the mother feel sleepy and possibly relaxed. It does not take away the pain
Advantages
It can be given quickly & easily by the midwife but takes 20mins to take affect
It is more useful in early labour to allow mother to rest or sleep
Disadvantages
Crosses the placenta to baby & if given close to birth will cause baby to be born sleepy > breathing & feeding problems
Mother can feel sick, disorientated & out of control
Does not take away the pain
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5. Epidurals numb the body from the waist down.
An anaesthetist gives a liquid anaesthetic through a tube directly via a needle into the mother’s spine at waist level.
It makes her completely numb from the waist down so she cannot feel the contractions.
An electronic monitor is used to check on the baby’s heart rate throughout.
Epidurals take 45 minutes to set up and take effect.
Once in place and working the mother should not feel any pain
Disadvantages are that the mother needs to remain on the bed, can have a longer labour & that the baby may be born via a forcep or ventouse delivery
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6. TEN Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
TENs machines pass a small electrical current through pads attached to the Mother’s lower back.
It interferes with the pain messages in the body and triggers the release of endorphins which are the body’s own natural painkillers.
It works well against mild pain.
It has no known side affects on the baby
It is self administered by the mother
She normally has to rent units
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7. Entonox - Gas & Air
Gas & Air works quickly. It is a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen and is inhaled via a mouthpiece or tube
It takes away some of the pain.
(Acts as a distraction)
It wears off quickly.
It makes the mother feel light-headed, sometimes a little sick but it doesn’t effect the baby.
JCO

8. Breathing exercises are taught at antenatal classes.
This involves taking a deep breath in and breathing out very gently and slowly.
The idea is to be able to meditate through the pain.
Some women use alternative medicines e.g acupuncture, reflexology or homeopathy
Massage has also been found to be beneficial
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9. Water Birth
Mother is in a special pool either provided by the hospital or hired by the parents. It is filled with warm water & kept at a constant temperature
The baby can be born in the water as it continues to breathe via the placenta for a short period of time
Advantages – mother relaxed, feels light(gravity), encourages release of endorphins
JCO