Childbirth is an exciting time for most expectant mothers, a culmination of 40 weeks of pregnancy. Soon the mother will finally be able to hold her precious newborn. However, the birthing process can be challenging and painful, and no two deliveries are the same. While you may have chosen a method of pain relief prior to the beginning of labor, it's possible you may change your mind once contractions begin or intensify. Knowing your options ahead of time will help you make the best choice for you and your baby.
Step 1
Consider relaxation techniques. There are several you may find useful during labor and your delivery. These are especially helpful for women who oppose using medication to ease pain. One relaxation technique involves focusing on a tranquil environment using soft lighting or candles. Another relaxation technique is massage by your partner to relieve muscle tension.
Step 2
Talk to your doctor about hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy, according to the American Pregnancy Association, is becoming an increasingly popular way of easing the pain experienced during labor. In some cases, women choose to remain in the water and have a water birth.
In the first and second stages of labor, the warm, pulsating water from a shower, or the jets from a whirlpool, help ease the pain from the contractions. The water also seems to help the mother produce more endorphins, which inhibit the pain as well. Some women stay in the birthing pool until it's time to deliver, while others opt to give birth in the pool.
Step 3
Ask for an epidural block. The Mayo Clinic states that an epidural is an analgesic or anesthetic administered during either active labor or just prior to a C-section to numb a specific area. The medication is typically injected into the lower back, outside a bag of fluid that surrounds the spinal cord. It usually takes 20 minutes to give, and takes effect within 10 to 20 minutes.
An epidural has little, if any, effect on the baby, leaves the mother pain-free and can be used continuously through labor should pain return. It may actually help labor progress, as the mother cannot feel the contractions and therefore does not work against them by becoming tense.
On the other hand, it can lower your blood pressure, which can lower the baby's heart rate. You may also require a catheter, as it blocks your ability to empty your bladder.
Step 4
Ask your physician about pain-relieving narcotics. A number of narcotics are available to help ease pain during labor; the effect lasts two to six hours. They can be administered as an injection or intravenously and usually take effect within minutes.
Narcotics decrease the perception of pain, meaning the pain still exists, but the narcotics help you rest. These drugs may have more of an impact on the baby, though. They can cause a temporary slowdown in breathing for both you and your child. When the baby is born, his reflexes may be slower than normal.
Step 5
Implement breathing techniques. Before the days of hydrotherapy and narcotics, there was breathing. Many women still choose to use breathing techniques to relax and ease their pain during labor. The goal of breathing techniques, according to Sutter Health, is to help you remain relaxed. When focusing on your breathing during a contraction, your thoughts are redirected from the pain. Ask your doctor about local Lamaze classes that teach you how to relax using breathing techniques.
