Pregnant women should begin exploring their pain-relief options several weeks or months before labor begins. Even women who plan to have a natural birth without pain-relieving drugs need to learn what options exist for coping with contraction pains and the stretching of the vagina when the baby is finally delivered. Once a decision has been made, women can create a birth plan for their attending care providers to read.
Lamaze
Lamaze is a technique that consists of relaxation, breathing, distraction and massage. KidsHealth.org points out that it is the most widely used labor pain-relief method in the United States. It focuses on improving a woman's confidence and helping her trust that birth is a normal process. Lamaze can be learned through a class, book or DVD.
Bradley Method
The Bradley method is another natural method of coping with labor pains. In this technique, the father's role is to be the coach. Nutrition and exercise are emphasized during pregnancy to prepare a woman's body for labor. During labor the woman focuses on relaxation and deep-breathing techniques to handle the pain. Classes on this method also discuss handling unexpected complications, such as an emergency cesarean delivery.
Doula
A doula is essentially a trained labor coach. She is capable of applying counter-pressure to make pain more tolerable, and is familiar with numerous laboring techniques. Depending on the doula, she may coach a mother through hypno-birthing with self-hypnosis, yoga, meditation, massage or the use of numerous birthing tools. Doulas are known for having a bag of birthing tools that may consist of massage items, birthing balls to sit on, images or relaxing music. It is important that the mother and doula meet prior to labor to discuss the possible techniques that will be used. The doula is likely to be well-versed in Lamaze and the Bradley method.
Water
Birthing in a bathtub, soaking in a tub before the mucus plug is lost or taking a warm shower are all methods of relaxation and pain relief. Not all medical facilities are equipped with these options for labor. Some midwives and doulas specialize in water births. Prior to arriving at the birthing facility, a soak in the tub at home can help a woman relax.
Analgesics
Analgesics consist of pain-relieving medications like morphine and meperidine. These can be given via an intravenous injection or a shot. The entire body is affected by this type of pain relief, but KidsHealth.org points out that it does not interfere with labor or contractions. Some side effects include nausea and drowsiness. The baby can be affected by the drugs too, making it drowsy at birth. The Mayo Clinic points out that this type of pain management only lasts for about two to six hours, but does allow a woman to rest without the side effect of muscle weakness.
Tranquilizers
Tranquilizers don't technically relieve pain, but they can help a woman rest. This method may be combined with other pain relievers to help a tense mother calm down. Some women report feeling out of control with this type of medication. Side effects to the baby may be more significant and should be considered carefully before taking this option.
Regional Anesthetics
Regional anesthesia is the most effective way to prevent a woman from feeling pain. One type is the epidural that is administered into the epidural space, an area in the spine, to block all pain messages from the waist down. The Mayo Clinic explains that the procedure can take about 20 minutes and pain relief may not be felt for another 10 to 20 minutes. The medication in the epidural is given via a catheter, and can be turned up or down for nearly as long as a woman as in labor. Babies receive much less of this type of medication than the other drug options. Some side effects include trouble pushing the baby out, maternal blood pressure decline, itching, nausea and headaches.
A spinal block can be given if delivery is expected within the next two hours or if a cesarean section is going to take place. Pain relief from this injection into the fluids surrounding the spinal cord last for about two hours and numbs the woman from the chest down.
Local Anesthetics
Anesthetics can be used to block the pain felt between the vagina and the anus during the actual delivery. This type is given via injection moments before the baby is expected to crown, or appear in the vaginal opening. A regular anesthetic is injected into the vaginal tissues and takes effect quickly. This type of anesthetic injection is also used for stitching or an episiotomy, where the vaginal opening has been enlarged with incisions. A second type is called a pudendal block, an injection inserted into the vaginal wall to block the pain between the anus and the vagina.
