Epidurals

Pain Relief During Childbirth

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Giving birth can an extremely uncomfortable and painful experience for many mothers, and while for some women labor goes quickly and relatively easily, for others it can turn into a real ordeal. Where our grandmothers had to go through the pain barrier more or less unaided, there are quite a few options available for today’s pregnant women that can lessen or even completely remove the pain, allowing the joyfulness of giving birth a much greater chance to be appreciated.

Birthing Pool
Being in water during the early stages of labor can greatly relieve the contraction pains in some women, as the buoyancy takes some of the pressure off the muscles of the lower back. Some women prefer to stay in the water right through to the later stages of labor, and some even choose to complete the birth in a birthing pool.

Birthing pools have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they are seen as a natural way of reducing pain, in line with today’s widespread preference for keeping things simple and as close to nature as possible.

TENS
A TENS machine is a small electronic device which you attach to your lower back with electrode pads. The machine passes a very slight electric current through the pads, which is intended to interfere with the pain signals, reducing the extent of the discomfort. The level of current can usually be increased during contractions, and then lowered back down as the pain subsides again. Some women find TENS machines to be highly effective, while for others the effect is minimal. The devices can usually be hired from the hospital, but are relatively cheap to buy yourself if you want to be sure that one will be available.

Gas and Air
This is also known as entonox, and is a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen that is breathed in via a pipe whenever the mother-to-be feels the need. It is a very light method of pain relief, and is enough on it’s own for some women, especially in straightforward births. The effect is more of a distraction from the pain than an actual reduction, but doesn’t feature the drawbacks of the two more heavy-duty pain relief drugs below.

Epidural
An epidural is an injection of pain relief drugs direct into the lumbar region, and is extremely effective at blocking pain. The initial injection must be performed by a doctor, although the drug levels can then be subsequently topped up by the midwife for as long as it is required. Early epidurals also interfered with movement, and so the entire birth had to be carried out lying down, but more advanced versions of the drugs used now allow the mother to walk around a little to relieve discomfort.

Pethidine
This is the strongest pain relief option available in most cases, and is extremely effective in stopping pain over a 3 to 4 hour period. Unlike an epidural, it can’t be used indefinitely, and only two doses are usually allowed, meaning it is less than ideal for labors lasting longer than 8 hours or so. The drug can also pass through to the infant, in some cases delaying the start of breathing. Antidotes are, however, available should this occur.

Although the choice of which method of pain relief to use is usually left up to the mother, most midwives recommend starting with the less invasive choices such as TENS and gas and air, only moving up to drug treatments if necessary later on.

Sheryl’s comment:
A few pain relief options that the author failed to mention are acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic, meditation, massage, hypnobirthing and other childbirth preparation methods such as The Pink Kit, Bradley and Lamaze.

Pain relief during labor is a charged topic. Obviously no one should suffer unnecessarily and that is why pain relief for childbirth is considered civilized and humane. While I do not feel that women in a hospital setting should be denied painkillers, I would hope that women explore options to avoid needed the pain relief in the first place because many commonly used pain relievers such as epidurals are dangerous to the baby, the birth process, breastfeeding and bonding.

Fear is a primary component in childbirth. It activates your fight or flight response and prevents your body from doing what it is meant to do. Simply reading some books such as Childbirth Without Fear by Grantly Dick Read or The Power of Pleasurable Childbirth by Laurie Ann Morgan can make the difference if you understand that there is nothing in the natural birth process that you should be afraid of, and in fact many women experience great pleasure even mind-blowing orgasms when left to give birth the way nature intended.

The second component in pain during childbirth is interventions. Interventions, by their very nature are meddling in the natural process of childbirth. Pitocin, for example, which usually necessitates an epidural, blasts the baby out of its the uterine home with (bovine strength) chemicals before it is ready to come out on its own. If you can avoid the Pitocin or the Cytotec you can often avoid pain relief during childbirth.

Many women who reach spontaneous labor because the baby is ready to come out, report having contractions that “give them pause” or they have to stop walking and lean against the wall but they all report that the contractions were bearable and the worst part was the humiliating, degrading, dangerous and often excruciating things that the doctors or midwives were doing to them to “speed things along”.

That said, if you are going to attempt to have a “natural” hospital birth, (good luck with that by the way), then make sure to have a birth plan and lay out in advance what pain relief you want. If you want acupuncture or TENS then make sure you have the resources lined to up make that happen.

Also make it very clear that they cannot deny you pain relief just because you are getting close to delivering. The only reason they tell you no at that time is because they do not want to wait for an anesthesiologist to get there. Sounds like cruel and unusual punishment to me. Letting you suffer because they are in a rush is just not acceptable. If they put you in that position with their hexes and potions then they can wait a few minutes while you get some relief. Threaten to sue if they don’t. Please remember to get off your back and squat. (Threaten to sue if they do not want you to) Your baby will come much quicker and end your suffering.

Want to avoid pain relief during childbirth? Find yourself a Trust Birth group near you, join an unassisted childbirth online community, trust the birth process, stay at home and let nature do its job.

Author: Simone Butler
About the author: Simone writes for a parenting information, a site where you can read more about pregnancy and birth, plus advice on choosing baby products such as cots and cribs.
Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/majikfaerie/2583013314/

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