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Coping with Labor Pain
Sylvia Wood, RN, CNM, MSN
You can't wait to meet your precious baby. But if you're like most first-time moms, you may be anxious about the actual birth. Just how much does labor and delivery hurt? And how will you cope with the pain?
Each woman experiences labor differently. Some women are more sensitive to pain than others, and medical factors, such as the size and position of the baby, affect the amount of pain you experience. Some women can effectively manage their pain by using breathing and relaxation techniques they learned in childbirth education classes. But many women find they need some additional help to ease the pain.
A number of drug and non-drug approaches can make labor and delivery more comfortable. You should learn about all of them, and discuss your preferences in advance with your health care provider. It's best to remain flexible and see how your labor goes, though. Keep in mind that the hospital where you deliver may not offer every form of pain relief. And if your labor takes an unexpected turn, you may need to alter your plans. So it pays to know all your options. These are some of the common approaches to pain relief during labor and delivery.
Drug Options
A number of drugs are commonly used to help ease the discomforts of labor and delivery. They are generally safe for mother and baby. However, drugs differ in their effectiveness, and all pose some risk of side effects in both mother and baby (although most are mild). The three most common drug options are:
- Epidural block: An injection given in the lower back that numbs the lower body
- Spinal block: Another type of injection given in the lower back that numbs the lower body
- Narcotics: Drugs that act on the central nervous system to change how people experience pain
Non-Drug Options
You can help make your labor more comfortable by learning all you can about drug-free approaches for pain relief. You may want to use these approaches to ease your discomfort early in labor and then add epidural or narcotic pain relievers. About 20 percent of women rely on drug-free methods alone for labor and delivery.
Childbirth Education Classes
Taking a childbirth education class is a good way to find out about your labor and delivery options. Many cover drug and non-drug options, and all teach breathing and relaxation techniques that can help you control pain during contractions.
Before you deliver, find out which pain relief options are available at your hospital. Discuss your preferences with your health care provider. You can't predict how your labor and delivery will go. But planning ahead can help to ease labor pains while you look forward to holding your baby in your arms.
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Information specialists at the March of Dimes answer your questions by e-mail and online chat.
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