Labour pain relief

Labour can be a once in a lifetime amazing experience for a couple as they bring their bundle of joy to their lives. Labour can also be painful and long so it’s important to learn about all the ways that can relieve the pain.

• RELAX : The labouring woman needs to learn how to relax, stay calm and breathe deeply.

• MOVE : It is always better that a woman in labour not be confined to bed but move as she feels so she is more in control of her situation than feel restricted.

• BIRTHING PARTNER : Friend or relative for one to one support throughout labour can make a lot of difference to the mothers attitude.

• WARM BATH OR SHOWER : Even a massage can make a woman feel better.

Gas and air (Entonox) for labour

This is a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas. Gas and air won't remove all the pain, but it can help to reduce it and make it more bearable. It works by the woman taking deep breaths with the mask. There are no harmful side effects for you or the baby

Injections in labour

Another form of pain relief is the intramuscular injection of a drug, such as morphine or tramadol.

Epidurals

An epidural anaesthesia numbs the nerves that carry the pain impulses from the birth canal to the brain. A very thin tube will be passed through the needle into the back near the nerves that carry pain impulses from the uterus. Drugs, usually a mixture of local anaesthetic and opioid, are administered through this tube. The mother’s contractions and the baby's heart rate will need to be continuously monitored.

There are some side effects. An epidural may make the legs feel heavy, depending on the local anaesthetic used. It does not cause long-term backache.

Water births

Labouring in warm water can relax the woman and make contractions more bearable. Using a birth pool is likely to shorten the first stage of labour and help cope with the pain. Research has found that women who spend some time. Labouring in water are less likely to need an epidural or spinal than women who spend their entire labour The water will be kept at a comfortable temperature but not above 37.5 degrees C.

Hypnotherapy

When a woman prepares for childbirth with hypnosis, the aim is to replace fear and expectations of pain with confident expectations of a safe, gentle even comfortable birth. Women can respond to hypnotic suggestions so well that they release "feel-good" hormones, such as endorphins and serotonin, while giving birth. This relaxes the mother's muscles and nervous system to the point that she feels less pain – or even no pain at all.

Breathing exercises

Focusing on the breathing is a really helpful way of getting through each contraction. As a woman breathes, she should think of the word "relax" in two stages. Take a deep breath inside at the beginning of the contraction and think "re-", then as she breathes out, think "-lax" and let go of any tension. Breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth, keeping the mouth soft and slightly open is taught.

Birth partner

A birthing partner can be a friend , mother, husband or a doulah who gives loads of encouragement and positive energy to the woman in labour. A woman who gets positive support in labour is able to cope better with pain.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy using essential oils. Some oils, such as black pepper and lavender, contain chemicals that can help to relieve pain. Having regular massage treatments with these oils in the weeks before the due date is helpful. Research has found that regular massage or

aromatherapy may help to cope with pain while giving birth.