Special Delivery Summer 2017 | Page 30

Pain Relief in Labour

A brief overview of your options for pain relief during labour. (Article originally from www.nct.org.uk)

When it comes to giving birth, most women want to know: how much is it going to hurt and will I be able to cope with the pain? Unfortunately, you can’t answer either of these questions with certainty. But what you can do is improve your ability to cope with pain during labour, as well as understand your options for pain relief and their impact on you, your labour and baby.

Your birth partner(s) will make a huge difference to how you feel during labour. Emotional support, such as encouragement and reassurance from somebody you trust, can really boost your confidence and ability to cope with pain when you need it most.

Here we look at the different pain relief options that are available during labour.

1. Positions and movement

 Lying on your back can make your contractions slower and more painful. Movement, such as rocking, swaying and leaning forwards, maximises your body’s ability to give birth as it helps ease your baby along the birth canal.

Pros

- Maximises your body’s ability to give birth

- No lasting side-effects for you or your baby

Cons

- Try not to overdo it; saving energy is also important. Lying

on your side for a while or sitting up supported by lots of

pillows can help your body to work really well while you

conserve energy

Pregnancy & Birth

2. Water & birthing pools

 Water and birthing pools in labour soothe pain and, in a large birthing pool, supports you, enabling you to glide into any position. 

Pros

- You can combine it with other options, such as Entonox (gas and air) and massage

- Women who labour in water need fewer interventions and are less likely to need other drugs

- No lasting side-effects

Cons

- Water can sometimes slow down labour, particularly if you get in too early

- You won't be able to use TENS (see below), pethidine (or other injectable drugs) or an epidural while you're in water

- Birthing pools might not be available or an option everywhere