Everything Pregnant

Childbirth Pain Relief

 

 

Natural pain relief 

• Relax in a bath or pool may help ease pain caused by contractions. Make sure water temperature stay below 37C. 
• Keep moving and change positions in between contractions, such as standing, sitting, leaning, lying down, even walking.
• Hypnotherapy in childbirth. Hypnotherapist guides you through an easy and comfortable birth through relaxation, meditation and visualization.
• Try sitting on a crouching positions or kneel down on all fours during contractions.
• Distract yourself by reading, watching TV, engaging in a conversation, etc.
• Acupuncture by an acupuncture specialist. It works by inserting fine needles through your skin at various pressure point over your body. Studies shown that acupuncture have successfully reduced pain during labor and delivery.

 

Childbirth Medication

Each woman handles childbirth different with different levels of pain and tolerance. Should you feel the need for pain relief medication, don't be afraid to ask. Here are a few options to consider:

 

Entonox

Commonly known as gas and air is a combination of oxygen and nitrous oxide. It is usually the first choice of pain relief during active labor provided by hospital or childbirth centre. It is taken through a gas mask or a mouthpiece with slow breaths. Gas should be inhaled 5 to 10 seconds before each contraction for optimal pain relief. It is easy to use, but inhaling too much too fast makes you feel sick or light-headed. Keep calm and breath in the gas naturally will be the best.

 

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) 

Used in NUS across the UK. TENS uses electrodes to stimulate the nerve pathways to the uterus and cervix. You are given a hand-held device to control the strength of current sending electrical impulses through pads taped to you back. It is most useful during early stages of labor.

 

Epidural

It is a regional nerve block injected directly into your spine in order to numb the nerves connecting to your brain. It is one of the most effective pain relief in modern days and the side effects include:

• headache
• sore back afterwards lasting couple days
• low blood pressure in rare cases
• increase labor time
• extra interventions needed for the actual birth

 

General anesthesia

It is only used during emergencies since it puts you out during the birthing process and prevents you from seeing your child immediately after birth.

 

Morphine

It is a strong opiate pain relief derived from opium or poppy plant. It is usually offer in the early stage of labor through injection to help you cope with strong contractions pain. If taken late in labor, it may affect your baby's breathing and drowsiness for several days after birth.